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Martha Engber

Goodreads Author

Born

in Aurora, IL, The United States

Website

http://marthaengber.com/

Twitter

https://twitter.com/marthaengber

Genre

Literature & Fiction, Memoir

Member Since

November 2008

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Martha Engber is the author of six books. SCATTERED LIGHT (https://vineleavespress.myshopify.com...), the sequel to WINTER LIGHT, an IPPY Gold Medal Winner for YA, will be published Nov. 25, 2025.

Her other fiction includes THE FALCON, THE WOLF AND THE HUMMINGBIRD, a historical novel, and THE WIND THIEF. Her nonfiction includes BLISS ROAD, a memoir about her neurodiverse family, and GROWING GREAT CHARACTERS, a resource for writers.

A workshop facilitator and speaker, she’s had a full-length play produced in Hollywood and fiction published in a variety of literary journals. She and her screenwriting team have optioned a TV series to a studio. She encourages readers to connect via her website, MarthaEngber.com. ...more

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Martha Engber’s books

Average rating: 4.5 · 294 ratings · 196 reviews · 9 distinct works • Similar authors

	Bliss Road: A memoir about living a lie and coming to terms with the truth 4.36 avg rating — 104 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Winter Light (The Mary Donahue Chronicles Book 1) 4.69 avg rating — 89 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Falcon, the Wolf, and the Hummingbird 4.38 avg rating — 42 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Wind Thief 4.40 avg rating — 20 ratings — published 2009 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Scattered Light 4.93 avg rating — 15 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Growing Great Characters from the Ground Up: A Thorough Primer for Writers of Fiction and Nonfiction 4.50 avg rating — 16 ratings — published 2007	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The 50-Word Stories of 2021: Microfiction for Lovers of Quick Reads by Jessica Bell (Goodreads Author) (Editor), Carolyn R. Russell (Contributor), Peter Snell (Contributor) 4.50 avg rating — 14 ratings — published 2021	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Growing Great Characters From the Ground Up: A Thorough Primer for the Writers of Fiction and Nonfiction 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Berkeley Fiction Review, Volume 15 by Jacqueline Carpenter (Editor), Lauren Alwan (Contributor), Roy Glassberg (Contributor) 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Martha Engber's Blog

My New Website and Blog!

Hello everyone!

I’d like to announce I have a new website! Please join me there to read my blog, learn about my upcoming books and register for events and workshops.

Series by Martha Engber

The Mary Donahue Chronicles (1 book)
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Martha Engber (Goodreads Author)

4.69 avg rating — 89 ratings

Martha is Currently Reading

Martha is currently reading

Dream Kids

by Michael Wayne Hampton (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Martha said: " The Dream Academy is anything but a dream for Bryce Hughes, who attends the experimental high school meant to challenge students and help them reach their potential. Instead, the wealth and spoiled upbringing of his fellow students push Bryce toward ...more "

Dec 20, 2022 08:04AM · see review

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Martha rated a book it was amazing The Maestro’s Daughter (The Lady Blade Series Book 1) by Catherine Thrush (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I love strong, feisty, smart female protagonists and teen Francesca de DiCesare, daughter of the Maestro, a famous fencing master in 1716 Tuscany, Italy, is all that. A natural rebel, Francesca strongly objects to everything young ladies are supposed ...more
1 hour, 54 min ago · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Maestro’s Daughter by Catherine Thrush. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Maestro’s Daughter by Catherine Thrush <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Martha is now following Cheryl Young and Elizabeth Bruce
Oct 21, 2025 04:20PM
Martha and 1 other person liked Sara Hosey's review of Scattered Light: "I haven’t read Winter Light—the book before this one—but now I have to! Mary is a compelling protagonist—smart, a fighter, with deep compassion and commitment to those she loves—and the story here is at once romantic and suspenseful. Scattered Light " Read more of this review »
Oct 21, 2025 04:20PM · see review
Martha liked Elizabeth Bruce's review of Scattered Light: "Martha Engber’s forthcoming novel, SCATTERED LIGHT, is a taut, intimate exploration of love and trauma between two crusading attorneys in Chicago at the end of the 20th century. Scrappy, workaholic labor lawyer Mary Donahue meets Ugandan atrocity sur" Read more of this review »
Oct 20, 2025 06:44AM · see review
Martha rated a book it was amazing American Gyro by Jim Zervanos (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jim Zervanos’ newest book, “American Gyro,” is a deeply immersive dive into the world of a Greek-American family in the Philadelphia area. When the book opens, we’re with teenager Johnny Demos’ as he and his family keep vigil at the deathbed of Johnny ...more
Oct 16, 2025 10:59AM · 1 like · like · see review
Martha liked Annalisa Crawford's review of Scattered Light: "Scattered Light is a poignant, emotive, fast-paced novel that pulled my heart in so many directions. A love story, a thriller, and a reflection on how past trauma can influence the present unexpectedly and harshly. Mary Donahue is a wonderfully stron" Read more of this review »
Oct 15, 2025 07:20PM · see review
Martha rated a book it was amazing Peace Like a River by Scott Gould (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I’m a sucker for dysfunctional family stories that hinge on colorful characters, humor that hits home at just the right moment, and a significant emotional pivot that resonates. Scott Gould’s latest book, “Peace Like a River,” is that kind of a tripl ...more
Sep 28, 2025 03:28PM · 1 like · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Peace Like a River by Scott Gould. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Peace Like a River by Scott Gould <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Martha rated a book it was amazing Carcrash Parker and the Haven of Larpers by Ian M. Rogers (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I never would have imagined a book about the LARPing adventures of a young New England man who suffers from crippling social anxiety would have me laughing out loud, but Ian M. Roger’s newest book achieves that impressive feat. What is “LARPing” you s ...more
Sep 16, 2025 03:12PM · 2 likes · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Carcrash Parker and the Haven of Larpers by Ian M. Rogers. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Carcrash Parker and the Haven of Larpers by Ian M. Rogers <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Martha rated a book it was amazing Scattered Light by Martha Engber (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I had a fantastic time writing this book and held firm in my view that even though strong women are near and dear to our hearts — think of your moms, aunts, grandmothers, cousins and besties — we sometimes need help. I hope you enjoy the book!
Sep 03, 2025 11:25AM · 1 like · like · see review

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Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
Vine Leaves Press: Martha Engber's Interview with Suzanne Maggio	2	4	May 30, 2023 06:36AM
Vine Leaves Press: Martha Engber's Interview with Cameron Cowan	2	4	Jun 01, 2023 06:59AM
Vine Leaves Press: Martha Engber's Interview with Jaime Alexandro	2	4	Jun 08, 2023 09:24AM

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Martha’s Quotes

“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”
― Leo Tolstoy , Anna Karenina

tags: family, first-sentence

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Martha’s Friend Comments

Comments (showing 1-2) post a comment »

date

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message 2: by Martha

Dec 17, 2010 10:07PM

Hey Nanette.

Nice to hear from you. My daughter just got home from college so we're all settling in for the holidays here at home.

What are your plans?

reply | flag

message 1: by Martha

Nov 26, 2009 08:18AM

Hey Jane.

Sorry for responding a month late. I must have accidentally changed the settings on my account and so haven't been receiving updates.

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