One of my readers...

My sister has been quite supportive and has been helping me spread the word about my novel BrookLyn's Journey. As she passed the security booth at her job in Long Beach, California she noticed someone reading my book. This is so amazing to me!

In My Own Words...

Recently there have been so many phenomenal changes in my life. I attribute them to my faith. I went through something a few years back and came out so much stronger. In the midst of it I didn’t think I’d even survive without breaking first. I bent, bobbed, and weaved as much as I could. I didn’t want to be in the moment and thought it would never go away. After fervent prayer, it did. Now despite the pain it caused, I thank God daily for that moment in my life. I KNOW I wouldn’t be in this moment of my life if it hadn’t happened. I also KNOW that I wouldn’t appreciate my blessings as much as I do now.  This to me is VICTORY!

I now do my best to smile in the midst of the things I experience because of what I went through. Life is better because I am better. I thank God for so many things in my life and never thought I’d thank Him for one of the darkest moments in my life. As I stand here watching my dreams come to life, I can’t help but say, “Thank you God for changing who I was and creating who I am. I love this life, and will do all that I can to live each and every day to it’s fullest.” I strive to live my dreams while encouraging others to do the same. There’s a song I love called, “ Learning To Be The Light.” It starts with:

When the stars came crashing down

In tiny pieces to the ground

I was all alone down here

Trapped beneath the atmosphere

Then I thought somebody called my name

I spun around and caught a flame

I gave into a God I didn't know

And now everything is falling into place

A brand new life is calling and I owe it all to grace

It’s that simple. I knew God but it wasn’t until I went through this time that I came out with a new understanding of Him. What I learned is that when you are covered in darkness, you shouldn’t turn your back on the lesson. If you don’t pray, start. If you need to cry, cry. And be open to change. Sometimes, even when we know we need to get out of something we don’t. Life, or as I see it, God, has a way of making us move away from something we no longer need.  Whatever it is you believe in use it to fight harder to get through the pain. Don’t give up!

We have to make effort not to ignore the signs of the good that comes out of the bad. When you open your life up to blind faith, blessings come at you from every direction. It’s overwhelming at first but it turns into sheer joy.

This wasn’t about my publishing journey but in essence is sort of was…thanks!

BrookLyn's Journey in paperback!!

BrookLyn's Journey is available in paperback. I will be having a virtual book release from June 26-July 4th. I will announce the events tomorrow. You can download a sample on Smashwords. Check out the reviews on Amazon too! BrookLyn's Journey is available in all formats. You can read it on your smartphone, ereaders, and in paperback. Go to Smashwords to download onto Nooks, and other readers. Go to Amazon for your kindle and paperbacks.

Thanks for your support!

Stacey aka Coffey Brown

BrookLyn's Journey is on Amazon Kindle...

I have always wanted to be a writer but chose the safer, more traditional path by becoming a social worker. I did what I was expected. Yet now as a forty-something I've decided to follow my dreams. Too many of us walk away before our dreams are achieved. I personally didn't want to leave this world with unfinished business. BrookLyn's Journey is my first novel. I hope that my readers enjoy it as much as I did creating it.

A lot of people helped get BrookLyn's Journey to where it is now. I am beyond grateful to them for their support and diligence. My dreams are unfolding and to me it's simply amazing!!

BrookLyn's Journey release date...

The release of BrookLyn’s Journey is so close that I can’t breathe. I don't have a specific date but the print cover has been approved. Once it's uploaded on Amazon and I review the print, it will be ready for YOU!!

This project has been years in the making. It was something that I thought would never leave my desktop. To see it come to life off of the computer is exciting but it causes some anxiety too! I know that’s a good thing but my body doesn’t always agree. I have always written poetry and short stories that I never shared. It was sort of something I did when people needed a poem or kind words. Nothing more. With life changes and the emergence of self-publishing, I decided to take a chance…

 The story started when I was bored sitting in front of the computer. I had nothing in particular to do so I just started typing another short story. It was at a time when I was standing a little taller from a rough moment in my life. I promised God when I was in the storm that once I got through it that I wouldn’t look back. BrookLyn’s Journey evolved after that. It helped me keep my eyes focused on a new chapter in my life.

There were name changes, title changes, and every new addition breathed new life into my original story. BrookLyn’s name was originally Maya. One of my favorite people in this world is Maya Angelou. I wanted to pay homage to her, and still feel that I have by pressing on even when I didn’t feel like writing. I am sure there’s another story within me where I can have a character named after her. I changed the name because as the story progressed I wanted something that was more unique, and BrookLyn fit the bill…

BrookLyn is the story of many young girls as they travel this tumultuous road called life without the guidance they deserve. I always say that it only takes one person to show you the love that you have buried deep inside of you for no one else but YOU. Gabriella becomes BrookLyn’s “one,” and she learns embrace self-love.

I hope that when you read BrookLyn’s Journey that you love the character, her story, and respect her journey as I have.  Our journeys are different but we all embark on them to get to better places in life.  In my next book, The Awakening of Grey Moon, I will tell the tale of another teens journey to a better place in life.

I will keep you posted on the release date of both books, and thank you as always for your support. Your kind words, and likes on my page motivate me to do more. THANKS!!

Stacey aka Coffey Brown

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