Women in their 40s face a unique set of circumstances.
They could be parents, perhaps of teenagers. They may be happily married, going through a divorce or remarrying. At the same time, they're often caring for aging parents while still in the prime of their work lives.
While early middle age is a rich and hectic time, there isn't a whole lot of fiction devoted to women dealing with the challenges described above, say two Toronto-area authors.
Kate Hilton and Karma Brown — good friends who both have novels coming out through Harper Collins next week — say that's why they've written the books they want to read.
“Women in their forties buy a lot of books,” Hilton said. “There's a sense in which we feel all kinds of fiction speaks to us, but I don't think there is a lot of fiction about women at this age.”
Hilton and Brown will be at the Sudbury Chapters from 7-8 p.m. Monday, May 29 to speak about their new books and answer questions. They'll also be signing early-release copies of their novels.
Both women's books officially come out May 30. Hilton is releasing her second book, “Just Like Family,” while Brown puts out her third, “In This Moment.”
“Just Like Family” is a funny novel about a woman juggling the demands of three husbands — a work husband, an almost husband and an ex-husband — and figuring out the true meaning of family.
“In This Moment” is a tearjerker about a mother who stops her car to wave a teenage boy across the street, and he's hit by another car. Guilty about her role in the accident, she throws herself into helping the boy's family as he rehabs from his injuries, as the expense of her own family.
A lot of novels tend to be about the romantic entanglements of women in their twenties or early thirties, said Brown.
“I'm long past the days of going out and trying to find Mr. Right, and that's often what's going on in the books coming out, with people in their twenties,” she said. “It's nice to read books that are featuring books that are at the same stage and age.”
Both authors says they're looking forward to coming to Sudbury, where, besides the public event, they'll be acting as the “faces of the summer list” for Harper Collins at a gathering of booksellers.
Hilton said it's a “happy coincidence” that she and Brown have books coming out the same day that speak to roughly the same audience.
“We're just delighted to do a couple of events together because we always have fun when we do,” she said.
For more information, visit the Facebook event page.
