After growing up on a farm in Maine and graduating college, this intelligent but naive young woman traveled to Havana with a girlfriend, looking for adventure. What happened there changed Madeleine’s life forever. From the moment she laid eyes on Carlos, she was turning over her fate to a man she barely knew.
This is a heart-wrenching love story that promises to stay with you long after the book is finished.
Behind the Scenes
I knew right away that my next book would be a novel. I wanted to try something new. My first book, “For Dear Life”, was a memoir that covered two years I lived in Tehran, Iran in the 1970s. When you write a memoir or biography or anything non-fiction, you have to be very careful what you say about other people. You don’t want to leave the door open for someone to sue you or your publisher. That was a small challenge for me with my first book as most of the people I was writing about had already passed on. Nevertheless, I wanted the freedom to say anything I chose, without the added pressure of not offending anyone.
I woke up one morning with a working title on my brain, “A life lived well.” I rushed to my computer only to find that this title was already taken. But the idea played around in my mind. How could I interpret it? Immediately I thought of an old woman who wanted to share one or more stories from her past. She would hire a ghost writer to live at her home, interview her and create a book.
My husband suggested I interview women in senior centers and create my book from their stories. They would probably love to share their stories with someone willing to listen, was my husband’s thought process. I agreed. I wrote a letter of introduction, noting that I was already a published author, and stated my request. And then I called and/or visited several local centers, introducing myself to the head administrator. The initial reactions were very positive. “Oh, that’s a great idea! And I know exactly who you should talk to!” The next sentence was the one that killed everything. “I just have to get permission from the family first. One of us will get back to you.” Not one family nor one administrator ever got back to me. I was disheartened and although I had already begun writing the first chapter, I stopped. It was not meant to be, I decided.
For two months I forgot about my novel and carried on with the other business of my life. And then one morning I awoke and declared to myself and the world, “I am going to write this book! I have no idea how, but I am going to do it!”
Now that I was in a more positive frame of mind, I sat down at the computer and waited for the ideas to flow. What story or stories was this woman going to tell? And it had better be an interesting one or no one will want to read about it! And then it hit me. My mother told me about taking a trip to Havana, Cuba with a girlfriend before she married my father. Stupidly I never asked her about the trip and now she is gone. As I started playing around with the idea of a young woman going to Cuba, the scenes flooded my head. I began to type.
I based the main character, the old woman, on my maternal grandmother, Madeleine, or “Mina” for short. She was my favorite grandparent. I used what I could remember of her personality for my character. But as a young woman in Cuba, I thought more of my mother. The only problem was, I didn’t know my mother as a young woman. It didn’t matter. It was just the idea of my mother. I have to admit, I saw myself a lot in the younger woman. That was the fun part.
And so my novel, “The Story She Had to Tell” evolved. Once I had decided what I was writing about, the words flew out of me and onto the computer. Pages became chapters and before I knew it, I was finishing my very first novel. The story and the characters live on inside of me, even though many months have passed since I typed “The End.” I wish the same for you as you read it.
Sarah Tauber
I knew right away that my next book would be a novel. I wanted to try something new. My first book, “For Dear Life”, was a memoir that covered two years I lived in Tehran, Iran in the 1970s. When you write a memoir or biography or anything non-fiction, you have to be very careful what you say about other people. You don’t want to leave the door open for someone to sue you or your publisher. That was a small challenge for me with my first book as most of the people I was writing about had already passed on. Nevertheless, I wanted the freedom to say anything I chose, without the added pressure of not offending anyone.
I woke up one morning with a working title on my brain, “A life lived well.” I rushed to my computer only to find that this title was already taken. But the idea played around in my mind. How could I interpret it? Immediately I thought of an old woman who wanted to share one or more stories from her past. She would hire a ghost writer to live at her home, interview her and create a book.
My husband suggested I interview women in senior centers and create my book from their stories. They would probably love to share their stories with someone willing to listen, was my husband’s thought process. I agreed. I wrote a letter of introduction, noting that I was already a published author, and stated my request. And then I called and/or visited several local centers, introducing myself to the head administrator. The initial reactions were very positive. “Oh, that’s a great idea! And I know exactly who you should talk to!” The next sentence was the one that killed everything. “I just have to get permission from the family first. One of us will get back to you.” Not one family nor one administrator ever got back to me. I was disheartened and although I had already begun writing the first chapter, I stopped. It was not meant to be, I decided.
For two months I forgot about my novel and carried on with the other business of my life. And then one morning I awoke and declared to myself and the world, “I am going to write this book! I have no idea how, but I am going to do it!”
Now that I was in a more positive frame of mind, I sat down at the computer and waited for the ideas to flow. What story or stories was this woman going to tell? And it had better be an interesting one or no one will want to read about it! And then it hit me. My mother told me about taking a trip to Havana, Cuba with a girlfriend before she married my father. Stupidly I never asked her about the trip and now she is gone. As I started playing around with the idea of a young woman going to Cuba, the scenes flooded my head. I began to type.
I based the main character, the old woman, on my maternal grandmother, Madeleine, or “Mina” for short. She was my favorite grandparent. I used what I could remember of her personality for my character. But as a young woman in Cuba, I thought more of my mother. The only problem was, I didn’t know my mother as a young woman. It didn’t matter. It was just the idea of my mother. I have to admit, I saw myself a lot in the younger woman. That was the fun part.
And so my novel, “The Story She Had to Tell” evolved. Once I had decided what I was writing about, the words flew out of me and onto the computer. Pages became chapters and before I knew it, I was finishing my very first novel. The story and the characters live on inside of me, even though many months have passed since I typed “The End.” I wish the same for you as you read it.
Sarah Tauber
We continued to dance, and I continued to breathe him in. What are you doing, Madeleine? What do you expect out of this? You have had only one real boyfriend, a guy back home who wanted to marry you, but you felt nothing but friendship for him. And here is this amazingly handsome man with a Spanish accent who has swept you off your feet, but is it real, or am I going to discover later that I’ve made a terrible mistake? I’ll discuss this with Georgiana tonight when we’re back at the hotel and see what she says. She’s more worldly than I am. She’s probably had lots of boyfriends. She’ll help me decide what to do. I’m only twenty-three. He must be at least ten years older than I am. Maybe he’s a masher! Oh dear, now I am worried!
He walked me back to the table, kissed my hand and said he would see me tomorrow. I watched him leave the club. I sighed heavily.
I came back down to earth long enough to tell her that Carlos had invited both of us to go sightseeing tomorrow. “He said he would pick us up at 11:00 a.m. That will give us time to sleep in and have a late breakfast. Please say you’ll join us. I don’t really know him and don’t want to risk going alone.”
“Of course I’ll go with you, if only to chaperone!”
He walked me back to the table, kissed my hand and said he would see me tomorrow. I watched him leave the club. I sighed heavily.
I came back down to earth long enough to tell her that Carlos had invited both of us to go sightseeing tomorrow. “He said he would pick us up at 11:00 a.m. That will give us time to sleep in and have a late breakfast. Please say you’ll join us. I don’t really know him and don’t want to risk going alone.”
“Of course I’ll go with you, if only to chaperone!”
Her blog and website can be found at sarahtauber.com. She can also be reached on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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ReplyDeleteThank you for the opportunity to share my book! :))
DeleteCharacters often find themselves in situations they aren't sure they can get themselves out of. When was the last time you found yourself in a situation that was hard to get out of and what did you do?
ReplyDeleteThat's what my first book, "For Dear Life" was all about! It is a memoir that covers two years I lived in Tehran, Iran in the 1970s. I got myself into a terrible situation and the way out of it was long and difficult. It was easily the most challenging time of my life.
DeleteThank you for the chance to win :)
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome! Good luck! :))
DeleteI liked the synopsis. Sounds like a good read.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It is! By the time you have finished reading it, you will feel like these characters were people you knew. The book will stay with you long after you put it away. :))
DeleteI enjoyed the fun facts and the excerpt, sounds like a really good book, good luck with the tour and your book, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I hope you get to read it. I promise it will warm your heart. Thanks for your comments! :))
Deletelooks intriguing
ReplyDeleteIt is! I didn't want it to be a fairy tale. Life isn't like that. I wanted it to be realistic. I hope you get the chance to read it and decide for yourself! Thank you!
DeleteThanks for the giveaway! I like the excerpt. ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you! Hope you get the chance to read the book! :))
DeleteSounds like a great book, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI think it is a great book! I hope you get to read it. It will stay with you long after you finish. Thank you!
DeleteI enjoyed reading about the process you went through to write this book. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome. I enjoyed writing it. Hope you get to read the book! Thanks!
Deletethe fun facts were so interesting and fascinating! good luck with your book!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I appreciate that. Hope you can read the book some day. Thanks for your comments. :))
DeleteReally enjoyed reading the fun facts, thank you!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! I hope you get the chance to read the book. It will take you on a wonderful journey. :))
ReplyDeleteHi ,lovely giveaway! Thanks, I visited MS. Sarah Tauber face bk. &discovered Alison Martino's Vintage L.A!!! I love all things vintage!
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking the time. :))
DeleteLovely book cover, suits the theme perfectly!
ReplyDeleteThank you. My son, who is an artist, created it. And yes, I agree. It fits the story. :))
DeleteMs.Tauber,
ReplyDeleteHow did U find ur self n Tehran? Was it easy 2get n2the country ? How was life there?thanks!
Pretty cover. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance!
ReplyDeletesounds like a great book! Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleterounder9834 @yahoo.com