V. Schroeder Pens ELEVEN BROKEN PENCILS

Every family is different in their own ways, have their own share of troubles and tread through various paths to resolution. Yet no matter how tough the going gets, it is comforting to know that there are people to share one's stories with. This tacit privilege and the reprieve that comes with it, cements bonds in family relationships. But what happens when secrets gradually morph a family into strangers? In "Eleven Broken Pencils" (published by Xlibris) author V. Schroeder tells a poignant story that tells such struggle in a world still void and innocent of the savage truth.

"Eleven Broken Pencils" follows the story of an extremely dysfunctional family in the 90s. The tragic death of a mother reunites the family together. Speculation runs about the cause of her demise. Before the dawn of the new millennium, talk of bipolar disorder or subtle mental illnesses is almost unheard of. A shocking revelation opens a Pandora's box of life-altering family secrets. This cleanses their troubled souls and brings them back to each others' arms. Myrna, the mother figure of the family, has yearned for this. Now, they all realize how self-inflicted guilt is much worse than confessing their decades-long secrets.

Presented in a tirade on love and life, "Eleven Broken Pencils" exemplifies how openness is essential to building a strong and unified family. It exalts on the significance of acceptance within as a form of validation of existence and identity. It imparts how, no matter what kind of family one does have, the most important treasure of all is the love earned from sharing - the security and sense of belongingness found in the bond of mutual devotion.

"Eleven Broken Pencils"
By V. Schroeder
Hardcover | 6x9in | 256 pages | ISBN 9781499039399
Softcover | 6x9in | 256 pages | ISBN 9781499039405
E-Book | 256 pages | ISBN 9781499039382
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author
V. Schroeder grew up on a farm in Northern Illinois. She and her husband, Frank, reside in the small town she has called home for her entire life. They have four rescue cats. Her son, Adam, is deceased. She has a daughter, April. Her joy has found spending time with her four grandchildren and daughter and son-in-law. She loves going to church where she finds peace, love and direction. An avid animal lover, gardener, "chef", hairdresser and now writer, she rarely is bored. She rescues what needs to be and thanks God daily. She uses her late father's surname to honor him.

Xlibris Publishing, an Author Solutions, LLC imprint, is a self-publishing services provider created in 1997 by authors, for authors. By focusing on the needs of creative writers and artists and adopting the latest print-on-demand publishing technology and strategies, we provide expert publishing services with direct and personal access to quality publication in hardcover, trade paperback, custom leather-bound and full-color formats. To date, Xlibris has helped to publish more than 60,000 titles. For more information, visit xlibris.com or call 1-888-795-4274 to receive a free publishing guide. Follow us @XlibrisPub on Twitter for the latest news.