About The Author
J. Martin-Thomas is a new author. She hails from Key West, Florida (a product of the McIntosh and Welters families), where in her youth elders groomed her to develop a passion for storytelling and a prize-winning flair for reciting poetry.
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A longtime resident of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, J. Martin-Thomas continues to hold fast to her Florida roots, championing her alma mater, Florida A & M University, and cherishing her Key West “Conch” status and the grooming therein, which she believes fuels her zest for poetry and storytelling. Her poems have been published in a number of magazines, including three editions of Black Women 50+ Health and Lifestyles Magazine. Her book of poetry is forthcoming. In MUD FLOWER BLOOMING she reveals her passion for storytelling -- adeptly peppering this work with glimpses of the cultural lore of Black Key West along with social and cultural features of other geographic locations -- as she spins a delightfully complex and engaging tale.
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In addition to seasoned poet and new author, J. Martin-Thomas is a semi-retired clinical psychologist, showing many years of service through which multiple roles are noted, including associate professor, clinician, facilitator and entrepreneur. Notably, she has received many awards for her community service and volunteerism.
Author's Note about the Book
MUD FLOWER BLOOMING is a work of fiction inspired by a number of real-life moments. In truth, it seems that I have carried the seeds for a book like this within me from the time I was a little girl. It seems that these fertile seeds found nurturance in the climate of my life’s journey, spawning fruitfully through my passion for storytelling. I have always relished storytelling. Actually, I thoroughly enjoy peeking behind circumstances, looking for the rest of the story or creatively conjuring up possibilities in my mind for what the rest of the story and the story behind the story could or should be. I love to entertain all sorts of intriguing scenarios, allowing my imagination to run wild, completely savoring the uncharted course.
MUD FLOWER BLOOMING portrays the life journey of Jewelle, the heroine in this event-filled saga. In Jewelle’s voice the vicissitudes of her life are presented unveiled while childhood memories, mysteries, and magical experiences lurk ever present beneath her words. As she chronicles her trek from South Florida to
South Dakota and all of the geographic settings en route, life lessons bearing moments of joy and suffering leap from her graphic portrayal, revealing transformative encounters sparked by love in various forms, resolute faith, a
spectrum of relationships, and a host of challenging life issues, including aging, later-life coupling, violence, colorism, secrets, family conflicts, and matters of forgiveness. Failure as a mother is a persistent hurdle for Jewelle as she struggles with the mishaps in her life -- and their untoward effects on her adult offspring -- while walking a tightrope in providing guidance to her grandchildren. Still, intergenerational relationships have a vital place in Jewelle’s narrative, particularly with her elders, as she navigates uncertainty involving spiritual, cultural, and historic manifestations. With vigor she reveals her faith, interests, and passions, enhancing her story with portraits of stimulating people and extraordinary circumstances. Ultimately, with assurance, Jewelle’s voice calls the
reader to join her on a life-changing expedition.
MUD FLOWER BLOOMING makes me smile. The inventive path to this book has been truly satisfying. As such, I urge the reader to embark upon what I consider an engaging adventure by reading the entire book, including the
acknowledgements, which offer history and insights of import. And by reading the prologue, which sets the tone for the fervor, magic, and mystery of the book.
Welcome to
MUD FLOWER BLOOMING: A TALE OF TRANSCENDENT LOVE.
Praise for Mud Flower Blooming
“ MUD FLOWER BLOOMING radiates with deep-seated lucidness and grace, offering life-changing perspectives on love, civility, and ethics in relationships, particularly among relatives, lovers, and friends. Cross-generational relationships are presented as vital to each character’s narrative, showing the healing power of connections across the life-cycle. Martin-Thomas adeptly shepherds the reader over fertile terrain bearing challenges and triumphs, insightfully showering the journey with wisdom, faith, and hope. I am excited about the potential trajectory of this book: it is truly inspirational.”
Yahminah McIntosh
Author, Poet, Strategist, Speaker
“ I am a native of Key West, Florida and I am thrilled with this book. It is a compelling faith-driven story that will inspire you and make you smile. The story reveals colorful features of our island city. The characters are wonderfully complex and the cross-generational relationships, in particular, yield extraordinary positive regard filled with wisdom and humor. In this book aging is an adventure!”
Ursula Welters Elliott
A Key West "Conch"
“ Martin-Thomas has created a humanitarian masterpiece of the multifaceted realities of love
among relatives and friends. It would engender engaging discussions in many college
classroom settings, especially in the humanities.”
Shawnee Daniels-Sykes, Ph.D.
Professor of Theology and Ethics
Mount Mary University, Milwaukee, WI
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