by Michael Popke
The Isthmus
December 3, 2015
Catholicism plays a central role in the debut novel from Madison author Margaret Goss, but readers need not share her beliefs in order to relate to The Uncommitted — a surprisingly dark tale of spiritual struggle.
Published by Three Towers Press in Milwaukee, this story set in St. Paul, Minn., contains references to such Madison institutions as UW Children’s Hospital (now American Family Children’s Hospital) and Culver’s, and revolves around Josephine Reilly, a 35-year-old mother of three who can communicate with the dead via dreams, visions and telepathy. While experimenting with what she initially considers a “gift,” she unlocks an invisible evil that threatens her family and drives her to the brink of self-destruction.
Beginning at about the halfway point, diligent readers will be able to put together some of the pieces and anticipate the book’s conclusion, but they should keep reading. An epic final scene set in a desolate Arizona cemetery attempts to bring closure; then Goss adds a provocative twist in the epilogue.
Read the full review at The Isthmus
In addition to officially receiving her first place award from the Midwest Publishers Association for her novel 
Ansley M. Dauenhauer’s first novel, “Cancer Slam” is a must-read for anyone involved with a breast cancer diagnosis. As a teenager, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and I had no idea what that meant for me and my family. “Cancer Slam” follow the Bennett Family through the initial diagnosis and mastectomy, to the chemotherapy treatments and subsequent hair loss. Through their journey, everyone stays extremely positive and open with one another. As a kid or young adult, it can be scary to think your whole life is going to change, especially when you are not even sure why. When Liz Bennett is diagnosed with breast cancer, she explains in the perfect way exactly what is going on in her body and how the rest of the family will be affected. Dauenhauer creates characters that are not only relatable, but who you root for and sympathize with. As a kid who has a sick parent, it’s easy to feel guilty for longing for normalcy. Hannah’s range of emotion, from anger to scared to sad to an adult-like acceptance, keep the story true to life. I laughed. I cried. But most of all I stayed positive because I think that’s what the Bennett Family would have wanted. I loved this book and believe it is an important read for anyone, not just young adults,dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
