About the Book

Book: A Hundred Magical Reasons Author: Laura DeNooyer Genre: Biographical historical fiction, literary fiction, book club fiction Release Date: January 7, 2025 Most fairy tales have happy endings, but is it too late for this one? After all, Mrs. Charlotte Rose Gordon, the disgruntled town recluse, is eighty-eight and has grown weary of fighting the dragons of her past—including the desire to clear her husband’s name of a 1918 crime. Dragons of a different kind pursue Carrie Kruisselbrink. During 1980, the summer of her private rebellion, Carrie defies parental expectations and pursues her café dream. While waiting for funding, she takes a job with Mrs. Gordon. As Mrs. Gordon unfolds the story of her oppressive childhood and delightful friendship with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz author, L. Frank Baum, Carrie never expects to encounter her own fears and soul-searching. In this modern-day fairy tale that weaves between 1980 and the early 1900s, Mr. Baum’s influence impacts each woman’s personal quests on a hero’s journey neither anticipates. Can Carrie and Mrs. Gordon find common ground in battling their respective dragons?

Excerpt from the Book:

“I’ll call him.” According to her parents, dating Brian was her crowning achievement. They’d dated six years, now anticipating a summer packed with fancy restaurants and Brian’s baseball games. Like Cinderella, she might finally get to the “palace ball.” A wedding and a move to Wolcott. Then the deluge. “When’re you going to do something worthwhile? For two weeks you’ve moped around, cluttered my kitchen baking …” Words whirled and lashed, twisting into a column of anger. Carrie rummaged through the bookshelf. “Where’s The Tasha Tudor Book of Fairy Tales?” “In the garbage downstairs. It’s falling apart.” Panic surged like a thunderclap in a squall. Carrie dashed down the steps and dug through trash. She retrieved the book—ripped binding, pages dangling, egg yolk dripping, coffee grounds stuck. In a torrent of tears, she wrapped it in a clean garbage bag and whisked upstairs to her bulging suitcase. Now topped with résumés. Carrie scattered the papers and replaced them with bagged book remains. Mother rolled her eyes. “Figures you’d value dilapidated fairy tales over anything practical.” She stalked off.

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Excerpt One: https://www.simpleharvestreads.com/posts/a-hundred-magical-reasons-book-spotlight/ Excerpt Two: https://www.artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/posts/a-hundred-magical-reasons-book-spotlight/ Excerpt Three: https://www.fictionbooklover.com/posts/a-hundred-magical-reasons-book-spotlight/ Excerpt Four: https://www.guildmaster97.com/posts/a-hundred-magical-reasons-book-spotlight/ Excerpt Five: https://www.becausefiction.com/posts/a-hundred-magical-reasons-book-spotlight/ Excerpt Six: https://www.thebookishledger.com/posts/a-hundred-magical-reasons-book-spotlight/ Excerpt Seven: https://thequietbookmark.com/posts/a-hundred-magical-reasons-book-spotlight/

About the Author

Laura DeNooyer thrives on creativity and encouraging it in others. A Calvin College graduate, she is a teacher, wife, parent of four adult children, and an award-winning author of heart-warming historical and contemporary fiction. Her novels are perfect for fans of Patti Callahan Henry, Erin Bartels, or Amanda Cox. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her reading, walking, drinking tea with friends, or taking a road trip.