Hello, and welcome to Yellow Bird’s new ongoing series, Success In the Press. In each post, we will shine a spotlight on three of our published clients.
Sydney Shag & THE SIRENS: Heavy on the Vodka and a Little Bit Dirty (A Novel) by Cyndi Gryte
From the author: This is rock bottom. Sydney Shag is sure of it. Fresh on the heels of her high school boyfriend’s wedding [...] she receives an ominous letter from her ambitious eleven-year-old self causing her head to spin. [...]Cue the Sirens—Sydney's fabulous drink-slinging friends. Sassy, full of moxie, and always up for another round, they help her realize that living up to her childhood dreams means facing some of her biggest fears.
Our take: This fun comic novel with a fiery and impressive protagonist and a cast of colorful friends and family will appeal to fans of Nora Ephron films! Full of unexpected adventures, a vibrant setting, and tender moments of sisterhood, it’s a perfect light-hearted vacation read.
From a reader: “This book was super fun, and the tone of voice was absolutely adorable. I could just imagine my best girl friends getting into all this trouble, LOL. It was a fun read, I highly recommend it. Binged through the whole thing, perfect for a beach weekend read!”
The Vines We Planted by Joanell Serra
From the publisher: In the heart of the California wine country, secrets seem to grow on the vines that Uriel Macon’s family have tended for generations. Uriel, the winery’s young widower, steers clear of complicated relationships. He prefers the lonely comfort of his vineyard and his horses, until he is reminded of his love affair with Amanda Scanlon; a relationship that ended when she abruptly left the country years ago under a cloud of mystery.
Our take: This sweeping family epic was a finalist for the Best Book Awards in multicultural fiction! Set in the author’s hometown of Sonoma, the setting is vividly drawn. The wide cast of vibrant characters are tied together by a story full of secrets, from addiction to divorce. This novel will appeal to fans of Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Novels series.
From a Readers’ Favorite reviewer: “The Vines We Planted..the story of a family facing struggles and their individual crises. . . delicately and expertly woven together in a family saga set in California around Uriel's family vineyards...The reader is kept turning the pages to the end as the intricate family history is revealed through the plot. Great characters, well developed and believable, and lovely descriptions which transport the reader to the Californian countryside. ... Very visual writing and descriptions take the reader into the protagonists' world... the plot is credible and surprising at the same time ... it all blends together well and combines to make an exciting and believable novel. Five Stars!”
Girl Squad by Kim Hoover
From the publisher: A lazy small town summer in 1970s Texas turns treacherous when Cal Long’s mother goes missing. Cal and her best friend Rachel, along with sophisticated new friend Jane, use every trick in their teenage arsenal to get to the bottom of the mystery. Along the way, Cal is drawn to Jane in ways she’s never felt before while Rachel struggles to understand her best friend’s new attraction. From Amarillo to Palo Duro Canyon to Ft. Worth and back, the girls puzzle through the connections surrounding the mystery of Cal’s mother’s disappearance.
Our take: This YA mystery mixes a crime drama with a coming-of-age story about a young girl discovering her sexuality in the challenging environment of 70s rural Texas. The atmosphere is patiently built from the beginning of the story. As the protagonist searches for her mother, her views of herself and the world are challenged as the novel tackles issues of race and class as well as LGBT issues.
From a reader: “This is a delightful window into girlhood in the 1970s and a sweeping look at the perspectives shaping young rural lesbians growing up in a world completely against the whole idea. The first half is especially idyllic but the second half picks up quickly as events unfold surrounding Cal and the seemingly uncontrollable forces around her mother and the small Texas community in which both women live. Anyone trying to familiarize themselves with female agency and girl power should absolutely read Girl Squad!”
***
We hope you enjoyed this look at some of the Yellow Bird family’s success stories! Check back soon for more. If you are a former Yellow Bird client and would like us to consider featuring your published work, email info@yellowbirdeditors.com.