​In a recent episode on "Online for Authors," I had the pleasure of engaging in a profound and enlightening conversation with Liz Sjaastad, the author of the compelling memoir "You're Too Young to Understand." This book takes readers on an emotional journey through Liz's life, exploring the complex dynamics of growing up with parents affected by unacknowledged mental illnesses. Our discussion delved into the themes of her book, offering listeners a glimpse into the realities she faced and the growth she experienced through this challenging yet transformative writing process.

Beautiful and Terrible Things is a contemporary fiction by SM Stevens. We start by meeting Charley, a 29-year-old who believes she is cursed to lose everyone she loves. To combat this, she lives a very rigid and lonely life - until she meets Xander. He invites her to meet his band of diverse race, gender, and sexually oriented friends Terrance, Sunny, Jessica, and Buwan.

Charley is a social misfit, but from the beginning, I was cheering her on. Her rigid schedule and self-harm made me want to wrap my arms around her and help her see it was going to be okay - when I wasn't stamping my feet because she was being ridiculous! Of course, I felt the same way about each of the friends. At times, they seemed to have their heads on straight - at others? Not so much. And isn't that just like me, you, and everyone we know?

SM doesn't hold back. She brings in social components of our time including race and sexual orientation, but also mental health issues and green initiatives. With characters all along each of these spectrums, we are given the opportunity to see these topics from all sides - from those who live them to those who wonder if they really exist. We also get a glimpse into what we might do when we see something that isn't to our liking - and learn that there isn't just one way that is the right way.

This is a wonderful story about friends and what that can look like despite different life experiences. I really enjoyed this book.

Purchase a copy of Beautiful and Terrible Things:
Paperback: https://amzn.to/4oDp2UW​
Kindle: https://amzn.to/4ovRRSW

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Welcome back to Online for Authors! I'm Teri, your host, and today I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Andrew Alan Buhman, the talented author of "Nick Grayson: The Truth In The Lies." For those who love gritty fiction with a twist of the paranormal, you’re in for a treat!