Perth
Perth Western Australia
6000
Australia
HERE IS A REAL FIND. A story about 21st-century parenting in a "blended"
family that is bracingly honest, funny and well-written. The best thing about this book is that it doesn't simply refute the bad press stepmothers have traditionally received. Dolla Merrillees is all too aware of her "inner" wicked stepmother as she recounts her struggle to bond with her partner's son, cope with the boy's off-stage, drug-addicted mother and adjust to the emotional tug-of-war that occurs when her own child is born.
Merrillees was in her early 30s, footloose and child phobic when she met Ben. She had no desire to become instant mother to a four-year-old boy. Loving Ben, she quickly discovered, didn't automatically mean loving his son. That came only with hard work.
The step-parenting guide books Merrillees read were of limited use. What she wanted - and has subsequently written - was a "warts-and-all stepmother tale". Many readers, I suspect, will be deeply grateful.
--------------------
Fiona Capp
The Age Newspaper, Melbourne 8/12/07
'I would love to thank you for writing such a refreshingly honest and true account (warts and all) of what step family life can be like, particularly from a step parents point of view. We hear many stories like this in our support groups and I think our members will find your book very helpful, especially full time step mothers who have a really thankless job at times. I loved reading your book and hope we can help in promoting it for you.'
Melissa Pettit
President
Step Family Association of WA Inc. (SFAWA)
'I recently hurried to buy and read The Woodcutter's Wife by Dolla S Merrillees. This book is the true story of a woman who has battled with the issues surrounding being a stepmother, which can be very, very serious and drive someone to the brink in many ways. There are many parallels to my own life in this book and the reason I wanted to read it so badly is because there are so few resources and so little comfort for step-parents who are going through a difficult time in dealing with
their 'instant families'. This recently published book is a god send
be for those who are struggling to know they are not alone.'
Alison Cooper, Bowral, Nov 2007
The Woodcutter's Wife: A Stepmother's Tale by Dolla S. Merrillees Halstead Press, Sydney
ISBN 9781 9208 31462
PB, 157PP, $28.95
Available from bookstores nationally or online at
Dolla's website.
This ad has been viewed 99 times since its launch on (08/25/2008)
Dolla S. Merrillees is listed in these Categories
Natural Parenting Writers
