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Reaching for the Light
Mental Illness affects people in all walks of life, all countries and all nationalities. It does not discriminate. Those affected are friends, family members and you. Authors Marie Krepps and TL Katt have opened their minds and imaginations to assist in mental health awareness, something they both feel passionately about. Follow their characters as they reach for their light.
High Heels & Ice Cream by Marie Krepps
Brianna suffers from depression and anxiety, but she won’t let it stop her from moving in with the chatty and attractive Carla. When her attraction to her roommate becomes something more, Brianna has to decide if she will let her inner demons win and run away as usual, or face her fears and admit her true feelings.
Bloom by TL Katt
At the hands of Jen’s husband, the man who should love her unconditionally, she suffers one nightmare after another. His bombardment of mental abuse leaves her a shell of a human and her mind unable to let go of the terror, she relives it again and again. Jen’s actions become more impulsive and dangerous.
Can she reach the light and find solace to begin her coping journey from PTSD?
High Heels & Ice Cream by Marie Krepps
Brianna suffers from depression and anxiety, but she won’t let it stop her from moving in with the chatty and attractive Carla. When her attraction to her roommate becomes something more, Brianna has to decide if she will let her inner demons win and run away as usual, or face her fears and admit her true feelings.
Bloom by TL Katt
At the hands of Jen’s husband, the man who should love her unconditionally, she suffers one nightmare after another. His bombardment of mental abuse leaves her a shell of a human and her mind unable to let go of the terror, she relives it again and again. Jen’s actions become more impulsive and dangerous.
Can she reach the light and find solace to begin her coping journey from PTSD?
70 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 28, 2017
About the author
T.L. Katt
8 books10 followersT.L. Katt lives in the south eastern U.S. with her two fur-children Crescent and Gibbous. She dabbles in graphic design, creating all her own covers, and writes stories that are more truth than fiction. Her favorite genres and her writing preferences are paranormal and fantasy.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 9, 2017
In a joint effort to promote acceptance and love for the mentally ill, two back-to-back short stories are collected in this one volume. Marie Krepps’ story is called “High Heels and Ice Cream” and focuses on Brianna, an anxious, depressed, bisexual college student who struggles with her attraction to her beautiful roommate Carla. TL Katt’s story is called “Bloom” and takes a dark plunge into the world of domestic violence through the eyes of traumatized wife Jen. In the end, you will cheer for Brianna and Jen to reach for the light and live wonderful lives outside of their past traumas. If you or someone you know is suffering from mental illness, don’t wait to get help. Every second counts when it comes to healing fresh wounds.
High Heels and Ice Cream is clearly the more lighthearted of the two stories, but it still tugs at the reader’s heartstrings. As someone who is shy around beautiful women, I can relate to Brianna on a deep level. Hell, there are many things I have in common with her whether it’s mental illness of my own or aspirations to be a successful author. College was a lonely experience for me, so watching Brianna curl up inside herself as she fights her urges is heartbreaking to watch. I want her to find love and happiness with Carla, but there’s always that small chance Carla isn’t gay and might actually be homophobic. While I won’t spoil what happens at the end of this story, you will believe in love once again and you will reach for the light one of these days.
And then we have the dark and dour Bloom, a domestic abuse story that nearly drove me to tears. All Jen wants is a happy marriage with her husband Cam, but the way he beats and insults her is way too realistic of what goes on in these situations. Every traumatic nightmare Jen has, the reader will have as well. TL Katt’s descriptive language is so on-point that you have no choice but to squeeze your eyeballs dry at this one. Even more frustrating is when Cam’s family blames Jen for everything rather than see him for the psychopath that he really is. If they won’t help her through the PTSD, somebody else has to. Jen needs her friends and family in the worst way. Will she reach for the light and look forward to a better day? Read and judge for yourself.
I encourage all of my readers to pick up a copy of Reaching For the Light and spread its message to everybody they meet. Proceeds from the book sales will go to mental illness charities. Being mentally ill isn’t something society should be afraid of. It’s not about “craziness” or “bats in the belfry”. These people need love and respect just like any other member of our community. Treat them well and end the stigmas surrounding mental illness. As someone with schizophrenia and autism, I’m a proud supporter of this book’s goals. An extra credit grade is in order for this beautifully-written collaboration by two amazing authors.
High Heels and Ice Cream is clearly the more lighthearted of the two stories, but it still tugs at the reader’s heartstrings. As someone who is shy around beautiful women, I can relate to Brianna on a deep level. Hell, there are many things I have in common with her whether it’s mental illness of my own or aspirations to be a successful author. College was a lonely experience for me, so watching Brianna curl up inside herself as she fights her urges is heartbreaking to watch. I want her to find love and happiness with Carla, but there’s always that small chance Carla isn’t gay and might actually be homophobic. While I won’t spoil what happens at the end of this story, you will believe in love once again and you will reach for the light one of these days.
And then we have the dark and dour Bloom, a domestic abuse story that nearly drove me to tears. All Jen wants is a happy marriage with her husband Cam, but the way he beats and insults her is way too realistic of what goes on in these situations. Every traumatic nightmare Jen has, the reader will have as well. TL Katt’s descriptive language is so on-point that you have no choice but to squeeze your eyeballs dry at this one. Even more frustrating is when Cam’s family blames Jen for everything rather than see him for the psychopath that he really is. If they won’t help her through the PTSD, somebody else has to. Jen needs her friends and family in the worst way. Will she reach for the light and look forward to a better day? Read and judge for yourself.
I encourage all of my readers to pick up a copy of Reaching For the Light and spread its message to everybody they meet. Proceeds from the book sales will go to mental illness charities. Being mentally ill isn’t something society should be afraid of. It’s not about “craziness” or “bats in the belfry”. These people need love and respect just like any other member of our community. Treat them well and end the stigmas surrounding mental illness. As someone with schizophrenia and autism, I’m a proud supporter of this book’s goals. An extra credit grade is in order for this beautifully-written collaboration by two amazing authors.
April 28, 2017
The two stories in this book deal with some tough themes. They were sad and stressful to read at times, but they do deliver on much happier endings than beginnings, as promised!
I loved the characters and flow of the first story, High Heels & Ice Cream. Ms. Krepps did a great job of writing her little piece of the world and the people in it, even those who were only mentioned briefly. Bri’s struggles were well-worded and real, and Carla was lovable through and through. The only complaint I have is that the story ended very abruptly! Maybe it’s just the beginning of something Ms. Krepps will expand on? I can only hope!
The second story, Bloom, was less enjoyable to read, and understandably so – there is no easy way to write about abuse. There were a couple of parts that I even considered walking away from for a minute; I hadn’t really known what to expect from this story, thus some of the details of Jen’s life with Cam bothered me. All in all, Ms. Katt did a pretty decent job of getting me into the mind an abused woman – I say ‘decent’ only because I feel like this story would be better if it were a bit longer. I wouldn’t necessarily want to read more of the horrific details, but I feel like Jen and her ending could’ve been rounded out better somehow.
I give this book four stars because I love the messages it sends, and the stories were solid – oh, but how I wish they weren’t so short!
I loved the characters and flow of the first story, High Heels & Ice Cream. Ms. Krepps did a great job of writing her little piece of the world and the people in it, even those who were only mentioned briefly. Bri’s struggles were well-worded and real, and Carla was lovable through and through. The only complaint I have is that the story ended very abruptly! Maybe it’s just the beginning of something Ms. Krepps will expand on? I can only hope!
The second story, Bloom, was less enjoyable to read, and understandably so – there is no easy way to write about abuse. There were a couple of parts that I even considered walking away from for a minute; I hadn’t really known what to expect from this story, thus some of the details of Jen’s life with Cam bothered me. All in all, Ms. Katt did a pretty decent job of getting me into the mind an abused woman – I say ‘decent’ only because I feel like this story would be better if it were a bit longer. I wouldn’t necessarily want to read more of the horrific details, but I feel like Jen and her ending could’ve been rounded out better somehow.
I give this book four stars because I love the messages it sends, and the stories were solid – oh, but how I wish they weren’t so short!
April 30, 2017
This easy read just so happened to hit home for me. Two short stories by two different authors. They capture exactly what it takes to spread the awareness of mental illness. Shedding light on coping with the complications of mental illnesses such as depression and PTSD, the two authors combine sensuality and moments of acceptance within their characters to allow the reader a 'lighter' approach to talking about these conditions. This book should be available by the registers of coffee shops, gas stations, etc. It should be on the table of every waiting room of every office; big or small. Reaching for the Light is the perfect short read with content so raw it will leave the reader with an empathetic stance on mental illness.
August 2, 2018
Realistic
I like that these authors show respect for mental illnesses and that not all people suffering from one are dangerous. I enjoy the message of hope that while not a cure, you can find love, and with it strength.
I like that these authors show respect for mental illnesses and that not all people suffering from one are dangerous. I enjoy the message of hope that while not a cure, you can find love, and with it strength.
November 5, 2022
Well written
I got a business card with this title and just now got around to reading it. I think this was very written and both stories dealt with their specific mental health issues very well.
I got a business card with this title and just now got around to reading it. I think this was very written and both stories dealt with their specific mental health issues very well.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews