Play & Book Excerpts
Below are exclusive excerpts from books written by bestselling and first-time authors
as well as experts in particular fields of interest.
Excerpts from community plays are also available here.
Thanks to all who shared their work.
Click on image to view excerpt.
as well as experts in particular fields of interest.
Excerpts from community plays are also available here.
Thanks to all who shared their work.
Click on image to view excerpt.
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NEW! Excerpt from: Losing the Atmosphere (Greenpoint Press) by Vivian Conan. This memoir is Vivian Conan's riveting account of her journey toward self-understanding and wholeness; her encounters with a string of more and less helpful therapists; and her unconventional relationship with the therapist who was finally able to guide her through the courageous, messy work healing required. This is a never-too-late story about the growth possible for anyone with the guts to pursue it.
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NEW! Excerpt from: Eris Rising (Acorn Publishing) by Courtney Ramm. This memoir shows how it's possible to move forward after life-altering "mistakes" and how to recover the true "genius" within. New York Times bestselling author Natalia Rose writes, "Ramm reveals a personal story that could happen to any one of us. While packed with nonstop gripping, dramatic moments, Eris Rising is simultaneously ripe with humor. By the end of her fateful journey, Ramm transforms into a grade-A heroine you'll cheer for and admire!"
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NEW! Excerpt from: A Mindful Year (Blackstone Publishing) by Dr. Aria Campbell-Danesh and Dr. Seth J. Gillihan. This is the first book of its kind to join the age-old wisdom of mindfulness with cognitive behavioral science in order to alleviate stress and anxiety. Now, more than ever, the demands of the day can leave us feeling exhausted and uninspired, while alerts and notifications constantly tug at our attention. We fall into unhealthy patterns that can be all too difficult to break. The 365 daily invitations encourage and guide the reader to become more self-aware and more mindful of life's extraordinary gifts.
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Excerpt from: Finishing Up: On Aging and Ageism (DIO Press Inc.) by Bette Ann Moskowitz. This book is a call to action, for all of us to reckon with our own aging by continuing to be in the world, to continue doing what we love, and to continue doing what we can to break down the bars of the cultural cages of ageism. Bette is an award-winning author whose popular blog, Vinegar Mother, is posted every Monday - check it out and start the week with a smile! Other titles by Bette include Do I know You? and The Room at the End of the Hall which were both recognized by the New York State Foundation for the Arts Fellowship for Literary Nonfiction.
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Excerpt from: Whispers of Hope: The Story of My Life (Independently Published) by Bertie Simmons, Ed.D. Her compelling memoir details the life of a young girl born in the deep South during the Jim Crow era. The story culminates with her adventures and challenges as the principal of a “throwaway” high school labeled “a pipeline to prison” and a “drop-out factory.” The reader learns of her 17-year tenure at Furr High School and her innovative approach to building a culture of community and student success that leads to the school receiving the XQ $10 million grant from Laurene Powell Jobs in 2016.
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Excerpt from: A Fierce Belief in Miracles: My Journey from Rape to Healing and Wholeness (She Writes Press) by Anne Reeder Heck. The memoir recounts Anne's experience who, at age 26, was brutally raped after a man stopped her during a bike ride to ask for directions. Her book offers both guidance and solace for those seeking healing and for those ready to explore paths of forgiveness and spirituality. This inspiring story allows the reader to witness the beauty that emerges from darkness, the goodness that is born of ill-guided acts, and the perfection of all that transpires on this path we call life.
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Excerpt from: All of Us Warriors: Cancer Stories of Survival and Loss (She Writes Press) by Rebecca Whitehead Munn. Rebecca paints a realistic picture of the impact cancer has on an individual’s life, and she attempts to demystify the experience by sharing heartfelt stories from twenty survivors and the loved ones of those who passed. This inspirational book provides a positive outlook of strength and perseverance through belief in a higher power, reinforcing the idea that the reader is stronger than cancer and not alone. It offers real strategies that cannot be found in online medical sites.
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Excerpt from: The Paleontologist's Daughter (Ratski Publishing) by Katharine McKenna. This debut memoir is a fascinating, high-spirited and charming story about growing up with one of the world’s preeminent paleontologists, Malcolm C. McKenna. One reviewer states, "She blends the detailed descriptions of her adventures with her own personal reactions, making this a beautifully written, exhilarating read." Katharine is also an acclaimed artist whose paintings have been featured in galleries and private collections throughout the world (showcased HERE).
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Excerpt from: Art Completes You: Transformation through Art & the Science of Completion (Biryukov Academy) by artist, teacher and speaker Shraddha Nithyananda (a.k.a. Elena Zelenina). This book is designed to help you experience deep personal growth through the means of making art. Art Completes You is a revolutionary way to learn to draw and paint while dropping all negative self- talk.
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Excerpt from: A Mother's Grace: Healing the World One Woman at a Time (Health Communications Inc.) by Michelle Moore. Michelle chronicles the compelling stories of heroic women across the country who, despite personal trauma, found grace in difficult times and transformed their personal adversity into pay-it-forward wins by founding nonprofits that help and sustain others, mother to mother. Michelle is the founder of Mother's Grace, a nonprofit organization that addresses the critical needs of mothers and their children in the midst of tragic life events by helping them with housing costs, medication, meals, housekeeping, childcare, transportation, and a host of other immediate needs.
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Excerpt from: Sunrise on Half Moon Bay (MIRA) by New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr. Robyn’s novels have spent nearly 250 weeks on the New York Times prestigious list and have sold over 27 million copies worldwide. This latest novel by the prolific author examines the joys of sisterhood and the importance of embracing change. In recognition of her the significant contributions to the genre, the Romance Writers of America awarded Robyn the 2016 Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Excerpt from: Saving Sara: A Memoir of Food Addiction (She Writes Press) by Sara Somers. This memoir chronicles Sara's food addiction from childhood to adulthood. As her addiction progresses in young adulthood, she becomes isolated, masking her shame and self-hatred with drugs and alcohol. Decades later, she finally finds her way. Her story lends hope to those who are currently in the throws of addiction. Find an additional interview with Sara HERE.
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Excerpt from: Autism in Heels (Skyhorse) by Jennifer Cook, award-winning author, speaker and autism community advocate. This is an intimate memoir revealing the journey of a woman on the spectrum. At the age of 35, Jennifer was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, and for the first time in her life, things made sense. She exposes the constant struggle between carefully crafted persona and authentic existence, editing the autism script with wit, candor, passion, and power. Her journey is one of reverse-self-discovery not only as an Aspie but - more importantly - as a thoroughly modern woman.
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Excerpt from: Secrets from a Happy Marriage (HQN) by New York Times bestselling author Maisey Yates. As long-held secrets bubble up and their old lives unravel, this family will need all their strength to start again and open their hearts up to the possibility of more. But most of all, they’ll need each other.
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Excerpt from: The Sea Glass Cottage (HQN) by New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne. This novel tells the story of an emotional homecoming that brings hope and healing to three generations of women. RaeAnne's books have won numerous awards. "RaeAnne has a knack for capturing those emotions that come from the heart." (RT Book Reviews).
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Excerpt from: The Country Guesthouse (Mira Books) by New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Robyn Carr. This novel explores the impact of sudden loss and the power of love in its many different forms - from family to friends to romance. Robyn is the author of over 40 novels, which have sold more than 28 million copies. Netflix adapted Robyn's Virgin Rivers books into a 10-episode series which premiered in December 2019.
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Excerpt from: DP: Displaced Person by award-winning writer Margarita Meyendorff. The daughter of a Russian Baron, Mourka (a.k.a. Margarita Meyendorff) was born in a Russian displaced persons camp in Germany – far from the opulence of Imperial Russia which was her birthright. Life then became a series of extraordinary moves. Margarita's journey is thrillingly personal yet universal - the journey we all take, to find our true selves and safe haven. Margarita's short stories have been published internationally.
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Book Excerpts: 2019
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Excerpt from: The Way of the Peaceful Woman: Awaken the Power of You, Create a Life You Love and Set Yourself Free (Clarity Books) by Amy Beth Acker, LCSW. If you are a hard-working woman who struggles with perfectionism, people-pleasing, or approval addiction, this book is for you! With deep empathy, warmth, and humor, Amy invites readers on a journey to explore what's possible in life and to create lasting mindset shifts. Amy is a psychotherapist in private practice in Somerville, NJ.
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Excerpt from: Coming Home for Christmas (HQN Books) by New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne. This is the latest installment
in the wildly popular Haven Point series which follows Luke Hamilton as he attempts to reconnect with his wife, Elizabeth, who has finally resurfaced after having been missing for several years. This is a story about the enduring power of love and the gift of new beginnings - a perfect book to curl up with next to the fire this holiday season. |
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Excerpt from: Oblivious: A Vegan Memoir (Independently Published) by Sande Nosonowitz. This memoir describes the author's emotional journey to veganism, through breakdown, searching, survival, and overcoming, before culminating in a personal paradigm shift that changes the trajectory of her life. Sande shows how aligning our behavior with our values is the most healing action we can take - for ourselves and for those with whom we share this wondrous planet.
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Excerpt from: Never Too Late: From Wannabe to Wife at 62 (Koehler Books) by B. Lynn Goodwin. This award-winning memoir explores how a 62-year-old woman, who’s never been married, finds happiness with a two-time widower. Does she throw caution to the wind and relinquish her freedom, or should she take a crash course in compromises? Lynn shares the many reasons why you should not give up on happiness, no matter what age you’ve reached. Lynn is also the founder of Writer Advice, an online resource for writers.
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Excerpt from: What's Better Than This? (Glasco on the Hudson Publishing LLC) by Lorraine Salmon. This romantic memoir spans her 14-month love affair that quickly blooms into a pivotal and meaningful mid-life romance before turning into a last-wishes-before-dying story. Her story confronts readers with the questions that arise when we look death squarely in the eye. "The story of their time together is gripping and beautiful and, at times, very funny," says Kathleen Friery, Emmy Award-winning TV producer. Find an interview with Lorraine HERE.
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Excerpt from: Truth & Daring (Chronicle Books) by Sarah O'Leary Burningham. Sarah is the founder of Little Bird Publicity. This is a thoughtful and introspective journal that challenges you to pair self-reflection with action through questions, writing prompts, and inspiring quotes that focus on digging deep and trying new things. Dare yourself to step out of your comfort zone! This is Sarah's fourth book. Her books have been translated into French, Italian, Spanish, Korean, Russian and Polish.
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Excerpt from: From Scratch (Simon & Schuster) by Tembi Locke, an actor, TEDx speaker and advocate for caregivers. This memoir is poignant and transporting, a cross-cultural love story set against the lush backdrop of the Sicilian countryside, where one woman discovers the healing powers of food, family, and unexpected grace in her darkest hour. "Locke's raw and heartfelt memoir will uplift readers suffering from the loss of their own loved ones," says Publishers Weekly.
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Excerpt from: Fixing the Fates (She Writes Press) by Diane Dewey. This memoir is "a remarkable story of family secrets and the turmoil that follows when those lies are unraveled. Dewey’s writing is vivid, honest, and transportive...her search for answers is inspiring and intriguing, and the lessons learned are powerful. Life, indeed, is unpredictable," writes Dinty W. Moore, author of Between Panic & Desire.
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Excerpt from: False Step (Lake Union Publishing) by bestselling author Victoria Helen Stone. This story is compelling, suspenseful and full of unexpected twists. It's an empowering story of a woman's grit under extraordinary circumstances. Victoria's bestselling, critically-acclaimed novel, Jane Doe, has been optioned for TV development by Sony Pictures TV and Exhibit A. Other bestselling titles: Evelyn, After and Half Past.
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Excerpt from: The McAvoy Sisters Book of Secrets (Graydon House) by award-winning author Molly Fader. This novel is about the ties that bind family and the power of secrets to hold us back or set us free. "Mesmerizing and soul-searching. A story that makes you believe in the power of family," says Carolyn Brown, New York Times bestselling author.
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Excerpt from: Last Summer (Lake Union Publishing) by Wall Street Journal, Amazon Charts, and #1 Amazon Kindle bestselling author Kerry Lonsdale. Kerry's latest novel examines the impact of trauma and the lengths we go to in order to protect ourselves from difficult truths. Kerry's books are sold worldwide and have been translated into 24 languages. She is co-founder of the Women's Fiction Writers Association (WFWA).
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Excerpt from: Mania Mysteries: A Grief Journal (Prose Press) by Cat Greenstreet. Cat shares her journey in this memoir - from sharing the experience of being psychotic, to stepping back and analyzing the underlying destabilizing factors that caused the event, and, finally, revealing through journal entries, essays, and poetry her movement toward recovery and greater resilience.
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Excerpt from: Sylvan Elf Chronicles: Journey for Survival - Messengers of Fate, Book 2 (Fulton Books, Inc.) by Christianne Van Keuren. This is the second book in a YA fantasy series that tells the gripping story of Kaleen, a brave elf on a journey to save her life and her land from total destruction. The time for training is over, and the toughest journey of Kaleen's life must begin.
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Excerpt from: But My Brain Had Other Ideas: A Memoir of Recovery from Brain Injury (She Writes Press) by Deb Brandon. Unlike other memoirs that focus on injury crises and acute recovery, this memoir follows Deb's story all the way through to long-term recovery, revealing her struggles - without sugarcoating or sentimentality - as well as her ultimate triumph. Deb is a textile artist whose work and interview can be found in the July issue of Sanctuary HERE.
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Excerpt from: Prisoners Without Bars: A Caregiver's Tale (WriteLife Publishing) by Donna O'Donnell Figurski. In her debut memoir, Donna recalls the moment she was thrust onto the path of caregiver for her best friend and the love of her life - her husband, David. Donna has said that taking on the role of caregiver was unexpected and crippling. "I felt like an ill-equipped lifeguard in a deep, rough ocean with a struggling victim."
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Excerpt from: Relative Fortunes (Lake Union Publishing) by Marlowe Benn. This novel is a riveting, historical mystery that offers a window into the lives of women in the 1920s...and the thrills, challenges and social upheavals of the Roaring '20s feel as relevant as ever. Publishers Weekly says, "The author effectively shows the casual discrimination against women at that time. Benn is off to a promising start."
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Excerpt from: Have You Seen Luis Velez? (Lake Union Publishing) by New York Times bestselling author Catherine Ryan Hyde: Catherine's new novel is about two strangers who find that kindness is a powerful antidote to fear. Publisher's Weekly has stated, "Hyde has a sure touch with affairs of the heart." Catherine is also the author of the bestselling novel Pay It Forward and is the founder and former president of the Pay It Forward Foundation. Several of her books have been excerpted in Sanctuary.
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Excerpt from: One Summer in Paris (HQN) by USA TODAY bestselling author Sarah Morgan: This touching story charts an unlikely friendship that develops between a newly single forty-something woman, embarking solo on the holiday of a lifetime to Paris, and the rebellious Parisian teenage neighbor she takes under her wing. Sarah is an award-winning author of over 50 novels.
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Excerpt from: Food for Thought (Post Hill Press) by New York Times bestselling author Cristina Ferrare: With her simple, creative recipes, you can explore everything from the importance of a nutritious breakfast to the surprising ways that the shape of food can give us clues about the part of our body it will nourish. Cristina teaches how eating the foods you love can keep you healthy, vital and strong.
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Excerpt from: The Last Resort (Graydon House) by Marissa Stapley, journalist and international bestselling author of three novels, including the acclaimed Things to Do When It’s Raining: The Harmony Resort promises hope for struggling marriages. As a deadly tropical storm descends on the coast, trapping the hosts and the guests on the resort, secrets are revealed, loyalties are tested and not one single person - or their marriage - will remain unchanged by what follows.
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Excerpt from: Only Ever Her (Lake Union Publishing) by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen, co-founder of the popular women's fiction site SheReads.com: The story starts with the anticipation of an upcoming wedding. The problem? The bride-to-be vanishes...and the list of suspects in her disappearance grows. The story weaves a gripping suspenseful tale that takes readers to dark places but ultimately leaves them with a sense of hope.
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Excerpt from: Becoming an Autism Success Story (Future Horizons) by award-winning author Anita Lesko, BSN, RN, CRNA: Diagnosed with autism at age 50, Anita always knew something was different, but she never let that stop her. Through the framework of her impressive life, Anita proves that you can do anything you set your mind to, and she teaches you how to do it yourself. Anita is also the author of The Complete Guide to Autism & Healthcare (Future Horizons), also excerpted in Sanctuary in 2018.
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Excerpt from: The Woman in the Lake (Graydon House) by award-winning author and historian Nicola Cornick: This novel weaves a spellbinding tale that is part history/part mystery. Nicola also works as a guide and historian for the National Trust at the beautiful seventeenth century hunting lodge, Ashdown House. She gives talks on various aspects of her historical research and is a former Wiltshire Libraries Writer in Residence and trustee of the Wantage Literary Festival. Her books have been translated into 26 languages.
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Excerpt from: The Victory Garden (Lake Union Publishing) by New York Times bestselling author Rhys Bowen: This novel explores what happens when a young woman abandons everything she knows for love and country and experiences the challenges and self-discovery that come along with it. When unexpected tragedy strikes, can the protagonist discover what she's truly capable of? Rhys's novels have won numerous awards and her novel In The Tuscan Child was excerpted in Sanctuary last year..
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Excerpt from: The Inbetween Days (Graydon House) by novelist Eva Woods: This is an emotional, life-affirming novel with a twist. In addition to writing novels, she teaches creative writing and has written for Glamour, You magazine, the Guardian, the Dublin Herald, and more. Eva's novel Something Like Happy was excerpted in Sanctuary in 2017. Eva also writes crime fiction as Claire McGowen.
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Excerpt from: Just After Midnight (Lake Union Publishing), by New York Times bestselling author Catherine Ryan Hyde: This story illustrates how trusting one's own instincts is the key to a successful future. Catherine is also the author of the bestselling novel Pay It Forward and is the founder and former president of the Pay It Forward Foundation. Her novels Allie and Bea and The Wake Up have also been excerpted in Sanctuary. Catherine shared some of her incredible photographs in a previous issue.
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Excerpt from: The Best of Us (MIRA), by New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr: This novel is part of the Sullivan's Crossing series and tells the story of two women who have been avoiding love, but find that it may not be a bad thing after all. Robyn is the author of 11 #1 New York Times bestsellers. Her novels have been translated into 19 languages in 30 countries. Also excerpted from this series in Sanctuary: The Family Gathering.
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