Found in Understanding By: Debbie Zello

Found in Understanding

Book three of Refuge Series

By: Debbie Zello

     When I started reading this book, I think I must’ve just fell into the pages. I was right there, inside the book, and I couldn’t put it down. There was no stopping me. My husband tried to get me to do a few things, including have a conversation, and it just wasn’t happening. And it wasn’t on purpose.

     You see Firelight is a character that wants to make something of herself. And she was raised in this community that is tight knit, and lights to keep to themselves. Not many people strive to do something, or be something, or even do something different with themselves. They just want to stay within their community, where they feel safest. But Firelight had plans, and dreams. And it wasn’t that she wanted to get away from the people whom she loved dearly, it was that her dreams needed out. Her dreams required to help her make a difference. And she wasn’t going to let anyone, or anything stand in the way of her dreams. 

      She received a full Scholarship to Yale University. She ends up being a little shy at first when she ends up on the outside, in the new World so to speak. The World is a much bigger place when you can’t just jump into your bed and under covers and delve into a good book and hide. Now she must act like an adult and face her fears head on. And low and behold, there is so much to learn and do, aside from becoming educated in a School.

     Firelight ends up falling in love, and then seeing that very romance snatched right from her, in front of her very own eyes. The heart break itself will make you cry. He is a masculine man who rides motorcycles and makes her feel like she is the best thing that every happened to him. She feels safe and loved in his arms. Until finally, it is too late. This is when you want to scream at the writer and ask, ‘What were you thinking?’ and then you see, there are still a lot of pages here following this. 

     Firelight ends up walking down the street and hears a motorcycle. For some reason she decides to look up at the rider. Her eyes must be playing tricks on her. This is where she ‘Found Understanding’ and the book recovers and saves our hearts after all. 

     This book played with my feelings in oh so many ways. I yelled at the Author so many times. And I laughed, and I cried. And I my favorite book of Mrs. Zellos was: ‘Shadows of Him’ until she wrote this one. Now this one is my favorite. And not just because I edited it either. Because I could literally feel the emotions of this book as it was meant to be felt. When the writer does that, you know you have met the perfect writer. And that is why Debbie Zello is perfection in so many ways. 

     This is a five-star read, if I have ever read one. And if you have ever wanted to read something that will pull you in, and play with your emotions, this book will do just that. And by the way, you will yell at the writer. Now go on, get a copy, and tell me what you thought after you’ve read it!

Here are my questions for Debbie Zello:

1. What made you write this book and how long did it take you?

This book went very fast. I finished it in a few weeks. The story came in my usual format, in my dreams.

2. Where and how did you come me up with the name “Understanding”?

Firelight needed a man that would get not having an ordinary name. I just thought of his name one day. I think it fits him perfectly.

3. Do you have photos or descriptions of the characters in this book?

Kennedy Gilbertson, the cover model,  was my vision of Understanding. Firelight is timid and small. She’s attractive but not stunning.

4. As you write, does your imagination “see” your storyline and characters?

Very much so. I live with the characters as I write. They speak to me. I feel involved in their lives.

5. Do you ever have to stop what you’re doing to write?

Not very often but I do get up very early to write before I go to work.


6. What are you working on now?

I have several books partially done. Two completed but not yet edited. One book that will be released in July. That is an Historical Romance set in the 1830s just prior to the American Civil War. Behind the Manor Door Lies the Reckoning, is the title. It takes place in England, Boston, and Richmond Virginia.


7. What kind of books do you personally like to read?

I’m a big romance reader. I love happy endings.

8. A personal question you can chose to ignore:
Are you cancer free now? 

Yes, I am. I still go every year to see my oncologist. He released me last year but for my peace of mind, I want to continue. Thank you for asking.


9. When did you first realize you were destined to be a writer?

I’ve written several books. I’m waiting to be recognized as a writer. So far I’m just indulging a hobby.


10. What is your favorite thing about writing?

I love the words. I love researching. Looking for restaurants or local sites the characters can visit. They give me the basic story but I have to fill things in.


11. Out of all your own books, which one is your favorite?

I was fully immersed in Why We Don’t Die in Dreams. It’s my most unusual book. I guarantee it’s like nothing anyone has ever read. 

12. Please share with us your book and social media links:

Author Bio – Debbie Zello

Debbie has always been an avid reader, but writing never occurred to her. That was until an illness gave her the time and inspiration needed to begin her journey in words. After writing down a few chapters of a story that had whispered into her head, she gave it to a few friends to read. The rest became her first book, The Kiss Me Chronicles.
Debbie freely credits her stories to her muses, the characters themselves. They occupy her thoughts and dreams, presenting her with their narratives on their lives and loves. On occasion, she has tried to put her own take on their story, only to be quickly corrected by the true authors.
Debbie has traveled extensively and has a deep love of American history. Her novels are often based on historical events as well as places she has visited. She is also an amateur genealogist, having traced her own family roots.
Debbie currently has ten published books with many more in various stages of production, including a tetralogy of 'what or where is your safe place.' She is also branching out of the romance/historical romance genre to include a teenage appropriate story based on Dorothy's(The Wizard of Oz) great-granddaughter, Dee, and her shoes. Hopefully, Dee won't leave Debbie in some far off time or place.

Elizabet, Under the Back Staircase - Release Date – 1 February 2015 

Amazon - http://getbook.at/Elizabet

Universal - https://www.books2read.com/Elizabet

Elizabet learned early on in her life, to know her place in her world. As an illegitimate child of the wealthy owner of the house and his cook, she had to learn how to have one foot on the front stairs and one on the back.
Elizabet experiences love, hate, acceptance and longing as she navigates her way through the turbulence of her life with the backdrop of the Civil War.
If you enjoy determined women in historical settings, then Elizabet...Under the Back Stairs is the read for you.

Shadows of Him - Release Date – 22 March 2015 

Amazon - http://getbook.at/ShadowsofHim

Universal - https://www.books2read.com/ShadowsofHim

Shadows of Him takes the love story of Alexzander Blackburn and Aisling Coutier from the present into the past. Zan, as he calls himself, is bewitched by a Salem sorcerer, and forced to travel through time. Unable to form lasting relationships, due to his constant disappearances and inability to age. Zan comes into contact with the one woman he wants to spend his life with. But finds that undoing spells isn't as easy as it sounds.

The Middle of My Bridge - Release Date -  6 July 2015 

Amazon -  http://getbook.at/MiddleofMyBridge

Universal - https://www.books2read.com/MiddleofMyBridge

Bestselling romance author, Grace Lilith Watts, is caught in the middle, between her past and future. Unable to move forward and powerless to change what was, she goes from lover to lover.
Grace fully immerses herself in her stories. When she decides her topic, she leaves her tiny New York City apartment to live and write amongst the people in the story. She gains an insight into the lives and loves of the inhabitants. This makes her stories even more believable.
Grace leaves for Connecticut, and a sleepy small town, that housed a Revolutionary spirit so strong, that General Rochambeau lodged there on his march to meet General Washington in New York. There she meets the general’s great grandson, Etienne Rochambeau, and begins her journey to cross that bridge.
The Middle of My Bridge is a Contemporary Romance with a historical background. If you enjoy traveling and love stories, then this book was written for you.

Romancing Broadway - Release Date -  5^th September 2015 

Amazon - http://getbook.at/RomancingBroadway

Universal - https://www.books2read.com/RomancingBroadway

Samantha West is a small town girl with big city lights in her eyes. She and her BFF Gabby, live in a tiny NYC apartment, where Sam waits for her big break on Broadway. A part in an off-Broadway production brings the charismatic Cesere Bottari to her attention.

Cesere dominates her life from the beginning, keeping Sam clueless of his interference. Until a disaster befalls her friend Gabby, and a false accusation ruins things.

Romancing Broadway has a duel ending. You will have the opportunity to pick for yourself as both are in the book.

Romancing Broadway is filled with strong women, romantic men, travel and humor. If you enjoy reading those things, you will find them in this book.

Why We Don’t Die In Dreams - Release Date – 9^th May 2016 

Universal Link -  https://www.books2read.com/Dreams-1

Amazon - http://getbook.at/Dreams1

SOMETIMES NOTHING IS AS IT SEEMS. 

Gavin McLean is an astute, accomplished and dedicated homicide detective. His days are filled with solving brutal murder cases, delving into the psyches of the worst humanity has to offer. His work comes first, to the detriment of his personal life. 

His sleeping hours are plagued by a reoccurring dream of a beautiful naked woman with long brown hair. He's mesmerized by her shapely backside, which is all he can see in the vision. The dream is erratic, with no patterns to help discern frequency or cause ... with one complicated exception. She is always suspended by her hands, from a meat hook, on the ceiling, and pleads for her life. 

With his personal life in turmoil and dreams shortening his sleep, he struggles to keep his world in operating order. He distracts himself by having an encounter with a frequent lover. Then fate steps in when a woman is found naked and dead, in a dumpster.

Is Gavin's dream becoming his reality. Sometimes nothing is as it seems.

See You In September – The Refugee Series Book One - Release Date – 7^th July 2017 

Amazon - http://getbook.at/SYIS

Universal - https://www.books2read.com/Refugee1

If Cheri Winslow Gates had been able to see into the future, she would have never married David. Unfortunately, she didn't have that gift.

Divorced and navigating life solo, had just begun to feel normal, when an extremely fascinating man, rented the cottage next door. Gareth Marshall certainly wasn't looking for any entanglements three thousand miles from home, but then he didn't know about the enchanting lawyer a few feet away.

They fit perfectly together in every way. They spend the fading summer wrapped in each other and happily agree to meet back there next September. Unfortunately, Cheri's ex-husband has different plans for her.

A Snow Covered Nightmare – The Refugee Series Book Two -Release Date – 20^thSeptember 2017

Amazon - http://getbook.at/SCN

Universal - https://www.books2read.com/Refugee2

As the sole witness to her bosses murder, Briah Spencer's life would never be the same again. Once she had identified the killer as none other than Denver's biggest crime boss, David Slater, her head had a price on it.

Aiden Baldwin was one of Denver's finest homicide detectives. His job was to keep Briah safe long enough to testify. His heart had plans of its own. Soon her life and his found that rock and hard place where decisions were impossible and devastating. Briah is sent into witness protection and Aiden to the bottom of a whisky bottle.

Briah felt safe in the mountains. They were her refuge from life's realities. She could lose her cares on the slopes with the wind blowing them past her. Will the mountains hide her from the two men that want her? Can the snow help her to forget Aiden? Is there a future in her new life?

Mercy: the deadliest Sin (Why we don’t Die in Dreams 2) - Release Date – 24 November 2017 

Amazon - http://getbook.at/Dreams2

Universal - https://www.books2read.com/Dreams-2

Don’t worry, nightmares won’t kill you.
Mercy, the deadliest sin is the exciting conclusion to Why we don't die in Dreams. Take the journey, and thank you.

Found In Understanding – The Refugee Series Book Three - Release Date – 2^ndMarch 2018 

Amazon - http://getbook.at/Refugee3

Universal - https://www.books2read.com/Refugee3

Firelight was raised with love and kindness, on a small farming commune, in Southern California. Her first dip into the outside world was rough, but the lessons learned from it, propelled her into Yale University, on a full scholarship.
College brought so many firsts. She blossomed under her friends, professors and her first job experiences. Her first real love fit her romance novels idea of perfection.
When a heart-wrenching turn spins her world apart, she finds herself in Understanding.

Follow Debbie on

Amazon - http://viewauthor.at/DebbieZello

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/debbiezelloauthor/

Bookbub - https://www.bookbub.com/authors/debbie-zello

Twitter: @ZelloDzello1

13. Anything to add:

Once again I want to thank you for your support of all authors. Without people like you, we’d struggle to be seen. Thank you so much. 

Found in Understanding: Refuge Series Book Three by Debbie Zello
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I started reading this book, I think I must’ve just fell into the pages. I was right there, inside the book, and I couldn’t put it down. There was no stopping me. My husband tried to get me to do a few things, including have a conversation, and it just wasn’t happening. And it wasn’t on purpose.

You see Firelight is a character that wants to make something of herself. And she was raised in this community that is tight knit, and lights to keep to themselves. Not many people strive to do something, or be something, or even do something different with themselves. They just want to stay within their community, where they feel safest. But Firelight had plans, and dreams. And it wasn’t that she wanted to get away from the people whom she loved dearly, it was that her dreams needed out. Her dreams required to help her make a difference. And she wasn’t going to let anyone, or anything stand in the way of her dreams.

She received a full Scholarship to Yale University. She ends up being a little shy at first when she ends up on the outside, in the new World so to speak. The World is a much bigger place when you can’t just jump into your bed and under covers and delve into a good book and hide. Now she must act like an adult and face her fears head on. And low and behold, there is so much to learn and do, aside from becoming educated in a School.

Firelight ends up falling in love, and then seeing that very romance snatched right from her, in front of her very own eyes. The heart break itself will make you cry. He is a masculine man who rides motorcycles and makes her feel like she is the best thing that every happened to him. She feels safe and loved in his arms. Until finally, it is too late. This is when you want to scream at the writer and ask, ‘What were you thinking?’ and then you see, there are still a lot of pages here following this.

Firelight ends up walking down the street and hears a motorcycle. For some reason she decides to look up at the rider. Her eyes must be playing tricks on her. This is where she ‘Found Understanding’ and the book recovers and saves our hearts after all.

This book played with my feelings in oh so many ways. I yelled at the Author so many times. And I laughed, and I cried. And I my favorite book of Mrs. Zellos was: ‘Shadows of Him’ until she wrote this one. Now this one is my favorite. And not just because I edited it either. Because I could literally feel the emotions of this book as it was meant to be felt. When the writer does that, you know you have met the perfect writer. And that is why Debbie Zello is perfection in so many ways.

This is a five-star read, if I have ever read one. And if you have ever wanted to read something that will pull you in, and play with your emotions, this book will do just that. And by the way, you will yell at the writer. Now go on, get a copy, and tell me what you thought after you’ve read it!

View all my reviews

 

Detached The Fleischer Series Book 1 by Wendi Starusnak

Detached
The Fleischer Series Book 1

By Wendi Starusnak

I have the hardest time looking at this womans last name, without thinking I need a snack, I swear. I type it, and it’s, “You start, you snack.” Her name should not be legal. I’m sorry, I just had to put that in there. She probably gonna blow a gasket when she reads this…LOL

Now then, onto my review. Let me just start by saying did you look at the cover? No really. Did you happen to look at the cover? You look at it and know, I better not read this in the dark, and I better not sleep alone either, and I sure hope there isn’t a storm and a power outage tonight. And then the thunder cracks and you jump out of your seat.

Within the covers of this scary looking book, we will meet Emily Ruth Fleischer, and learn her secrets that she honestly doesn’t want to tell.

It was 1976 and Emily had to write it down, and put it somewhere so that it was out of her head, or so she thought. The things that her father did, her family, and the things that even Emily herself later did. Emily just had to put pen to paper and let it out, in hopes it would make her feel better.

Disgusting and painful things like being fed and having to eat their beautiful mare Whisper for dinner. She didn’t want to. Neither did Johnny her older brother. But their father slapped them so hard, and said it eat it. And there was nothing else to eat, or they would starve. Your nose is wrinkling and you’re grossed out aren’t you? Oh please. That isn’t even the worse part.

Julie is the doll that is part of Emily, she talks for her, and is the voice in her head. Julie is a lot stronger then Emily.

Caroline is another sister, and she is younger than Emily, and Emily takes care of her, protects her when she can, and there is also Eric. Emily often wonders why each child looks totally different, nothing like one another. And of course, there is also Mom, and Lucky the dog, who often laps up Caroline’s tears.

Emily often went to bed at night saying the common child’s prayer: ‘Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, if I day before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. Amen.” And she would often fall to sleep tightly clasped to Julie her dolly. 

Then as I Emily rolls over in the night, the nightmare comes to life. The door handle clicks. She prays that it will not happen tonight. She grasps her dolly tightly. The Monster that usually bothers her, comes in, and goes over to her sister Caroline, and climbs onto her, and she hears Caroline moan in her sleep. Emily starts crying quietly, squeezing her doll, “No not Caroline!” She has had to deal with this happening to her all of these years, but now to her sister? No, it can’t happen. The tears are streaming from Emily’s eyes, and she is getting angrier and angrier, hate is building inside of her for the Monster she has to call Daddy….

This book is a five star read, that will literally blow your socks off, and make you want to punch a few of the characters as you read the book. Trust me. I went through so many emotions as I read this. I cried, I screamed, and I even could physically see these things happening and I just wanted to --- this book is intense. You really need to read it. It is amazing. It is a definite page turner that you will not put down, until you know the problem is no more. 

Wendi is an excellent writer, and thankfully, she sent me the other books, because I need them. I feel in love with her writing instantly, and I think you will too!

Here are my questions for Wendi:

1.     What made you write this book and how long did it take you? 

I’ve wanted to be a published author ever since I can first remember.  This book was a story that I needed to tell.  I wanted to give a voice to all the physical feelings and emotions that a child feels when they are abused.  A lot of myself went into Emily, the main character.  A lot of adults have no concept of what a kid goes through on the inside or the outside when they suffer abuse and that’s a very lonely feeling.  Even after telling the right people, I was urged to not speak about my experiences with anyone except those I was told to.  I was forced to be silent yet again and that seemed so wrong to me.  I refused to speak to my counselor or anybody else about what I had been through.  Every time I talked about it, it seemed like somebody new got angry at me.  I felt like I was wrong for what I had been through, and that’s not the case.  I want to be able to be a voice against abuse, to shed a light on some of the realities of it, and to hopefully give somebody else the courage to speak out themselves.

2.    Did you have nightmares after writing this book? If not, why not?

Haha!  I had nightmares while writing Detached.  I had so long separated myself from that hurt little girl that trying to place myself in different scenes to better be able to describe them really brought stuff that I never allowed to bother me back to the surface.  Not all of the experiences were my own and Detached is definitely a work of fiction, of course.  But even to place myself in fictional Emily’s shoes to tell her story (which included experiences of others that I know) gave me all the right ingredients for those nightmares that really stick with a person.

3.    Do you have photos or descriptions of these characters?

I purposely tried not to give any of the characters too much description in the hopes that the reader would more easily find themselves in Emily’s shoes and her monsters could more easily become their own, if that makes sense.  There is a little description of Emily and each of her family members in Detached despite this.

4.    What gives you the desire to write?

I’ve always had it.  I think maybe the desire comes from knowing I can weave whatever worlds I want and in these worlds, I’m in charge.  Whatever I choose is reality, is.  For my Fleischer Series in particular, it was important for me to make sure people know this stuff exists and it doesn’t affect every child the same way, but it does affect every waking moment for that child for the time that it goes on, at least.  And then, even in the most well-balanced and strongest people, different little things can pop up at any moment that make the abuse affect them all over again.

5.    What is your favorite book of all time?

I honestly can’t think of one single favorite.  I have loved almost every book that I’ve ever read.  When I was younger it started with the Nancy Drew books and anything else I could get my hands on.  Then I discovered Stephen King and all the other horror writers and really fell in love with the darker books… maybe even as a child it was the darker books I enjoyed more. 

6.    Have you ever met any Authors IRL?

I’ve met several other authors (a lot of Indie and I think at least a couple were traditionally published) and probably won’t think of all their names right now… Ron Chapman, Bonnie Burnatowski, Alyshia Hull, Eileen Parsons, Lisa Buske, those are the ones that stick out in my head right now.  I’ll have to start keeping a list, or making sure I buy signed copies of each of their books!

7.    What all education have you had?

Well, there is the school of life but I also was supposed to graduate half a year early from high school because I would have had enough credits and I was due to have my first child after the first half but before graduation… because of high risk issues and then so many excuses after, I ended up getting my GED with only credit for 2 courses lacking.  I did some other different schooling stuff, but the only thing that really applies to my life as a writer is the Advanced Fiction Writing course I took online just to focus my brain better and really get back into writing the way I wanted to.  That course I took right before beginning Detached.

8.    What are you working on now?

Right this minute I’m finishing up the final touches and self-edits of Deceived- Book 4 (and the final book) of the Fleischer Series.

9.    Who designed that scary cover for "Detached"? I love it!

Thank you!  Another writer, Tasha Gwartney, actually has done all of my covers, teasers, and my trailer for me.  We exchange services and so far, it is a partnership I couldn’t do without.

10.  Please share with us your media links and book links:

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/AuthorWendiStarusnak

Twitter:  www.twitter.com/@WendiStarusnak

Website:  www.willowtree.b-town.us

Detached (universal link):  books2read.com/u/m2pLrb

Deranged (universal link):  books2read.com/u/3Rq9vb

Demented (universal link):  books2read.com/u/brQgZ4

Deceived (Coming Soon!  Connect with me at any of my social sites above to stay up-to-date on      any new releases!)

11. Anything to add:  Thank you so much for taking the time out of your life to read my books and do this interview with me!  It is very much appreciated!  And thank you to everyone who has read any or all of my work, it means the world to me! 

Detached by Wendi Starusnak
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have the hardest time looking at this womans last name, without thinking I need a snack, I swear. I type it, and it’s, “You start, you snack.” Her name should not be legal. I’m sorry, I just had to put that in there. She probably gonna blow a gasket when she reads this…LOL

Now then, onto my review. Let me just start by saying did you look at the cover? No really. Did you happen to look at the cover? You look at it and know, I better not read this in the dark, and I better not sleep alone either, and I sure hope there isn’t a storm and a power outage tonight. And then the thunder cracks and you jump out of your seat.

Within the covers of this scary looking book, we will meet Emily Ruth Fleischer, and learn her secrets that she honestly doesn’t want to tell.

It was 1976 and Emily had to write it down, and put it somewhere so that it was out of her head, or so she thought. The things that her father did, her family, and the things that even Emily herself later did. Emily just had to put pen to paper and let it out, in hopes it would make her feel better.

Disgusting and painful things like being fed and having to eat their beautiful mare Whisper for dinner. She didn’t want to. Neither did Johnny her older brother. But their father slapped them so hard, and said it eat it. And there was nothing else to eat, or they would starve. Your nose is wrinkling and you’re grossed out aren’t you? Oh please. That isn’t even the worse part.

Julie is the doll that is part of Emily, she talks for her, and is the voice in her head. Julie is a lot stronger then Emily.

Caroline is another sister, and she is younger than Emily, and Emily takes care of her, protects her when she can, and there is also Eric. Emily often wonders why each child looks totally different, nothing like one another. And of course, there is also Mom, and Lucky the dog, who often laps up Caroline’s tears.

Emily often went to bed at night saying the common child’s prayer: "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, if I day before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. Amen.” And she would often fall to sleep tightly clasped to Julie her dolly.

Then as I Emily rolls over in the night, the nightmare comes to life. The door handle clicks. She prays that it will not happen tonight. She grasps her dolly tightly. The Monster that usually bothers her, comes in, and goes over to her sister Caroline, and climbs onto her, and she hears Caroline moan in her sleep. Emily starts crying quietly, squeezing her doll, “No not Caroline!” She has had to deal with this happening to her all of these years, but now to her sister? No, it can’t happen. The tears are streaming from Emily’s eyes, and she is getting angrier and angrier, hate is building inside of her for the Monster she has to call Daddy….

This book is a five star read, that will literally blow your socks off, and make you want to punch a few of the characters as you read the book. Trust me. I went through so many emotions as I read this. I cried, I screamed, and I even could physically see these things happening and I just wanted to --- this book is intense. You really need to read it. It is amazing. It is a definite page turner that you will not put down, until you know the problem is no more.

Wendi is an excellent writer, and thankfully, she sent me the other books, because I need them. I feel in love with her writing instantly, and I think you will too!



View all my reviews