Coming Soon:
Kiss Me One Last Time
Melody Joy's Personal Mystery
A Mormon SortaBiography - Book Three
The Finale
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Have you ever noticed that life almost never goes the way you think it will? That's certainly true for Melody Joy, and it's especially true for this, the last installment in MJ's sortabiography about her turbulent marriage to Walter. The original August 2017 release date had to be pushed back due to health complications, but we (my muse and I) are back in the saddle and writing like crazy. New estimated pub date - Q3 2025. Watch this space for updates!
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Melody Joy's Personal Mystery
- A Mormon SortaBiography -
Book Two
Book Two in the Melody Joy Series! |
At the end of Fool Me Once, Walter Bainbridge made a rather unceremonious exit, leaving his wife and his friends in the middle of the night in a fit of pique, right in the middle of baby Emily Elizabeth’s christening celebration. Once he realized the lesson to be learned might have been his, not theirs, he decided to try again. Now, he’s back, mostly with hat in hands.
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Coming Soon!
Melody Joy's Personal Mystery - A Mormon SortaBiography:
Book Three
The Finale
Book Three
The Finale
Wherein Melody Joy discovers it's all about family and becomes her own superhero.
Follow Melody Joy's journey of self-discovery as she takes charge of her life, learns how to protect her heart, and uncovers things about herself and her family she never knew she needed to know.
This three-part memoir-style novel tells the story of one modern marginally Mormon woman's mid-life crisis, offering
insights into living with and reconciling the dogma of her faith against her need for personal fulfillment
and emotional safety. Heartbreak, trauma, joy, sorrow, enlightenment, and epiphany all combine for a compelling
tale that educates and enlightens. Whether you're a Mormon woman looking for a kindred spirit, or a non-Mormon wondering
what makes your LDS neighbour tick, this series will reaffirm your faith in the human spirit.
insights into living with and reconciling the dogma of her faith against her need for personal fulfillment
and emotional safety. Heartbreak, trauma, joy, sorrow, enlightenment, and epiphany all combine for a compelling
tale that educates and enlightens. Whether you're a Mormon woman looking for a kindred spirit, or a non-Mormon wondering
what makes your LDS neighbour tick, this series will reaffirm your faith in the human spirit.
DEBUT NOVEL - SEPTEMBER 2015
Melody Joy's Personal Mystery
- A Mormon SortaBiography -
Book One
- A Mormon SortaBiography -
Book One
Book One in the
Melody Joy Series |
Long before #MeToo and #TimesUp, there was Melody Joy. On the surface, Melody Joy appeared to be an ordinary Mormon wife with an ordinary Mormon life, but things aren't always as they seem. When she married Walter, he said “I Do” and became her forever prince charming. After all, when Mormons get married in the temple, happily-ever-after is supposed to last an eternity. In MJ's case, though, forever wasn't quite that long. Enter the younger, taller, more aggressively sexy woman. MJ wasn't worried, she and Walter had their shared faith, their shared culture. Their future was all mapped out, and their little family was complete, with an exceptional child and a matched set of big fluffy dogs. She followed every rule and did everything expected of a good Mormon wife. Sad things aren't supposed to happen to good Mormon women who follow all the rules. When MJ discovered that the one person she had trusted with her heart and her eternal soul had lied to her, to the church, and to God, she also discovered she was trapped. The church actively discouraged divorce, she didn't want to do jail time, and she couldn't afford a hit-man. What's a girl to do when her fairy-tale marriage turns into a suspense novel filled with unexpected plot twists and real live villains? A word from the author: If this story sounds familiar, that's because it is. This is the story of one Mormon couple’s married life before #MeToo. I write about Mormons because that's the culture I know best. MJ could have been a member of any church, anywhere. She just happens to be LDS. Update-November 2018: When I started writing these books, I had knew the practice of bishops asking sexual questions in worthiness issues was a problem, but I didn't appreciate how pervasive it apparently is. All I knew is what I had experienced personally, and that's what I wrote about. Such interviews factor into the story here, and while MJ's experience was not as horrifying as that of many others, it still impacted her life in some significant and damaging ways. This practice needs to stop. No sexual questions at church, ever, for anyone. #protectLDSchildren.org ~MC #SilentNoMore Purchase Fool Me Once at all major retailers. |
See what people are saying about the Melody Joy Books
"Intense and thought provoking...;
I’m very impressed with how believable and emotionally evoking her characters are."
-Tara Nebeker - Smarty Cat Book Reviews
"This is a well written, descriptive story about one woman's struggle to break the bonds of the establishment and save herself and her child from a destructive relationship and start anew. Whatever it takes. Love this story!"
-Amazon Customer
"I was totally engrossed in this book and had a hard time putting it down. I am eagerly awaiting the rest of this trilogy. Kudos to the author for hooking me!"
-Amazon Customer
"Melody Joy could be telling my story, our experiences are so similar. It's comforting to know I"m not alone, and to know it's okay to seek my own path and honor my own wisdom. I can't wait to see how MJ resolves her complicated life!"
-RC
I’m very impressed with how believable and emotionally evoking her characters are."
-Tara Nebeker - Smarty Cat Book Reviews
"This is a well written, descriptive story about one woman's struggle to break the bonds of the establishment and save herself and her child from a destructive relationship and start anew. Whatever it takes. Love this story!"
-Amazon Customer
"I was totally engrossed in this book and had a hard time putting it down. I am eagerly awaiting the rest of this trilogy. Kudos to the author for hooking me!"
-Amazon Customer
"Melody Joy could be telling my story, our experiences are so similar. It's comforting to know I"m not alone, and to know it's okay to seek my own path and honor my own wisdom. I can't wait to see how MJ resolves her complicated life!"
-RC
THE MUSIC OF MELODY
A Note From Malena...
Like most people, Melody Joy and I have certain songs that evoke strong emotions and recall stories of family and friends from long ago. I wanted to share some of those with my readers in the event some of my younger readers have never heard them and some of my more seasoned readers haven't heard them in a while. The content of these videos does not belong to me and I have made every effort to find official channels and sources. If you like the music please go purchase it. Musicians and writers are not so different. Please support the artists you love so they can support those they love.
Like most people, Melody Joy and I have certain songs that evoke strong emotions and recall stories of family and friends from long ago. I wanted to share some of those with my readers in the event some of my younger readers have never heard them and some of my more seasoned readers haven't heard them in a while. The content of these videos does not belong to me and I have made every effort to find official channels and sources. If you like the music please go purchase it. Musicians and writers are not so different. Please support the artists you love so they can support those they love.
I live in the Pacific Northwest because rainy days are actually a favorite of mine.