I have completed translating my book into Spanish. I am now editing and revising and am up to Chapter eight. In a few months the translation will be ready for submission to a publish.

I am in the process of translating Angels Along My Path Of Thorns into Spanish. I am finding this is not easy—it is almost like rewriting the book.

A great article/review by Edith Kirby was recently published in the Edmonton Journal.

Immigrant’s biography reveals
miraculous tale of survival

Remember those stories of “gallant” South American men who would capture a young girl and ride away on horseback with her? Then they’d demand a ransom from the father, or keep the lovely daughter. As a teenager I’d think, Oh, how romantic!
As a child in Guatemala, Gabriela A. Folgar de Shea was kidnapped and raped.
But there was nothing romantic about the real capture of Gabriela A. Folgar de Shea. No longer a young senorita, she now lives in Edmonton. Angels Along My Path of Thorns is the can’t-put-it-down story of her kidnapping and rape at 15, the medical problems she suffered as a result, and of her indomitable spirit.
The 1950s and ’60s were a very macho time in her home country of Guatemala. Her mother, although a somewhat mysterious figure in the book, left her husband, and Gabriela became a servant to her father and brothers. Women weren’t thought to need education; they were wives, mothers, and protected daughters. Like any teenage girl, Gabriela had other ideas. She was in love and determined to get an education. But time after time, circumstances interfered with her dreams.
At 15, she was kidnapped, then later forced to marry her brutal captor. The book tells of his cruelty; of her struggles with her father and brothers; and of her never-ending efforts to stay in school. When she got away from her tormentor, briefly, it was to find her first love, who turned his back on her as she was no longer a virgin — as if it were her fault! But it was a man’s world down there.
Folgar de Shea leaves no detail out of her book. How she survived is the miracle she relates to us.
Folgar de Shea emigrated to Canada in 1974 and kept her mind on her goal: an education. She succeeded. She’s now a social worker for the City of Edmonton. (There’s an interesting little side story connected to the necklace she wears in the accompanying picture.)
Angels Along MyPath of Thorns, despite the language, was a book I couldn’t put down. Any foul language isn’t just thrown in; it’s an essential part of the story, a story that has the makings of a good movie. So in this case only, I renege on my vow to never review books using foul language.
To read more about the book, which won second place in the biography category of the 2008 International Latino Book Awards, go to the author’s website at www.gabshea.com. You can buy Angels at Audreys Books, online at www.amazon.com or www.chapters indigo.ca, or from the author herself, by e-mailing gabrielita@shaw.ca. This is one heck of a good read!
Gabriela was born in 1948 — I’ll let you do the math. And her birthday just happens to be today, Nov. 7. So let’s all wish this courageous Spanish-speaking lady Feliz Cumpleanos!

For readers in Edmonton, Alberta my book is now for sale at Audrey's Bookstore on Jasper Avenue and 107 Street.

Conversations With Writers

I have recently been interviewed Ambrose Musiyiwa who writes for and maintains a blog dedicated to interviews with independent authors. You may read my interview by clicking here.

I have just received the most wonderful congratulations and review from a reader and I wish to share it with you. When I receive this type of letter or e-mail I feel that I have accomplished what I set out to do when I decided to write my story.

Hello Gabriela,

I recently finished your incredible book and wanted to let you know what I thought of it. To be honest, I first tried to read it while having three other books on the go, and was unable to give it the attention it deserved. I took a bit of a break from reading, and picked up your book again. I devoured it. I couldn't put it down. The detail, maps, and way in which you tell your story made it easy to follow, and unimaginable to a woman who grew up in rural Alberta. I would have never believed the tiny woman, with a graceful and peaceful presence, who walked into my workplace had been through such an unbelievable experience. Gabriela, you are inspirational as a woman and a person. You are a walking example of what the human spirit can endure, but more importantly, can overcome. Angels helped you along your path, and you have done them proud. May your story be read by many young women, who perhaps may, or may not, be living a similar existance to your youth. May your life be an inspiration to them all. Congratulations on a job well done.

Terra from Dr. Magathan's office.

Dear Readers,
I am posting here a link to the Latino Book Awards website which lists all the winners and runners-up at the 10 annual Awards held last May 29th in Los Angeles. My book is listed under Best Biography, English.