Dear Friends and Followers,

Welcome to My Book Buffet newsletter, a new monthly feature where I’ll share news about my publishing adventure, giving updates about my debut novel When Things Go Missing, as well as new novels I’m working on. I’ll also share reviews of books I’m currently reading and my thoughts on the literary world in general.

But, first . . . .

MY BOOK LAUNCH!!

When Things Go Missing went live on September 22. The Book Blog Tour that preceded and followed was a huge success! So many book bloggers and reviewers drew huge numbers of their followers to the page, leaving lovely comments telling me they added my novel to their TBR list or just downloaded it on their tablets.

I was happy to give away an ebook and extra chapters that didn’t make it into the final craft to three people who visited the most tour stops and left the most comments. The recipients were Tim Dittmor, Beth Kennedy, and Marie Bailey. Many thanks for your participation in helping to make this tour a success!

BOOK REVIEWS OF WHEN THINGS GO MISSING

Since the launch, I’m happy to report that book reviews have been rolling in on Amazon and Goodreads, and several new editorial reviews have dropped as well. Here’s just a taste:

A mesmerizing read about family resilience. Review by award-winning fantasy writer, D. W. Peach

“This is Brasket’s debut novel, and my-oh-my, you wouldn’t know it. I read the book in one sitting and was mesmerized throughout.

In the novel’s prologue, Franny is a middle-aged wife and mother who, one day, on her way to the grocery store, just keeps driving. And driving. On occasion, she lets her family know she’s okay, but in every other way, she’s “gone missing.”

The rest of the story is about how her family deals with her absence/abandonment, how they cope (or don’t), and how they eventually, out of necessity, forge new and different lives for themselves. One thing I loved about the read was the story’s lack of judgment about Franny’s decision. Was her departure cruel, selfish, just what was needed, or none of the above? The results of her choice to leave were unpredictable, which made the book immensely compelling and kept me glued to the pages.

The POV characters (Franny’s husband, Walter, and her kids, Kay and Cal) are complex, realistic, their relationships nuanced. They reminded me of “families” with all their strengths and flaws, old wounds, judgments, hopes, anger, and love. Without their mother to depend on, to manage their relationships and smooth over their mistakes, they are forced to take charge of their lives (or not). . . .

There’s a universal feel to the choices and outcome that felt fascinating, heartbreaking, poignant, and hopeful. No judgment. Just people finding their way. Highly recommended to readers of literary fiction who enjoy a compelling story about families that is hard to put down.”

A story of hope, healing, and the enduring bonds of family. Editorial review by Carol Thompson for Readers’ Favorite

“When Things Go Missing by Deborah J. Brasket explores themes of family, identity, and the impact of loss. The story begins with Franny’s sudden disappearance, which catalyzes her family to confront their own struggles and embark on journeys of self-discovery.

Through the perspectives of her husband, Walter; daughter, Kay; and son, Cal, Brasket’s narrative captures the emotional void left by Franny’s absence and the ways each character attempts to fill it. Walter’s quiet determination leads him to Alaska and eventually South America in search of closure, while Kay, an archaeology student, grapples with her brother’s addiction and her own impending motherhood. Cal’s battle with heroin addiction and his artistic awakening through welding highlight his growth and the possibility of redemption.

Deborah J. Brasket’s prose brings the story to life, painting vivid images of rugged landscapes and mystical ruins. These settings mirror the characters’ internal struggles and add meaning to their journeys. The alternating viewpoints of Kay, Cal, and Walter provide a multifaceted portrayal of grief and longing, allowing readers to experience Franny’s absence through different lenses. The gifts she sends are symbolic threads connecting her to her family, even as she remains physically distant.

When Things Go Missing is a thought-provoking novel that captures the fragility and strength of human connection. Brasket’s writing draws readers into the lives of her characters, enabling them to connect with the characters on a deeper level. It is a story of hope, healing, and the enduring bonds of family, leaving readers with a sense of closure and possibility.”

Gorgeously written novel about family relationships and addiction, Review by poet and author Luanne Castle

“Deborah Brasket’s debut novel, When Things Go Missing, amazed me with its gorgeous writing, significant and densely woven themes and images, and how strongly the book made me feel.

This novel is the story of a traditionally structured family of four and how the pieces that are the individuals fit together—smoothly, imperfectly, and jaggedly. The mother leaves one day without saying goodbye or providing a destination. At that point, daughter, son, and husband all respond differently, depending on their relationship with Mom/Frannie. As might be expected, they feel as if the center of the family is gone, leaving them with only tenuous connections to each other.

When Franny leaves town, her son, Cal, is a heroin addict who relies on the help of a rotating roster of enablers—including his mother—to give him money or a place to stay. The younger child, Kay, is a graduate student in archaeology, focused on finding a place for herself in her field. They both rely on their mother emotionally, but with the maternal tenderness spigot suddenly all but closed tight, they struggle to discover who they are and how they can succeed in life whether their mother is a part of their day-to-day lives or not.

The character portraits are carefully drawn. Brasket captures not only Cal’s addictive personality, but his sister’s love wrapped in resentment for the way he siphons attention for negative reasons. Even if the characters and their fascinating evolution throughout the book were all When Things Go Missing has to offer, it would be enough. I couldn’t look away for an instant. Every moment was a surprise and yet each new action made absolute sense for these people and their troubles and their conflicted emotions for each other.

Anyone who has an addict in their lives will be able to relate to this book at a profound level. Anyone who is part of a dysfunctional family group will be compelled to learn from the psychology at work here. And, finally, any parent who ever wanted to just get away from everyone and everything to search for peace and to find themselves, will feel a connection with the character who is missing throughout the novel—Franny herself. Where Franny finds herself will surprise and please you. The character her husband and children find within themselves will gratify you. I promise.

When Things Go Missing made me cry. I could not stop thinking about it when I finished reading. Frankly, I was stunned by the beauty and the brilliance.”

I can’t thank these readers enough for taking the time to write these reviews and post them where other readers may find them and be inspired to pick up their own copy.

Sharing the Heart of the Matter Podcast, Author Interview

Can you believe it! I was invited to be on Sharing the Heart of the Matter Podcast to speak about my debut novel When Things Go Missing.

I can’t tell you how nervous I was going in, but these two generous and warmhearted hosts, Wynne Leon and Vicki Atkinson, made me feel so comfortable it was like talking to old friends.

Below is a small excerpt of the interview where I give the so-called (and rather long!) “elevator speech” about the novel.

Or you can watch to the whole 37 minute podcast on Spotify or YouTube (posted below) where I also talk about my writing process, my next novel, and our experiences sailing around the world.

My REVIEWS: TWO MUST-READ POLITICAL THRILLERS

I love getting book reviews and as an author I know how important it is to post reviews of books you enjoy on Amazon or Goodreads or wherever you buy your book. So I’ve been trying to do my fair share in return, especially for Independently published authors. Below are two politically-themed books that speak with special importance to our times.

The Gales of Alexandria by Ehab Elgammal

THE BLURB

A fallen son. A grieving father. A cryptic journal that could stop the next attack.

Alexandria, Egypt, 2014—History professor Omar El-Mohammedi has no time to mourn. His son Nasser comes home in a shroud—and a ruthless CIA agent demands he decode the young man’s journal.

The mission: uncover secrets that could stop a devastating terrorist attack before it’s too late.

But as Omar unravels the brutal passages, he is forced to confront family truths, his failings as a father, and the question: Was Nasser radicalized by faith, or was he a casualty of a fractured world that rarely seeks to understand?

MY REVIEW

I thoroughly enjoyed this beautifully written novel that hit all my favorite buttons: a fast-paced political thriller filled with family drama, struggles of faith, an examination of cultural differences and how history impacts the present, and a love story between friends and family—all of which is set among several exotic locales. We travel from the ancient Egyptian city of Alexandria to New York City during 9/11; from an elite California style BBQ filled with Senators and CIA agents to the Arab Spring protests in Cairo; from a war room in the Pentagon to a jihadist cave filled with radioactive material.

At its heart is the mystery of how Nasser, a fun-loving, much beloved, and brilliant student becomes a jihadist hero, and why an America CIA agent believes his journal, which only Nasser’s father can decipher, will help him avert a coming Armageddon. Nasser’s story is largely told by the people who loved him: his father, a renowned professor of history; his sister, who struggles with her Muslim faith; his two best friends who emigrate to the United States and marry American women; and his bewildered but faithful fiancé.

In short, it’s hard to summarize a novel that weaves together so many diverse strands—but the result is a rich and powerful tapestry that captures the heart of what it’s like to live with compassion and courage during these turbulent and troubling times.

Highly recommended. Available on Amazon and other major retailers.

Tomorrow It Could Be You by Hollie Anne Marsh

BOOK BLURB

A gripping, true story about the police crack down on voters in Barcelona in 2017, and the turmoil that followed

A country on the brink. A family torn apart. One girl discovering her voice.

In 2017 Barcelona, sixteen-year-old Laia’s world shatters when her father is imprisoned for organizing a peaceful protest. As Catalunya’s push for independence meets a brutal police crackdown, Laia is torn between staying safe and standing up for what she believes in.

Encouraged by her classmate Sonia, Laia steps into a youth movement and meets Xavi—a fearless activist who challenges her, inspires her, and stirs feelings she’s never known before. As their bond deepens amid the chaos, Laia uncovers a buried family secret from the Spanish Civil War. Past and present collide, forcing her to question not only the truth, but also her future and her place in a struggle that spans generations.

As harsh sentences fall on Catalan leaders and the streets erupt in protest, Laia must decide: will she stay silent, or risk everything to stand up for what’s right?

Inspired by true events, Tomorrow It Could Be You is a powerful and timely novel about finding your voice, standing up to injustice, and discovering the courage to make a difference.

MY REVIEW

A timely novel about how fragile democracies can be when threatened by autocrats who want to wrestle control away from the people. The book is set in Spain in 2017 and beyond when the father of the teen protagonist Laia is arrested and thrown into prison for organizing a referendum vote to maintain democratic autonomy for Catalonia, when the government of Spain is trying to end it. The police raid the polling places, causing havoc and hurting people and the democratically elected leaders of Catalonia are imprisoned.

The story tells how Laia and her family and neighbors cope with the political turmoil, protest the government, and try to free the political prisoners. It is a cautionary tale told through sympathetic characters. The pacing is a bit uneven, much is glossed over, and I would have liked the novel to go a little deeper and flesh out some characters more. But over all I enjoyed it.

What grabbed me was the timeliness of the message, reminding us how easily democracies can be torn apart and dismantled if people do not stand up to defend it.

Tomorrow It Could Be You is available on Amazon and other retailers.

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Thank you for reading the October edition of My Book Buffet. If you’ve read this far, please let me know by leaving a like or a comment below.

Deepest gratitude,

Deborah

When Things Go Missing isn’t about politics but it is about the messy relationships of family life and creating from that chaos a life worthy of our deepest desires and ideals. I hope you will get a chance to read it and let me know what you think. It’s available now at Amazon, Bookshop, Barnes & Noble