An excerpt from the book:"I couldn't believe we were having another girl. Already having a son and a daughter, I thought a third child would finally make our family complete. Or so I thought."LETTERS TO SIENA is the true story of one woman's journey through the loss of her baby and the rediscovery of herself. Follow the author as she learns through her own writing and experiences, the true meaning of life, and the importance of family.
To the outside world, Siena McMahon has a fairy-tale life. Born into a great Hollywood dynasty-granddaughter of movie legend Duke McMahon, daughter of billionaire producer Pete McMahon-she is blessed with beauty, brains, and wealth...a proverbial princess. Yet behind the wrought-iron gates of the sprawling McMahon mansion in Hancock Park, her life is far from idyllic. The McMahons are bound together not by love but by infighting and ambition. When a gold-digging English aristocrat, Caroline Berkeley, worms her way into their lives and their home, the family's potent mix of jealousy and wealth explodes. Packed off to school in England, Siena starts making plans to leave the moment she arrives. She is determined to become a Hollywood star in her own right-just as her grandfather had said she would be. And once back in L.A., the rejections, betrayals, and failures she'll face will only make her stronger and tougher than ever before. But at what price? In the utterly dysfunctional landscape of her life-among friends, lovers, and family-she must find the people who will help her survive, help her become the person she was meant to be, help her be truly Adored. Set in the most glamorous cities of the world-L.A., London, Paris, and New York-Tilly Bagshawe's debut novel is like the real-world Hollywood it mirrors: deliciously escapist, wickedly sexy, and always irresistibly compelling.
George P. Matheos combines his storytelling talent with his real world experiences to create six captivating tales that will delight and amaze in this fun short-story collection. In Dragon Man, George Peter experiences a most memorable vacation laced with fear, adventure, love, and humility in a strange encounter with a disfigured man. A brave hero blasts through several universes seeking out Pure Mind to get the magic word that makes him a superhero on command in Commander Niko. Modern knight Thomas falls in love with good witch Samantha while battling warlocks and dragons in Thomas and the Witch of Pig Prophets Hill. In Siena Chapters, Siena makes friends with mermaid Sirenia and hears the tragic story of the beautiful Melusina and handsome Prince Brandon. One Day in the Life of Victor sees Victor splashing in pirate games and victories at sea in his backyard pool with his talking mice friends and mean and hungry cats. In The Meaning of Matteo, four year old Matteo stumbles upon hermits, werewolves, Little Red Riding Hood, and Cassiopeia before fastening on his Iron Man boots in the safe haven of his bedroom. Bursting with colorful characters and rousing adventure, Pure Magic shows how the magic of childhood is filled with unending journeys into the imagination.
Intelligent, independent, focused and with a passion for life. Siena has everything going for her. Surrounded by friends who are her only family and together they are working on ground breaking research that could change the face of humanity. What is there not to love about her life? But, all is not settled under her surface. The darkness that has cursed her parents now hunts her. The shadows rise and Siena now faces the greatest test of her life. Pushing her mental, emotional and physical attributes to her breaking point. A guardian from the past arrives to protect her against an evil that is not what it seems. Siena soon realises there is no present state, only that of the past and what lays ahead in the future. Who will win this game against time and humanity?
As a child who lost her daddy at such a young age, I don't have the pleasure of many memories with the man I thought of as my hero. All I have left of him are some pictures, a handful of memories, and whatever stories others who knew him well have shared with me.I've always desperately wished I had more.When I became a mother, I instantly felt the other side of the story. My whole life I'd only been the child... and now I was the parent. I suddenly knew what it was like to literally wear my heart on my sleeve. To feel not only all of my own fears and emotions, and pain. But, now I've taken on all of hers as well. This switch in perspectives inspired me to give her something I never had. A piece of me she can have and hold, and refer to forever. A way to give her advice and comfort. Whether it be when she's a teenager and too scared to come ask for help or confide in me. Or, when I'm long gone and she's a mommy herself. A way for her to get to know me, know who I am, what is important to me. What I struggled with, what I conquered, what I accomplished. What I failed at, what I hope for her, how much I believe in her. And most importantly, how so very, very much I love her. So, I've written her letters, periodically, since the day she was born. Letters about life, advice, stories, memories, anything I am inspired to write to her about. Something that can not only help her, but hopefully others as well. My hope is you walk away empowered, inspired, and plum full of love and hope, because we all need it.
