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Journaling through the Land Mines (July 2009),
the companion journal to the novel, Land Mines, is now available at bookstores and on-line booksellers everywhere. See
more information below.
Land Mines was named a finalist in the 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Awards for 1) Multicultural Fiction, and
2) Best Cover Design Fiction (design by Stephanie Vance-Patience)! Congratulations Sheilah and Stephanie!
Click here to read an excerpt from Land Mines
The reviews are in! From the Library Journal:
"Vance, Sheilah. Land Mines. Elevator Group. Jan. 2009. c.188p. ISBN 978-0-9786854-1-6.
pap. $15.99. Cf Presented as a series of engrossing journal entries, this is the story of Carolyn James, a wife and
mother whose husband leaves her for another woman. Carolyn’s raw, honest entries chronicle her experiences in dealing
with the loss of her marriage and the stable life she had known before. Sentences like “I’m carrying two children
in my arms, and my arms ache with the effort of keeping them above water. I, on the other hand, am sinking” will ring
true for anyone who has ever been in similar circumstances. The protagonist’s struggles and reliance on God will appeal
to most female readers and those who have had to reinvent themselves after life-altering situations. Recommended for women’s
fiction and African American fiction collections. Vance’s first novel, Chasing the 400, was the first selection
of the African American Museum of Philadelphia Book Club."
Click here to see how Land Mines was highlighted in the Library Journal.
"Any
woman who’s been through a separation and divorce, and managed to come out on the other side with her wits—and
heart—intact, will appreciate this Paoli-based writer’s inventive take on one of life’s most painful experiences.
Part divorce survival guide, part self-help book, this fictional novel is written journal style. In the end, Land Mines proves
that fairy tales are just that. But happiness and peace are there for the taking." Main Line Today magazine "Things
We Like", May 2009. http://www.mainlinetoday.com/Main-Line-Today/May-2009/Things-We-Like/.
"I started reading this book at 12:30 on a sleepless night. What comfort,
insight, and gentle guidance I received from Sheilah's vulnerable, wise words. A unique and healing read that divorced
women around the world will benefit from." --Jennifer Louden, The Woman's
Comfort Book and The Life Organizer, www.comfortqueen.com
“A
splendidly real and candid peak into the human psyche through the heart of a woman. Sheilah Vance demonstrates
an extraordinary talent for rare honesty, a genuine understanding of life's struggles, and compelling writing bound to
get you up on your feet and off the couch. Oprah--I recommend this one to you.” -----Marlene F. Watson, Ph.D., LMFT, Chair of Drexel University's
Couple & Family Therapy Department; former Good Loving Columnist for Heart & Soul Magazine
"...Even those not going through this particular struggle can identify with [the main character's] financial
worries, concerns about her children's emotions and her fears about the future....a quick and entertaining read."--News
Herald, Ohio, 2/4/09. See link to full review in Media Room.
"Land Mines by Sheilah Vance is a book of therapeutic fiction. Written in journal format it provides the
reader a realistic look at divorce and the unexpected encounters (land mines) that can and often times do occur....Land
Mines shows us how therapeutic it is to journal through personal life challenges."--TCM Reviews. See link
to full review in Media Room.
Separation. Divorce. Dating again. Rebuilding
your life.
Carolyn James’ life
looked great—new job teaching writing at a law school, 11 year marriage to a doctor, mother of a preteen son and daughter,
living in a McMansion in suburban Boston. But she is thrown onto the mine fields of separation and divorce
when her husband leaves her for his yoga instructor, taking most of their money, stability, and what’s left of her self-esteem.
Always a writer, for the next three years, Carolyn keeps a “divorce journal” to cope and rebuild.
From optimism to fear, and humor to sadness, Carolyn writes about her experiences with separation, divorce and, eventually,
dating again. Come inside her journal as she turns to self-reflection, self-help books, and the grace of
God to navigate the ever-exploding land mines and get herself and her children safely through to the other side.
Ushering in a new genre called "therapeutic fiction", the novel includes questions that readers can use to help
them write their way through their own land mines.
News Release Announcement for Journaling Through the Land Mines
Journaling through the Land Mines
by Sheilah Vance (July 2009) ISBN
978-0978685423; 215 pp.; $15.95 Journaling Through the Land Mines
is the companion journal to the novel, Land Mines. The journal includes 77 writing prompts that cover situations
the reader may likely encounter and questions to help the reader address the issues that are floating around in her soul.
The prompts are in the form of unfinished sentences that the reader can finish to begin her journaling: "When I realized
my marriage was ending...”, and, "When I told the children we were separating...", and, "My self esteem...".
The rest of the journal includes some 200 pages with inspirational quotes and space for the reader to record her reflections,
thoughts and feelings as she works through the land mines of separation, divorce and dating again.
 About the author: Sheilah Vance
is the author of three books published by The Elevator Group: the novel Land Mines (Jan. 2009), its companion
journal, Journaling through the Land Mines (July 2009), and the novel, Chasing the 400 (Feb. 2006).
Land Mines was recently named as a finalist in the 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Awards for Multicultural Fiction
and Best Cover Design Fiction. Chasing the 400 was the first selection of the African American Museum of Philadelphia
Book Club. She has been interviewed
in numerous media outlets and has several published articles on topics related to separation, divorce, dating again
and rebuilding your life. They include: Top 10 Land Mines of Divorce, 10 Things Every Married Woman Should
Know, Divorce from the Client's Perspective, How to Chase Your Dreams and Make them Come True, and Reinventing Yourself. Vance
also gives presentations and workshops on these topics. Vance
also has been interviewed in numerous media outlets about Chasing the 400, and has given many talks about topics
mentioned in the novel, such as the Black Bourgeoisie, African American social organizations, The Talented Tenth, and the
history of the African American community in the Main Line area of Philadelphia.
She has also given numerous presentations, workshops and speeches on writing and publishing.
Vance lives on Philadelphia's Main Line and still maintains a law practice in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She
has a B.A. in Communications from Howard University, where she majored in journalism, and a J.D. from Georgetown University
Law Center. She also works as Executive Director of the Institute for Educational Equity and Opportunity in Washington,
DC, a nonprofit that focuses on public school finance research, education and training issues. Vance teaches Education
Law at Villanova University Law School, where she previously was Assistant Dean for Academic Support and a legal writing professor.
She had a successful career as a journalist and editor before graduating from law school. Vance received the 2006 Woman of Distinction Award from the Barristers Association of Philadelphia,
a National Bar Association Chapter, for outstanding contributions to the legal profession, legal education and community service. Presentations Sheilah Vance is available for workshops, motivational speaking, continuing legal education, and book
signings on issues related to separation, divorce, dating agin, reinventing yourself, and living your dreams. Popular
presentations include: - The Top 10 Land Mines of Divorce
- 10 Things Every Married Woman Should Know
- Divorce from the
Client's Perspective
- Reinventing Yourself
- How to Chase Your Dreams and Make Them Come True
- How to Write and Publish
Your Book
For more information, contact info@TheElevatorGroup.com or 610-296-4966.
Sheilah Vance's
Profile
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