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Vegas to Varanasi, Fortytude Series Book 1
**Readers' Favorite 2017 International Book Awards Finalist**
"Hickman makes every crowded street in Varanasi and holy ceremony by the Ganges come alive with flowing and detailed descriptions one would usually expect from a travel writer. Vegas to Varanasi is a quirky, warm, and entertaining novel that is most highly recommended."
--Readers' Favorite (full review)
"This book had a bit of everything in it - drama, tears, a bundle of giggles, some sexiness and a sweet romance. But most of all it was, well...real." --Bookworm Betties
"A story that depicts the reality of life and the complexity of relationships...full of depth and emotion that will leave a smile on your face." --Jersey Girl Book Reviews
Anna has never been the beautiful one; she’s always been the nice one. So when the gorgeous man sitting across the table at a wedding reception remembers her from high school—and quite fondly at that—she’s taken off guard.
Formerly overweight and unpopular, Kiran has never forgotten Anna, the one person who was kind to him when no one else could be bothered, and Anna’s a bit flustered as she slowly comes to grips with his intense attraction for her.
In what feels like a romantic dream come true, all-grown-up, hunky Kiran invites Anna on a trip to Varanasi. But her troubled, whack-a-do ex-boyfriend starts interfering, creating drama at every turn, which begs the question, “Can nice girls really finish first?”
**Readers' Favorite 2017 International Book Awards Finalist**
"Hickman makes every crowded street in Varanasi and holy ceremony by the Ganges come alive with flowing and detailed descriptions one would usually expect from a travel writer. Vegas to Varanasi is a quirky, warm, and entertaining novel that is most highly recommended."
--Readers' Favorite (full review)
"This book had a bit of everything in it - drama, tears, a bundle of giggles, some sexiness and a sweet romance. But most of all it was, well...real." --Bookworm Betties
"A story that depicts the reality of life and the complexity of relationships...full of depth and emotion that will leave a smile on your face." --Jersey Girl Book Reviews
Anna has never been the beautiful one; she’s always been the nice one. So when the gorgeous man sitting across the table at a wedding reception remembers her from high school—and quite fondly at that—she’s taken off guard.
Formerly overweight and unpopular, Kiran has never forgotten Anna, the one person who was kind to him when no one else could be bothered, and Anna’s a bit flustered as she slowly comes to grips with his intense attraction for her.
In what feels like a romantic dream come true, all-grown-up, hunky Kiran invites Anna on a trip to Varanasi. But her troubled, whack-a-do ex-boyfriend starts interfering, creating drama at every turn, which begs the question, “Can nice girls really finish first?”
See my dream cast for "Vegas to Varanasi," as well as my playlist on Laura Chapman's "Change the Word" blog. :)
Menopause to Matrimony, Fortytude Series Book 2
What readers have said:
"Funny and poignant. This is great therapy and entertainment for all women facing or coping with menopause."
"Great story about mature life and love for men and women 'of a certain age'."
"Honest, funny, and heartwarming."
The sequel to Vegas to Varanasi catches up with Anna and Kiran a couple of years after the event that brought the once “ugly duckling” high school acquaintances together. But will their romance continue to flourish in the face of a whole new set of insecurities brought on by middle age?
First, there’s Kiran, who has an unexpected health scare. While his doctors assure no permanent damage has been done, there seems to have been some damage to his personality, as the normally respectful and reserved Kiran begins behaving erratically and overtly. Anna wants to hope that this is temporary, sparked by the visit of Kiran’s womanizing, free-spirited cousin, Seth. But is this just the midlife Kiran surfacing?
Anna has midlife issues of her own. Now forty-eight, she’s navigating the onset of perimenopause and all the delights that come with it, from facial hair to mood swings to body temperature issues. On top of that, her two-year-old granddaughter is starting to show signs of a behavior disorder, bringing with it a whole other level of stress and worry.
Will Anna and Kiran finally find their happily ever after? Or end up stuck in a midlife mess in this romantic comedy of accepting change, and “the change.”
See my playlist for "Menopause to Matrimony."
"Funny and poignant. This is great therapy and entertainment for all women facing or coping with menopause."
"Great story about mature life and love for men and women 'of a certain age'."
"Honest, funny, and heartwarming."
The sequel to Vegas to Varanasi catches up with Anna and Kiran a couple of years after the event that brought the once “ugly duckling” high school acquaintances together. But will their romance continue to flourish in the face of a whole new set of insecurities brought on by middle age?
First, there’s Kiran, who has an unexpected health scare. While his doctors assure no permanent damage has been done, there seems to have been some damage to his personality, as the normally respectful and reserved Kiran begins behaving erratically and overtly. Anna wants to hope that this is temporary, sparked by the visit of Kiran’s womanizing, free-spirited cousin, Seth. But is this just the midlife Kiran surfacing?
Anna has midlife issues of her own. Now forty-eight, she’s navigating the onset of perimenopause and all the delights that come with it, from facial hair to mood swings to body temperature issues. On top of that, her two-year-old granddaughter is starting to show signs of a behavior disorder, bringing with it a whole other level of stress and worry.
Will Anna and Kiran finally find their happily ever after? Or end up stuck in a midlife mess in this romantic comedy of accepting change, and “the change.”
See my playlist for "Menopause to Matrimony."
Harmony to Heartburn, Fortytude Series Book 3
2017 RONE Awards Finalist
2018 TopShelf Indie Book Award Nominee
"Hickman's novel takes a lighthearted approach to serious issues, including illnesses, body image, and sexuality. Harmony to Heartburn is the ideal book for fans of contemporary fiction about characters who are believable, funny, honest, imperfect, and a joy to spend time with." --Self-Publishing Review (full review)
"Poignant and funny." --InD'tale Magazine (full review)
"Hickman peers deeply into the soul of family and brilliantly pens the struggles of life's adversities." --Readers' Favorite (full review)
It's safe to say Anna's path to wedded bliss was strewn with craziness, so the last three years of relative tranquility have been a welcome diversion. As she and Kiran embark on their new journey together, Anna's hopes are high. However, family issues come bubbling to the surface.
First, her parents' marriage is falling apart. After more than fifty years together, they're bickering like kids and decide to take a break. And when her father moves in with Kiran's cousin, Anna worries about her dad's increasing impetuous behavior.
Then there's Luke -- Anna's ex-husband. His long-term relationship has hit a rocky patch and he's struggling to cope. As Luke turns to Anna for emotional support, Kiran is reluctant to express his own growing anxieties. When a huge misunderstanding arises, can harmony be restored?
Playlist for Harmony to Heartburn.
2017 RONE Awards Finalist
2018 TopShelf Indie Book Award Nominee
"Hickman's novel takes a lighthearted approach to serious issues, including illnesses, body image, and sexuality. Harmony to Heartburn is the ideal book for fans of contemporary fiction about characters who are believable, funny, honest, imperfect, and a joy to spend time with." --Self-Publishing Review (full review)
"Poignant and funny." --InD'tale Magazine (full review)
"Hickman peers deeply into the soul of family and brilliantly pens the struggles of life's adversities." --Readers' Favorite (full review)
It's safe to say Anna's path to wedded bliss was strewn with craziness, so the last three years of relative tranquility have been a welcome diversion. As she and Kiran embark on their new journey together, Anna's hopes are high. However, family issues come bubbling to the surface.
First, her parents' marriage is falling apart. After more than fifty years together, they're bickering like kids and decide to take a break. And when her father moves in with Kiran's cousin, Anna worries about her dad's increasing impetuous behavior.
Then there's Luke -- Anna's ex-husband. His long-term relationship has hit a rocky patch and he's struggling to cope. As Luke turns to Anna for emotional support, Kiran is reluctant to express his own growing anxieties. When a huge misunderstanding arises, can harmony be restored?
Playlist for Harmony to Heartburn.
Somewhere Between Black and White
Have you ever wondered what makes us so apt judge others? I have. What is it, that, even if we mean no harm, we are so inclined to think we know better than another? The whole, if I were you… idea we offer up so freely, often without invitation. It’s like we can’t help ourselves. It’s something I try very hard not to do, but I realize I’m guilty of it as much as the next guy.
But the fact of the matter is, like the old saying goes, unless we have walked in another’s shoes and have lived his life, we can never truly know the motives behind another’s actions. Maybe that person doesn’t even understand his motives, but I’m a firm believer that now and again, we just have to go through certain stuff, even if it doesn’t make much sense to those around us. Say what you want, but we grow and learn from our mistakes, and if we never take those missteps, sometimes valuable lessons are missed.
As a parent, one of the hardest things is to see your child headed for heartache, but at times the most powerful lessons are those that cause a fair amount of turmoil through firsthand experience. We can advise, warn the ones we love, but in the end, we are all imperfect, and being hurt and learning to forgive can be very meaningful. This idea is what inspired me to write Somewhere Between Black and White.
But the fact of the matter is, like the old saying goes, unless we have walked in another’s shoes and have lived his life, we can never truly know the motives behind another’s actions. Maybe that person doesn’t even understand his motives, but I’m a firm believer that now and again, we just have to go through certain stuff, even if it doesn’t make much sense to those around us. Say what you want, but we grow and learn from our mistakes, and if we never take those missteps, sometimes valuable lessons are missed.
As a parent, one of the hardest things is to see your child headed for heartache, but at times the most powerful lessons are those that cause a fair amount of turmoil through firsthand experience. We can advise, warn the ones we love, but in the end, we are all imperfect, and being hurt and learning to forgive can be very meaningful. This idea is what inspired me to write Somewhere Between Black and White.
"The magic, depth and beautiful messages woven throughout the story make it such a feel-good novel...I will think about the many important issues raised in this book for a long time." --Samantha Stroh Bailey, Author of Finding Lucas
"A heartwarming and entertaining story that has a sweet romance and thoughtful life message." --Jersey Girl Book Reviews
"I loved the wit in this novel!! My stomach got a workout from some laughter." --Storm Goddess Book Reviews
"A heartwarming and entertaining story that has a sweet romance and thoughtful life message." --Jersey Girl Book Reviews
"I loved the wit in this novel!! My stomach got a workout from some laughter." --Storm Goddess Book Reviews
When approaching life's problems, Sophie sees in black and white. That is, when they're someone else's problems. So when it comes to her sister, Sophie is sure she has all the answers, and offers them without hesitation. If only her sister would listen.
Then, through a series of chance encounters, she meets Sam, who is witty, kind, and downright unflappable. Sophie has the overwhelming sense that she's known him before, and as a relationship builds between them, odd visions invade her mind. Though she tries to dismiss them, their persistence will not allow it.
As someone who is quick to judge others, she is intrigued by Sam's ability to accept people as they are. She begins to see him as a role model, but try as she may, his accepting nature is difficult to emulate.
Will Sophie ever be able to put her hasty judgments aside and realize not every problem has a simple solution?
Then, through a series of chance encounters, she meets Sam, who is witty, kind, and downright unflappable. Sophie has the overwhelming sense that she's known him before, and as a relationship builds between them, odd visions invade her mind. Though she tries to dismiss them, their persistence will not allow it.
As someone who is quick to judge others, she is intrigued by Sam's ability to accept people as they are. She begins to see him as a role model, but try as she may, his accepting nature is difficult to emulate.
Will Sophie ever be able to put her hasty judgments aside and realize not every problem has a simple solution?
Believe
What readers have said:
"Compelling read. I read this book in one setting."
"It'll make you believe in miracles again!"
"I find myself feeling refreshed at its realness."
"Compelling read. I read this book in one setting."
"It'll make you believe in miracles again!"
"I find myself feeling refreshed at its realness."
Believe. A message that still taunts her years after the passing of her daughter. In the days of her daughter's illness, she considered herself a seeker, open to the possibilities of prayer and faith. Now cynical and guarded, she is forced to reexamine her beliefs and relive her past when an old love resurfaces, with a sick child of his own. Believe is a story that examines fractures to our foundations in the face of tragedy. It is a story that asks if prayers are always answered, but often in ways we do not see.
**Despite the spiritual tone of this work, please be aware it contains strong language.**
Note from Shelly: Normally I don’t preface my books with commentary on the content, but because Believe has been such a difficult story to assign a genre, I thought I should share my thoughts on how I would categorize this work, which has been a challenge, even for me. Because of this story’s theme, at times it has been mistakenly labeled as Christian fiction. Please be aware that this is NOT a work of Christian fiction. I wouldn’t even consider it religious fiction. The best term I would use is metaphysical fiction, but as you probably know, that’s not an established genre. So I did a little Googling to see if Believe would fall under the category of inspirational or devotional fiction. Well, I feel it falls under that description, so that’s what I’m going with. If you’d like to read Wikipedia’s distinction between religious and inspirational fiction, you can do so here.
If you are offended by strong language, this book is not for you. In my opinion, Believe isn’t riddled with it, but if you are looking for a story with wholesome characters who never drop the F-bomb, then most likely you will not care for this book. I realize this seems like a lot of over-explaining, but a couple of reviewers have mentioned their surprise that the book includes such language.
Believe is my first published work and is quite different than my current style. I began writing it after my daughter completed thirteen months of chemotherapy for a cancer we were told had a 98% survival rate, thinking that way of life was behind her forever. However, she relapsed a little over a year later, and the manuscript was tucked away as we fought once again. When she eventually lost her battle, I came back to the story as a way to work through my anger and grief, and to figure out what I believed. The prose is bare and direct. The plot is metaphysical. I think some have read the description and expected something entirely different because of the mention of prayer. The story isn’t for everyone, but if you’ve ever lost someone close to you, especially a child, I hope you will find it a worthwhile read.
**Despite the spiritual tone of this work, please be aware it contains strong language.**
Note from Shelly: Normally I don’t preface my books with commentary on the content, but because Believe has been such a difficult story to assign a genre, I thought I should share my thoughts on how I would categorize this work, which has been a challenge, even for me. Because of this story’s theme, at times it has been mistakenly labeled as Christian fiction. Please be aware that this is NOT a work of Christian fiction. I wouldn’t even consider it religious fiction. The best term I would use is metaphysical fiction, but as you probably know, that’s not an established genre. So I did a little Googling to see if Believe would fall under the category of inspirational or devotional fiction. Well, I feel it falls under that description, so that’s what I’m going with. If you’d like to read Wikipedia’s distinction between religious and inspirational fiction, you can do so here.
If you are offended by strong language, this book is not for you. In my opinion, Believe isn’t riddled with it, but if you are looking for a story with wholesome characters who never drop the F-bomb, then most likely you will not care for this book. I realize this seems like a lot of over-explaining, but a couple of reviewers have mentioned their surprise that the book includes such language.
Believe is my first published work and is quite different than my current style. I began writing it after my daughter completed thirteen months of chemotherapy for a cancer we were told had a 98% survival rate, thinking that way of life was behind her forever. However, she relapsed a little over a year later, and the manuscript was tucked away as we fought once again. When she eventually lost her battle, I came back to the story as a way to work through my anger and grief, and to figure out what I believed. The prose is bare and direct. The plot is metaphysical. I think some have read the description and expected something entirely different because of the mention of prayer. The story isn’t for everyone, but if you’ve ever lost someone close to you, especially a child, I hope you will find it a worthwhile read.
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Hello there! A little about me. A long-time Las Vegas native, I spend my days teaching computer technology to hormonal middle schoolers. I live with my husband of 20+ years and have a teenage daughter, grown son, and child of the furry persuasion.
I'm a huge fan of The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones, as well movies with stupid humor. Zoolander, Austin Powers, and Monty Python are some of my faves. And if you asked me where the best place in the world is, it would have to be Disneyland. I mean, it is the happiest place on Earth.
I love to write about relationships, family as well as romantic, and my aim is to explore life's challenges with honesty and humor. Hearing from readers is such a treat, so please feel free to visit me on Facebook or Twitter, or both!
I'm a huge fan of The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones, as well movies with stupid humor. Zoolander, Austin Powers, and Monty Python are some of my faves. And if you asked me where the best place in the world is, it would have to be Disneyland. I mean, it is the happiest place on Earth.
I love to write about relationships, family as well as romantic, and my aim is to explore life's challenges with honesty and humor. Hearing from readers is such a treat, so please feel free to visit me on Facebook or Twitter, or both!