Wildland by Rebecca Hodge

I’ve known Rebecca for a little more than a year. I’ve had the privilege of peeking over her shoulder as she navigated the path to having Wildland, her first book, published. Her debut novel has a unique premise, combining two events that individually are difficult situations to contend with, let alone combining them.

Kat, her protagonist, has gone to the mountains to make a life or death decision - to pursue treatment for the cancer that has returned or to let nature take its course. In short order, she becomes the foster mom to two dogs and, with a little ‘help’ from them, befriends two children, Lily and Nirav, whose dads, Scott and Malcolm respectively, are renting the cabins nearest to hers. Within days, the lives of Kat, Malcolm, Scott, and the children will intertwine in a way that none of them ever anticipated.

The author uses alternating POV, switching between Kat and Malcolm, a security expert and brand new dad, with a very tight timeline to create unrelenting tension. Kat has to dig deep within herself to find the will to push on and not give up, not just for the sake of the four lives that are depending on her but also to decide once and for all if she truly wants to live or die.

Truthfully, I wasn’t sure I would like the story as the plot, on the surface, wasn’t something I could connect with personally. I was wrong. I was unable to put the book down and stayed up past my bedtime to finish it. 🥱

I give it 👍🏻👍🏻.

Please pay a visit to her website, Rebecca Hodge Fiction, for further information and where you can purchase a copy of her book.

Women and Adversity: Lady Deborah Moody

Since moving to South Carolina almost two years ago I have connected with several writers….definitely goes in the + column of making this giant move!

One such writer is journalist and freelance writer Jo Ann Mathews. She has been such a great friend and resource on writing. She generously offered to let me write a guest post on her blog “Women and Adversity.” Twice a month she profiles women from all walks of life, from all different time periods who faced obstacles as they forged their place in the world.

I invite you to read my contribution about Lady Deborah Moody, an English woman who was instrumental in Long Island’s history. I chose to write about her, in part, as a nod to my home state but also because she was a female voice driving and advocating for her community in a time period where women had none especially when it came to public affairs.

I encourage you to sign up on Jo Ann’s website to receive posts right to your email - always an interesting read over that morning cup of coffee or tea!