Denis Ledoux

My Eye Fell into the Soup: A Memoir Journal Living with Stage Four Breast Cancer by Denis Ledoux

My Eye Fell Into The Soup is a heart-wrenching account of one woman’s battle with Stage Four Breast Cancer from both her and her husband’s perspectives. This book covers a two-year period when Martha’s breast cancer, in remission for fourteen years, has recurred.

Martha wanted her journal entries during this time to provide guidance to others undergoing a cancer diagnosis and agreed to her husband Denis’ request that they be preserved in memoir form. Ledoux has skillfully woven her journal entries with his own reflections to create a gripping and realistic picture of how a cancer diagnosis affects this couple and their family.

The writing is raw, honest and engaging as husband and wife struggle to maintain their equilibrium as individuals, as a couple and as a family. The characters are believable and the circumstance entirely relatable--contemplating the loss of a spouse while hanging on to hope, dealing with young adult children who are setting out in life and have to face their mother’s death, getting what you need from the health care system, dealing with elderly parents who are failing.

The story takes us through to another remission which ends up being short-lived. This final phase of their journey will be addressed in another volume. Though I felt a sense of sadness as I read the story, I also felt the love and respect that Denis and Martha shared. This can be a guidebook for couple’s enduring the cancer journey but it is also a beautiful tribute to a loving relationship, a labor of love. Martha has given us the gift of her words of wisdom and Denis has made sure her words will reach others.… (more)

I read this book by using KINDLE Unlimited downloads.
Isn’t it amazing how there are times when out of the blue you’re able to recall something in your life you haven’t thought about for years. This is probably due to something you’ve just seen or heard. The same thing happens to me as I’m in the process of reading a book so I can review it; as for me it’s usually some song I loved listening to as a child or a teenager. It’s amazing the reactions I’ve received from the authors who loved how the songs actually fit the storylines or the characters of the books I’ve reviewed, and in one incident a song I wound up recalling had not only been the inspiration for her book but the book’s title as well.

When it comes to writing a memoir, anyone writing one needs to be able to recall events and people from their past, a past which memories have practically forgotten for a long time. But in order to write a memoir which dwells more thoroughly and have it be more interesting you need to somehow bring those memories into the light, and get the juices in those little grey cells of your mind stimulated enough that you’ll be able to begin to recall those much needed memories and details so you can be able to add an increase in the depth and richness of the memoir you’re writing.

The manner in which the prompting questions regarding your life have been organized in this book, can easily serve as a skeletal outline for the memoir you wish to write, as they follow a chronological order that’s your life and the people who’re in it like your grandparents, etc.

While this book might not resolve all of the questions you might have in regards to writing a memoir, it will serve as a decent roadmap to put you on the right course, which is why I’ve decided to give Mr. Ledoux for giving his readers a foundation where those wishing to write a memoir can start.… (more)

As an individual who has already transitioned from writing non-fiction commentary type articles for several years for a community newspaper to writing my first romance novel, a MG/YA Paranormal, I know it can be one heck of a learning experience, especially if you’re doing totally on your own. Even as I wrote those commentaries it had been an on-going learning experience with certain rules which would make them more powerful and empowering; so by the time I had written my last one, which has been almost 11 years ago I had become quite adept at writing a 1,000 word limit article in practically no time at all.

Right now, I’m in the midst of writing an MG/YA Urban Fantasy with a romantic backstory, a Contemporary romance novella; as well as something somewhat outside my normal comfort zone, an erotic romance novella. Even though I’m still writing in the romance genre, each of these sub-genres have their own additional unique rules which need to follow for the endeavor to be successful.

The same kind of learning experience holds true if someone is interested in writing a personal memoir. This book, my no means has all of the information needed to write a successful memoir, it’s as the author states in his description that it’s an introductory writing tool that gets right to the point, an introduction which will include:

•what the Memory List is and why it is important.
•why you should resist the urge to write from the beginning.
•why telling the truth is so hard and so not optional.
•how family stories can ruin your memoir.
•which stories to write first.
•when to write and when not to write.
•why the right attitude will see you to the end.

In this book, you’ll get writing exercises which can help you in actually started in to writing your own memoir in the correct manner. Since this book is an introductory freebie from the author to get you started, how can you go wrong? And if you feel you’re definitely interest in writing your own memoir there are more books written by this author which will go into greater detail.

For helping individuals to decide if writing their memoirs is something they’d like to do. I’ve given this author’s endeavor 5 STARS.… (more)

In writing Sugary Frosting: A Girlhood Spent in a Parsonage, Denis Ledoux has honored the life of his late wife, Martha Blowen. Through her own words, he has not only crafted a story of her life as a “preacher’s kid” but has revealed the story of another generation. We, the readers, are invited in vivid detail into Martha’s life and the times in which she lived. This memoir is a labor of love.

Through Martha’s voice which is strong, clear and honest, I experienced the challenges and confinement of a young girl whose reflections leave no doubt as to the rigors of a staged life shaped by the expectations of others. Martha portrays her parents’ strengths and flaws in a believable way that helped me understand her girlhood views and resultant rebellious behaviors.

Social and cultural history are illuminated so that anyone from the 50s,60s and 70s can relate ( I remember when white gloves and a hat were a must for women when they went to church). Anyone younger can have a better understanding of another time. The story also explores the parent-child dynamic and connects the reader to their own parent –child relationship.

The writing is engaging and the story flows seamlessly. I read this in two sittings and was anxious to get back it. I highly recommend this and look forward to reading more about Martha’s life.… (more)