NEW YEAR, NEW CAR, TWO AWARDS

 

 

Here’s to getting back into the groove!

 

After the holidays, after the decorations came down and were stored away, after the baking and cooking and clearing up after it was all done, my car broke down. 

The dreaded check engine light on my beloved Volkswagen Tiguan came on–ironically–a few months after my warranty expired. It was the worst news; repairing it would have cost more than the car was worth.

I thought all was lost. My bad luck had followed me into the new year. 

But, as soon as that thought entered my mind, amazing things started happening, just to prove me wrong. 

“GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS,” they say.

I received a brand new car as a gift! And the best part is, it’s in my favorite shade of blue!

 

Then, that same day, I went to a party–70s / 80s Disco–and ended up winning an award! It was so wonderful and unexpected. It felt amazing. 

 

 

The very best part of my unexpected good fortune, however, is an audiobook award my book, Remember Me, received from the Audiobookreviewer.com. The letter I received from Charla who also gave my book a five-star review, blew my mind. I am beyond happy and grateful for her beautiful words and compliments. She called me an excellent author and told me my book was “powerful, moving, devastating, haunting.”

This is what she had to say in her review: 

 

“The author, Sanela Ramic Jurich, paints a devastating picture of what Selma’s life becomes and the effects of war. She does not spare the listener with soft descriptions but rather gives them the bare truth of war and the horrible devastating actions of evil men subjecting women and children to extremes in suffering. Each character is skillfully built and developed into vivid people that are forced to suffer the most painful, devastating emotional and physical pain a human can endure. She eases her listeners into the story by showing us familiar acts and emotions – shopping, falling in love, family and friendships. The suddenness of the war reaching her hometown is unexpected and jarring and where she highlights the despair, pain, raw emotions, fear, and more. The love story between two people is amazing and provides hope and renewal. She brings the story full circle and demonstrates that healing is possible. The story flows steadily. Not only are her words powerful but her imagery is as well. The book is powerful with raw emotions. I am thankful for the opportunity to hear and review this book.”

“This book was awarded the AudioBookReviewer’s Choice Award as it was deemed to deserve a higher rating than the standard 5-star review allowed.”

To read the entire review, click here. 

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The post-holiday couple of weeks were pretty darned perfect for me. Friends, family, two boys who made me laugh and laugh and laugh. Two most excellent awards to blow me away. Morning workouts and food.

An excellent way to start the new year.

Now it’s back to work, and I’m more than ready for it. It felt so good to sit at my desk again and dive back into the story. And if I have a tub of books to sign tonight—and I do—I’ve had more than enough time to recharge my batteries.

It’s a good deal.

Sanela

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Sample

Narrated by Lindsay Carrillo

Purchase at Audible

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“Sanela is a powerful speaker, with the ability to mesmerize her audience with every word she says as she relays her horrific personal struggles during the Bosnian War. In addition, her ability to take the true life stories of the people she knew, and incorporate them into a love story, is amazing. I highly recommend this outstanding author to present to any student or community group, and I encourage anyone needing to know that something good can come from something horrible to read her book Remember Me.  You will not be disappointed!” – Judy Kingsbury, Executive Assistant to the President Rochester Community and Technical College