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Flower Girl A Novel
Suzanna Jordan’s kindness leaves her believing she can be everyone’s savior, but when she’s the one who needs rescuing, can she find the strength to save herself?
Unsure of the direction her life should take after graduating from high school in the 1970s, a chance encounter with Vietnam veteran Craig Fitzgerald while studying at The Ohio State University leads Suzanna onto the path toward following her “North Star.”
After graduation, Suzanna is filled with purpose and eager to help others as an Academic Counselor. Everything is perfect until Jonathan Herbert Spencer III crosses her path and derails her journey toward her North Star. Taken by his movie-star looks and suave personality, Suzanna is instantly smitten. But under his charming exterior lies a dark alter-ego of cruelty and intimidation that’s waiting to emerge.
Feeling isolated and emotionally broken, Suzanna is desperate to flee the man who has now become her tormentor. But can the contents in a 100-year-old diary from a woman whose past life mirrored her own be the source of her salvation? Or will Jonathan’s persistence and obsession leave her ensnared in his trap forever?
Unsure of the direction her life should take after graduating from high school in the 1970s, a chance encounter with Vietnam veteran Craig Fitzgerald while studying at The Ohio State University leads Suzanna onto the path toward following her “North Star.”
After graduation, Suzanna is filled with purpose and eager to help others as an Academic Counselor. Everything is perfect until Jonathan Herbert Spencer III crosses her path and derails her journey toward her North Star. Taken by his movie-star looks and suave personality, Suzanna is instantly smitten. But under his charming exterior lies a dark alter-ego of cruelty and intimidation that’s waiting to emerge.
Feeling isolated and emotionally broken, Suzanna is desperate to flee the man who has now become her tormentor. But can the contents in a 100-year-old diary from a woman whose past life mirrored her own be the source of her salvation? Or will Jonathan’s persistence and obsession leave her ensnared in his trap forever?
- GenresFiction
327 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 11, 2022
4 people are currently reading
856 people want to read
About the author
Merida Johns
12 books250 followersMy insight into the power of fiction came during a conference call in late 2017 with a group of fellow life coaches. "What would it be like to help women and men achieve a flourishing life through storytelling instead of another self-help book?" I asked them.
After that phone call, I started answering that question. Almost three years later, the result was my debut novel titled Blackhorse Road, a heartfelt story of womanhood and the power of choice, gratitude, and forgiveness that was published July 21, 2020 by my publishing company, Coffee Cup Press.
Before embracing writing fiction, I was an academic and the author of several textbooks in health informatics and leadership. Later, I put my experience to use as a leadership coach, with a focus on helping women break the glass ceiling and fulfill their leadership and economic potential.
My husband and I reside in the beautiful countryside of Northern Illinois. This is where I find the serenity and space for bringing to life the stories about everyday people who face and overcome extraordinary challenges by finding and following their North Star.
P.S. My booster is Jack. He is a handsome, mixed-breed dog and is forty pounds of stress soother.
Find my blog at www.MeridaJohnsAuthor.com. Follow me on Twitter at @MLJohnsAuthor and on FB at https://www.facebook.com/MeridaJohnsA...
After that phone call, I started answering that question. Almost three years later, the result was my debut novel titled Blackhorse Road, a heartfelt story of womanhood and the power of choice, gratitude, and forgiveness that was published July 21, 2020 by my publishing company, Coffee Cup Press.
Before embracing writing fiction, I was an academic and the author of several textbooks in health informatics and leadership. Later, I put my experience to use as a leadership coach, with a focus on helping women break the glass ceiling and fulfill their leadership and economic potential.
My husband and I reside in the beautiful countryside of Northern Illinois. This is where I find the serenity and space for bringing to life the stories about everyday people who face and overcome extraordinary challenges by finding and following their North Star.
P.S. My booster is Jack. He is a handsome, mixed-breed dog and is forty pounds of stress soother.
Find my blog at www.MeridaJohnsAuthor.com. Follow me on Twitter at @MLJohnsAuthor and on FB at https://www.facebook.com/MeridaJohnsA...
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 7, 2022
I am a big fan of Flower Girl.
Real life issues. Realistic characters.
This book sucked me in and keep me there till the end.
Real life issues. Realistic characters.
This book sucked me in and keep me there till the end.
February 17, 2022
Merida Johns has written an interesting novel about Susanna, a young woman who finds self awareness while in college, makes a few wrong turns along the way, and shows her resilience in moving forward with her life with the help of friends and family. Johns developed interesting characters, settings, and a twisting plot to keep the reader engaged. These all made for a very enjoyable read.
February 10, 2022
Navigating Life’s Detours with a Compass: Merida Johns has written another winning novel with Flower Girl! The characters are well developed—some are likeable and others not so much. The setting(s), the time period (mainly 1980s), and the storyline peaked my interest and kept me reading!
Suzanna, the main character, is intelligent and pragmatic. The author weaves a believable story that shows us how Suzanna uses her strengths to keep moving forward in life. She is fortunate to have good intuition, positive self-awareness, and family and friends supporting her. She relies on her own inner compass to guide her through life, with all it's messy detours!
The strengths of other characters are also evident, though not everyone uses their strengths in a constructive way. It all boils down to choices. Definitely a good read!
Suzanna, the main character, is intelligent and pragmatic. The author weaves a believable story that shows us how Suzanna uses her strengths to keep moving forward in life. She is fortunate to have good intuition, positive self-awareness, and family and friends supporting her. She relies on her own inner compass to guide her through life, with all it's messy detours!
The strengths of other characters are also evident, though not everyone uses their strengths in a constructive way. It all boils down to choices. Definitely a good read!
May 27, 2024
Suspenseful and inspiring read!
The author has managed to create a suspenseful novel full of nuggets wisdom without ever seeming pedantic. The story always comes first. I think most readers will relate to the underlying message of self-actualization, and I found myself shivering at her portrayal of a narcissistic husband. The prose is delightfully vivid and evocative of the small towns and rural landscape. I couldn't put it down!
The author has managed to create a suspenseful novel full of nuggets wisdom without ever seeming pedantic. The story always comes first. I think most readers will relate to the underlying message of self-actualization, and I found myself shivering at her portrayal of a narcissistic husband. The prose is delightfully vivid and evocative of the small towns and rural landscape. I couldn't put it down!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews