The idea for a story about a serial killer who uses the verses of the lullaby, “Hush, Little Baby” as a blueprint for his murders had been percolating in my brain for a while, but I didn’t actually begin writing it until my mother was struggling through the final stages of Alzheimer’s. I was dealing with a lot of pain, anger, and frustration that comes with watching a loved one die and being unable to do anything about it; wrestling with the question, “Why?” I needed the outlet that writing allowed. I used this book as a sort of therapy. It was a way to filter out some of the negative emotions as I dealt with this terrible disease.
Alzheimer’s is a death sentence, with a 100% mortality rate. Don’t let anyone fool you, there was NOTHING easy about watching this horrible disease steal away everything that made my mother who she was, leaving behind an empty shell. The person I loved and who loved me died long before the shell that was left did, and there was nothing I could do about it.
I decided to make my protagonist’s mother have Alzheimer’s so we could travel this road together. I know, I know…it was a mean thing to do, but at that point in my life, it felt necessary, and it allowed me to honor Mama by weaving some of the things she said and did into my story. I guess Lacey was sort of my alter ego during this difficult time. I know God is in control even when everything feels chaotic, but writing this book helped me by giving me a tiny measure of control over one small thing in a fictional world.
To honor my mother, I will donate my royalties from “Hush” to Alzheimer’s research through the Rotary Club’s CART fund. (Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust)
So, if you like Christian suspense with a bit of romance, you’ll love this book. Treat yourself or a friend to a copy today and you’ll not only get a great read, you’ll be helping to find a cure for this terrible disease. And please don’t forget to write a review!
Bio:
Leanna Sain, earned her BA from the University of South Carolina, before moving back to mountains of western NC. Her Southern suspense or “GRIT-lit,” showcases her plot-driven method that successfully rolls elements of best-selling authors Mary Kay Andrews, Nicholas Sparks, and Jan Karon all together, making it her own. She loves leading discussion groups and book clubs. For more information or to contact her, visit: www.LeannaSain.com
The release date is set for November 19th, but there’s a pre-order option on Amazon, so it could be posted any time.
Here’s the buy link: Amazon