An extra special gift

It’s the season of giving, and this year, Magic O’Clock has been gifted something extra special too. A Five Star review by Jeannie Richards, courtesy of her Indies Helping Indies Book Review Project. (Fellow authors, you should check out Jeannie’s IHIBRP details on her website – you won’t regret it).

Magic (as I affectionately call it) is a little story about a father living with dementia while his daughter looks on, helpless and forgotten by him. The disease has stolen her hero from her – except at Magic O’Clock – 3pm – when glimmers of her dad shine resplendently through his tall stories and exaggerated adventures. It’s a story of hope, and a chance to remember that every second counts.

Here’s that lovely review I mentioned:

5.0 out of 5 stars: A Charming But Realistic Tale On Dealing With Dementia!
By Author JB Richardson December 22, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition – Verified Purchase
Seventy-year-old Archie Royle is the author’s dad—her storytelling hero who is stricken with dementia. At this stage in his life, Archie doesn’t know his own daughters or family anymore, and he lives in a world of his own time and making. But even though he struggles to recall the woman who stops in daily to chat with him and hear his stories, he seems quite happy existing in a place where time is irrelevant and hope is boundless.

At only 16 pages, “Magic O’clock” is a very short read, but Fellows’ fictional tale really packs a punch. While she stands by watching helplessly as her father’s condition continues to decline, she offers a unique insight into the world of dementia. This consummate master storyteller expertly demonstrates how Archie weaves an intricate web of wild and amazing adventures as she plays these imaginings against the vivid tapestry of his real-life events.

Certainly, Fellows mirrors her father’s talent and charisma in the telling of her tale. And, her deep and everlasting love for her dad shines through in this story within a story. I highly recommend this touching and charming tale to anyone who is dealing with a parent or loved one suffering with dementia. “Magic O’Clock” offer us the gift of peering out the proverbial window while gently and carefully revealing both the joys and sorrows associated with this disease.

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To say I’m chuffed would be an understatement 🙂 It is indeed a wondrous sight to behold – trust me, I was (and still am) overjoyed at the kind words written about my short story. In fact, I’m overwhelmed by the impact Magic has had, and will hopefully continue to have, on readers.

For anyone living through this right now, all I would say is to cherish the memories you have, make new ones and find the joy in every moment you have with your loved one. Those memories you make will be the blessings that comfort you. Revel in them and hold them tight, save them for those times when you need your own Magic O’clock moment.

If you’d care  to see what the fuss is all about, you can find Magic here.  If you do choose to read it, I hope you enjoy it enough to leave a review. Reviews keep authors writing, and the sequel – Magical Memories – is already in the pipeline, with an April 2018 release beckoning (my dad’s birthday seems a fitting date, don’t you think?)

Thank you for reading 🙂

Merry Christmas everyone – Happy Holidays