Saving a Life

by Vicki-Ann Bush

The golden years have escaped Walter. Waking up is merely an inconvenience to an end he yearns for. Harboring a secret that slowly chips away pieces of him every day, he struggles to fit in to a society he no longer deems worthy.That is until an unexpected romance with a long time friend, gives him a reason to smile again. Struggling with his inner demons, he fights to hold on to his new love and resolve the pain that threatens their relationship.

238 pages, Paperback

Published November 26, 2018

About the author

Born Vicki Ann Guidice, her journey into the realm of the spiritual and supernatural was initiated at birth. Her early years were spent in Queens, New York known for having more people passed on than alive, as well as having several Gothic cemeteries within walking distance of its communities. At the age of 15, she moved to Los Angeles California taking her fertile imagination with her. After meeting her future husband, Ronald Bush, her new homeland became Las Vegas, Nevada.

As a mother of two, her first published book in 2008, Winslow Willow the Woodland Fairy, took her love of fantasy and spun it into a heartwarming children’s book. The progression to the young adult literary market took root in her novels that captured the haunting qualities of the Las Vegas desert surrounding her, but it was New York that called her home. Alex McKenna, the main character in the book series first published in 2019, is the embodiment of her Italian-American roots, memories of adolescent outsider status, and the strength it takes to live an authentic life.

Ms. Bush is a co-founder of Coffee House Tours, an events-based collaboration between local bookstores and coffee shops allowing authors to represent themselves and their works. Additionally, she is a frequent podcast literary guest and has a special relationship with The Center LGBTQIA+ Las Vegas where Alex McKenna has been an inspirational focus as a transgender Paranormal teen. Now starring in the short film Alex and Margret’s Beginning, inspired by the book series, Ms. Bush is now an award winning short screenplay writer and Producer. Bringing her moving and unique storyline and character to a broader audience.

Reviews

[Stephanie Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a preview of this book on Amazon and was instantly hooked on Walter long before I ever ordered my first book by Vicki-Ann Bush. I also had the pleasure of meeting Vicki-Ann at a book signing and we briefly discussed this book, I was intrigued even more. It is not easy to find an author that is capable of writing a story without repeating information to add pages. This particular story may be outside the regular genre for Vicki, but she has a talent for keeping me interested in the characters and stories. If I read the first chapter and the story is not able to keep me flipping pages, I will leave the author, not this one. Vicki's style of sharing her stories has a way of bringing life to her characters and their lives. I feel like I know these people in my personal life, like I have lived their lives with them as family and/or close friends. I feel emotions for these characters and what they go through in their lives. It is rare for a writer to have the ability to personalize their characters to the point of bringing a reader to feel emotions for the trials and tribulations that they experience. Kudos to you Vicki, another book/story well written and shared.

[Linda Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, the measure of a good book is does it leave me wanting more. Saving a Life by Vicki-Ann Bush is just such a book. From the very first page, I was drawn into the story and to Walter, the primary character. Combining love, loss, loneliness, heartache, aging, and just about every other emotion you can think of, Bush has woven a group of people into one story and none will be easily forgotten. There’s no way you’ll guess the ending (which is the very last couple of paragraphs) without cheating. These characters are so well-developed they seem real – almost like family. Set in New York during the winter, the reader can feel the bone chilling cold along with the sinking feeling that a fall on the ice is only one step away. To say I love this book would be an understatement and yes, I’d be absolutely delighted if Bush were to write a sequel. I need to know what happens next.

[Stephanie Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Working in a world of cranky people, I empathize with Walter and the guilt that eats away at his soul. This style of writing allows me to feel all the emotions of the characters. The feels, the ups and downs, brings me in wanting more. Thank you for one of the best endings a book could have. Walter is by far one of my favorite characters, cranky old buzzard that has lived a very conservative life style until Lillian and the pool. Vicki, you have a knack for taking many touchy subjects, explore the feelings surrounding these situations and allow the reader to see a different view point with different emotions. Not only do I thank you for your talent, but I also want to thank your sister for introducing me to your writings.