T.M. Gaouette – Author Profile Featured on Book Reviews and More and CatholicDadsOnline.org

August 27, 2012August 28, 2012 / tmgaouette / Leave a comment

Following is an author profile just published on Book Reviews and More. There are 20 questions. Check it out!

“T.M. Gaouette is a writer, a mother and a wife. Born in Africa educated in London and now she resides with her family in New England. Her first novel is out and she is new on the Christian fiction market. Her first book The Destiny of Sunshine Ranch was an amazing read. So I wanted to find out more about this author and her writing. She agreed to be interviewed for Book Reviews and More and for CatholicDadsOnline.org so here is Tm in her own words.

1. When did you know you wanted to be a writer? How did you nurture that dream?

I began writing as a child. I always had a diary so I’d write my personal joys and sorrows in that. I also loved to write poetry, songs, short stories, and scripts, and I read constantly. In college, I majored in English Literature and that’s where I really found a passion for writing and marveled at the power of words. I’m constantly learning from other authors, and striving to perfect my own style.

2. If you had not become a writer what do you think you would be doing for a living?

I don’t think I could have been anything else. I’ve kept on writing throughout my life, and I’ve had various jobs, from waitressing to sales to marketing. But at home, on my own time, I wrote. I can’t imagine not writing, even with its ups and downs. I’ve taken breaks from it, even considered quitting, but I’ve found that I need to write. I’m confident now too that writing is God’s gift to me. And I have so many stories to tell.”

Great Review of “The Destiny of Sunshine Ranch” by Steven McEvoy

August 23, 2012 / tmgaouette / Leave a comment

This book took me completely by surprise. From the amazing dialogue to the raw emotions it portrays and captures it is a wonderful read from the first to last word. I know a number of foster children. I have seen them come and seen them go. This book captures their lives, their experiences and their hopes. The book was incredibly moving. Having known so many kids who have gone through the foster system knowing some of their stories and some not so much this book captures children when they are vulnerable, when they are reactionary and when they fear hope. But hope and love is what many foster children need most.

This review can also be found on Catholic Dads Online

The Destiny of Sunshine Ranch is Featured on CatholicMom.com

August 6, 2012 / tmgaouette / Leave a comment

“Then why are we here?” Eva asked.

“You are here…” he began to say, and then wondered how much should really be said.

“You are here because God sent you to me.”

“Oh David!” Benedict protested and was about to walk away.

“It’s true,” David insisted, looking back at the boys. “Your mothers and fathers, for some reason or another, couldn’t do it right.”

“Do what right?” Tommy asked.

“Take care of you…they just didn’t have it in them. They weren’t strong enough.”

“Smart enough,” Tommy muttered.

“Sober enough,” Sebastian said.

“Stop,” David said gently. “Don’t do that.”

“Don’t do what? Be mad at them?” Benedict asked. He could feel his face reddening.

“No…no, you can be mad at them,” David said. “You can be mad all you want, but at some point, you need to let it go. You need to tell yourself that it doesn’t matter anymore. You need to forgive them for what they did and did not do, and you need to move on.”

“What if I can’t do that?” Tommy asked.

David thought a moment before answering. “If you can’t forgive and move on, then your feelings will grow and fester and they will eat you alive.” (The Destiny of Sunshine Ranch)

This is a snippet of the dialogue in a pivotal scene from my novel, The Destiny of Sunshine Ranch. It comes in the middle of the book and is between David and five of his foster-children, Sebastian, Eva, Tommy, Benedict, and Micah.

It was a heart-wrenching scene to write, and I confess that I cried a little as it played itself out. But it needed to happen. Recognizing the children’s cynicism is essential to the story. My hope is that young readers find the exchange emotionally stirring, although tears are optional.