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I've always possessed a passion for the written word. During childhood, I kept many fledgling journals. As I matured, my chronicles acquired a more complex narrative, dissecting beliefs about myself and working through challenging emotions and trauma while trying to find the meaning in it all. This scrutiny of emotion is now a common theme in my writing as my characters often navigate the complexities of life.
I guide my characters on their own journeys, navigating the roller coaster of life. I nudge them out of their safe emotional havens as they triumph over whatever it is that's turned their world upside down. That’s when true healing and growth happen.
I'm captivated by the human condition—riveted by its beauty even amidst chaos. I believe within the unpredictable mess of living, beauty is patiently waiting to be found.
In my writing, I strive to tear apart the inevitable pain we experience in life to unearth the glimmering pearl. It's there, if only we take the time to look. As an explorer of emotion, I work to uncover what lies beneath the surface in an unapologetically raw and authentic manner.
When I'm not writing or reading, I love to travel and explore new places. I'm also a fan of day trips to quaint towns, historical sites or to quiet nooks in nature. I enjoying spending time with my family, friends and my beautiful dog, Athena, who is like a second child!
Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite
All That Was Left Unsaid by Danielle Dragona is a compelling, heart-rending, and deeply emotional portrayal of love, betrayal, family dynamics, and secrets left untold. Katrina Johnson, at seventy years old, is at a crossroads. Her beloved husband Sam has just died of cancer. She has been estranged from her daughter for a long time and wonders if the rift can ever be repaired. As Katrina tries to come to terms with her new lonely life in their large Victorian farmhouse, day by day, unknown aspects of her supposedly “perfect” marriage begin to unravel around her. It seems like everything she believed about her husband and their marriage was either a lie or wrapped in a web of half-truths and devastating secrets. With her own physical and mental health suffering, Katrina must act quickly to stabilize her world, or she could be joining her late husband sooner than she’d hoped.
All That Was Left Unsaid is an absolutely riveting read. Author Danielle Dragona has crafted a web of twisting, turning secrets and mysteries that slowly unravel as the narrative unfolds. The central character, Katrina, is both incredibly likable and naïve at the same time. Readers will find themselves trying to give her advice to get her out of her funk, and any author that can provoke an emotional response like that from their audience has done a tremendous job. I appreciated that the author used the narrative to espouse some excellent and useful techniques and methods of dealing with traumas, many of which resonated with me. This combination of an exciting plot and an underlying message of resilience and methods of overcoming trauma makes for a well-rounded and inspirational story. The author’s descriptive style also allows readers to feel a part of the large Victorian household in which Katrina and her lodgers reside. I loved the author’s focus on character development, illuminating the deepest thoughts and fears of the players in this journey. By allowing readers into the characters’ minds, they are granted deep insight into first the unraveling of the family, the marriage, and Katrina’s life, and then into the rebuilding of trust, faith, and purpose. This is a deeply layered story with a wonderfully joyful underlying message. I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend it.
