Feeling like a lucky duck, yes I am! Today I’ve got two fresh “Slivers” reviews for you, from talented writers Lori Pohlman and Pete Springer.
I don’t think I need to say this, but I will anyhow. Receiving encouraging feedback is like Christmas every day. Even though I had a terrific team of beta readers, editors and champions along the way, learning what tickles fresh eyes prompts a feeling I can’t quite describe. Maybe empowering is the closest I can come? With a pinch of relief running alongside. I think that’s it, with great gobs of gratitude, of course.
Lori wrote a beautiful blogpost featuring her thoughts about “Slivers” and I’m honored to share a portion of it here:
Slivers combines teen camaraderie and adventure with a strong nod to tradition, ancestors, and the importance of unity. It speaks of family ties, and the importance of avoiding self-serving interests. It also offers some resplendent images that I very much enjoyed, such as this one:
“…a brilliant sunburst flooded the room. The legacy box grew and its ornate lid opened, revealing a scroll, unfurling until it filled the entire closet, floor to ceiling. The man in the portrait was no longer there, but his presence remained as he gave a one-word command to the scroll: “Reveal!” The largest family tree they’d ever seen hovered before them, grand and imposing with hundreds of large and small branches, each with names and tiny portraits…”
When you read the book, be sure not to miss the fascinating reveal in the Author’s Notes at the end. I won’t spoil it for you, but it’s a bit of Atkinson’s family history she discovered while doing research for the novel. Its relevance really adds weight to the story’s impact.
More good news? Pete wrote a terrific review on Goodreads:
I’ve followed Dr. Vicki Atkinson’s blog for some time, and having previously read her memoir, Surviving Sue, I was excited to learn that she was writing fiction. I can only hope that she continues down this path because Slivers is a terrific supernatural fiction novel that skillfully peels away the layers of generations of secrets in a dysfunctional family.
Set in 1973, this story follows three sisters as they attempt to hide a terrible family secret from their children. Though the mothers intend to protect their children, they do so through outright lies, deceit, and absurd insincerity. As the teens begin to connect the dots, the mothers become more desperate and act even more irrationally, attempting to cover up the messes they’ve already made. While the overall tale spans one week in the present, we learn much of the backstory as the novel unfolds. It was suspenseful throughout, and I kept wondering what lengths the adults would go to carry out the charade.
If you’re not following Lori and Pete, I encourage you to check out their blogs. Full of heart and wisdom — I know you’ll enjoy getting to know them.
Vicki 💝
Lori’s Blog: LakeArrowheadLadyWriter | The Writing Life: Focus on Fiction- Adult, Young Adult, Historical, Literary
Pete’s Blog: Pete Springer – Passionate Teacher and Future Children’s Author
Hi – I’m Victoria, Vicki, Dr. Vicki. I hold a doctorate in Adult Education and I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and author of Surviving Sue and Slivers.
Check out this link to learn more about my book “Surviving Sue” – all about resilience and love. Check out this link to order “Slivers”…a ghost story with surprising twists.
Victoria Ponders 
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