SONGS MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME
"My mother once told me: the past is the present of another day..."
Young lawyer Kim MacLean is determined to believe in second chances, so when a sea of butterflies descends, flowing around her as she leaves Tulsa and an abusive marriage behind, she takes it as a sign that her new path is off to a good start. And not only for herself, but for her young son, happily kicking his heels in the back seat. She and her new husband, John, ultimately settle in Seattle, buying a century-old farmhouse behind her sister Karen’s modern subdivision. The two women raise their growing families and support each other in their respective careers. When tragedy strikes Kim’s life a second time, upending all she thought to be true, she draws on the wisdom of the women in her family—her mother, her sister, and even her own young teenage daughter—as she struggles to make peace with the universe of lost answers and choose the right path forward.
“Time is a river, and the river has music, sometimes harsh, sometimes plaintive, sometimes joyful. You can be haunted by waters, or buoyed by them. But if you listen closely, if you pay attention, you can dance to the music of time, and acquit yourself with grace.”
Advance Praise
“With its universal themes and authentic portrayal of the human spirit, Songs My Mother Taught Me strikes a balance between humor and heartbreak. Black’s prose is both poetic and evocative, flowing with an emotional resonance that immerses the reader. ”—Literary Titan
“This is more than a story of survival—it’s a celebration of life, family, and finding clarity amid life’s challenges. A stunner.”—The Prairies Book Review
“Black captures the rhythms of life with striking nuance… Her writing feels deeply personal while remaining universally relatable… the story stays with you well beyond its conclusion.”—Bookview Review
“Unexpected revelations and discoveries keep the characters realistic, their dilemmas absorbing, and their evolutionary process both enlightening and thoroughly engrossing.”—Midwest Book Review
“Black illustrates the intricacies of human relationships in a manner that resonates with both male and female readers alike, reminding everyone to celebrate their victories, no matter how small, and to embrace their struggles.”–BookPleasures.com
“…an interesting novel exploring the complexities of love, family relationships, and resilience in the face of adversity.” —Portland Book Review