![]() Teetering On Disaster by Michaela Renee Publisher: Bowker (January 11, 2019) Category: Memoir/Self-Help/Non-Fiction Tour dates: March/April, 2020 ISBN: 978-0578430805 Available in Print and ebook, 316 pages Description: Michaela Renee Johnson was just 12 years old in 1992 when a financial slump forced her family to move from an upscale area in Sacramento to a 27-ft trailer in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, with no electricity or running water — so no Nintendo or MTV. It wasn’t exactly the life that every adolescent dreams of, but it was, in fact, their reality. Michaela chronicles these formative years (and beyond) in her often humorous, constantly candid true story, Teetering on Disaster. As the young Michaela navigates her way through the inherently melodramatic teen years, she must come to terms with relieving herself in the woods, shaving with a 10-cent borrowed razor in an irrigation ditch and taking what she called “bird baths” with a jug of water. Somehow, in the midst of disorienting change, she learned to focus on what she was gaining instead of what she had lost. And in the end, she gained profound wisdom about her family and the world around her, and uncovered the truth about her own ability to thrive in the face of life’s inconveniences. But the effects of her unorthodox upbringing don’t end at adulthood, and Teetering takes readers along as a grown Michaela stumbles upon a few “Mr. Right Nows,” gets divorced in her twenties, and ends up right back where she started: a small mountain town in the middle of nowhere. Teetering on Disaster is a heartfelt, coming-of-age story written to inspire others to live a courageous life of authenticity and to speak their truth with grace. Michaela’s book is an unapologetically honest, authentic tale that will make readers laugh out loud and cry — sometimes at the same time. Buy Teetering On Disaster by Michaela Renee: Amazon | Barnes&Noble | IndieBound REVIEW by LAWonder10: This coming of age story is in two parts. The first half of this tale begins with the devastation a young 12-year-old girl experiences when her family is forced to liquidate all their belongings and buy a trailer and old truck to move to a small community in a new state, on top of a hill with not electricity or toilet accommodations. It is very interesting in the manner they improvised. Because of a strong family unit and the attitudes of dedicated parents, the children adjusted as well as possible. In the second half, the rites of passage this girl went through as she went away to college and became a woman is mind boggling. The first part of the book is entertaining and compelling. However, in my opinion, the second part became a little unsettling and loses some of the momentum. It does portray how certain choices can bring unexpected consequences into one's life. It is interesting how she dealt with these changes and the unconditional love of her parents and siblings. Many will be able to relate to parts of this incredible story, others will become outraged. The characters are portrayed realistically, and situations are well-defined and easily visualized. I do feel the transition from one scene to another occasionally loses a smooth "flow", leaving a few gaps. This story addresses the devastation which cam occur in life, without ever contemplating it and of which is sometimes out of one's control. At these times, it is a choice in each one how he/she will respond to each situation. There are a lot of beneficial lessons taught within these pages. Reader Beware: There is occasional profanity and cruse language. I offer a Three and a Half Stars rating. * This book was gifted me with requirement for a positive review. This is my honest review. “Throughout Michaela’s autobiographical story, she sent me through a rollercoaster of emotions. Not being able to identify on a personal level with the extreme of both of her situations in each half of the book, I still felt that as a human being I could sympathize, and it helped me to have a greater appreciation for what I currently have. Michaela’s story had me happy at all of her highs, sad at the many losses, and emotionally confused concerning her relationships. What it all boils down to is that at times, being a grown-up, and a female, can be very difficult.”- Rachel Dehning, San Francisco Book Review “I really did laugh, and cry, while reading this. I was able to relate to the experiences of the author, even though we are twenty years apart in age; the early years… amazing experience that family went through, creating a precious, ever-lasting bond between a young woman, her parents, and her two younger brothers. Her humor and positive attitude, her extreme frankness and humility (touched with a bit of narcissism) draw one to her. She, like the sweet doggies of the Great North, she is ever pleasing, forgiving, hard-working and never tiring. She relates to the dog world so much, calling herself Rio’s mom, that she probably won’t mind being compared to a canine. Being a dog lover myself, I think of it as the highest compliment! I wish I had her strength, her sense of humor and wit, her looks, her intelligence, her resilience and determination; I wish I had her ability to seems so Angie-Jolie-transcendent, and yet admit to being a little Grace-Adler-(Debra Messing)-ordinary … striking and competent, clumsy and insecure… God bless her!! I wanna go through struggles and come out looking like Michaela Renee! One you just can’t help admiring. Very inspiring. You just know she is going to be JUST FINE! She has spirit! She has spunk! And she IS LOVED… she will never be alone When she least expects it her true love will curl up next to her, and he won’t have four legs!”- Marcy Lundy, Goodreads “Laugh out loud funny, interesting & touching. Teetering on Disaster is like a Modern day “Swiss Family Robinson meets Jerry Springer”! You could know the entirety of the story and Kayla’s writing style, quick wit, raw truth still entertains. If she wrote recipe’s we wouldn’t need the food channel. Buy it for every chick you know and earn major points, but make sure you keep one copy for yourself! Not just a “chick” book – man up and enjoy!”-Rick Harris, Amazon Acclaim/Awards Teetering On Disaster by Michaela Renee Q: Why Writing is a Form of Personal Therapy A: For me writing has always been a way to process the depth of my emotions and share my hopes and dreams in a way that feels completely authentic. Journaling especially became a safe place for me from a young age to share how I felt without worry of the judgment of others. Teetering began as a blog, back before blog was a word, and really was a way for me to process and share, and hopefully inspire others during a very trying time in my life. The response was overwhelming and Teetering became a real book through that channel. I think often people sit down to write and feel that there has to be a certain way. We are taught from grade school to dot I’s, cross T’s and stay in the lines. I like to challenge my clients to pick up the pen and write and don’t worry about the wrong or right way to do it, the wrong or right thing to say. I encourage people to begin with a journal they love and a pen they love even more. Start by writing the weather and how your emotions relate to it. It’s amazing what can begin to unfold from simply associating your internal feelings with something external. Writing is absolutely a form of personal therapy, special and private to you. ![]() About Michaela Renee Michaela Renee Johnson is a licensed psychotherapist, Be You Find Happy podcast host and an award winning published author. She inspires happiness by encouraging people to speak their truth with grace, and live a courageous life of authenticity Her business Be You Find Happy holds workshops and conversations on happiness in spite of life’s setbacks and has landed her speaking opportunities across the nation. She lives in Northern California with her husband and son. She enjoys traveling and has visited 19 countries; she loves the ocean and everything in it. She rarely finds herself without an activity whether it be hiking, yoga, tinkering the garden, golfing, reading or spending time outside.In her most simplest she loves poetic quotes and all things metaphysical. Website | Facebook | YouTube ![]() This giveaway is for one autographed print copy and 2 ebook copies of the book. Print is open to the U.S. only and ebook is available worldwide. There will be 3 winners. This giveaway ends April 21, 2020,midnight pacific time. Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only. RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY! Teetering On Disaster Web Tour Schedule
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2 Comments
NANCY
3/20/2020 10:04:40 am
Lovely cover
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