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Luna Tides

"Luna Tides is a very readable and immensely engaging book. Dealing with the struggles, the maturation, and the achievements of a young divorced woman, the story moves the reader to tears, to laughter, to anger, and to enjoyment. Any reader should come away enlightened, refreshed and full of hope."

—Fr. Gene Emrisek, O.F.M. Cap, Capuchin Province of Mid-America

 

"The reader witnesses triumph over tragedy, discipline over devastation, resolve over retreat. LUNA TIDES is a welcome interpretation of strength that can be found within. A pleasure to read of this butterfly's embrace of mind and self, through the challenges, the losses and successes. Hold on to your heart--it's a bumpy ride. Beautifully written!"

—Kelly Hall

 

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Luna Tides

Publisher: Tate Publishing, 2007.

Synopsis:

Twenty-nine year old Kathryn Scott is nine years into a marriage that should never have been. Realizing she must change her life or risk losing what little self-worth remains, Kathryn breaks free from her narcissistic husband. Luna Tides takes the reader through the pain of divorce and the lesson that the only way through the pain is through the pain. In the rebuild of her life, Kathryn rediscovers the beauty of possibilities and the truth that all she ever needed was always within her.

Conversing with Cynthia about Luna Tides

 

Author J.R. Mochringer was quoted in an interview as saying, "Books aren't just written, they're born. And, like anything else, they're only born when they're good and ready." What was the turning point for you that you knew your book was ready to be "born?"

Even though I can't tell you the exact date or time, I can assure you there was an absolute moment of "birth" for LUNA TIDES. It was a situation of almost not being able to type fast enough to record the thoughts, the words, the story, the message.

Are any parts of the book based on your own life?

Yes.

I loved LUNA TIDES, and I loved your first book, LOSERS CREEPS. Two very different, but equally wonderful reads. Do you have a third book in the works? What will the subject be?

It is always nice to hear that others have enjoyed your work, so thank you for your comments. Yes, writing has begun on Book 3, and it will be a humorous, entertaining read--somewhat similar to LOSERS CREEPS--but on a completely different subject. I'm having great fun writing it, and my hope is it will bring about a lot of memories, laughs, and get people talking.

I heard you speak at a conference in Pittsburgh a few years ago, from which I came away inspired to make some significant changes in my life. Do you still do speaking engagements?
 

Yes -- private groups, corporations, church groups, schools, etc., etc.

After reading LUNA TIDES, I cried, then I smiled, as this truly is MY story. I don't have a question; just "thank you" for showing me there is a bright light waiting at the end of this tunnel.
 
LUNA TIDES is the book that I wish had been there for me; so it brings immense joy to my heart that it now exists for you--and others. All the best to you.
 
 

Book club discussion questions

  1. A great question is asked in the book that many women, most secretly, can relate, "How is it that an intelligent woman finds herself in that place?"
  2. "...lies, cheating, emotional abuse..." are all things the lead character Katie puts up with because she thinks she can somehow change her husband Dave. From her outside persona of control and confidence intertwined with her inside self doubt and low to nonexistent feelings of self worth, Katie is on the decline. Examine where she finds strength and how she goes about bringing positive changes to her life.
  3. Walking down the aisle, Katie's father gives her an "out" and tells her she doesn't have to marry Dave, yet she elects to fight her gut anyway and utters "I do." Some situations paralyze people and they fear shame, humiliation, and embarrassment more than the life decisions they will then have to live with. What, if anything, could have been said or done differently to help Katie find courage in that moment?
  4. Katie lived not only in fear of disappointing Dave and not living up to his expectations, the same could be said about wanting to please and live up to the expectations of her family. How have the expectation of others impacted your life?

 

An excerpt from Luna Tides:

"I had become Dave's doormat and somewhere along the way completely relieved him of all accountability. In response to fear I had planted my feet in cement. The "fear" was overwhelming doubt as to whether I could survive on my own. Dave wasn't much, but he was something, and I idiotically thought something was better than nothing. And, besides, I had those words from my parents haunting me.

Had I done everything within my power to make my marriage work? Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. As much as I detested the word "divorce" and all that that meant, and as much as I loathed the shame I held inside for the choices I had made, a persistent voice deep within was telling me that what mattered most was for me to be able to look in the mirror and be okay with the reflection. How could I get there? I needed to own the truth. Easier said than done."