Author Mary K. Doyle offered the most delicious praise last week:
You’re an excellent writer and storyteller, Vicki.
I’m still soaking up the goodness, wondering if Mary’s right. I have a miserable tendency to deflect praise, questioning veracity. Compliments shouldn’t cause consternation, right?
I know the origin story of my “pfft” reaction. It’s a default response from the youngster who’s still nestled inside — Little Vicki who, as a kid, rarely received praise without strings attached. Kudos, if offered, were intended to manipulate, catch me off guard. Especially compliments from my mom, Sue. Always calculated, and sometimes sandwiched between layers of spite and sarcasm.
In my adult head, I know Mary’s kind words are 100% sincere, but that momentary blip of doubt is an example of the reverberating impact of childhood trauma manifesting in the present.
To know me is to love me…and tolerate my overthinking…
What I know for sure? My friend, the talented author and blogger, Mary K. Doyle read both Surviving Sue and Slivers, offering heartfelt praise. Mary’s the author of eleven books, with a loyal fan following here on WordPress. If you’re not one of them, don’t delay. Mary’s content consistently inspires, living up to the tagline for her blog: “find the extraordinary in ordinary, everyday life“. I love that.
Introducing her books, Mary says:
My books were written with you in mind. I strive to present topics of need and interest in a warm, conversational style. Whether relaying sophisticated theological foundations, everyday concerns such as caregiving, or the beauty of nature and poetry, the books are written pastorally and from the heart in an accessible format.
My works are backed with a master’s degree in Pastoral Theology, decades of experience in professional writing, and credible research. I also include my personal experiences, especially when it comes to caregiving to a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease as I cared for my husband who had Alzheimer’s symptoms for 15 years.
And now…Mary’s thoughtful reviews of my books:
Surviving Sue
We have no idea what goes on behind closed doors. A home may appear happy, healthy, and loving, but a house often hides the truth of what happens within.
When a family is obviously dysfunctional, outsiders are quick to criticize or offer guidance without truly understanding a situation they have not experienced. Why won’t the abused partner pick up and leave? Why doesn’t the child simply ask for help? It’s difficult for those who have no experience with domestic abuse to comprehend the challenges of leaving.
Vicki takes us inside one of those homes in her book, Surviving Sue: An inspirational survivor’s story about a daughter and her life with a mother who was riddled with alcoholism, Alzheimer’s, anxiety, depression, and Munchausen’s. She opens the door and turns on all the lights. She hangs out the family’s dirty laundry for the whole world to see.
We meet Vicki’s mother, Sue, and clearly see the complex personality of a parent, who could not show Vicki love yet smothered her special need sister and medicated her for non-existent illnesses. Both daughters suffer, and life after their mother passes away results in a lifetime of recovery for the girls.
Surviving Sue is deep, intensely personal, and detailed in its events. If you are one who has lived through an abusive relationship, you will relate. If you have been fortunate enough not to, you will come to a new understanding of those who have.
Slivers
Family members who can read each other’s minds, sounds and images that creep through their homes, and family leaders who repressed the stories of their legacy in hope of protecting the younger generation, run through the pages of Vicki Atkinson’s new book, Slivers.
When the spooky and terrifying reach a crescendo, its that younger generation that’s forced to face the “slivers” and determine who and what, if anything, is to be feared. They also are the ones who must correct the errors of their parents.
Vicki Atkinson’s newest title, Slivers, is one of those stories that holds you captive, unable to turn away. You’ll have a need to continue through those spine-chilling pages to learn the truth, the secrets that have been hidden for far too long.
The story weaves a web involving three friends and their parents. Just be careful not to be a fly caught in that web of lies.
Thank you, Mary, for all of your kind words, gratefully received!
Vicki 💝
P.S. Coming soon? A recap of the fun I had yesterday at the Harper College Bookmarks Festival and another generous, welcome review of Slivers from the talented author and poet, Lauren Scott.
Mary’s Surviving Sue and Slivers reviews: https://midwestmary.com/2026/08/19/surving-haunting-and-dancing/
Mary’s Blog: Midwest Mary – Finding the Extraordinary in Ordinary, Everyday Life
Mary’s Books: Books by Mary K. Doyle – Midwest Mary
Amazon.com: Mary K. Doyle: books, biography, latest update
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. Click here for the interview with my publisher, Rick Kaempfer from Eckhartz Press.
Victoria Ponders 
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