BEV: The Invisible Sister
Bev was an intellectually disabled little girl born at a time when such children were hidden away, many of them in state-run facilities constructed to house people that conventional society considered defective. At the age of nine she was sent to one of the worst such institutions in the United States - Pennhurst State School and Hospital. In those chaotic wards and day rooms Bev lost not only her childhood, but also her dream of going home. While she languished at Pennhurst, her family struggled with overwhelming personal conflicts that tore them apart and pushed Bev further away from them. Her brother and sisters barely knew her and rarely saw her. Finally, after spending thirty two years in Pennhurst, she became part of a historic class action lawsuit that released her into the community to begin a new life and reconnect with the family she left behind. Her story is one of lost hope, a second chance, and the harrowing journey in between.
Purchase "BEV: The Invisible Sister" here
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Profits from the sale of "BEV: The Invisible Sister" will be donated to organizations that support the intellectually disabled. These organizations will include, but not be limited to, the Pennhurst Memorial and Preservation Alliance, Special Olympics PA, ARC/Lehigh and Northampton Counties, VIA of the Lehigh Valley, and Threshold Rehabilitation Services.
Purchase "BEV: The Invisible Sister" here
=====================================================================
Profits from the sale of "BEV: The Invisible Sister" will be donated to organizations that support the intellectually disabled. These organizations will include, but not be limited to, the Pennhurst Memorial and Preservation Alliance, Special Olympics PA, ARC/Lehigh and Northampton Counties, VIA of the Lehigh Valley, and Threshold Rehabilitation Services.
Excerpt from Chapter One - "The Journey Begins"
"Her first try at kindergarten was in September 1949. In those days everyone walked to school, whether it was an urban neighborhood school or a small town school like ours. Our elementary school building was just a few blocks from our house, within easy walking distance. It was a two story stone structure that had a small asphalt play area on one side with a jungle gym, see saw, and swings. I can imagine Mother on the first day of school, dressing Bev up in her Sunday best, combing her hair, buckling her shoes, then holding her hand tightly as she walked her up the street, praying under her breath that Bev would be in a cooperative mood. Unfortunately, those prayers were not answered. I'm sure that Bev wasn't the only little girl who cried and clung to her mother's skirt that first day. But unlike the other children, who eventually settled in to the school routine, Bev never stopped crying. She was not the least bit happy in school and lashed out at the teacher, as well as the other children. She refused to follow directions, biting and screaming and banging her head against the wall in frustration. Though the teacher tried to give Bev time to quiet down, she soon realized that there was more going on than she could handle."
Les Amis
Les Amis is a memoir about ten high school girls who decided to form a club called "Les Amis”, French for “The Friends.” Beginning in 1939, they met faithfully every Tuesday for over sixty years. This brief history of the club and its members is a tribute to the independent spirit and sense of commitment exhibited by these ten special women as they travelled through life together. A funny, touching tale of the true bond of friendship.
This book was written under the author's married name, Rory Miller Maruschak.
Purchase "Les Amis" here
This book was written under the author's married name, Rory Miller Maruschak.
Purchase "Les Amis" here
Spell of the Samba
A week in Rio de Janeiro during Carnival - what could be more exciting? Small town librarian Cassandra Lyle is about to find out. Having embarrassed herself in front of best selling author Reeve Palmer at a library book signing, she is looking forward to leaving him and the library far behind as she jets off on her Brazilian adventure. On the plane she meets the charming Adam Viera and looks forward to dancing sultry nights away in the arms of this handsome man. But her dream vacation soon becomes a nightmare when Reeve shows up and plunges her into an underworld as chaotic as the teeming streets of Rio, yet far more dangerous. Who can Cass trust when no one is who he seems to be? Where can she go when nowhere is safe? How will she get home again when her own courage is all that can save her?
Click on the book cover for a preview of "Spell of the Samba."
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Profits from the sale of "Spell of the Samba" will be donated to the Actors Fund.
Click on the book cover for a preview of "Spell of the Samba."
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Profits from the sale of "Spell of the Samba" will be donated to the Actors Fund.
If you would like me to send you a complimentary autographed and personalized bookplate for your online purchase of Spell of the Samba, you can order one on the contact page.