Patricia A. Bridewell Electronic Press kit for Reflections of a Quiet Storm

[EDC Creations]

Patricia A. Bridewell author of Reflections of a Quiet Storm
Website: www.patriciabridewell.com
Email: [e-mail]

Patricia A. Bridewell is a native of Los Angeles, California. Reading has always had a certain magnetism in her life since childhood. Journaling life experiences as therapy led to her passion for writing. Her notes transcended into the novel, Reflections of a Quiet Storm, to be released by Xpress Yourself Publishing LLC on March 10, 2009. Patricia has multifaceted careers as a registered nurse, adjunct college professor, and CEO of her own company, Bri-John Nursing Services, Inc. She is currently working on her second novel and is a guest writer for two new online magazines-Step Up Sista and Hotlantabuzzonline.com.


Introduction to the book Reflections of a Quiet Storm
As CEO and owner of a new nursing registry, Pauline Bridges is striving to reach the height of success, and then unexpectedly tragedy strikes. After a near fatal automobile accident, she climbs from the wreckage unscathed, but shortly thereafter, God begins to reveal her past. Pain, once buried deep within, rises to the surface through memories that are revived as dreams and flashbacks. Chronicled in a series of stories, her life unfolds through a long journey; a pathway that unveils many secrets that not even her children had been told.

Visions of the past invade her days and nights as constant reminders of events from childhood through her adult life replay in her mind. Memories of her mother’s abuse at the hands of her stepfather, a rape during adolescence, her brother’s stormy lifestyle, and the agony of a marriage that was destroyed by her ex-husband, Naman’s infidelity and substance abuse, all drift through her mind. And then there is the shattering memory of the unsolved murder of her former boss, a vice president for a major recording company. All memories that Pauline had chose to forget, but now they’re back.

Pauline’s faith is challenged with not only ravaging dreams and flashbacks, but also with supporting her two adult children through their hardships. The ditch grows much deeper when she learns her friend, Vangie, is having an affair with her best friend, Bethany’s husband, Darryl. Pauline temporarily escapes from revolving chaos by wallowing in her corporate world, with the aim of building a high caliber business, and helping friends and family get through their crises.

Her prayers are answered when Keith Maris steps into her life and opens her heart to feelings and emotions that she didn’t know still existed. As their relationship flourishes, he becomes a main support system through the turmoil, and her dreams and flashbacks begin to diminish. When her friend, Bethany, has a mental breakdown after learning of Darryl’s affair; she sets out with the intent to confront them. While brandishing a gun, it accidentally fires, striking Darryl’s shoulder. Pauline intervenes to prevent what could have become a tragedy. Bethany and Darryl stay married after he ends his relationship with Vangie, Pauline supports her son through his father’s terminal illness and subsequent death, and also finally discovers the reasons for her daughter’s turbulent past relationship with her father.
“A novel that is based on a true life story.”

Visit www.patriciabridewell.com for book chapter reading and preorder information.

Links to book:
www.xpressyourself.org
www.patriciabridewell.com
www.myspace/patriciabridewell.com

Buy the Book: http://www.xpressyourselfpublishing.org/bookstore.htm

Patricia A. Bridewell, Author Reflections of a Quiet Storm
www.patriciabridewell.com

[EDC Creations]

ISBN 10-0977939863
ISBN 13-9780977939862

FIVE TALKING POINTS OF THE BOOK:

1. RELATIONSHIPS
2. INFIDELITY
3. SOCIAL ISSUES
4. EMOTIONAL PAIN AND DISTRESS
5. FAITH
6. INSIGHT INTO A HELPING PROFESSION - NURSING (MAIN CHARACTER, PAULINE, IS A NURSE.)


Chapter 5 Excerpt The Adoption

Hi, Bethany , this is Pauline.”
“Pauline! Girl I was just thinkin’ about you the other day. How are things goin’?” She asked in her familiar southern twang.

“Not too bad, but I really miss you.”

“I know. I miss you, too. So, how’s Naman and Damien?”
“They’re okay. How is your family doing?”

“We’re hangin’ in there. The congregation is really growin’. We’re gettin’ new members all the time. How is the adoption comin’ along?”

“Well, we’re still having some problems with the foster mother, but we’re determined not to give up.”
That’s right. Don’t let her discourage you. African-American children need to be placed with African-American parents.”

“ Bethany , I just wish I was back in L.A. I’m really ready to move back.”
“Uh oh, I recognize that tone of voice. What’s wrong?”
Pauline hesitated a few seconds before speaking. “I think Naman is seeing someone else.”


Reflections of a Quiet Storm Reading Group Questions

1. At the beginning of the story the author tried to show some of the personal challenges the main character, Pauline, encountered during her childhood and adolescence. How do you think her past experiences played a part in how she dealt with family and/or relationships in her adult life?

2. Pauline’s dreams and memories brought back painful thoughts of her past, but how do you think these dreams helped her deal with her present and future life?

3. Pauline stayed in a troubled marriage for a long time because she thought she could make things better. What do you think she should have done after discovering her husband’s chemical dependency problem and infidelity?

4. How do you think their marriage may have impacted Pauline and Naman’s children? Positively and Negatively.

5. Pauline discovered that Bethany’s husband, Darryl, had been cheating on his wife with Vangie, a long time friend of hers. Initially, she chose not to tell Bethany about the affair. What was your perception of how she handled the situation? What would you have done differently?

6. Why do you think Bethany stayed in her marriage after finding out her husband cheated the first time? And then the second time?

7. How do you think Bethany should have handled the situation after finding out her husband had been cheating the second time around?

8. Why do you think Vangie chose to keep seeing Darryl after she found out he was married?

9. What impact did Keith’s presence have on Pauline’s life?

10. In the story, what future did you see for Pauline and Keith?


Links to book:
www.xpressyourself.org
www.patriciabridewell.com
www.myspace/patriciabridewell.com


Buy the Book: http://www.xpressyourselfpublishing.org/bookstore.htm


Patricia A. Bridewell, Author Reflections of a Quiet Storm
www.patriciabridewell.com

[EDC Creations]

Reflections of a Quiet Storm Excerpt from Chapter 1
by Patricia A. Bridewell

“Well, are you ready for this?” Dr. Crossier, one of the second-year residents, asked Pauline.
“Yes, I guess so,” Pauline answered.

Pauline and the young physician entered the room and the doctor closed the door behind them. After the tall, muscular, African-American man heard the news of his wife’s death, he buried his head in his hands, and the silent room filled with echoes of shrill whimpers. Pauline sat on the edge of a seat beside him, and gently touched his shoulder while offering him Kleenex. Several minutes later, he jumped to his feet. His eyes exuded fire and rage.

“What’d y’all do to my wife?” he shouted.

Huge veins bulged through the young man’s brown flesh as he started lifting and flinging chairs at the wall. Pauline and the young doctor tried to maneuver around him, zigzagging their way to the door. Security officers rushed down the hallway. Their office was close by, which had allowed them to hear the vulgarities and loud noise. Pauline’s heart went out to this young man, as she watched four security officers choke hold and
slam him to the floor. Face down, knees caved his back in, pinning him against a cold, hard floor. Facial grimaces wore evidence of his agony as tears flowed from his eyes in streams. Breathless, he struggled to speak.


Reflections of a Quiet Storm, Chapter 5 The Adoption

Hi, Bethany, this is Pauline.”
“Pauline! Girl I was just etting ’ about you the other day. How are things goin’?” She asked in her familiar southern twang.

“Not too bad, but I really miss you.”
“I know. I miss you, too. So, how’s Naman and Damien?”
“They’re okay. How is your family doing?”

“We’re hangin’ in there. The congregation is really growin’. We’re etting’ new members all the time. How is the adoption comin’ along?”

“Well, we’re still having some problems with the foster mother, but we’re determined not to give up.”
“That’s right. Don’t let her discourage you. African-American children need to be placed with African-American parents.”

“Bethany, I just wish I was back in L.A. I’m really ready to move back.”
“Uh oh, I recognize that tone of voice. What’s wrong?”
Pauline hesitated a few seconds before speaking. “I think Naman is seeing someone else.”


Reflections of a Quiet Storm, Chapter 8 The Mistress

“Just tell them I had to go away for a business trip or something. I’ll call and talk to Tara tomorrow,” he said as he picked up his suitcase and walked toward the door.

“Pauline, I do love you and . . .”

Pauline quickly raised the palm of her hand to face him. The audition was over, and he no longer had to play the part of the faithful, loving husband he was not. She had no desire to hear his speech because at this point, she was fed up with his lies and deception. She was also tired of the needless struggles he had put her through. His leaving for a few days would give her a chance to spend time in prayer, asking God to help her decide what to do about their marriage.

Links to book:
www.xpressyourself.org
www.patriciabridewell.com
www.myspace/patriciabridewell.com

Buy the Book: http://www.xpressyourselfpublishing.org/bookstore.htm

Patricia A. Bridewell, Author Reflections of a Quiet Storm
www.patriciabridewell.com