Between Two Seasons
by Marc Macdonald
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GENRE: Literary Fiction
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BOOK BLURB:
Haunted by regret and stalled by guilt, Alex Chambers arrives at Silver Springs Health and Rehabilitation Centre searching for redemption. What he finds instead is Mae Seasons—a sharp-tongued, fiercely independent resident with no interest in being anyone’s project.
Alex came hoping to make amends for the mistakes of his youth, especially to the woman he once hurt. But when that hope slips away, he’s drawn into an unexpected role: caregiver and reluctant confidant to Mae, whose irreverence hides a lifetime of buried truths.
As days at Silver Springs unfold in their strange, often absurd rhythm, Alex is forced to confront the tangled grief of his past. Through awkward silences, reluctant confessions, and moments of startling vulnerability, he and Mae forge an unlikely friendship—one stitched together by shared loneliness, reluctant compassion, and the possibility of healing.
At once poignant and quietly humorous, Between Two Seasons is a story about the lives we try to outrun, the people who challenge us to face ourselves, and the surprising ways connection takes root.
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EXCERPT TWO:
Walking back to my room after Mae had been escorted to her doctor’s appointment, Susanne lobbied my attention from near the elevator, requesting a word that, although promised, I knew wouldn’t be quick.
Great, I thought. What fresh hell does she have in store for me now? Was she coming, with her corporate language, to add salt to my very fresh shin wound?
Susanne was dressed in her self-styled uniform. Nearly everything was exactly the same as the day before, but instead of a navy-blue ensemble, it was charcoal grey. Even her hair looked the exact same. If her tone indicated she was operated by levers, her attire confirmed it.
“Mr. Chambers, how are you this fine afternoon?” she asked cheerily. Fake, but cheerily.
“I’m good, Susanne.” Thanks for asking. I guess.
“I heard you had a little mishap with Ms. Seasons this morning. I do hope you will try not to rile her up like that in the future.”
Stunned at where she could have possibly received such misguided information as to the morning’s events, my mouth opened to respond, but no words formed.
“Very well then. I just wanted to check in on you and remind you that our older guests here at Silver Spring can be very sensitive. Many of them have lived a life you and I could never dream of enduring. We need to be mindful of that at all times. I do hope you will remember and conduct yourself accordingly.”
I felt my jaw inching closer to the floor.
“Yes, very good. If you need anything, please let Mr. Abner at the front know. He can assist you with whatever you require. Though, in the future, do try to be a little kinder to him as well. We want to make sure we treat everyone here at Silver Springs, whether staff or resident, with the utmost respect, care, and love.”
Jaw met floor.
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GUEST POST:
Putting Yourself on a Page: What It’s Like to Share Your Most Personal Words with the World
Writing is one thing. Publishing is another.
When you write something personal, it feels private, even when you know you’re shaping it into fiction. You convince yourself it’s just you and the page. You can wrestle with memory, bend the truth a little, exaggerate or cut away—but the heartbeat underneath it is still yours.
Then comes the hard part: letting it go. Sharing your words with the world is a strange mix of pride and dread. Pride because you’ve done the work, pulled something out of yourself and shaped it into a story. Dread because you know people will read it, and some of them might see more of you in it than you’re comfortable admitting.
When I put myself on the page, I’m not just worried about being judged as a writer. I’m worried about being seen. Did I say too much? Not enough? Did I reveal something I didn’t mean to?
But here’s the flip side: this is exactly why it matters. Readers connect most with honesty. Even if they don’t know the details of your life, they can feel when you’re writing from a place that costs you something. That’s where trust is built. That’s where the story becomes more than just words; it becomes an exchange between you and whoever picks up the book.
It doesn’t make the vulnerability easier. Every launch, every new piece out in the world, I feel that twinge of exposure. But it’s also where the reward lives. The messages from readers who say, “This felt like me,” or “I needed this,” make the risk worth it.
Putting yourself on a page is terrifying. But it’s also the most honest way I know to make art.
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AUTHOR BIO & LINKS:
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Marc MacDonald is an author who believes every great story starts with a spark—whether it’s a single sentence, an unforgettable character, or an idea that won’t let go. As the writer behind Between Two Seasons, a novel that celebrates the beauty of human connection, Marc weaves heartfelt narratives that linger long after the last page is turned.
When he’s not crafting compelling fiction, Marc applies his storytelling skills as a seasoned communications professional, proving that every message—whether in a book or a press release—deserves to be engaging. He’s also a fierce defender of the Oxford comma, an unapologetic pun enthusiast, and someone who firmly believes that coffee is the most essential writing tool.
Find him deep in his next manuscript, chasing inspiration, or justifying “research” as an excuse to buy more books. Catch up with Marc on his personal website: https://marcmacdonald.ca or @MarcMacWrites on Instagram.
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ReplyDeleteThis sounds really good. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhich particular emotion do you think is most strongly at the heart of this book?
ReplyDeleteThis should be a very interesting novel. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great read,
ReplyDelete