Susan Miura Book Review

Shards of Light by Susan Miura

Review by H. Schussman

Reader’s POV:

Miura pulls the reader through two young ladies’ lives… exciting adventure and heartbreaking tragedy. Each must learn from their situations.

Shilo has inherited her great-grandmother’s gift of healing. This gift is fragile and powerful. Shilo has to learn when to use it and how to make sure she gives credit where credit is due—God. Her time in Sicily is an opportunity to learn from Nonna Marie and to become embroiled in yet another life and death adventure.

Back home, Melody watches her most cherished dreams as a ballerina crash about her damaged body. Her struggle from anger and self pity to acceptance and new dreams is both painful and encouraging to read. Amidst this is her desire to learn who her biological mother is without hurting her sweet real mother.

Best friends, Shilo and Melody grow in maturity, faith, and womanhood. They both learn what true romance is with their respective boyfriends.

Writers POV:

This is a fast read… a page turner. The language of the young adults is modern and relevant, yet the writing is clean and almost poetic at times. Miura masterfully describes the scenery, action, and emotional angst. Here’s some random favorites:

*  “Can I go with you?” His [a little boy] hope-filled eyes stare as though a blink might ruin the possibility of a “yes.”

*  The green, earthy scent of rain-washed garden mixes with lemonade air.

*  My eyes remain closed. I refuse to acknowledge her perky existence.

At first I struggled with the changing POV between Shilo and Melody, but Miura clearly marked the shifts and I soon adapted. It’s especially tricky because Miura writes in first person for both characters. And present tense. It’s not an easy writing style, but she carries it off well.

Great mix of long and short sentences, with a few illegal ones thrown in for good measure. Well done and enjoyable young adult novel.

I received this copy in exchange for an honest review.

H. Schussman's Interview with Pamela Woods-Jackson

Pamela Woods-Jackson Interview

Heidi:

Tell us a little about yourself?

Pamela:

I live in Carmel, Indiana (that's CARmel by the corn fields, not to be confused with CarMEL by the ocean!) However, I'm originally from Oklahoma City and have a Bachelors degree in English/Education from the University of Oklahoma. How old am I? How old do I look? :)

Heidi:

What genre do you write?

Pamela:

I write Young Adult, although I do have one contemporary romance coming out in 2015, but it's definitely of the sweet variety.

Heidi:

When did you start writing?

Pamela:

I've written my whole life, but I started writing novels in 2007. A situation involving one of my students inspired the story of "Confessions of a Teenage Psychic."

Heidi:

What are you working on now?

Pamela:

I have a completed YA with a working title of "Miss Match" which is a cross between Cher in "Clueless" and the character Mel Gibson played in "What Women Want." My POV character is named Emma Austin, she makes matches among her friends, and she has a special ability that helps her out.  I'm also working on a New Adult novel about two star-crossed lovers who have tried to be together through the centuries.

Heidi:

Who is your favorite character in your stories?

Pamela:

I have to admit that my favorite character is Caryn Alderson, my teenage psychic. Second favorite is Synthia Whitfield, my nineteenth century journal writer in "Genius Summer."

Heidi:

Do you see yourself in any of your characters?

Pamela:

I see my former students in many of my characters, but the only one I see in myself is Susan Benedict from my soon-to-be-released "Certainly Sensible."

Heidi:

Where do you write? Describe your workspace?

Pamela:

I write in my upstairs loft area. It's open to the rest of the house, plus has windows looking out on my neighborhood.

Heidi:

Who is your all-time favorite author?

Pamela:

Hands down, it's Jane Austen.

Heidi:

Did you find writing a query letter a challenge? If so, how did you overcome it? Do you think there was a key phrase or idea in your query letter?

Pamela:

Query letters are tough, but I try to tailor them to the person/publisher I'm sending it to. Adding a personal touch (oh I see that you also majored in English/love Jane Austen/live in Indiana, etc.) is also a good way to connect with the recipient.

Heidi:

What advice do you have for a writer aspiring to be published?

Pamela:

Butt in chair!

Heidi:

Would you like to acknowledge someone for their help/assistance/faith in you?

Pamela:

My first editor ever, Susan Yates, helped me turn "Confessions of a Teenage Psychic" into a viable story. I'd also like to thank family friend Lee Wilson (author of "Rebel on Pointe") for being my advanced reader, and my brother Robert Woods for his encouragement.

Heidi:

How can your readers find out more about you?

Pamela:

They can check out my Facebook page or my publishers;

Facebook

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