Resistance, Redemption, and Love: An 1800s Saga of Hardship with Author Holly Brough

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Holly Brough, author of the book The Name I Choose. Award-winning author, Holly Brough didn't enjoy reading until she was an adult. Diagnosed with dyslexia, it wasn’t until high school when a religious teacher told her if she read the scriptures every day, she would get over her dyslexia. She read faithfully every night. By the time her first child came along, reading had become a favorite past time.

 

At the age of 19, Holly was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Over the years as her body deteriorated, she learned to reinvent herself by trying new things and finding new passions. Though writing a book never made her bucket list, after three children, a bonus daughter and granddaughter, she decided to give it a try when she had a unique experience driving on the freeway. A scene play out in her mind that was both intriguing and discomforting. After studying family names, family history, countries, etc she decided her story needed to go back two generations and start with the grandmother. The Name I Choose, her first novel, was published in May of 2022.

 

In my book review, I stated The Name I Choose by Holly Brough is a historical fiction set in 1823 Spain. We meet Amalia, a 15-year-old girl being sold off by her parents to become a servant so they can acquire land. Amalia is devastated to leave her family, especially her baby brother, Thomas, especially when she learns she will never be allowed to return - even for a visit.

 

Between her new master's ruthlessness and her own naivete, Amalia's life becomes more and more complicated until she finds herself running from her situation and the law until she lands in Menorca.

 

She meets many people along the way - good and bad - and each have a hand in teaching Amalia about life, but more importantly, about herself. When independence comes calling, will she be able to grasp it or will she still see herself as nothing but a lowly serving girl with too many mistakes to forgive?

 

Holly did a great job with all the characters. I loved Amalia, though I wanted to shake her at times. I feared Manuel and urged her to get as far away from his as possible. I enjoyed the banter between the naval officers. And I loved those people Amalia befriended and how they helped one another despite the overbearing patriarchal society. It's a must-read.

 

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You can follow Author Holly Brough

Website: www.hollybrough-tnic.com

IG: @hcnbrough_art 

IG: @h_brough

FB: @Hcnbrough

 

Purchase The Name I Choose on Amazon:

Paperback: https://amzn.to/3JLM2kV

Ebook: https://amzn.to/42hQf69

 

Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com

FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor

IG: @terimbrown_author

X: @terimbrown1

 

Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors

 

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