Jackson

Jackson battles to take control of his own mind and life but is haunted by demons. His mother faces her own turmoil and anguish, struggling to accept and understand the unthinkable, as she desperately tries to save her son.

With unwavering empathy, Jackson is a bold and unforgettable story of a family navigating through the terrifying waters of mental illness. While there is no simple fix with a kiss to the forehead, will Jackson learn to hear the chatter in his head and know what to do about it? Will love and hope prevail?

Author Bio:

Lynn McLaughlin is a best-selling and award-winning author, host of the podcast, "Taking the Helm". Lynn is an instructor with the Essential Academy where she has joined forces with epic content creator Tracey Regan to create the "Dare to Write" interactive course for people who want to pubish their first book.  

She has spent her life devoted to ensuring each of us meets our full potential. Mother of three grown children, she currently lives with her husband in southern Ontario.

Lynn is now passionate about sharing her journey of fear and survival during a life crisis. Her first book, "Steering Through It" has become the catalyst for her work in advocacy today. 

On "Taking the Helm", Lynn speaks with change agents who have taken a crisis and turned it into possibilities for their lives and business. "Jackson", was released in the fall of 2020 and Lynn is now raising awareness of mental health. From demons and desperation to love and hope, a mother and son's bond is tested by the challenges of mental illness.

Lynn continues to be actively volunteering for the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, Kingsville Southshore Rotary, 100 Women Who Care and other community organizations.

"Mental health is never a light subject to discuss. Although the characters are fictional in this writing, the scenarios are very familiar. Do read and share among your friends, family and loved ones, as it helps open up discussions about anxiety and other mental disorders. So many of us just brush it off that it doesn’t affect them, or they feel ashamed, or don’t know how to approach someone, yet only the person who goes through it knows how hard it can be for them. This might also help you to learn how to find resources and who to talk to if your child, or a loved one, or even you are going through hard times." (Sahar, Goodreads)

First and foremost, I want to say that this in one of the most emotional, if not the most emotional book that I have read in an extremely long time.

I was lucky enough to be one of the winners of this amazing book and I don't believe that it was a coincidence that I happened to receive this book. I believe that it was fate.

Ms. McLaughlin, thank you so much for writing this book and for bringing this subject to the forefront. We need to break the stigma of this dreaded disorder.

This book deals with a subject very near and dear to my heart, Mental Health.

The story deals with the mental health challenges faced by Jackson, the son of parents who love their son very much but find it difficult struggling to navigate the way to show their love for their son while trying to support him and yet maintain their own mental health.

" While this book is fictional, the situations that are dealt with are very real. I know through first hand experience of having dealt with my own mental health challenges and how people treated me, with misunderstanding, with curiosity, with insensitivity but with a single parent mother who loved me, stood by each and every moment. I also am a volunteer with the Canadian Mental Health Association.If you or a loved one one struggle with mental health issues, or are one who is interested in finding about mental health challenges, I recommend that you read this book. It is highly educational and emotional. It will certainly help you to understand what it is like to deal with this issue each and every day on a very personal level. I can't recommend this book highly enough. Every person has either dealt with these issues themselves or are aware of someone who has or is dealing with these issues. Let's end the stigma now. Not all disabilities are visible." (Ian Wooder, Goodreads)

"I suspect we’ve all had a Jackson. By that, I mean that we’ve all had someone that we love, absolutely, without reservation, but someone who needs our help. Without necessarily even being aware of it, we dedicate a significant part of our lives in an effort to make that person’s existence a little bit better. Take a moment and think of such people. I once attended a funeral in which the most significant line I remember is, ”At least now we know we won’t have to spend the night worrying about him.” I have a good acquaintance who willingly, gratefully spends her life fending for a magnificent son who happens to have Asperger’s. I have a couple of family members for whom I wished I had played a role as significant as June did for Jackson in this book.

Jackson…love and hope is not a novel, it is not light summer reading, but it is a book that we all need to read. It is a story of Jackson, a troubled youth, and June, the mom who, with her husband, slowly, painstakingly, almost haphazardly, spends her life dealing with Jackson’s difficulties. There are no easy remedies offered here, no quick fixes. As an educator who has spent the better part of a lifetime trying to help kids learn, I have found that there is no cure-all, no panacea for illuminating children. Per this book, the case is the same for children with emotional problems. Jackson needed to have a particular fix, and people similarly afflicted probably need a similar cure. Identifying that fix takes a lifetime of love, and June took care of this.

I thought of Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar as I read this. I felt a need to help Jackson but found myself wanting. Whatever. Any book on a par with The Bell Jar is worth reading, at any time, any place. Read it." (Chris Maddox, Goodreads) 

"This is would remain as one of the books that gave me insight.

The style of writing and the way the author approached a sensitive topic is really interesting.

I felt attached from the very first few pages.

I'd recommend this book, it addresses a mental health issue that might be really common yet people usually hide.

It gives insight into how the people close to the person feels as well as how he feels.

I really think the author is very clever and I look forward to reading other books by her." (Emi, Amazon.com)

"A must read for anyone whose life has been touched by mental illness.

This is an inspirational read.

The story the author shares is enlightening, eye-opening and frustrating all at the same time.

It also shows us that the love of family can get you through the darkest of times." (Lissa Van Rijn, Amazon.ca)

"Two sides of the story. Very well written with two sides of the story. It brings to light the challenges of a parent wanting to do the best for a struggling child by trying to protect them when ‘tough love’ is what is needed." (Rose C, Amazon.ca)

"Insightful! Kudos to Lynn on capturing the feelings of Jackson as he struggles with his mental illness and her portrayal of every parents’ heartache in recognizing and coping with the reality of having such a child . Very insightful and definitely worth reading!" (Mare, Amazon.com)

"This book is a great read for parents trying to help their teenage or young adult children live with their mental health issues. It is so hard to know if, as a parent, you are helping or enabling. This book is a wonderful resource." (Peggy, Goodreads)

"This book is so different from what I usually read yet one of the most interesting ones I've read. The book discusses mental health problems in a new way , where the author offers the point of view of both Jackson, the boy with the mental health issues, and his mother. In the book , we watch the story of Jackson, how he grew up, how he developed the issues and how the whole family dealt with it. I loved the emotion in the story but what stands out to me most was the difference of perspectives of Jackson and the mom. Most books that deal with trauma or a mental illness usually only bring up the person's point of view, but seeing the whole picture from more than one eye was entertaining, unusual and eye opening. I recommend this book to everyone interested in mental health awareness." (Nada, Goodreads)

Website: I have a fully integrated website that includes not only my books but my consulting business for aspiring authors and podcast episodes of, "Taking the Helm" When people subscribe, they currently receive the first chapter of the audiobook of "Jackson" as my gift. 

Lynn's Blitz: This is an email I send to thousands of my subscribers once per month.

Social Media: I post at least times per week on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and my business page on Facebook. 

Ads: I am running ads on Amazon, Facebook and Bookbub.

Podcasts - I've been honoured to be a guest on many and am scheduled for more.

Reviews - I have done giveaways and promotions which has resulted in honest reader reviews. 

Media: My media kit is on my website and I continue to be a guest for interviews, write and publish articles.

Blogging: My blog is integrated into my website

Youtube: My channel includes a playlist called, "Time to Publish" where I take viewers through the 8 weeks of marketing leading t the launch of "Jackson" The powerful book trailer is posted there as well as on my website.