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Wagner is a criminal prosecutor in Wisconsin, and a former newspaper and magazine journalist. She changed career horses at forty by going to law school after a serious riding accident. Over the years her by-line has appeared in the Washington Post, Philadelphia Inquirer, San Francisco Chronicle, and Milwaukee Journal and Journal-Sentinel, as well as in magazines across the country. More recently, her essays have appeared online both on her website, www.runningwithstilettos.com, and at Flashionista, MORE.com, Shortbread Stories, RedRoom, The Front Porch Review, Growing Bolder, and The Write City. Life experience includes being the mother of four, and a former girl scout troop leader, truck stop waitress, office temp, judicial clerk, and radio talk show host.
“Fabulous in Flats” follows in the spike-heeled footsteps of Wagner’s two earlier essay collections, “Running with Stilettos: Living a Balanced Life in Dangerous Shoes” and “Heck on Heels: Still Balancing on Shoes, Love & Chocolate!” Her earlier books netted a Mom’s Choice Award, an Indie Excellence Award, a Silver IPPY Award, and first and second place finishes in the National Federation of Press Women’s annual communications contests. Wagner is a three-time finalist in the Royal Palm Literary Awards, and has won the Illinois Woman’s Press Association’s Silver Feather Award in 2008 and 2011. Heck on Heels also earned a spot on the list of finalists for ForeWord Reviews “Book of the Year” Awards in 2010.
Reviewed by Dr. Karen Hutchins Pirnot for Readers' Favorite
In Fabulous in Flats: Putting my best foot forward! author Mary Wagner has provided the reader with twenty-eight marvelous essays which turn out to be life lessons at their very best. Ms. Wagner talks about her struggles and triumphs with power tools and about becoming the mother tiger when her children are ill and defenseless. Those of us who believe technology and culture are leaving us behind will howl at "Thrilling" and "Un-Gardening" and "Tool Time." We will relate to having to read instructions as a last resort and we will understand that "Home is Where the Chocolate Is."
"Bluebirds of Happiness" and "H. D. Thoreau" will remind the reader of the truly important things in this world, while "Two Hens and a Harley" will leave the reader writhing with a sense of joy and, perhaps, natural justice. There are stories of everyday life which will transform the reader's dismal day to one in which he/she can relate to the common triumphs and tragedies of life.
Ms. Wagner states that one of the things which defines us as the people we have become is the manner in which we react to the unknown, be it success or failure. Using this as a standard, her own life would have to be declared a resounding success. She approaches life for what it might offer rather than waiting anxiously for the day of her death. Granted, chocolate bars gave her a "fix" in times of stress, but her gutsy approach to adversity was the key to who she has become: a woman defined by self-comfort and joy of what the world has to offer. This book is highly recommended to any woman or man who has even an inkling of wanting to dwell in a state of self-doubt or "poor me." You will laugh your way through your own misery and be compelled to try again!
