The Ripple Effect: A Word Gift to This Writer

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A stone plopped into water formed ripples, creating concentric circles that moved out from the center and subsided gradually if nothing impeded their progress. Whether or not they ever came to a full stop, Teo wasn’t scientist enough to know. It looked to him as if the molecules touched by movement became propelled in an infinitely wider arc, slower perhaps as they achieved distance, but still there, still moving, still affecting other molecules and pushing them to confront whatever lay in their path. (from page 335, Sailing out of Darkness)

A writer sends her work out like that stone plopping on water, hoping the ripples will touch readers. Rarely have I read a review of my work that showed just how deeply someone had been moved. I hope you’ll indulge me as I share them with you. I am humbled.

From a Goodreads reader came this five-star review:

“Our favorite literary characters are written indelibly into our hearts as we experience them living out the very pains and hopes which have been written deeply onto our souls. Normandie has a gift of writing wounded characters to life, characters who publicly reflect the wounds we keep private. As I read of Sam and Teo’s relational struggles I began to recognize the same struggles in my life. With the turning of each page I saw more and more how my present relationships are dictated and even defeated by my past rejection. Actually, as I connected with Sam I realized that I most likely became a “water person” due to past relational rejection. My boat is my safe refuge from destructive people and pain, but Sam story encouraged me to put my past fears and failures behind me and to step out in faith! This book has restored a hope to my heart, a hope for new and exciting relationships with unexpected people in unplanned places! Normandie, thank you for writing Sailing Out of Darkness!”
I am so very grateful.
And now Happy Resurrection Day to each of you.
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He is risen!

Wonderful Review: Sailing out of Darkness

I admit it: I’m a terrible blogger. There’s so much else I’d rather do, like work on my next book or read or spend way too much time on social media, checking in with the world on that huge, huge time-hole called Facebook.

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And, no, the picture above has absolutely nothing to do with a review or with wasting time. I just like it…and can’t wait to get out on the water again.

Anyway, back to the review. The first words made me giddy:

“Normandie Fischer is at it again–illustrating the complex heart of the mature woman. Hers aren’t the novels of first love and high hopes for the future. They aren’t aimed at fresh-faced youngsters looking for romance–and a husband, children, and a house with a white picket fence. They’re aimed at women who have already been there, and wear the tarnish to prove it.”

So writes author and editor Linda Yezak. Isn’t it a great beginning?

Yes, I write about tarnished folk. Women such as I who need a bit of buffing every so often to bring out the shine.  You can read the rest of her kinds words on her blog:

77 Peppermint Place

Check her out.

(Oh, and the last words of her review took my giddiness to the next level.)

 

 

 

Blog Tour for Sailing out of Darkness and Becalmed

The blog tour set up by TLC Book Tours has begun. They gave reviewers the opportunity to receive and review either book, so we have a some who chose Sailing out of Darkness and some who picked Becalmed.

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Becalmed

 

My publisher for Sailing out of Darkness was snowed in (or out) for a while, which meant that the books didn’t get to some of the bloggers early enough for them to keep to the schedule. But today’s blogger did. You can read Ellie’s thoughts at Spiced Latte. I hope you’ll stop by with a comment!

The updated schedule for the tour will appear here on TLC’s webpage.

Normandie’s Tour Stops

Wednesday, January 22nd: Spiced Latte ReadsSailing Out of Darkness

To be Announced : The Most Happy ReaderSailing Out of Darkness

Friday, January 24th: The Book BarnSailing Out of Darkness

Monday, January 27th: Obsessed Italian BratSailing Out of Darkness

Wednesday, January 29th: Books and BindingsBecalmed

Monday, February 3rd: Time 2 ReadBecalmed

Tuesday, February 4th: Staircase WitSailing Out of Darkness

Wednesday, February 5th: Sammy the BookwormSailing Out of Darkness

Thursday, February 6th: Good Girl Gone RedneckSailing Out of Darkness

Monday, February 10th: Shelf Pleasure (guest post)

Tuesday, February 11th: Cerebral Girl in a Redneck WorldBecalmed

Wednesday, February 12th: The Most Happy ReaderBecalmed

Monday, February 17th: Patricia’s WisdomBecalmed

Wednesday, February 19th: Cruising Susan ReviewsSailing Out of Darkness

Thursday, February 20th: Obsessed Italian BratBecalmed

Monday, February 24th: Every Free Chance Book ReviewsSailing Out of Darkness

Date TBD: Mary’s Cup of TeaSailing Out of Darkness

Date TBD: Mary’s Cup of TeaBecalmed

 

 

 

 

 

When Someone Gets It

You paint a picture, create a sculpture, write a poem or a book. Folk say they love this or that. A few say they don’t like anything you’ve done. Well, you try for a thank-you to them anyway, because that’s what you’ve been taught to do. Smile. Be polite.

And then someone writes a review of your newest and shows that she gets it. She gets the purpose and the heart of your story, although she doesn’t normally read in your genre–or in this case, genres.

Yesterday, that happened when a reader wrote these words about Sailing out of Darkness. I don’t care that she only gave it four stars while she gave my first (Becalmed) five. You’ll see what I mean when you read her words, these from Goodreads:

 

Lynne Hinkey

Normandie Fischer’s latest, Sailing Out of Darkness, includes some of my favorite things: sailing, travel, mystery, and even a bit of fantasy thrown in. Fischer’s latest novel seamlessly melds multiple genres–romance, Christian fiction, women’s lit, and literary–without settling entirely within any one. Don’t think that’s a criticism. For me, I found the balance just right: the romance never gets sappy, the thread of faith/Christian fiction runs through subtly, never pounding the reader over the head with it as so much of that genre does, the mystery and conflict over Samantha’s past coming back to haunt her kept me on edge without becoming melodramatic, and her literal and figurative voyage of self-discovery moves at an engaging pace that never falls over the line from relatable introspection to banal self-absorption. Sam, Teo, and all of the characters’ personalities come through clearly and their interactions and dialogue flow smoothly. Fischer is a master at transporting the reader into the scene. The beauty and foreignness of exploring new places is captured pitch perfect in Sam’s ponderings as she makes her way through Italy. I could picture the Italian countryside, feel the rhythm of the boat on the Mediterranean Sea, and my heart ached and pulse raced when Sam confronted…well, read it to see what and how she overcomes the ordeals she faces.

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Introducting Sailing out of Darkness in My Words

 

My publicist, River Laker of Silver Seas PR, shot these on board Sea Venture at Liberty Landing Marina, where we’d docked while I played grandmother to my daughter’s newborn a ferry ride away in NYC. Obviously, (sans doute!) I had no script. Nor the benefit of a make-up and hair artist (big sigh).  Still, they give voice to some of my thoughts on the story.

Sailing out of Darkness

Tomorrow is Launch Party Day on Facebook. And here is our party schedule of appearances. Please stop by and win one of these lovely books!

9:00-10:10 Barbara Davis
10:10-11:20 Lynne Hinkey
11:20-12:40 Jessica Topper
12:40-1:50 Robin Patchen
1:50-3:00 Jessica Dotta
3:00-4:10 Barbara Claypole White
4:10-5:20 Laura Wharton
5:20-6:30 Anne Barnhill
6:30 -8:00 yours truly

Click here to join the party!

 

 

Virtual Launch Party for Sailing out of Darkness: Prelude 1

As I did before the launch of Becalmed, I’ll be posting tidbits to whet your appetite.

The actual party takes place on Tuesday, December 17, on Facebook, and we’ll be there celebrating all day. Again, we’ll have a number of authors taking the floor for an hour or so who will give away a signed copy of their book to someone who comments during that time.

It’s great fun and offers friends of friends the chance to learn about new authors–and perhaps win a book!

Here’s a picture of the cover designed by the very talented Roseanna White.

Sailing out of Darkness Full final copy

 

Stay tuned for bits about the various characters in Sailing out of Darkness, along with information on each of our participating authors!