I’m not trying to sound like Ron Popeil pitching his Ronco Pocket Fisherman or his Chop-O-Matic (if you are too young to remember him, there’s always google) but here goes. Uncharted is now available for Pre-Order on Amazon. Click here. Now is where I put on my Ron Popeil hat–if you pre-order you save 25% and, not only that but you receive your copy of Uncharted on May 6,the day it is released!
The reason for the delay in releasing the book was because I submitted my manuscript for reviews to put on the back cover. The reviews are in and now it’s good to go except for the release date I had set to give enough time to get said reviews.
The back cover has quotes from the reviews, not the complete text. With that said I’m including the complete text from one of them here in case you need convincing. Another review you can find here.
Busenbark’s debut is a heady mix of genres, from tragedy to travel, that kicks off with the death of her husband, Rick, after 32 years of marriage. Suddenly, Busenbark is transformed into a widow, left to fend for herself, though she’s surrounded by family: “I feared I couldn’t control the sorrow consuming me. I needed to keep my hell private” she writes. In time, Busenbark meets Tim, who introduces her to sailing, sweeping her into a coastal escape where she finds inspiration for her paintings in the New England seascapes. What follows is a widow’s attempt to rediscover herself through self-sufficiency, art, and love.
The journey is incremental and unhurried, as Busenbark lingers on descriptions of her surroundings and extracts philosophical lessons from her experiences. It’s also punctuated by tragedy—not long after her husband’s death, Busenbark’s son, Richard, died of an overdose—but not in a way that is depressing; rather, it’s a slow, aching pain that gradually transcends into a deep appreciation for the small treasures in life. Busenbark’s artistic side manifests in the stunning visual imagery of her writing, as when she describes the changes she undergoes as “layers of emotion stacked up like a pile of old books, each with a story and hundreds of pages.”
The memoir’s second half is devoted to Busenbark’s sailing excursion with Tim from Maine to Florida, a meandering but vivid flow of historical landmarks, sailing jargon, and shocking weather. Family members often pop in for guest appearances, and Busenbark is candid about the fears that accompany such an immense undertaking. Her memories of Rick beat a steady rhythm throughout, as she wisely declares “there are some things you can’t fix and some thoughts that remain buried within our souls.” This is a poignant narrative about love, loss, and life that exposes the heartrending side of grief alongside the beauty that comes with healing.
Next on my agenda is preparations for a trip to Peterborough and an author talk at the Toadstool on June 22. Stay tuned for more details.
