Today is the one-year anniversary of the launch of Beyond the Ripples. I am thankful I was able to have a live shout out that day, with so many friends and supporters joining me at the Willamette Ale House to celebrate the release. Not only was it special simply to introduce this new book, but I was fortunate to have music provided by my brother Patrick and friend Alan on sax and piano, and our friend Karen was able to join in, bringing me flowers and a card. No doubt, a lot has happened and changed for all of us since that day.

One of the most important things I have learned as an author, now having finished my third book, is to remind myself why I chose to write the book, and not to be confused by others’ definitions of “success.” For me? I had a story to tell in Beyond the Ripples – I couldn’t work fast enough to get it out. And while it’ll never be a bestseller, I am reminded by the readers I did hear from: how it touched their hearts and minds.

Here are a few of the meaningful-to-me comments shared by a few readers:

” five-star …It’s a little known novel from a local Oregon author. But you know what? It’s also the best book I’ve read this year.”

“five-star Dede Montgomery’s Beyond the Ripples is a lovely story about making connections with unlikely people and how these connections teach us to open ourselves up to forgiveness, courage, and the acceptance of others….”

“five-star …The author captures the feel and flavor of the landscape and life in the Pacific Northwest, especially Oregon.“

” five-star This is a lovely story that weaves several different lives together in a way that demonstrates just how interconnected we all are.”

“five-star This story weaves through the Willamette and Columbia rivers and places In between. Like six degrees of separation, the characters are unknowingly connected. … These believable characters seek peace through understanding, and taking the small risks that strengthen and build confidence in spite of our roots or flaws.“

https://amzn.to/2LKtdx7 and https://bit.ly/3e06FVm

Looking for a new book to read? Meant to read it before but never got around to it? Check out the details, including the reader’s guide, character list and trailer. If you can, order it from your favorite brick and mortar book store, buy the ebook copy at a discount now from my publisher, get it from a local library (once they reopen), look for a free copy to borrow from a West Linn Little Library, or find other spots to order it. And after? I’d love to know what you think! After all, now is the perfect time to escape in a book that makes you feel good at the end.