FLOATING IN THE MIDDLE sings about nature like no other! Set on the gorgeous, but rough California coast north of San Francisco, seven friends unite for a weekend in a remote beach house. Rather than just fun and games, however, Tam, the protagonist, has come to find out if, after long separation from her husband, Jamie, he’s willing to try again. Because she is. Tension continues to build via the feisty dynamics of people who’ve known one another for a long time, and from n

Buy BLISS ROAD now! When writing BLISS ROAD , my memoir about being the daughter of an undiagnosed autistic dad, I found almost no resources to help me understand and heal from the emotional distance that can occur between neurotypical kids and their neurodiverse parents. Then I found the Adult Children of Autistic Parents Facebook page. Run by a caring, sensitive moderator, there are now over 500 members from around the world. If you know of anyone who might be struggling

I do so much weird research for my books that I thought I’d start sharing some with you. The above fish knife is made by a company called Maestro Wu , which claims its knives are made “from salvaged artillery shells fired on Taiwan by mainland China since the early 1900s.” I found the detail when looking for the knife that one of my OCEAN LIGHT (due out January 2028) characters would use: a Chinese American woman who does surf fishing in SoCal (Malibu area). Out of curiosit

Buy SCATTERED LIGHT! Even when writing WINTER LIGHT , my YA book about Mary Donahue as a teen, I already had the ghost of an idea: to show her life in a trilogy. Now that SCATTERED LIGHT , the second book, was just published, I’m hard at work on the third book, OCEAN LIGHT. This has always been my thinking: we all have points in our life where we change, and change big because of what happens to us. After my mom died, I changed, and changed big. Big enough to write my memoir

What’s on your wish list for this year? For me: A happy, healthy year of growth for my grandson and family Finishing the manuscript for the third Mary Donahue book Kindness Kindness Kindness ___ For updates about Martha’s forthcoming books, news and giveaways, subscribe to her website: MarthaEngber.com . SCATTERED LIGHT , a novel, sequel to WINTER LIGHT , (Nov. 2025) THE FALCON, THE WOLF AND THE HUMMINGBIRD  a historical novel BLISS ROAD ,  a memoir WINTER LIGHT , a novel, in

Yes, my grandson, August, was born at 6:30 p.m. on Thurs., Dec. 23! At 10 lbs and 2 0z, he’s a sturdy little dude! Mom and baby are healthy and our entire family is thrilled at this new addition. While I’ve only been a grandma for a minute, I know this is true based on my own grandmas: “Grandmas are moms with lots of frosting.” Are you a grandparent? ___ For updates about Martha’s forthcoming books, news and giveaways, subscribe to her website: MarthaEngber.com . SCATTERED L

However you choose to celebrate, and with whomever, is the way to go. Happy holidays! ___ For updates about Martha’s forthcoming books, news and giveaways, subscribe to her website: MarthaEngber.com . SCATTERED LIGHT , a novel, sequel to WINTER LIGHT , (Nov. 2025) THE FALCON, THE WOLF AND THE HUMMINGBIRD  a historical novel BLISS ROAD ,  a memoir WINTER LIGHT , a novel, in paperback and audiobook THE WIND THIEF , a novel GROWING GREAT CHARACTERS , a resource for writers #holi

Honestly, I think latkes should be on the menu every week at my house. If you haven’t tried them, DO! Pick an easy recipe and make sure to at least try the sour cream and applesauce toppings. Are you a latke fan?! Do you have a great recipe? The photo is from the Light & Crispy Potato Latkes! from the Well Seasoned Studio. ___ For updates about Martha’s forthcoming books, news and giveaways, subscribe to her website: MarthaEngber.com . SCATTERED LIGHT , a novel, sequel to WIN

I’ve never done an Instagram Live interview before, but I know Elaina Battista-Parsons is going to make it fun! 3:30 Pacific/5:30 Central/6:30 Eastern TONIGHT, Nov. 10, 2025 IG @WritingInThe.Winter To get your name is the drawing for the 2-book set giveaway of WINTER LIGHT and SCATTERED LIGHT … Do as the video says: leave a question or comment below regarding protag Mary Donahue, or on Elaina’s IG profile during the event. I hope to see you there! ___ For updates about Mart

Buy NOW! SCATTERED LIGHT is showing up in mailboxes and I’m loving the photos and reviews people are sending my way! Thank you, reader friends, for your support! ___ For updates about Martha’s forthcoming books, news and giveaways, subscribe to her website: MarthaEngber.com . SCATTERED LIGHT , a novel, sequel to WINTER LIGHT , (Nov. 2025) THE FALCON, THE WOLF AND THE HUMMINGBIRD  a historical novel BLISS ROAD ,  a memoir WINTER LIGHT , a novel, in paperback and audiobook THE

Buy NOW! My third book was just published by Vine Leaves Press , a traditional small press based in Greece and founded by publisher Jessica Bell. Everybody knows buying from Amazon is convenient, but it also sucks money away from presses like this one and authors like me. Here’s how VLP is digging out from under the Online Behemoth, and 3 reasons to peruse their bookstore this holiday season: They’re giving a 25% discount on SCATTERED LIGHT and all books until Dec. 5. They’r

Buy NOW! Don’t like to buy books without getting a recommendation? Consider following these Instagram bookstagrammers. They’re reading copies of SCATTERED LIGHT , and will post every day with comments and reactions. They’re not shy about giving their opinions! Dec. 1 @katiesluvtoread Dec. 2 @bluefairybugsbooks Dec. 3 @book_a_holic_17 Dec. 4 @reading_mel Dec. 5 @bianca_reads_books Dec. 6 @afelton6212 Dec. 7 @daisyhollands Thank you, Kelly Lacey and Love Book Tours , for organi

Shop NOW! Tired of giving your money to corporations? This holiday season, here are 3 tips to supporting your literary artists in your community: buy books from local small press authors like me buy straight from the small presses buy from local bookstores, or through BookShop.org , which supports both! We authors are here for you and have something for everyone you love! ___ For updates about Martha’s forthcoming books, news and giveaways, subscribe to her website: MarthaEn

If you've been following my exciting publication week for SCATTERED LIGHT , you know I have a lot to be grateful for. But not matter how much fun a book is to write, or how many I end up selling, neither can compare to my gratitude for all of the support my family, friends, fellow authors and fans have shown me. So here's my blessing for you: No matter where you are or what you’re doing, no matter whether you’re eating a traditional Thanksgiving dinner or having pizza, no mat

Buy NOW! I’ve interviewed a lot of people in my career as a writer and journalist, but none have been as interesting as interviewing Mary Donahue, the protagonist of SCATTERED LIGHT (just published!). Find out how she answered on Women Writers, Women’s Books , a fantastic website of books by/for/and about strong women. Look for “Character interview: Martha Engber.” What would you ask Mary? ___ For updates about Martha’s forthcoming books, news and giveaways, subscribe to he

Order NOW! I'm so grateful to Haley Blanchard of Readers' Favorite for giving me a 5-star review! Here's the whole review: "Scattered Light by Martha Engber follows Mary Donahue, a smart but cautious lawyer in Chicago who has just won a big case on her 36th birthday. To celebrate, she decides to treat herself to lunch at Herzl's. This is where she meets Damba Rugundi, a law professor and human rights activist from Uganda. Damba is charming and graceful, and what starts as a p

Buy NOW! Elaina Battista-Parsons’ CHOMP, PRESS, PULL fully immersed me into the life of someone whose senses go off like fireworks! The author talks about growing up in New Jersey with sensory dysfunction before anyone had a name for experiencing life in a hyper-vibrant sensory way. Though often not idyllic in a world where most people’s senses are calibrated toward the middle, her rich, often very funny descriptions left me wishing I could experience her dynamism of touch,

Order SCATTERED LIGHT now! I know carving a few minutes out of your evening might not sound like fun, but then you’ve never seen a free spirit like Elaina Battista-Parsons operate! Please join our discussion and get the chance to win a free copy of SCATTERED LIGHT ! 6:30 EST (3:30 Pacific/4:30 Central) Wed., Dec. 10 IG Live (@WritingInThe.Winter) ___ For updates about Martha’s forthcoming books, news and giveaways, subscribe to her website: MarthaEngber.com . SCATTERED LIGHT

Buy NOW! Two weeks to pub day of SCATTERED LIGHT , my sixth book and sequel to WINTER LIGHT Please pass along this post to any friends who love women’s lit. And please do let me know how you like the video. I’m always interested in feedback! ___ For updates about Martha’s forthcoming books, news and giveaways, subscribe to her website: MarthaEngber.com . SCATTERED LIGHT , a novel, sequel to WINTER LIGHT , (Nov. 2025) THE FALCON, THE WOLF AND THE HUMMINGBIRD  a historical nov

Buy NOW! Holy moly, look who just received copies of her newest book! Come on friends, family and fans of Mary Donahue, buy your copy of SCATTERED LIGHT , the sequel to my edgy award-winning YA novel, WINTER LIGHT . Mary awaits your scrutiny! ___ For updates about Martha’s forthcoming books, news and giveaways, subscribe to her website: MarthaEngber.com . SCATTERED LIGHT , a novel, sequel to WINTER LIGHT , (Nov. 2025) THE FALCON, THE WOLF AND THE HUMMINGBIRD  a historical nov