A new novel by Carolyn Clarke: And Now There's Zelda

Brian, 

Thank you for having me back to shout out my second book! After having much success with And Then There’s Margaret (July 2022), And Now There’s Zelda is out – same family but different drama. It’s been an exciting journey (along with its challenges – to say the least, but nonetheless, one that I’ve enjoyed and hope to continue with.

Along with my book writing, I've been busy with my blog Henlit Central. For those who love light-hearted women’s fiction reads, pop on by. I’ve had the chance to interview some of the most popular women authors in this genre including Marian Keyes, Maddie Dawson, Laurie Gelman, and just posted, screenwriter and debut novelist, T W Bristol – she’s known in Hollywood as the one who got Jessica Tandy to say yes to her role in Fried Green Tomatoes!

Carolyn

And Now There's Zelda

For fans of the bestselling author of And Then There's Margaret comes the perfect family “dramedy.” And Now There's Zelda takes readers on another relatable slice of life ride as Allie realizes the only way to survive the angst of family is to let go….and let it be.

“Fans of Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng and The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan will adore Clarke's novel. It is filled with heart and drama.” – The Book Commentary

“A funny, uplifting story about one woman's lesson in letting go-even though this means she has to make peace with her mother-in-law AND a potential daughter-in-law who just might be her sweet son's biggest mistake. ” – Maddie Dawson, Washington Post bestselling author of Matchmaking for Beginners

Book Summary:

Carolyn

Dealing with a controlling, manipulative, and self-absorbed mother-in-law can be a challenge. But when your child brings home a fiancé who’s completely unworthy, and the shoe is suddenly on the other foot, do you take the high road, or get down and dirty? 

It’s been five years since Allison Montgomery’s beloved father-in-law, George, passed away and her cantankerous mother-in-law, Margaret, moved in. After nearly killing each other during their initial adjustment period, Allie and Margaret have finally buried the hatchet and have even launched a thriving home staging business together.

Today, Allie is enjoying life. That is until her twenty-two-year-old son, Cameron, unexpectedly brings home Zelda, his new fiancé. The problem is, no one has ever met or even heard of her. And when Zelda’s first impression raises more than a few red flags, Allie finds herself in unfamiliar territory.

Facing the prospect of becoming a mother-in-law far sooner than expected, and to someone unworthy of her darling baby boy, Allie’s protective instinct kicks in. And who better to turn to for guidance and support than Margaret, her former nemesis and master of the mothers-in-law’s dark arts.

Allie and Margaret launch Project Zelda, an intervention of sorts designed to show Cameron who Zelda really is and to prevent him from making a catastrophic mistake. However, with Zelda’s ingratiating behavior, Margaret’s occasional disappearances, and Allie’s doubts about turning into her own mother-in-law, will Allie find a way to reconcile her protective instincts or will history repeat itself?

Read First Chapter excerpt here!

Available on Amazon here.

Carolyn Clarke is the founder and curator of HenLit Central, a blog focused on 'life and lit' for women over 40. AND NOW THERE'S ZELDA is her second novel after AND THEN THERE'S MARGARET (2022). She has been an ESL teacher for over sixteen years and has co-authored several articles and resources with Cambridge University Press, MacMillan Education and her award-winning blog ESL Made Easy. She lives in Toronto, Canada with her partner, Tony, her two daughters and bulldog, Sophie.

See all my upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and four-day retreats here. ~Brian

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If you’ve had a story (or a book!) published, if you’ve won or placed in a writing contest, if you’ve gotten yourself an agent, or if you have any other news, send me an email so I can share your success. As writers, we’re all in this together, and your good news gives us all a boost. Email me at: brianhenry@sympatico.ca

New book: And Then There’s Margaret by Carolyn Clarke

Hi, Brian.

I’ve been waiting a long time to be able to tell you the news that And Then There’s Margaret (which all started in your Creative Writing class – August 2016) is being released on July 21, 2022!

Thanks to your very first comments on Chapter 1 and all those that followed, you gave me the encouragement and motivation to continue and complete it.

I’m just getting started and look forward to sharing with the world!

Thank you, Brian!

And Then There’s Margaret

For fans of Maria Semple’s Where’d You Go Bernadette or Marion Keyes’s The Break comes And Then There’s Margaret. Take a relatable and often hilarious ride with our heroine as she realizes the only way to survive the angst of family is to let go…and let be.

Marriage and midlife can be difficult. But when you add a controlling, manipulative, and self-absorbed mother-in-law into the mix, things can get worse—much worse. Toxic even. Especially when Allison Montgomery’s beloved father-in-law, and long-time confidant, George, passes away and her mother-in-law, Margaret, ‘temporarily’ moves in.

From rearranging the furniture and taking over the kitchen to embarrassing and undermining Allie at every turn, including funding her daughter’s escape and throwing hissy fits in public, Margaret turns Allie’s life upside down.

Allie bounces between a sincere desire to be supportive of her grieving mother-in-law and the occasional, intense urge to push her out the nearest window. Feeling annoyed, trapped and even a little childish, Allie struggles to avoid a complete meltdown with help from her fearless and audacious best friend, a plan for reinventing herself and, yes, a few glasses of Chardonnay. 

Can Allie survive her mother-in-law, all while navigating the trials and tribulations of midlife, the anxieties of parenting adult children, and a twenty-two-year-old marriage? Maybe…

You can love your mother-in-law,

doesn’t mean you have to like her…

Carolyn Clarke is the founder and curator of HenLit Central, a blog focused on life and lit for women over 40. And Then There’s Margaret is her first novel. She has been an ESL teacher for over sixteen years and has co-authored several articles and resources with Cambridge University Press, MacMillan Education and her award-winning blog ESL Made Easy. She lives in Toronto, Canada with her partner, Tony, her two daughters and a bulldog, Sophie.

You can pre-order your book now at Black Rose Writing and use the promo code: PREORDER2022 to receive a 15% discount.

 See Brian Henry’s upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and weekend retreats here.