Dear readers,
I am so proud and happy to announce that my book won 2nd place in the Best Biography in English category at the International Latino Book Awards in Los Angeles. These awards were announced at the Book Expo America, the largest book exhibition in the United States. The winners of the these awards will also be hounoured at the Latino Book and Family Festivals held in Los Angeles, Houston, and Chicago starting in August.

Amstetten, Austria

   Whenever there is news about a kidnapping of a child and children for the purposes of sexual gratification I become very perturbed, not just because of the horrible nature of this crime but also because of the memory of Gabriela's ordeal. This crime in Austria is particularly horrendous for it touched and ruined so many lives. In addition, it was incestuous. I cannot figure for the life of me how a man can debase himself to such a low degree to start sexually abusing his daughter when she was eleven and then when she was eighteen to drug and imprison her in a basement dungeon, and furthermore, to continue her degradation and torture to father seven children with her oven a twenty-four year period. What kind of malevolent spirit can guide one to do such a thing.     

  There is so much bad in this world and I believe that is why it is important for people of good heart to do their best to be kind to everyone, even in the smallest way.

Book Launch and Signing

Last June Gabriela had her book launch and signing at her house. Photos of this event can be viewed at: http://web.mac.com/d.shea

Book Review from Virginia

Dear Readers,

An excellent book review was posted an Amazon and I am placing it here for your reading pleasure. I could not ask for anything more than to know that my story is producing a social benefit. 

Excellent book! Key insight into Guatemalan Society and Human/Women's Rights, April 7, 2008

By	Dr. D. Rodman (Virginia) - See all my reviews

Folgar de Shea's detailed account of the trials and tribulations of her life in sexist and racist rural Guatemala is a testament to the struggles and survival of women worldwide. Gabriela details her childhood and forced entrance into adulthood by a society that deems her unworthy of education, independence, and basic human rights. Her descriptive storytelling takes the reader into a world of patriarchy and power, inequality and racism, and finally, escape and triumph. Moreover though, no matter what society and culture, her story is universal, one of oppression and coercion that takes years of strength and resolve to overcome. Her writing reveals the everyday world of Guatemala and how oppression reaches all members of Guatemalan society crossing race, class, and gender lines. For anyone interested in Guatemala, human rights, women's rights, ethnic identity, race/class/gender, Maya and Ladino, and survivors of rape and violence, this is an engaging and true testimony to the victims of systemic violence, sexism, and racism that keeps all members of society slave to the structures of repression. Gabriela Folgar de Shea's book illustrates the power of the human spirit and gives testimony to survival, hope, and perseverance.

Review from Dee-Dee Carr

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your book Gabriela. Reading it reminded me of a book that i read back in Junior High called "The Good Earth" by Peal S. buck. The way the story was written in a similar fashion, the challenges and triumphs faced by the characters were similar yet different, but most interestingly it evoked the same emotions in me that I experienced in reading the Good Earth. That was an award winning book and one of my favourites—so yours is right up there.

I couldn't put the book down once I started reading it—I needed to know what happened next. Will her family come looking for her? is she going to attempt an escape? will she end up having the baby? Did she kill the criminal? i just needed to know as I revelled in your courage, survival, and resiliency…

Interview

Yesterday I was interviewed by Marius Menzel from BookHuntersblog.com about my book, my views, and my experiences while writing my book. You can read the complete interview by clicking on this interview link. There are so many things happening at the moment with the promotion of my book, so there will be more coming soon on this blog.

Almost One Year

Well, it has been almost one year since the publication of my book, and an eventful year it has been. Last Summer I had my book launch and open house with over eighty people attending over two days. The photograph above was taken during my book launch. I am with my daughter Elva. Sales of the book have been great, especially in the Edmonton area, and David, my husband, editor, and publicist, and I are now actively seeking routes to expand in the internet sales area to the world at large.

I must say that the most gratifying aspect of my project has been the feedback I have received from readers who have told me to the great extent my book has had an impact on them. And this always has been my goal: in a small way to change peoples' lives in a most positive way.

This is my first entry in this blog and I hope you blog readers will make comments, either on what I have written, or just your own thoughts about anything. This blog is an excellent area to write a review. I will copy your review with your permission and submit it to the appropriate websites. If you wish to remain private, i.e. no name and town, you can e-mail me your review or comments to gabrielita@shaw.ca. Most sites will not accept anonymous reviews.

I will be posting updates about what is happening with the book, news items, old and new projects, and some personal tidbits. If you wish to receive an e-mail advising you of new entries, write to me at gabrielita@shaw.ca. Also, make sure you visit my website, www.gabshea.com if you have not already done so.