Award-winning local author releases ‘Surviving Carmelita’

“Surviving Carmelita,” an inspirational novel by west-suburban resident and award-winning author Susan Miura, will be released April 20 from CrossRiver Media Group.

The author will discuss her book in a Facebook Live interview at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 20, at www.Facebook.com/CrossRiverMedia. The interview will include giveaways of Miura’s books, as well as books by acclaimed cookbook author Nancie McDermott, who contributed a recipe that appears at the novel’s conclusion, a news release stated.

Miura also will present a writing workshop titled “Include Everyone: Writing with Diversity” to the Chicago Chapter of the American Christian Fiction Writers at its September meeting, which is open to the public. Details will be announced closer to the date.

“We are excited to release this book in time for Mother’s Day, because it speaks to mothers in many stages of life and loss,” said CrossRiver Media Publisher Tamara Clymer. “Each of the book’s mothers, different in their ethnicities, ages and experiences, share the joys, trials and inexplicable love inherent in motherhood. But at its core, ‘Surviving Carmelita’ is an uplifting story of forgiveness, faith and a hope so powerful it can illuminate any form of darkness. If that’s not enough, the animals in the story are pretty great, too.”

“Surviving Carmelita” begins in a Chicago suburb but is primarily set in the Florida Keys. It is told from the dual perspectives of Josie Caruso, a librarian, wife and mother, and Manuel Delgado, pastor of a small trailer park church. Their paths cross after a horrific accident results in unbearable loss for each of them. When circumstances force Josie to stay with the Delgados, she encounters a battered horse, a pregnant teen, a mischievous boy and a mysterious beachcomber who each play a role in helping her navigate a journey to a faith she’s never known, unforeseen healing, and the family she left behind.

Christy award-winning author Lisa Samson says “Surviving Carmelita” is “filled with the flame of hope.”

About the author

Miura works in public relations for the Schaumburg Township District Library. She is a former reporter for Suburban Life newspapers in Berwyn, and WKOB-TV in Albuquerque, New Mexico; president of the American Christian Fiction Writers Chicago chapter; and a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She teaches writing workshops and presents travelogues. Her previous novels have won the Illumination, Best Books, Readers’ Favorite, StoryMonsters, and Moonbeam book awards.

To learn more about her, visit susanmiura.com.