The Dry Depths of My Soul

Mosaic #1

by Allison K. Garcia, Nydia Pastoriza (Illustrator), Phyllis Duncan (Editor)

This book includes PTSD, depression, loss of a loved one, infertility, and trans/homophobia

How do you hold your world together when your whole life has been a lie?

Emma Leirion is about to turn 40 and has finally realized she might be gay. As a lifelong Christian with a conservative upbringing, this possibility has thrown her into a panic. While Emma struggles with how this could impact her comfortable life, the giant crush she has on her new friend, Sandra, sends her into a tailspin, feeling things she’s never felt before.

Sandra Martinez recently reconciled with her daughter, Ana, and grandson, Emanuel, after Sandra abandoned Ana decades ago and fell into a life of addiction. Now two years clean and better at managing her PTSD, Sandra has her family back. But will secrets from her past fracture their new bond?

Genres: Queer

234 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 14, 2022

About the author

Allison K. Garcia is a Licensed Professional Counselor, but she has wanted to be a writer ever since she could hold a pencil. She is a member of Shenandoah Valley Writers, Virginia Writers Club, the Author Transformation Alliance, and is a Municipal Liaison for Shenandoah Valley NaNoWriMo.

Allison's short story, "At Heart," was published in the Winter 2013 edition of From the Depths literary magazine, along with her flash fiction. Her work, "You Shall Receive," was published in GrayHaven Comics's 2014 All Women's anthology. Winning an honorary mention in the ACFW Virginia 2015 short story contest, "Just Another Navidad" was published in A bit of Christmas. Allison's novel Vivir el Dream has finaled in 4 awards: the 2016 ACFW Genesis Contest, 2018 Eric J. Hoffer Montaigne Medal, 2018 Eric J. Hoffer Ebook Honorable Mention, 2018 IAN Book of the Year Award in the Christian/Religious Fiction category, and 1st place in the 2018 Royal Dragonfly Awards Ebook Cultural Fiction category. In 2018, her highly-anticipated novel, Finding Amor, was released, and her novella "Navidad & Familia" was featured in the boxed set A Merry Navidad. Finding Seguridad and Finding Paz completed the Buscando Home series in 2021. Allison has ten more novels in the wings.

Allison's queer Christian short stories were featured in the ATA anthologies: The Heart of the Season and March for Justice, and her queer Christian poetry was featured in Reconstructing Christmas: An Anthology.

Latina at heart, Allison has been featured in local newspapers, radio stations, universities, and national podcasts for her writing and for her connections in the Latino community in Harrisonburg, Virginia. A participant in several pro-immigrant and pro-LGBTQ rallies and other events in her region, Allison also loves her church and enjoys spending time with her wife, Melissa, and their three children, Maggie, Lizzy, and Miguel.

Reviews

[Pat McNally]

To get a background, I highly recommend the other books in this series. This latest, The Dry Depths of my Soul, continues the saga, giving the reader new insight into the lives of others, with a new perspective. Highly recommend!

[Kate Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters in this book have an electric connection, which totally got me hooked.

I picked up this book to better understand a story of the queer experience in America. With it also came so many universal examples of how to be there for those around us, how to listen, how to work through hard seasons of our lives.

I've been craving stories where characters are navigating the real life challenges and finding ways to live into who they’re meant to be. This book was a great antidote. It explores the depth in finding one’s identity, but does so with the lightness of seeing the good in everyday.

I’ll be jumping into the next book in this series right away!

[Chloe Flanagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the first time in her forty years, Emma Leirion is finally coming to terms with her whole self. But embracing her truth and reconciling her sexuality with her religion and her community will take all of her faith and courage, and support from old and new friends. Sandra Martinez is starting a whole new life in Virginia with her daughter and grandson. In Emma, she sees an opportunity for friendship and maybe even more, but she’ll first have to navigate her own complicated past and Emma’s uncertainty.

The Dry Depths of My Soul is a warm and inspiring story that touches on complex themes such as identity, faith, family, and romance with authenticity and hope. Emma’s journey as a Christian learning to fully accept who God made her is relevant and relatable to many people of faith in today’s world, so it is refreshing to see it portrayed in fiction. Sandra’s quest to start over and build a new life is equally encouraging. The author does an excellent job of weaving each woman’s story separately and then intertwining them.

If you enjoy compelling stories of faith, self-discovery, and the power of human connection, I highly recommend reading The Dry Depths of My Soul.

[K. McCoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this story left me feeling so much joy and hope - just incredibly well done Allison K. Garcia!

I thought the way that each character was described was beautiful and left me wanting to know about their journey. The scenes between Emma and her therapist, as well as at the group events afterwards felt so realistic, and served as a strong reminder for why those spaces are needed, especially during these times times.

Overall, The Dry Depths of My Soul is a story told with honesty, care, and is sure to touch many readers.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading more about these characters I first met in the “Buscando Home” series. Allison is a thoughtful writer, compassionately telling an important story. I look forward to reading more!

[Angela Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

love

Thank you, I loved reading this story. It holds alot of truth to it.
I’m ready to read the the part.

[Raelee Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

With lovable, relatable characters, uncommon depth, and solid storytelling skills, Allison's writing never disappoints. This marks a smooth transition from Latinx fiction to queer Christian fiction for her.