I am very happy to host Michele on my blog to introduce her new book, Jade’s Broken Bridge. So without any chin music from me let’s get to it.

Excerpt (Jade is reflecting on her choices)

”If only I could have seen a bright future for myself—without the help of a fickle goddess. If only I had been strong enough

to rise above the shadow’s darkness. If only I could have understood that beyond the vapor of those fallen stars,

resides an entire universe brimming with magnificence. For dreamers to cast dreams into. Not just one ‘star light, star

bright,’ but an entire brilliant universe waiting to nurture fragile dreams.”

Synopsis:

Jade’s Broken Bridge, by Michele Lee Sefton, is a raw and poignant story of survival, self-destruction, and hope. The narrative follows Jade, a young woman navigating a tumultuous life shaped by family fractures, addiction, and the pursuit of financial stability in the shadows of the adult entertainment industry. The story unfolds as she reflects on her past, particularly her experiences as an Arizona native, working as a topless dancer in Fairbanks, Alaska, and the personal struggles that led her there. Jade’s journey is a deeply introspective exploration of self-worth, desperation, and the relentless search for escape — whether through drugs, relationships, or a false sense of empowerment gained in strip clubs.

Inspired by true events, the book delves into Jade’s complex family dynamics, particularly the impact of her parents’ divorce, and the financial hardships that drove her to make life-altering choices. Through vivid and unfiltered prose set in the late1980s, Sefton paints a picture of a woman torn between who she was meant to be and who she has become. As she battles addiction and shame, Jade ultimately confronts the truth about her past and her desire to reclaim her life.

In her debut novel, Sefton offers a sobering account of self-destructive life choices and the painful consequences that follow. The story does not romanticize the struggles of survival but instead offers an honest portrayal of resilience and the possibility of change.

Key Themes from the Book:

• Survival vs. Self-Destruction: Jade’s choices are driven by the need to survive, but her means of doing so often lead her further into self-destruction. Her work in strip clubs, substance abuse, and avoidance of emotional pain highlight the paradox of trying to escape while simultaneously sinking deeper.

• Family and Fractured Relationships: The book examines the lasting wounds of a broken home, particularly how parental neglect shapes self-worth and decision-making in adulthood.

• The Illusion of Empowerment: Through her experiences in the adult entertainment industry, Jade grapples with the false sense of power and control that comes with her work. While the money offers financial independence, it also entraps her in a world that feeds on vulnerability.

My review

This is a story that lingers long after the last page. It gets under your skin not through shock or spectacle, but by drawing you deeply into the life of its protagonist, Jade. From the beginning, her voice and her struggle are so engaging that you can’t help but care what happens to her. You want her to succeed, to overcome the obstacles that weigh heavily on her—but the stark reality she faces often makes that hope feel like a fragile fantasy she clings to in order to survive.
The author paints Jade’s world with a vividness that makes you feel as though you are living her life alongside her. The grit and hardship are described so clearly that empathy becomes unavoidable. At times, I found myself wishing I could step into the pages to comfort her or offer solutions, only to realize I could do nothing but read on and hope. Without giving away spoilers, I can say that Jade’s challenges are both raw and moving, and the uncertainty of her path kept me invested until the very end.

What makes this book truly stand out is Michele’s exceptional prose. Written in the first person, the narrative combines stream of consciousness with lyrical, almost poetic phrasing. This style not only brings Jade’s thoughts and emotions into sharp focus but also elevates ordinary experiences into something extraordinary. One passage that struck me describes a simple trip to the grocery store in Alaska: “Like the four of us, everyone was padded and bundled. Like stuffed sleeping bags, characters slumbered their way down the aisles. I had found ground zero for a zombie apocalypse. These people actually live like this, I thought. Not just for eight weeks, but they choose to stay here. God, please let me make it back to the valley of the sun, I prayed fervently while standing between the shampoo and tampons.” Moments like these showcase Michele’s gift for transforming the mundane into scenes that shimmer with insight, wit, and emotion.

At its heart, this is the story of a woman confronting life’s toughest challenges alone, and though a happy ending is never guaranteed, the journey itself is filled with resilience, raw honesty, and a quiet but persistent hope. I highly recommend this book to readers who appreciate powerful writing, a deeply immersive voice, and a story that stays with you long after you close the cover.

Buy links

Amazon, Barnes & Noble, available to order through any bookseller, or direct through Michele.

Jade’s Broken Bridge

by Michele Lee Sefton

Publisher: Tumbleweed Spirit Press

Publication Date: Oct. 10, 2025

ISBN: 979-8-9991506-0-8

Print Length: 256 pages

Genre: New Adult

Formats: Paperback, Kindle, audio book

Further Praise for Jade’s Broken Bridge:

– Kirkus Reviews

“Sefton offers a gritty and introspective chronicle of one woman’s descent into addiction and sex work in 1980s America. The author invites readers into a visceral, memory-laden interior landscape. Chapters move fluidly between present-tense narration and past recollections. Vivid descriptions of frozen sidewalks, smoky clubs, sticky bar floors, and the ache of unspoken shame create an immersive reading experience. While the tone can be emotionally heavy, the work rarely veers into melodrama; the author maintains control over the narrative voice, even as Jade loses control over her life. A harrowing yet beautifully rendered chronicle of loss, self-destruction, and the long road to self-acceptance.”

– BookLife

“Sefton carves out one woman’s fight for survival in this moving debut, following Arizona teenager Jade, whose desperate need for money propels her into “a life of despair and addiction.” …What makes her journey unique is Sefton’s skill at crafting her gradual transformation: visceral disgust at this new world, followed by a begrudging appreciation of the strength and community she discovers there, to the final wild, drugged mess it turns her into… Sefton triumphs with this riveting portrait of a broken girl desperate for the light…” Read the full review. 

– San Francisco Book Review

“What stands out in Sefton’s writing is her ability to let readers into the story without weighing them down. Despite the subject matter, including addiction, grief, and exploitation, there’s an undercurrent of hope and a desire for something more… It’s a coming-of-age memoir for readers who appreciate storytelling that doesn’t flinch. With its engaging voice and heartfelt honesty, this memoir is both a cautionary tale and a testament to the strength it takes to rebuild. A heavy story, yes, but told with just enough wit and heart to keep readers turning the page.”

– Sandra Marinella, The Story You Need to Tell

“Author Michele Sefton uses vivid and poetic imagery to tell the story of Jade’s descent into a world filled with loud music, flashing lights, and parties laced with “liquid courage” and an overabundance of cocaine. Jade takes the reader on a journey through her inner demons as well as her inner goddess who is trying hard to pull her life forward.” 

– Ginger Scott, USA Today, Wall Street Journal and Amazon bestselling author

“In a masterful debut, Michele Lee Sefton carries readers through a woman’s journey of self-discovery, unflinchingly guiding her main character from feelings of loss and, perhaps, resentment to strength and independence. Jade’s path through the adult dancing world offers readers a glimpse into the shadows and a raw and honest portrait of the opportunities as well as the risks that lie there. Sefton has created a character to root for… it is impossible not to feel her struggles in your bones as you read. A deep, thoughtful and immersive read that will stay with you long after the final sentence.”

Bio

A bit about me… I am a veteran English teacher who left the classroom in 2019 to develop my own writing voice. A writer of poetry and poetic prose, I’ve since been published in various anthologies and platforms, including Piper Poetry Month Anthology through the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing at Arizona State University and Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women (Poetry Anthology).

Collaborating with my artist daughter during the pandemic, I published a series of illustrated poetry chapbooks, Being a Woman: Overcoming, Being a Woman: Becoming, and Being a Woman: Forthcoming. In 2020, I published a collection of poems to celebrate my one-year blog anniversary, My Inspired Life: A Poetic Journey. My titles, Her Coastal Cottage: Where Truth & Love Rise and Honeysuckle Heat, offer readers vivid poetic prose in novella length.

I enjoy sharing and connecting with readers and creatives on my writing and photography blog, TumbleweedSpirit, dancing with expressive women, and working with Sandra Marinella, the author of The Story You Need to Tell, co-facilitating narrative therapy workshops. My undergrad is in English with a Secondary Endorsement, and I hold a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University, and a Graduate Certificate in Composition Studies from Indiana University.

For More Information:• Visit the author at msefton.com

• Follow the author: @mlsefton on Instagram

• Media inquiries: Kim Cecere | kim@onpointbrand.com