Author Spotlight:

Pure Bliss

— by Hillary Handy

From playdates to pages: Two moms pen a book and celebrate its release.

Madeline Sheppard and Rachel Durocher are friends and sisters-in-law. Madeline lives in Newfoundland and Rachel calls Warminster her home. Every family gathering, there are moments of chaos and kids screaming. Madeline’s husband looked up one time, amidst the chaos, and simply commented, “Pure Bliss”. This then became a family motto and part of their daily lexicon…until it became a book.

​This book has been a family project that was years in the making. Between nap times and cross-country road trips to visit one another, the two began plugging away on what would become Pure Bliss. The project grew organically, fueled by shared stories and mutual encouragement. Rachel comments, “The book is about the joys and chaos of raising babies, becoming parents and trying to figure it all out along the way.” This is a sentiment many of us can connect with. Madeline goes on to say, “From pregnancy to toddlerhood and all the messes in between… The way I would describe it is PURE BLISS.”

Writing a book together was an incredible bonding experience between the two ladies. The two were pleasantly surprised at how long they could talk to each other on the phone. Rachel reflects, “We have learned so much and grown closer together through this process. It’s been really special creating this with my sister-in-law.” They felt they worked well together and were able to tackle their respective parts with ease. Madeline comments, “We would chat constantly, anyway. ‘Let’s talk business for 20 minutes’ and then go back to chatting about something else.” With support from Courtney St. Croix of LeadHer Publishing, they were able to take their motherly musings and transform them to text and images on a page.

​As parents themselves, the stylistic choice to pursue a children’s picture book was obvious. An easy read when you’re already tired and delirious, graphics to flip through, with a hint of sarcasm, was the best way to truly capture Pure Bliss.

Mads and Rach, our new BFFs as we feel we can call them, want other families to know they are not alone in the parenting journey. This is the book they wish they had when they were at home with a newborn or navigating a new season of motherhood. After conversations with fellow parents, grandparents and their own reflections on this season of their life, the content is so raw and real, many readers will be able to connect and resonate with the truths between the pages. Rachel notes, “We just want other moms and parents to feel like they have a village, and they are seen, even when it doesn’t always feel that way.”

What’s next for these two moms? They are excited for a fun and wild summer with their little ones. Follow their socials for upcoming local book signing events: @pureblissbook.

Pure Bliss became available on Amazon on July 1st. Order your own copy today here!

This book reminds us that motherhood doesn’t have to be perfect. And just like this book, it has to be real.