Today I welcome guest author Penny N Haavig as she shares about her mother's journey through mental illness, and how it inspired her to write her book Laugh, Clown, Laugh. She is also offering a free print (US only) book through a random drawing.

Everyone has mental health if they have a brain. My mother’s amazing testimony propelled me to write this book. Violet was the main speaker at many Christian women’s Clubs across this vast country of ours. If she had the opportunity to write her story, instead of me, it would have been filled with much humor. One doesn’t have to go through a mental breakdown to experience emotional ups and downs. I experienced a very low self-esteem, inferiority complex, depression, fear of the dark to name a few.

Never, in my wildest dreams did I think I could be an author. Although, my mom gave her testimony many times, she never wrote a book. God prompted me to do this momentous task after her death in 2011. Mental Illness runs in my family, from my grandmother to my mother, to me and my daughter. (Although she doesn’t see it) When my mother came to know the Lord, her whole life changed before my eyes. “Laugh, Clown Laugh”, is based on Psalm 23 because my mother encouraged me to memorize it to help me with anxieties.

“The Lord is my shepherd to feed, guide, and shield me. I shall lack nothing.

He leads me to lie down in fresh, tender, green pastures; He leads besides the still and restful waters.

He refreshes and restores my life. He leads me into the path of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for you are with me. Your rod of protection and your staff of guidance comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.

Only Goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days, the house of the Lord shall be my dwelling place.”

By the Grace of God, I have been healed!

Getting to Know Penny:

Tell us something unique and/or fun about you:

Unique, fun things about me: I was a clown for several years and I was Children’s theater Director

What is your favorite vacation spot? In Florida at my brother and sister in law's house

What do you do for relaxation? I love to walk, read novels, and horseback ride.

What can readers do to make your book successful? Read and Review on Amazon, Promote it on Facebook, accept my book in a Book Club.

About Penny:                                            

Penny N Haavig is a native of New York, with vaudeville roots. She is a retired preschool teacher. She volunteers at Love Inc., a nonprofit organization helping those needing, physical, relational, emotional, and spiritual assistance. “Laugh clown Laugh”, and the sequel, “Missionary to The Oddballs,” are available on Amazon.

Giveaway: Subscribe to my monthly newsletter, and I'll draw randomly for a signed copy of Laugh, Clown, Laugh: www.pennynhaavig.com  (US only, Please)

First Page Of book:

“I don’t want to be here. Not now. Not ever.”

“Violet Pearl, hurry up and get yourself together, you hear? Let’s not stand around and gawk at the oddities of Vaudeville, okay?” My mama shouts as she scampers out of sight behind the curtain.

I don’t know a lot of things. Why I don’t scream bloody murder when the voice from nowhere speaks to me. Why don’t I tell someone? It’s horrifying when it Happens.

I quickly turn in wonder at the musicians tuning their instruments in the far corner of the stage and the acrobats flipping here and there, directly in front of me. My, my, a person must watch where they’re going around here. If all the performers stood together in one place, it would look like one big colorful quilt with feet. My attention’s drawn to the beautiful ballerina adorned in a flowing white tutu with blond hair pulled in a bun. Someday, I’ll be just like her.

I’m dragged back to reality when I get a whiff of cigarette smoke, cologne, and a faint odor of whiskey blending in an awful stench.

The air is choking me.

This historical novel is based on my mother’s life and is seventy-five percent true.