Local author Michelle Weidenbenner recently announced the release of her second novel, Scattered Links.

The novel, which follows the story of Oksana, a 13-year-old Russian orphan haunted by a decision from the past, was officially released to the public today.

Scattered Links takes on difficult topics such as the difficulty of building bonds after suffering from a past of abusive relationships with family members.

According to Weidenbenner, who currently resides in the Warsaw area, the story was inspired by her own experiences visiting Russia to adopt her daughter, Olivia, who is now 18 years old. Though Weidenbenner does note that Olivia did not suffer from an attachment disorder as Oksana did, her trip to Russia inspired a story “for the children who were never loved and held.”

“It was the first novel I wrote 10 years ago. I wanted adopted parents to know that sometimes it takes more than love to get an infant or a post institutionalized child into adulthood and sometimes love is not enough. I think that we were a little naive yet hopeful that the love would be enough and, lucky for us, Olivia doesn’t have an attachment disorder and she wasn’t the kind of character Oksana is. Oksana was 14 years old by the time she entered the states so she had a lot more baggage.”

This is for the children who were never held and loved, and loved unconditionally. It’s for those who were left to cry.”

According to Weidenbenner, though Scattered Links was always well received in it’s early chapters, she spent years reworking the story and playing with the point of view. Weidenbenner notes that, though the story is only from Oksana’s point of view, readers do get to experience how her adopted mother feels throughout the story.

Also inspired from Weidenbenner’s experience with her own adopted daughter, Oksana does not begin to heal and learn to love until she began spending time with horses.

“A lot of the book was inspired by my learning about horses and how they can help children,” admits Weidenbenner.

Weidenbenner has already begun receiving praise from fans for the book, which was officially released today. This isn’t the first time Weidenbenner’s novels have delighted readers. According to the author, her first novel, To Cache A Predator, was the number one best-selling book in Amazon’s thrillers and mysteries section for several days and remained as the 11th and 12th best-selling book in the class for a period as well. 

In addition to her self-published work, Weidenbenner also runs an online blog titled randomwritingrants.com for the purpose of inspiring developing authors to pursue their dreams of being published. Weidenbenner, who notes that her primary goal is to empower other authors, says the website allows her to encourage and inform other authors about publishing. For those who are tired of waiting for the “right” publisher, Weidenbenner notes she has tips.

For those hoping to grab a copy of Weidenbenner’s newest novel, a book signing event will take place from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25 at Sacs and Co., a soap store located in Winona Lake. The event, called a pajama party, will also feature exclusive Scattered Links inspired soaps for readers to purchase. Weidenbenner notes those who purchase a copy of the book at the event will receive a special gift as well.

Weidenbenner’s novel can also be purchased online HERE.