Carole Carson

“Wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, educator, entrepreneur, community organizer, and survivor. But in my heart, I’ve always been a writer.

At GMASBlog, you’ll find posts on whatever catches my interest and content about my five-book fiction series.

Join me in this crazy adventure.”

I began writing Blackbird in 1966, the first in a four-book fictionalized memoir mainly chronicling the life of Jane Bertram. Love, loss, abuse, abandonment, hope, seduction, and despair give color and texture to her story. Telling Jane’s story made me richer, freer, happier and more loving. 

May readers receive the same blessings.

“Powerful. Compelling. Honest. Searing. I read Blackbird nonstop. I could not put the book down. In stark times, we need stories of earned triumph—and Carole Carson has delivered one. Blackbird is a must-read.”
Leslie Kathleen HankinsProfessor and Chair, Department of English and Creative Writing, Cornell College
“Blackbird is the story of a bright girl abused by a toxic mother, making a lie of the myth that all mothers are loving. Jane finds an escape through education on her journey to heal and break the cycle of violence. But her raw experiences along the way reveal the high price women pay for being held back. I look forward to Carole’s next book.”
Ayumi Moore AokiFounder and CEO of Women in Tech
“Once I started reading, Blackbird was hard to put down—I was eager to find out what happened next to this gifted girl determined to escape the dysfunction of her family for a better life.”
Jan BorgmanFounder of Literary Miners Book Club
“Reading Blackbird was a wow experience. The abundance of descriptive yet succinct dialogue sometimes felt like a play, so I could pretend no one would have to endure such a negative upbringing. All the way to the end I worried Jane’s indomitable spirit might falter, yet somehow this young girl grew up not only gaining freedom of personal choice but evolving an ability to value living, love learning, respect decency, and objectively understand others.”
G. RileyArtist
“I love this second book even more than the first, which I adored! Jane is evolving splendidly as she begins to change the channel of her inner voice from that of her critical and abusive mother to that of her supportive and kind mentor. Absolutely brilliant!”
Charlotte BelisleMSN, RN
“I couldn’t put this book down. It was like being on a roller coaster, and you were right there for all the twists and turns and ups and downs. I was rooting for our heroine the whole way. I can’t wait to find out what happens next!”
Joni D. MahlerMEd, ET/P, Learning Specialist
“A compelling, thought-provoking story about a young woman’s desperate struggle to find her self-worth and self-esteem in the most difficult circumstances. Disturbing at times, it opens your mind to what can be a very fragile relationship between mothers and daughters.”
Kathy PapolaReal Estate Broker Associate
“The story is a fascinating look back into the history of women finding their place in a male-centered society. The heroine, Jane, is trying to change her family trajectory and escape a dead-end childhood. Forced to strike out on her own, she makes costly mistakes. She is not always admirable. But her resilience, perseverance, and determination to build a better life sustain her. You will be reminded that new beginnings and redemption are always possible.”
Debbie WagnerRetired Director of Business Development, Dignity Health
“This third novel in a series of four is exciting and difficult to put down. Carole Carson is a talented, imaginative writer who deals with tough human issues with honesty and clarity.”
Dr. Linda PitcherFormer Assistant Superintendent, Northville Public Schools
“In this well-written novel, Jane Bertram deals with old hurts while discovering what’s really important in life. She also figures out when enough is enough and when it’s time to pursue her lifelong dreams. Reading how Jane makes important decisions may help others on their journey.”
Mary WoodAuthor and Retired Secretary
“A well-written captivating book on the transforming power of forgiveness and love. Should be liberating to any reader trapped in the prison of bitterness.”
Kathryn Craft RogersRetired Senior Manager, Human Resources and Business Operations
“This book gave me goosebumps! Carole Carson is an artist in the way she paints the story so the reader feels deeply not only Jane’s pain and sorrow but also her enlightenment and joy. This is a must-read!”
Charlotte BelisleMSN, RN

  • Book One

    BlackBird

    Can Jane find the resilience needed to survive?

    The idealized scenes in Norman Rockwell's illustrations seldom reflected the reality of American families, including Jane Bertram's. Her world consists of a mostly absent father and an angry mother who vents her frustration on her daughter.

    Jane stubbornly refuses to become a victim, a stance that further infuriates her mother. Despite the overwhelming pain of knowing her mother hates her, Jane is determined to create a new life for herself.

  • Book Two

    My Mother's Daughter

    Feeling as if she had no choice but to abandon her newborn to the authorities, Jane Bertram is eager to turn her life around. She escapes Iowa aboard a train to Chicago, determined to rise above her abusive past, hoping a new environment will allow her to break away from her dysfunctional relationships and start over.

    Memories, however, can never be left behind, and some wounds never heal. Can Jane silence her mother’s harsh criticism echoing in her head, or is she condemned to follow in her mother’s footsteps? Will her struggles lead to personal growth or only more heartache?

  • Book Three

    The Perfect Mother

    A return to Iowa for her sister's funeral forces Jane Bertram to confront long-buried memories and uncomfortable truths. Is she more like her mother than she'd like to admit? Has she made the same mistakes despite her best intentions?

    Surprised by her aging mother's whispered expression of regret, Jane weighs the possibility of reconciliation. Is there a path forward?

    Could Jane's struggle to find inner peace ultimately depend on forgiving her mother? And herself? Is a transformation from decades of resentment to sincere appreciation possible?

  • Book Four

    The First and Last Lesson

    Jane Bertram has everything she could ask for. A loving partner. Friends. A beautiful home. Security. Then, time takes them away. Having worked so hard and lost so much, can an ailing Jane once again overcome old demons? Or will she succumb to long-buried shadows and ghosts? With time running out, will she remember how to spin straw into gold?

I ALSO WRITE BLOGS...

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BOOK ONE
BOOK TWO
BOOK THREE
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