Goodreads Reviewers' Group discussion

Hi, I'm Claire! I love reading mysteries, thrillers, queer lit, contemporary fiction about unhinged women, poetry, and nonfiction (mainly about science/medicine/psychology). I love writing honest reviews and would like to request a book or two to review for ya. Print copies only please, I can't focus on a screen or to a voice for too long.

Hi Claire

I know you may have an enormous amount of review requests but no request is like mine. The book Preventing Her Shutdown, Losing My Wife to Alzheimer´s, is an inside look of what an ongoing caregiver spouse goes through in my desperate effort to keep my wife with Alzheimer's "connected" even though she doesn´t speak. This book started out as a daily diary of my caregiving and how my wife´s behavior was dramatically changing and how I was affected and began to relate to her differently. Writing not only "alleviated" my continuous sorrow but also indirectly helped me make personal decisions and changes in how to interact with her behavioral changes. We are in our sixth year of this disease.

As an author I am certainly not an expert or an authority on Alzheimer's. I am definitely not a professional author and didn´t pretend to write an authoritative masterpiece. I never pretended to be either one of those things. I am simply an ordinary “John Doe” caregiver, husband sharing my experiences living and caring for my wife with Alzheimer's. We have been married 44 years, 3 kids now grown up, a great dog most of those years, a typical family on our own trying to hold on to my wife and avoid her shutdown. I am an American, native from California, living with my Chilean wife in Chile for many years. We are simply trying to grow old together as long as we can. I began to realize there are probably other “amateur” caregivers like me on their own trying to take care of a loved one with the Alzheimer's Disease and possibly could benefit from my shared personal experiences. Soon this diary turned into this book.

There are really no fixed "do this" and "do that" rules, as there are no two profile behavioral changes alike. No one has the "exact key" as to how to respond to Alzheimer's radical behavioral changes. There isn't a standard set guide to follow as to how to respond afterwards in each stage of this disease when behaviors radically change for each person differently. Even the stages of Alzheimer's vary in their characteristics. Only experiences from others can be your guide. What works for me may not work for you. Consequently, professional help doesn't work. Each family is on their own as caregivers because each profile is completely different which affects the way you react and care for this person. I describe these dramatic changes with my wife who is in the beginning of the advanced stages. My reactions have always been intuitive in my desperate attempts to keep her “connected” with me and her family. My experiences and actions “in real time racing against the Alzheimer's clock” to keep her interacting every day, even though she no longer speaks, are detailed in my never-ending battle as her "amateur" caregiver to prevent her shutdown.

How do I connect with my wife and get her to connect with me? This is always my constant desperation as her caregiver especially because she doesn't speak. I am always afraid she will stop connecting with me, especially when I get that blank look, that "daze into no man's land. "That is the day I am trying to avoid. There are different things I do, depending on the moment and situation we are in, always taking every opportunity I can to promote interaction with her. Described in detail is how I learned to "connect" with her even though she doesn't speak.

Does she know how she was before? Does she remember her past? Then I realized "what about us", our 43 years of marriage, does she remember that past? She recognizes and knows me well but how far back? Did our marriage begin in 1979 or 2017 when she was diagnosed?

I wasn't sure where I was in her memory or how she sees me, as her friend, husband or simply a caregiver. I am still not sure how she sees me.

She doesn't speak at all. She expresses only some sounds and shows a lot of anxiety. This becomes a real challenge trying to figure out what she wants and how she feels. How do we communicate? How do I talk to her? How does she tell me what she wants or needs? We both had to learn how to interact and communicate with each other and so far we can to this day.

My desperation as a spouse caregiver 24/7 is that we are constantly “connecting” as this alleviates my greatest fear of a “shutdown”. Detailed is how everyday, every moment I can, I try to create an opportunity to “connect”. Connecting is an absolute "must" for a caregiver of Alzheimer´s.

Claire, as you can see my review request is quite different. Although I didn't write for commercial reasons, I learned that reviews could help expose this book more to other amateur caregivers of loved ones with this disease and in this way help them with "intuitive" alternatives that are working for me. I am constantly updating, starting with 120 pages and now 178, as my journey is ongoing. Hopefully for many more years to come I can continue to reveal new experiences and reactions to these behavioral changes with future updates.

My blog in Goodreads shares excerpts from this book in my effort to reach out to those who can use guidance on this difficult journey.

I know you would be making an incredible exception in moving this book to the front of a long line of book requests however, your review will certainly help other amateur caregivers learn more how to defend and "connect" their loved ones.

Thank you for your consideration and time. I do have a PDF available upon your request.

Preventing Her Shutdown

Hi Claire would you be willing to review Schedule Send: in 20 years, a dark romance? I could send you a hard copy or it's also available in kindle unlimited, or I could gift you a kindle copy?

Hello Everyone. It's a pleasure meeting you all here on GoodReads.
Could you please support my new book with a review? I would appreciate it if you could help me out since I a new to Amazon KDP.

Here is the book's link:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C1JBJJ9B

Thank you all so much.

Hi Claire,
I have a debut book that is nonfiction, faith based and really more of a “ Human Interest Story”

I would love to send you a copy if you think it may be within your interest. It’s called The Quest for Family. It chronicles a journey of searching for belongingness and identify thru different countries and cultures.

It has a castle theme and follows 3 parts symbolizing the plight of the castle era. First part The Dark Ages - Subject to the will of others. The second part Self Actualization and spiritual Renewal. The final or third part Redemption Building the Family I never had.

If it’s something you are interested, please let me know a little more about yourself and where you may reveal your feedback/ reviews and I may send you a copy of my book.

Search The Quest for Family, Jessica Clancy author
On Goodreads for my review

Kindly

Jessica Clancy
JessicaClancyPerseveres@gmail.com

I am a new author that recently published my first book, Tales of Virtuous Stepmothers. This collection of 12 original fairy tales depicts the stepmother as a protective family guardian, the perfect antidote to the wicked stepmother myth. Check the latest giveaways by July 7, and see my new book Tales of Virtuous Stepmothers! Enter giveaway for first 100 copies so I can get 100 reviews from new readers.

Hi Claire!

Based on the genres you listed, you might like my new collection of short stories, Heart-Shaped Keystrokes! It dips into nearly all of those genres, with heavy focus on queer romance and contemporary fiction. It's a pretty short read, and it's fully illustrated! I'll post the Amazon link below so you can read a proper synopsis, but feel free to reach out and we can go about getting you a free print copy as well if you'd like!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRBDNSC1

Claire wrote: "Hi, I'm Claire! I love reading mysteries, thrillers, queer lit, contemporary fiction about unhinged women, poetry, and nonfiction (mainly about science/medicine/psychology). I love writing honest r..."

Hi Claire,

Would you be interested in two non fiction books?

Find the book descriptions for both below:

Book 1: Becoming a better version of you.

Embark on an extraordinary journey of self-discovery and transformation with "Becoming a Better Version of You: Mental Toughness." Dive into the compelling stories of Marcus and Jerry, whose contrasting paths reveal the secrets to unlocking your inner strength and resilience. This book is more than a guide; it's a catalyst for change, offering practical strategies and profound insights to help you conquer life's challenges. Whether you're facing personal setbacks or striving for greater achievements, you'll find the tools you need to build mental toughness and embrace a mindset of growth and perseverance. Are you ready to unleash your true potential and rise to every occasion? The adventure of becoming your best self starts here.

Book 2: Preppers water survival:

What would you do if your taps suddenly ran dry? Join the Brendans—Chris, Sara, Maya, and Ethan—as they navigate the treacherous waters of survival in disaster-prone California. This ordinary family transforms into water-prepping experts, mastering techniques for finding, purifying, and storing water when it becomes a scarce commodity. From urban to wild locations, their story is a captivating guide through the essentials of water survival. Will you be ready when the unexpected strikes? Follow the Brendans' journey and empower yourself to face any water crisis with confidence and skill.

Will be expecting you reply.

Thanks.

Hello! I am Kyungjin Oh, teenage writer of children’s book.
I recently wrote children’s book called Santa’s Magical Cookie.
I bet that it is very interesting and fun book.
However, it is not yet published.
I wonder if you can be arc reader and review my book on Amazon (+other social media platform if you want) once it is published, although publication date is undecided

If you want to be arc reader, feel free to fill in this form to contact me or sign up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...

If you fill in, I will send you ebook through email and send you link of the Amazon site when published.

Thank you for your consideration!

Hello. I'm Skyelar Dawson and I'd love for you to review my gay romance/literary novel The Spaces Between Us! You can read it for free at https://dawsonskyelar.wordpress.com/t..., and there are also other formats available or I can send a customised PDF. Looking forward to hearing back from you!
Summary: Depressed Sebastian Powell and outgoing Nick Hayes are flatmates and best friends. Sebastian is also in love with Nick, but he can’t admit it because Nick’s amazing and Sebastian’s a nobody. He thinks it’s going to be this way forever, but one day he and Nick are transported to another dimension.
And not just any other dimension. Seb and Nichole, their alternate selves, are married and seemingly have everything Sebastian wants. It’s overwhelming enough to learn that other dimensions exist, but seeing his other self living his best life is enough to make Sebastian think he has it the worst. In addition, his and Nick’s ugly pasts have reared their heads.
Sebastian and Nick must learn to navigate this strange new world. But can they do that without losing their identities? And can Sebastian make the choice between Nick’s affection and the destruction of all the dimensions before it’s too late?

Looking for a reviewer.

Hi, Grab your free copy now!
https://mybook.to/Shattered-Faces
My latest book is now available on Amazon for absolutely free!

Shattered Faces is a thrilling murder mystery. Read it, enjoy it, and if you like it, please leave a review. Your support means a lot. Thank you!

The Magician's Daughter: A Memoir

My memoir is about traveling in my father's big illusion show when I was fourteen. It's compelling, darkly funny and full of off stage magic.

The book goes life on Amazon May 13. I can mail you a print copy.
Thank you

Katy Grabel

Claire wrote: "Hi, I'm Claire! I love reading mysteries, thrillers, queer lit, contemporary fiction about unhinged women, poetry, and nonfiction (mainly about science/medicine/psychology). I love writing honest r..."




My memoir is about traveling in my father's big illusion show when was fourteen. It's fast moving, darkly funny and full of off stage magic.

To be released May 13.
I can mail print copies.

Claire wrote: "Hi, I'm Claire! I love reading mysteries, thrillers, queer lit, contemporary fiction about unhinged women, poetry, and nonfiction (mainly about science/medicine/psychology). I love writing honest r..."

Hi Claire

My speculative fiction novel, Vividwater, might be one for you.

It's a female-centred office dystopian thriller set in a future world where supplies of clear water are running out. There are more details here:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Would love you send you a review copy, if you are interested.

Thanks
Jacqueline