That could have been me - #trauma #insight #healing @viviMacKade

By Viviana MacKade (Guest Blogger)

Aidan, the hero of my last novel, had a rough childhood–and I’m hugely underplaying this. As a reaction, he closed the world out and hunkered down into himself and his art.

Well, that could easily have been me.

I didn’t have it as bad as he did, not by any measure. My father was a raging alcoholic, one who ended up hanging with the wrong crowd and because of it, I saw things no child of seven should.

But I had my mom, my grandparents, and my little town that never failed to make me feel loved and accepted. It was a cushion that didn’t make me break.

The cracks though, those I carry with me, probably always will.

I hardly ever cried for whatever crap my dear daddy did, anger was my medium. It was easier getting mad, really mad, than sad and hurt. Oversensitive and empathetic, I made myself be the fighter I probably wouldn’t have been otherwise out of necessity. I didn’t like lit, I didn’t want it, but I had to in order to survive emotionally.

I had huge issues with trust, and only because my husband is the very definition of an honorable man I started believing in the male category again. I can trust him, people can trust him, and that means there are good men around.

But it wasn’t until I wrote Aidan’s story that I realized how much of an impact my father had on me throughout the years and most importantly, that letting go of the past might start because of someone (my husband for me, Summer for Aidan), but it can’t be done by someone else. It has to come from within.

Aidan’s epilogue came as such a catharsis.

It was like he was showing me the way. He got rid of his ghosts, so maybe it’s time for me to do the same.

He made me see it was time.

We have a trip to Italy planned for this Christmas, so it will be my chance to say my goodbyes–to bad memories, to people who are no longer here, to what can’t be changed.

Oh, how it will suck. But it’s needed.

This is the real power of books. Sometimes you have to see things from someone else’s perspective to find your way out from a problem, maybe even a problem you didn’t know you had.

I didn’t write Aidan’s story because of me, or my experience. It was his story, his demons. But it made me see mine, and made me want to do something about it.

So, thank you, Aidan and Summer.

Now I know the way.

His Midnight Sun

By Viviana MacKade

Tormented, fierce, and broken, sculptor Aidan Murphy has judged himself guilty. He yearns for love but pushes everyone away. He longs for acceptance but has lost the key to open his heart. Until he meets Summer Williams. Beautiful and smart, Dr. Williams promises haven for a man who believes he deserves none. All he has to do is let her in and risk his heart and soul.

Summer’s managed to keep her inner light alive, even through tragedy. She’s created a new life for herself and her daughter in Crescent Creek with loving, caring and fun friends–well, except brooding, breathtaking Aidan. She’s used to keeping away from his type, though. All she has to do is ignore the pull of a man who’s turning up to be much more than snarls and storms. Will her compassion and medical instincts let her?

Love can heal a broken soul and shake up a timid heart. Or it can unleash devastation and revenge.

Will Aidan and Summer survive the hurricane?

Released September 15

$0.99 FREE with KU

Buy Link

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GDP26VB?

https://goo.gl/L8okF6

About the Author

Beach bum and country music addicted, Viviana lives in a small Floridian town with her husband and her son, her die-hard fans and personal cheer squad. She spends her days between typing on her beloved keyboard, playing in the pool with her boy, and eating whatever her husband puts on her plate (the guy is that good, and she really loves eating). Besides beaching, she enjoys long walks, horse-riding, hiking, and pretty much whatever she can do outside with her family.

Find me...

On my website http://www.viviana-mackade.blog/

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Amazon Author page