A New Post!

Wow! It's been forever since I put a new post on this thing! I've been busy traveling around the country as an advocate and promoting my new book: Reis's Pieces: Love, Loss, and Schizophrenia. I'm now enjoying  panting through the dog days of summer.

Here's some great things people are saying about Reis's Pieces:

"Finally a book that rivals the elegance and the beauty of The Grapes of Wrath!"

Okay, I just made that up, but seriously, the book has been amazingly will received! If you want to read real reviews check out my website:  http://www.karenwintersschwartz.com/  or Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Reiss-Pieces-Love-Loss-Schizophrenia/product-reviews/1936636085/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

One Month Away! Reis's Pieces: Love, Loss, and Schizophrenia

one

Reis was dreaming of the forest. He was reaching upward, his hand wrapping around a tree root, his foot finding that perfect step in the earth. He felt his muscles tighten in an almost sexual way as he ascended toward the brilliant fall blue of the sky—his body straining in pleasure, each advance a rush, a wholeness. Each part doing what was necessary—a perfect amalgamation of man and mountain so that when he woke only a few yards from the summit of his dreams, he felt initially euphoric, stretched his arms above his head, and yawned. His eyes then focused on the dullness of the ceiling. Feeling the sticky sensation of the sheets against his back, his head started to ache. The nauseous odor of mildew hit him each time he took a breath, while the incessant sound of Albany traffic assaulted his ears. He closed his eyes and tried, unsuccessfully, to draw himself back into the dream, into that sensation of perfect control. He rolled over on his side and drew his legs toward his chest, glad that he was alone—glad that he could roll up like a child and not be judged. And, if he chose to, glad that he could cry, or even weep, with no one there to hear that tree fall in that forest.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/reiss-pieces-karen-winters-schwartz/1109245232?ean=9781936636082&itm=1&usri=reis%27s+pieces

And here it is: the cover of my new novel!

Release date:

May 1st!

bp Magazine Review

Where are the Cocoa Puffs? A Family’s Journey Through Bipolar Disorder

By Karen Winters Schwartz (Goodman Beck Publishing, 2010)

Reviewed by Kelsey Osgood

It’s a parent’s nightmare: a teenage daughter, once a well-adjusted, academic achiever, suddenly begins to fray at the edges. Despite everyone’s best efforts, she tumbles down the wormhole into bipolar disorder, bringing her parents and the rest of the family along for the ride.

Where Are the Cocoa Puffs? A Family’s Journey Through Bipolar Disorder, the debut novel of Karen Winters Schwartz, tracks the Benson family as their eldest child, 18- year-old Amanda, is diagnosed and struggles with euphoric hallucinations, crippling depressions, suicidal thoughts, a nostalgia for mania, and eventually, a hospitalization. The story is in some ways unbelievably tidy, the most obvious example being Ryan, the instantly devoted, endlessly patient boyfriend. But what Schwartz does so well is give each character ample space and time to express how the illness has affected him or her. The most interesting dilemma is that of Jerry Benson, Amanda’s father, also a psychiatrist. Throughout the story, he wrestles with his psychiatric rationale and his emotional paternal instincts. His decisions are often questionable, but this is a forgiving book and a gentle writer, one who makes sure each character is seen as both flawed and beautiful, or in a word: human.

Sneak Preview of Interior Layout for Reis's Pieces!

Check out the awesome formatting and chapter headings my publisher has come up with for Reis's Pieces!

Sneak Preview From My New Novel

My new novel: Reis's Pieces: Love, Loss, and Schizophrenia will be released in May! We are busy with the final edits! As with Where Are the Cocoa Puffs?: A Family's Journey Through Bipolar Disorder, I thought I'd share a few excerpts now and then.

Reis settled into the leather chair and sighed at the doctor. “I feel like I’m being tested.”

“Tested?” asked Dr. Benson.

“Well, more like a child, really…or a criminal. Like my life isn’t my own.”

Dr. Benson frowned, then nodded and waited.

“It’s like, now that I’m part of this system, there’s no way out. So many people looking after my welfare.... It’s rather insulting.” Reis stood up and began to pace. “It’s not like I committed a crime against society. I’m not a criminal.” He stopped and appealed to Dr. Benson. “Why do I feel like I’m trapped? No longer able to man my own life?”

Dr. Benson leaned forward, rested an elbow on his knee, and placed his chin in his hand. “Reis, the system’s there for you. As you said, to look after your welfare. As long as you’re not a danger to yourself or anyone else, you’re free to walk away.”

Reis sat back down in the chair and ran his fingers through his hair. He tried to stop the gasp of sorrow that escaped from his mouth, but he just couldn’t. He rubbed his fingers into his eyes and looked at Dr. Benson. “But don’t you see? Don’t you understand? I have nowhere to go.”

My Favorite Cocoa Puffs Cookie Recipe!

As Promised: Something to do with all those boxes of Cocoa Puffs purchased at the NAMI SE Minnesota dinner!

Cocoa Puff Cookies

By Moe! Larry! Cheese! on April 05, 2005

2 Reviews

• 
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Total Time: 9 mins
• Servings: 24

About This Recipe

"Comes from "Favorite Fixins from Fafnir Folks" cookbook. Cooking times may vary."

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup Karo syrup
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 1/2 cups peanut butter
• 4 cups Cocoa Puffs cereal

Directions

1. In a large pot; bring to a boil the sugar, syrup and honey.
2. Boil until sugar is almost melted.
3. Stir in peanut butter and then the Coco Puffs.
4. Drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper and let cool. Store in a air-tight container.

   
   

   I spread them in a glass casserole and then cut them in squares once set. Thanks to all from NAMI SE Minnesota!