Sunday Salon: Happy Mother's Day to the Mothers of my Characters

There are many memorable mothers in fiction, like the crazy mother in Stephen King's Carrie, but three mothers that stand out to me are characters I created in each of my novels. Let me introduce you to the mothers of Sarah Richardson (Whale Song), Del Hawthorne (The River), and Jasi McLellan (Divine Intervention).

Whale Song - Daniella is a kind, sweet, loving mother who finds beauty in nature and everyone she meets. Born in the US, she meets Jack Richardson, a Canadian marine biology student who is infatuated with her paintings, which are sold at Visions, an art gallery in San Francisco. When they move with their daughter Sarah to the remote town of Bamfield on Vancouver Island, the wise Daniella helps her daughter deal with a school bully.

"If you choose to hate her, then you become just like her, no better," Daniella tells her daughter. "Life's too short to not forgive those who hurt us...Forgiveness sets you free." It is this last sentence that most reminds Sarah about her mother, even after her mother is taken away from her.

The River - Maureen Walton is the opposite of Daniella. Maureen takes great pride in her appearance and manners, and she expects the same from her daughter Del, an anthropology professor. Although Maureen thinks she's the next Martha Stewart, she's remarried a man far beneath her. And she's not the brightest bulb in the box, especially when Del reveals that Maureen's first husband, Del's father, is still alive.

"You can't be serious, Delila. He's dead!" Yes, some mothers can be quite heartless.

Divine Intervention - Jasi McLellan's mother was murdered during a home invasion when Jasi was a young child. Married to a cop, Calista McLellan loved her children dearly and would do anything to protect them. Jasi doesn't remember much about that tragic day, even though she was a witness to her mother's murder. A few years after her mother's death, Jasi began having disturbing visions. Now, as a trained Pyro-Psychic, she sees through the eyes of killers. But there is always one murderer that has alluded her--the person responsible for her mother's death.

The second book in the series, Divine Justice (unpublished) reveals more about Jasi's mother's death...and her murderer.

Today as we celebrate Mother's Day, let's remember that every mother is different. Each has a story--a childhood, a past life, sometimes a secret. Some are loved, some are feared, but in the end they gave us life and we wouldn't be here without them.

For me, there is no greater joy than being a mother. My daughter is my heart and soul.

Happy Mother's Day!

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif
http://www.cherylktardif.com

Book Review: The Girls by Lori Lansens

I've always been an avid reader and for the past few months I've been reading novels by Canadian authors as part of The Canadian Book Challenge. Yesterday, I finished reading The Girls by Lori Lansens and I decided to share my review of her book with you here.

The Girls by Lori Lansens

4 solid stars!
ISBN 13: 978-0316066341
Publish date: April 2007
Trade paperback; 368 pages; $13.99
Fiction; Family Drama
Recommended for: Anyone who enjoys an emotional tale of love, loss and life.

Unbelievably believable!

Lyrical, poetic prose opens this heartwarming and unique story of conjoined twins Rose and Ruby and the lives they led, both separately as two individuals with different likes and dislikes and together as sisters who must rely on each other solely for their very existence. Joined at the head, ‘The Girls’―as they are known as in their small Ontario town―are raised by loving adoptive parents Aunt Lovey and Uncle Stash, after their birth mother disappears shortly after giving birth. The conjoined twins are considered the pride of the town, not an oddity, and they rise above what most of us would think of as a handicap or disability and love each other unconditionally.

The Girls is a diary told in two voices―Rose’s and Ruby’s. Rose encourages her sister to contribute to what will become their life story and although she does most of the writing, both characters come to life as they observe the lives of everyone they meet, sharing their innermost thoughts, hopes, fears and dreams with the reader. I found myself so connected to Rose and Ruby that I didn’t want their story to end, and when it did, I was left with a bittersweet ache for more.

The first paragraph reads like pure, sweet poetry that is sure to haunt any reader; it is what first grabbed me and pulled at my heart. The Girls opens like this:

“I have never looked into my sister’s eyes. I have never bathed alone. I have never stood in the grass at night and raised my arms to a beguiling moon. I’ve never used an airplane bathroom. Or worn a hat. Or been kissed like that…So many things I’ve never done, but oh, how I’ve been loved. And, if such things were to be, I’d live a thousand lives as me, to be loved so exponentially.”

Lori Lansens is an extraordinary Canadian author who paints a picture of rural Ontario farm life and two distinct lives with a magic wand of effortlessness, vividly colorful description and heartfelt compassion. At times you’ll forget you’re reading a novel because it reads with such clarity and believability. In fact, this novel is so full of realism, you may find yourself flipping to the author’s photograph at the back of the book to see if she is a conjoined twin. Instead, you’ll find her sitting alone at one end of a sofa, as if waiting for someone to join her.

The Girls: A Novel is a MUST READ for anyone who enjoys an emotional tale of love, loss and the challenges of life. Other books of comparable emotional impact: The Lovely Bones: A Novel and Mothering Mother: A Daughter's Humorous and Heartbreaking Memoir and of course my novel Whale Song: A Novel , "a compelling story of love and family and the mysteries of the human heart."

Looking for the PERFECT Mother's Day gift for Mom?

Mother's Day is just over 2 weeks away, so if you haven't bought something for dear Mom, then now is the time.

• Is your Mom an avid reader?
  


• Does she like soft, family dramas filled with emotion, authors like Luanne Rice, Jodi Picoult or Sara Gruen?
  


• Does she prefer paranormal suspense with sizzling romance, like Kay Hooper, Iris Johansen or J.D. Robb novels?
  


• Or does she like adventurous yet creepy thrillers full of fast-paced action and twists and turns, like Dean Koontz and Michael Crichton?
  

If your Mom fits any of these reader profiles, then I have the perfect book for her, and the perfect gift for you to give.

WHALE SONG - a "compelling" family drama that explores family ties, love, tragedy, deception, sacrifice, forgiveness and hope.

"Whale Song is deep and true, a compelling story of love and family and the mysteries of the human heart...a beautiful, haunting novel." --New York Times bestselling novelist Luanne Rice, author of Beach Girls

The benefits of giving your Mom WHALE SONG:

1. It's a novel that will change how she views life...and death.
   


2. It has been known to bring strong emotions to the surface, allowing for personal reflection.
   


3. It has been responsible for healing broken relationships.
   


4. It has brought mothers and daughter closer together.
   


5. It has helped some people deal with death and the loss of a loved one.
   


6. It has inspired and restored hope.
   


7. By giving your Mom a copy of Whale Song, you can feel good that you are also helping 3 nonprofit organizations dealing with poverty, homelessness and addictions.
   


8. If you email me after you order Whale Song, I will send you a bookmark and SIGNED bookplate, so you'll be giving Mom a personalized and autographed book that she will treasure.
   


9. Mom will pass her copy of Whale Song along to other readers, maybe even you.
   


10. You can order Whale Song online now and your gift buying will be done! :)
    

DIVINE INTERVENTION - a paranormal romantic suspense that pits a team of covert psychic agents against a deadly serial arsonist.

"An exciting book from start to finish. The futuristic elements are believable...plenty of surprising twists and turns. Good writing, good book! Sci-fi and mystery fans will love this book." --Writer's Digest

The benefits of giving your Mom DIVINE INTERVENTION:

1. It's a novel that offers entertaining suspense and a steamy cast of characters.
   


2. It is great for anyone who enjoys books about psychics and includes an underlying sub-plot that is ghostly.
   


3. If you email me after you order Divine Intervention, I will send you a bookmark and SIGNED bookplate, so you'll be giving Mom a personalized and autographed book that she will treasure.
   


4. Mom will pass her copy of Divine Intervention along to other readers, maybe even you.
   


5. You can order Divine Intervention online now and your gift buying will be done! :)
   

THE RIVER - a "mile-a-minute pot-boiler" thriller that explores nanotechnology and man's search for youth and eternal life.

"Superb! The River is Tardif’s most exciting novel yet! Full of unpredictable twists and lurching turns, The River is a non-stop adventure into Canada’s mysterious north." --Kelly Komm, author of Sacrifice

The benefits of giving your Mom THE RIVER:

1. It's a novel that offers thrills, suspense and interesting characters.
   


2. It is deals with terrifying scenarios that make the reader ask: "What if...?"
   


3. Email me after you order Divine Intervention and I will send you a bookmark and SIGNED bookplate, so you'll be giving Mom a personalized and autographed book that she will treasure.
   


4. Mom will pass her copy of The River along to other readers, maybe even you.
   


5. You can order The River online now and your gift buying will be done! :)
   

Or order all 3 novels for your 'bookworm' Mom and give her a relaxing Mother's Day!

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif

Who should read Whale Song?

Back in 2003, when I wrote Whale Song, I envisioned my audience as mainly adult women--30-60. I've been surprised to see that a younger crowd has found Whale Song. I now have readers as young as 7. And I have many readers older than 60. My oldest reader is 108 and lives in Australia. She's actually Ollie, the world's oldest blogger.

Even more surprising, I've had a number of boys and men read Whale Song and enjoy it. At a signing in Richmond, BC, last summer, I sold more copies to boys between 8-15 than ever before. One of them emails me now and then. :)

Whale Song has a very strong and powerful message of love, forgiveness and hope, and some people who have read my novel have been changed by the message. I have received emails saying that Whale Song has healed broken relationships, mended some and helped some come to terms with a tragedy or death in their lives. I am truly blessed to hear such things!

Sometimes I am asked: "Who should read Whale Song?" So here's my answer.

Whale Song should be read by:

• mothers
• daughters
• sisters
• aunts
• grandmothers
• best friends
• teachers
• librarians
• caregivers
• book clubs (definitely!)
• Oprah :)
• anyone 7-108, male or female, who enjoys an emotional read

Whale Song should also be read by people dealing with:

• abuse
• loss
• grief
• death
• racial discrimination
• bullying
• leaving friends behind
• relationship problems
• lack of faith or hope

And it should be read by those searching for:

• hope
• forgiveness
• faith

Order Whale Song

Fathers and daughters

Relationships need special, ongoing care, and often a bit of mending. The bonds between fathers and daughters are so important and often very shaky. I see this in my own life and I can see how not having a good relationship early on with my own father has affected my choices, thoughts and my life. But as with every relationship, there is always a chance of healing, and sometimes this comes many years down the road.

Before I wrote Whale Song, my relationship with my father had changed--evolved into something relaxing, accepting and loving. He had changed. And so had I. I watched him interact with my daughter Jessica from the time she was a baby and realized that he was making it up to me--through Jessica.

Later, when my parents divorced after 36 years of marriage, I was devastated. I blamed my father and returned to my old feelings for him. Divorce is never easy on children--even adult ones. It felt as though my life had almost been a lie, that everything I had known had changed into something unrecognizable. It affected my own marriage.

Ironically, it was at this time that I wrote Whale Song. As the story progressed, it became apparent that my character Sarah was going to have to deal with a tragic event in her life and that her father, who had always been her hero, would make some life-altering decisions.

Writing the last few chapters, I also realized that Sarah was finally ready to accept her father's decisions and forgive him. "Forgiveness sets you free." This strong message weighed heavily on my mind, and I decided that I had some forgiving to do of my own.

To date, I have received dozens of emails from readers who have shared how Whale Song has affected them. It has brought fathers and daughters closer together. It has mended broken spirits and relationships. It has brought mothers and daughters closer together as well. I had no idea that my novel--Sarah's story--would have the power to do such things.

I invite you to pick up a copy of Whale Song from your favorite bookstore or online retailer. If you know someone with a broken relationship, Whale Song makes a wonderful healing gift.

If my novel impacts your life and you'd like to share this with me, I would be honored. I won't reveal your story or information unless you give me permission to, but hearing how my book--any book--changed your thoughts or life keeps me focused on always delivering a story with emotion, depth and value.

In the end, writing Whale Song changed my life and my own relationship with my father. I may not always agree with his choices, but I love my father. And that's all that is really important.

Whale Song set me free.

~*~

• Read an excerpt of Whale Song.
• Order Whale Song.

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif, bestselling author