A Hundred Magical Reasons
Most fairy tales have happy endings, but is it too late for this one? After all, Mrs. Charlotte Rose Gordon is eighty-eight. This disgruntled town recluse has grown weary of fighting the dragons of her past—including the desire to clear her husband’s name of a 1918 crime.
Dragons of a different kind pursue Carrie Kruisselbrink. In 1980, during the summer of her private rebellion, Carrie defies parental expectations and pursues her café dream. While waiting for funding, she takes a job with Mrs. Gordon.
As Mrs. Gordon unfolds the story of her oppressive childhood and delightful friendship with "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" author, L. Frank Baum, Carrie never expects to encounter her own fears and soul-searching.
In this modern-day fairy tale that weaves between 1980 and the early 1900s, Mr. Baum’s influence impacts each woman’s personal quests on a hero’s journey neither anticipates. Can Carrie and Mrs. Gordon find common ground in battling their respective dragons?
~ First Place in The BookFest for Literary Historical Fiction (April 2025)
~ First Place in the Firebird Book Awards for Biographical Fiction (April 2025)
~ Literary Titan Gold Book Award for Fiction (March 2025)
~ Bronze Medal for the Illumination Book Awards for General Fiction (February 2025)
~ 3 five-star Readers’ Favorite reviews