Excerpts from Amazon Five-Star Reviews for
Marcella’s Secret Dreams and
Stories: A Mother’s Legacy
by Barbara Brabec and
Marcella Eliza Schaumburg
– “This is perhaps the finest jewel in Barbara’s publishing crown as she blends together and enhances three generations of family history.”
– "Barbara Brabec knows how to tell a good story.”
– “A glimpse into yesterday—a remarkable treasure.”
– “A great, old-fashioned trip down memory lane.”
– “An inspirational book for anyone considering writing a memoir or a family story.
– “Written between the lines are the indelible building blocks laid by our ancestors of forming love, faith, family, trust, pride, ambition, grit, freedom, independence, and patriotism.”
BELOW ARE PARAGRAPHS from which the above review blurbs were taken. Read all reviews and look inside the book on Amazon. (Review copies are available to book reviewers on Amazon, Facebook, or GoodReads.)
“This is perhaps the finest jewel in Barbara’s publishing crown as she blends together and enhances three generations of family history. Among the many messages that this book brings, the encouragement for readers to undertake the writing of family life stories is perhaps most powerful as she proclaims, ‘The next best thing to having a good life is to live it all over again in a book you’ve written.’” – Duane Victor Keilstrup, author of The Christian Professor in the Secular University
“Barbara Brabec knows how to tell a good story . . . Recorded memories are always fascinating, but few of us could entwine them so well with corroborating letters saved from several family members over many years. Covering decades, they present a poignant history of the lives of several generations, reminding the reader of stories from their own families and spurring us to record our own life story for posterity.”– Elizabeth Simmons
“A glimpse into yesterday—a remarkable treasure! Barbara has done a beautiful job of putting this collection together. In interjecting her comments along with her mother’s thoughts, this is really a story within a story. Her descriptions shine with such realism, humor, heart-break and clarity that she conveys a picture with words.” – Daisy Trimnell
“If you want a great, old-fashioned trip down memory lane, then this is the book for you. After reading I just wanted to sit down and write some of my childhood memories. I just can't imagine how they kept all those letters for such a long time and it is wonderful that they had that journal from their mother. I wish mine had left a legacy. I wish that I had asked more questions when she was alive. Wonderful book.” – Barbara Wittman
“History books may tell the story of the 20th century, but Marcella lived it and recorded it. Barbara’s own insights deepen the reader’s enjoyment. Anyone with ties to the Midwest will find this a delightful read. An inspirational book for anyone considering writing a memoir or a family story.” – Gayle Larson Schuck, author of Secrets of the Dark Closet
“Little had I realized how memories and feelings slip away, especially if it all is left to only memory and little or nothing has been recorded. Thus, what a treasure that Barbara, Molly and Mary have in the trove of hand written/typed memories they have compiled and kept, a practice now quickly being lost to technology. Written between the lines are the indelible building blocks laid by our ancestors of forming love, faith, family, trust, pride, ambition, grit, freedom, independence, and patriotism. This book is ... heartwarming ... a great read!" – Jerry Harweger
“More than a family treasure ... It is compelling as you read excerpts from letters, recollections, and personal reflections brought together with Barbara's refreshing style of storytelling."– Linda Ann Lewis, author of Golden Memories
If you’re still wondering it if really matters whether or not YOU should write the story of YOUR life for your immediate and extended family, wonder no more. Simply read Marcella’s Secret Dreams and Stories for a resounding YES! answer.
Author’s Postscript
EVERY AUTHOR LIVES for the early reviews of a new book, holding their breath while hoping that the book they've labored on for so long will hit the mark with its readers. Early reviews on Amazon suggested that I was on solid ground here. One of the sweetest notes came not from a book reviewer but from my cousin Sonnie, whose mother was my father’s sister Lil, who is mentioned often in the book. She called after reading the book, and there was so much excitement in her voice that I couldn't believe this was my usually quiet and soft-spoken cousin. Later she wrote:
"At this stage in our life, where could we get a better understanding of our parents' era and all the things they went through! The open sharing of all three of you girls of your family history was such a blessing to me, and I know someday they may even make it a movie. I am going to think big because I have a big God who knows what He has planned for you!"
That gave me a chuckle, because there is no "they" to turn my book into a movie. In fact, this book, so special and so dear to my heart— actually my legacy to my sisters and their children—did not find a large market due to the fact that I’m not on social networking sites and lack money for advertising. So if you do buy a copy and like the book, thanks in advance for telling others about it.
What’s important, however, is how writing this book blessed my life and the life of everyone in my family. My sisters and I grew much closer during the writing of this book as I pulled them into by asking them to share their own thoughts and letters to and from our Mother. I could not have asked for a better reward for the time I spent researching, writing, and publishing this book. However, by simply publishing this book I automatically positioned myself for new and exciting things to come. This website and the articles and special services I now offer to help writers publish their own writing will be found on the menu and in the Writing & Publishing Articles archives.
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