First-time novelist pens story of the Samuel family’s remarkable women

Toronto, ON –  Three generations of resilience, grace, and enduring love. Author Joszann St. John pens the story of the Samuel family through the decades in McKenna of Dreams and Substance, an Xlibris release.

In this book, the author introduces Mayjean, the family matriarch, who has endured life’s realities with grace and forbearance. Readers will get to know her as the consummate mother, mentor, and knowledgeable healer. Her resiliency and dedication to family ensures a lasting legacy, which the author shares in the novel.

Meanwhile, Christina Mayjean’s biological daughter, rebellious in youth, eventually redeems herself. McKenna, the heroine, is a transformational figure, a bridge between the past and the present. As the story unfolds, readers will witness how McKenna finds enduring and triumphant love amidst crushing opposition.

Set on the fictional Island of Belantine and featuring Toronto and Prince Edward Island, McKenna of Dreams and Substance is evocative of the beauty of the human spirit. For more information on this book, interested parties may log on to www.Xlibris.com.

About the Author

Joszann St John is the author of two books of poetry, Wounded Bird No More and I Want to Give My Love to Thee. McKenna of Dreams and Substance is her first novel. Interested parties can join St. John online at her website www.Joszann.com or on her Facebook fan page, ‘Wounded Bird No More’. St. John is also a mother of two. Her greatest joy is in the empowerment of other lives.

Mckenna of Dreams and Substance* by Joszann St. John

Publication Date:
October 19, 2010

Trade Paperback; $19.99; 111 pages; 978-1-4535-9912-9

Trade Hardback; $29.99; 111 pages; 978-1-4535-9913-6

eBook; $9.99; 978-1-4535-9914-3

To request a complimentary paperback review copy, contact the publisher at (888) 795-4274 x. 7879.  To purchase copies of the book for resale, please fax Xlibris at (610) 915-0294 or call (888) 795-4274 x. 7879.

For more information, contact Joszann by email at [email protected] or by phone 416-653-6671.

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21 Comments

  1. Jevone
    November 13, 2010

    Hi sis, i just wanted to say that i am so proud of you. You are a true inspiration to us all. I love you and love all of your books especially this new novel. You have captured the beauty, grace and power of women perfectly. I am looking forward to so much more from you. We all love you so much. WELL DONE!!!!!!!!!! :)

  2. Joszann
    November 9, 2010

    Hello!!!
    To everyone who read and posted comments thank you so much!

    My hope is that many will read the book.Trying to create unique and memorable characters can be challenging.It is my readers who will decide if I have succeeded in that regard.I wanted to tell a different story.Being a product of both the Caribbean and my adotped homeland,Canada,I wanted to marry both cultures.’Mckenna of Dreams and Substance’ is history, it is a story of the relationships between men and women and it is also a love story.Happy reading!

    To all my supporters thank you!

    A special thank you to the Dominican News Online team!

    To my sisters and family thank you.

    Love and blessings!

    Sincerely Joszann.

  3. Truth, Justice, Love, Peace and Unity
    November 8, 2010

    @amoy:

    Further example:

    My family’s business, house, vehicle, computer, TV etc.
    My family – more than one.
    Many families were at church. Many families attended the Creole Festival and Independence Day Celebration. :)
    The word “Family” is always plural – more than one.

  4. J. Paartan
    November 7, 2010

    Words are not enough to express the sense of pride and deep feelings of accomplishemnt you have evoked in me. As your sister I truly want to say publicly……you are wonderfully gifted Jose……..to publish three books in just about ayear says a lot….It speaks of determination, perseverance and the ability to set targets and achieve them. Thanks for setting those trends…..we your younger siblings will continue to follow on.no matter how daunting it may seem at times….we will get there through Gods grace. Amen!

  5. Gob BLess you..keep it up..........
    November 6, 2010

    Joszann you have done remarkably well .AGAIN. I cant wait to finish reading that novel. Wow! Keep on the work of art my sis. God bless you…..you are a shing star of true motivation and perseverance

  6. Know the English language
    November 6, 2010

    Families means more than one. Family’s means possession; to belong to. Read a book, get a dictionary. Xlibris is a publishing company. If you could write and publish a book you would know that.

  7. Hypocrite and Jealous People
    November 6, 2010

    All some people need to do is support those that are trying to better themselves and their country. You don’t need to give negative comments. Individuals that engage in these types of things are jealous and hypocrite. My belief is that you can’t write a novel or a poem. If you could you would be putting your energy into that instead. Mind your own business and be glad for those that are trying.

  8. Truth, Justice, Love, Peace and Unity
    November 6, 2010

    @U R doin well 4 urself…………:

    What do you mean that we see other people out there building other people country? This is another silly, narrow-minded statement and generalizing.
    Here goes another explanation to educate some people who do not think before they talk and who make some unwise statements.
    Do you know what Dominicans abroad are all doing? Consider this. Are you aware that some of them have full-time careers and other interests?
    Wherever people reside if they work they are obligated to pay their fair share of taxes. The government uses taxpayers’ dollars to repair roads, etc. Those who construct the roads have to be paid. Some of these funds are used to pay politicians who are in office.
    Dominicans must shop for groceries and other items. They must either pay rent or pay mortgage. They need to maintain themselves and their family for their livelihood.
    The money which those businesses make from every client and customer is also used for their overhead, paying taxes, staff, purchasing products, for utilities as telephone service, electricity and/or gas, maintaining the building and utilizing the revenue for their other personal obligations, to name a few. They may save some money and invest the rest.
    Therefore, tell me in what manner would Dominicans build-up other people’s country. The few Dominicans abroad compared to the millions of those adults of all who are born in those countries in which they reside, number a few thousands and they reside in different countries and different areas of the cities or towns. Therefore your statement is an insane, ignorant one.
    Try writing some sense and what which makes sense. Do think before you put your fingers to the keyboard and post such types of comments on DON Website. Yours are not educating, inspiring or encouraging.

  9. Truth, Justice, Love, Peace and Unity
    November 6, 2010

    @Positively Dominican:

    There are writers who are employed; not self-employed. Few writers can afford not to work especially writing a book or two. For some of them writing is a hobby while they pursue studies and careers.

  10. amoy
    November 6, 2010

    Xlibris? And isn’t family’s supposed to be families?

  11. Bumble Bee
    November 5, 2010

    Congrats!!! Sounds interesting. I’ll hit u up.

  12. dede
    November 4, 2010

    congratulations ! I remembered you in college in 1994- 95. keep up the positive vibes. may God continue to shine his light on you.

  13. U R doin well 4 urself............
    November 4, 2010

    Its good to know that you are doing so well for yourself. We see so many good Dominicans out there building other ppl country. i hope somewhere in the plan you have purposed to make improvements or developments back at home…..it is a shame that our own ppl are usually not recognised at home and have to always go away to seek better…

    Someone like you who is obviously so good with literal expression cause you wrote three books now i think should give back to your alma mata and so forth.so many children these days complete secondary schools in teh northe ast and cannot even write a prooper paragtrah.

    Were the teachjers better then you think?

    Anyways.congratulations……on your book iw ill get a copy and encourage my friends to as wel.

  14. Congrats St Andrews School...good products
    November 4, 2010

    Do you remeber our days at St Andrews High School? Who said good things cant come from the north east. I betcha our teachers like Mrs Gloria Shillingford, Smiley and the rest of our St andrews teachers must be proud of students like you. We must say thanks to them for helping on our journeys now….Mrs Henderson, David Andrew, max…….thinking bout dat we need tyo have a reunion u know……we need to know all the other authors doctors lawyers bankers and so forth

    keep it up all of us who are doing oyr best in the world today…….

  15. Positively Dominican
    November 4, 2010

    Its people like you who help to make governments burden easier. These days everybody looking to government for jobs.U see if we all use the talents and gifts that God gives to us we as a people and Dominica on a whole will be better. The Pm needs to encourage more Dominican youths to follow in examples like you and sustain themselves rather than seek handouts as too many of our youths are doping.

  16. Positively Dominican
    November 4, 2010

    This is what I look forward to hearing every day. The development and continuous success of our people. It i sgood that you are making a livelihood for yourself.

    JKeep it up. I will get a copy of this novel as i enjoyed your earlier book of poetry…”I want to give my love to thee”

    I hope that local Dominican businesses and bookshops are offering their support in putting your books on the market.

  17. T.dot / Dca
    November 3, 2010

    WOW…Great job Joszann! You have done us proud from every angle. I like that congrats to you and I’m definetly gonna get my hands on one. Keep it up good luck! A lil Wesleyann

  18. coco
    November 3, 2010

    Great job jose. Enjoy what you do. We love to see your dreams come to fruition

  19. Anonymous
    November 3, 2010

    Great job jose. Enjoy what you do > We love to see your dreams come to fruition. Much love coco

  20. supporter
    November 3, 2010

    This is remarkable work. I have read this book and i expect to see more grest things from you soon. I am so proud to say that i am from Wesley, Dominica. You make me happy to see that our people can accomplish good things. This book is truly inspirational and a great read for women. Keep up the good work.

  21. anonymous
    November 3, 2010

    great going Joszann.
    from a past teacher of St Andrews High School

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