In this series you are invited to share an extract of 500 words from your most recent book published within the last 12 months. Details at the end of the post.
The aim of the series
- To showcase your latest book and sell some more copies.
- Gain more reviews for the book.
- Promote a selection of your other books that are available.
Today an extract from the latest release by Abbie Johnson Taylor…Why Grandma Doesn’t Know Me
About the book
Sixteen-year-old Natalie’s grandmother, suffering from dementia and confined to a wheelchair, lives in a nursing home and rarely recognizes Natalie. But one Halloween night, she tells her a shocking secret that only she and Natalie’s mother know. Natalie is the product of a one-night stand between her mother, who is a college English teacher, and another professor.
After some research, Natalie learns that people with dementia often have vivid memories of past events. Still not wanting to believe what her grandmother has told her, she finds her biological father online. The resemblance between them is undeniable. Not knowing what else to do, she shows his photo and website to her parents.
Natalie realizes she has some growing up to do. Scared and confused, she reaches out to her biological father, and they start corresponding.
Her younger sister, Sarah, senses their parents’ marital difficulties. At Thanksgiving, when she has an opportunity to see Santa Claus, she asks him to bring them together again. Can the jolly old elf grant her request?
An extract from Why Grandma Doesn’t Know Me
1: Natalie
I hated walking with my mom and sister down that long, bright hallway in the nursing home where my grandma lived. The white tile floor and the ceiling covered with fluorescent lights reminded me of school. The only difference was that there were handrails on either side that old people could hold onto while they walked, so they wouldn’t fall.
The blare of television sets from just about every room we passed, laughter and chatter from the nurses’ station, and announcements over the PA system made me wonder why Dad called this place a rest home. The sharp aroma of disinfectant reminded me of the monthly trips I’d made to the dentist years before to have my braces adjusted. I nearly gagged as I remembered the goop they put in my mouth so they could take impressions of my teeth before the braces were put on. The stench of poop and piss from some of the rooms was overpowering.
We finally reached Grandma’s room, and for once, there was silence and only the smell of her perfume. Her bed was next to the window, and she sat in her wheelchair, wearing white pants and a blue, checked blouse. Her curly gray hair was cut short and pushed away from her face. She had a roommate, but the other lady wasn’t there. It was just us.
When we walked into the room, her head was hanging down, but she raised it and gave us a blank look. My mother, as she did every Sunday when we came to visit, went up to her with a smile, kissed her cheek, took her hand, and said, “Hi, Mom.” Then she said, “Oh, I see you’re wearing that lovely blouse I got you for your birthday. It looks nice on you.”
Mom always complimented Grandma on the clothes she wore, most of which she had bought for her. It made me want to throw up.
She sat on the bed next to Grandma’s wheelchair and smiled as she said, “I’ve brought Natalie and Sarah to see you today.”
My younger sister walked up to Grandma without hesitating and took her other hand, as she always did when we visited her. “Hi, Grandma,” she said with a smile.
Grandma’s face broke into a big grin. “Sarah, how lovely you look today. How old are you now?”
“I’m ten,” answered Sarah with a grin of her own. “And my sister, Natalie, is here, too.”
She turned to me, but I stood where I was. I knew what would happen.
Grandma gave me one of her blank looks. “Who?”
“Mom, you remember Natalie,” my mother said. “She just turned sixteen last week. Natalie, don’t just stand there staring. Come say hello to your grandma.”
As I did each week, I walked up to her and said, “Hi, Grandma.”
She smiled, but I could tell she still didn’t recognize me. She said, “Martha, she doesn’t look a bit like you. Was she adopted?”
©Abbie Taylor 2022
A review for the book
Patricia Hubschman rated the book Five Stars
I just finished reading Abbie Johnson Taylor’s new book, Why Grandma Doesn’t Know Me. I really enjoyed it. It’s excellent. I highly recommend it. I can’t even remember when I last sat down to a book that held my attention like this one did. It’s a family story. It has conflict, suspense. I felt happiness, sadness, excitement. It triggered all my emotions. The book is in first person. Each scene is narrated by a different character and the dialogue flows beautifully and is right on target. It brought back memories from when I was a kid and made me smile.
Head over to buy the book: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK
Other books by Abbie Johnson Taylor
Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US: Blog: Abbie’s Corner WordPress Goodreads: Abbie Johnson Taylor
About Abbie Johnson Taylor
Abbie Johnson Taylor is the author of three novels, two poetry collections, and a memoir. Her short stories and poems have appeared in various journals and anthologies. She is visually impaired and lives in Sheridan, Wyoming, where for six years, she cared for her late husband, who was totally blind and partially paralyzed by two strokes soon after they were married.
Before that, she spent fifteen years as a registered music therapist, working in nursing homes and other facilities that serve senior citizens. She also taught Braille, facilitated a support group for the visually impaired, and served on the advisory board to a trust fund that allows people with blindness or low vision to purchase adaptive equipment.
Thank you for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books.. Sally
What will be in the post and how to get in touch
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- I will top and tail in the usual way with your other books and links, bio, photo and social media.
- I will also select a review from Amazon or Goodreads that I feel has the best selling pitch for the book.
- If your book is very recent and as yet has not received a review then I will share one from a previous book.
- This series is open to all authors both those on the Bookshelf or new to the blog
- I suggest an extract of approximately 500 words or a poem that you feel best reflects the theme of your collection.
- If you have an illustration or images you can attach to the email for me to include. No need to send the cover as I will have that or will access from Amazon.
- If you have not featured on the blog before then I will need Amazon link, Goodreads, blog or website plus your social media links (main three you use)
- Please send your extract and any accompanying images to sally.cronin@moyhill.com
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I have been following Abbie for a while since we both appeared in Stevie Turner’s book about real life experiences! I enjoyed this extract, Abbie describes the teenage mind so well. The story sounds very intriguing so I downloaded the book.
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Wonderful thank you Janet and I enjoyed being part of Stevie’s book too… some great stories…Happy Easter…hugsx
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Thank you. I hope you enjoy it.
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HI Sally, this is an excellent extract, very poignant but also conflicting due to Natalie’s thoughts.
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Thanks Robbie, Abbie certainly applied the experience she gained from being part of a caring team.. hugsx
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This was a very good extract from Abby – it sounds like a very moving story, and one we can all relate to. Toni
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I think most of us have experienced this awful disease in our families and very sad.. ♥
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Thanks for recommending such a heart breaking but also very important story, Sally! We have to face this desease, as part of the human life. This book makes it possible to get very useful information too. Thanks to Abby Johnson Taylor for the efforts on writing it. Best wishes, Michael
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Thanks Michael.. there have been some interesting breakthroughs recently that cold prove very interesting.. let’s hope so..hugsx
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Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you for reblogging.
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Thanks for sharing Michael..hugsx
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A subject close to my heart. I think the treatment of the elderly in society is shameful. I’ve been volunteering at a local assisted living center recently—one of the most rewarding things I’ve done in a long time.
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I agree Pete… the elderly built the world we now enjoy.. how great that you are volunteering and it must be very rewarding..hugsx
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As someone who is caring for a person with dementia, I know how hard it can be, triggering and frustrating. I thought the snippet was excellent. The story sounds touching. Thanks for sharing a glimpse into Abbie’s book, Sally, as well as an excellent review and her amazing bio! Congrats, Abbie.
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Thank you. I worked for fifteen years as a registered music therapist with nursing home residents suffering from dementia. So, I understand how you feel.
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❤ ❤
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This reads like a touching story. Thanks for sharing this lovely book. Congrats to Abbie ❤
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Thanks Debby ♥
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❤
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Super excerpt, Abby. Thanks, Sally.
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Thanks John.. hugsx
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Congrats to Abbie on her new book and great review. Thanks for sharing, Sally. Hugs 💕🙂
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Thanks Harmony..hugsx♥
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Reblogged this on Pattys World and commented:
I’d like to encourage all to head over to Sally’s to check out what she’s got going on today.
It’s the perfect read for the weekend.
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Thanks for sharing Patty.. hugsx
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This is so heart-breaking. I have one relative and a few friends who are on this path. There’s nothing that can be done.
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It is very sad, they keep teasing us with minor breakthroughs, but unfortunately it seems very difficult to halt the progression or reverse..xx
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Pingback: Smorgasbord Bookshelf 2022- Share an Extract from your latest book – #Family, #Dementia, Why Grandma Doesn’t Know Me by Abbie Johnson Taylor – PattysWorld
Thanks for sharing Patty.. hugsx
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Thank you, Sally, for publishing this extract here. And thanks to everyone who commented so far. I hope you enjoy the book.
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Delighted to share Abbie..hugsx
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I already feel bad for Natalie. Great excerpt, Abbie! Thanks for sharing, Sally! 🙂
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Thanks very much Yvette..hugsx
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Reblogged this on My Corner and commented:
Thanks to Sally Cronin for publishing an excerpt from my latest book, Why Grandma Doesn’t Know Me, on her blog today. Thanks to Sally Cronin for publishing an excerpt from my latest book, Why Grandma Doesn’t Know Me, on her blog today.
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Thanks for boosting the post Abbie.. a lovely excerpt.. hugsx
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Lovely extract! I can picture the scene so clearly, and the interactions between the four of them is intriguing. Congratulations to Abbie and thanks to Sally for this series. xx
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Thanks very much Alex Happy Easter..♥
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Hope you have a lovely Easter too, Sally. ♥♥
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