April Showers by Anne Maisy Scott

Writing this novel has been more of a therapeutic way for me to sort events of my childhood, my mother's childhood and the crazy events that took place in my life.  The book has a fictional storyline, but it is also based on actual events.  I feared losing my family over such a harsh story, but much to my surprise, my family has never been more supportive and close to me in my lifetime as what they are to me now.  I kept my mother in mind as I wrote April Showers with hopes of helping her see how other people see her.  All of my adult life I have possessed a nagging want and undying need to help her find a better way in life than what she has been living.  She was a victim of abuse and neglect as a child, which has left her "creating" a perfect or euphoric world in her adult, yet childlike, mind.  She has no idea that she is crushing those around her who love her despite her imperfections.  Most would claim that our family is odd and overly dysfunctional.  I see it in a way that what we have may not be perfect, but it is wonderful to know that we have something.  My mother called me "heartless" and "evil" for blabbing to the world our family history.  The book is fiction, but I did dance dangerously close to the truth.  I have never felt freer in my life.  The only regret I possess is that I would have written this sooner!

The following is what others have said to me personally after reading the book:

-"I can relate with April's character.  In fact, I thought you were talking about me!  It made me want to focus on controlling my angry outbursts so that I wouldn't be remembered like April."  --a childhood friend.  (Character:  Krista) 

-"Your character, April, reminded me of my controlling and mentally abusive ex-husband!"  --a dear, sweet co-worker/friend. 

-"It made me laugh, it made me cry and it down right ticked me off!" --a friend who read the very first draft of April Showers.

-"Your description of the little girls, Maddie and Maggie, reminded me of my two little girls.  Their personalities were similar in nature, which made the story more touching for me because I kept my daughters in mind.  I actually cried in a few parts of the book.  I could not believe that you were able to make me laugh out loud when I didn't expect to laugh!"  --my brother.  (Character:  Kenneth)

-"Some of your phraseology used from that pedophile uncle was alarmingly familiar to my own tortures as a child.  It sent chills down my spine!"  --reader at a small book signing.

-"I thought I was the only one living in hell!  Your book did NOT destroy a family!  It only brought us closer together and face such ugliness together as a family."  --a reunited cousin.

-"The descriptions of the aunt and uncle's house took me right back in time.  I even pictured my adult self safely "visiting" the past as if I were in a dream.  I could even smell scents that I have always associated with that house!"  --from my sister.  (Character:  Maddie)

-"I had no idea that you came from that kind of household, Mom!  There are so many things that make sense to me now."  --my niece to her mother.  (Characters:  Kelsey and Maddie)

-"I could picture each character and held compassion and sympathy for them as if I knew them personally!"

-"Evil has had its ugly, grimy hands all over you as a child.  The real miracle to me is that even evil could not break that sweet spirit you possess today that you had since a child."  --my aunt. (Character:  Kathleen)

-"I could not put your book down!  I got nothing done over the weekend because of your book!  I felt obsessed.  I hope that your mother will come to you in her own time."  --a co-worker/friend.

-"If your mother speaks to you face-to-face, don't worry about having to say anything.  It may be your time to listen to her."  --a co-worker/friend. 

-"I had no idea!  You were all GREAT actors!" --a few childhood friends. 

-"Your book and courage blasted open the doors to our freedom.  There are no more secrets and the healing can begin for all of us!"  --my father. (Character:  Michael)

-"I loved it!  I found it very hard to put down!" --my sister-in-law.  (Character:  Angie)

-"I cannot bring myself to read it.  It is too painful for me to look back." --my brother.  (Character:  Kobe)

-"Allow your mother time.  Let the book work its magic."  --my employer.