Book Launch: Matrix of the Blended Family

On November 30, first-time author Gina DeBrincat launched her book Matrix of the Blended Family at Aqua Books. Although she may be new to the writing business, her experience as a mother, wife, and member of a family that she says is more "puréed" than blended has given her the insight necessary to tell a personalized story of life in a blended family.

The atmosphere at Aqua Books on the night of the launch was very much like DeBrincat's book itself - intimate, personal, and family oriented. The author was constantly surrounded by friends and family eager to show their support for her work. Even an old teacher of DeBrincat's showed up. There was love in the room.

DeBrincat's book addresses the issues that a blended family might face, and provides techniques that can help the family survive. DeBrincat says the idea for the book came after much research and reading about family life. She noticed that there was a void when it came to the accurate representation of the blended family and its struggles. Given her own experiences, this was a void that she felt she could fill.

The book is structured in sections, using the metaphor of the changing seasons to represent the different stages in the life of a blended family. The book begins in autumn (the death of the traditional family and the ideals that come with it), and moves through the seasons, ending in summer with the portrayal of a successful blended family.

DeBrincat says that the purpose of the book - and her purpose as a writer - is to help people by creating a connection with them. This attitude is carried into other aspects of her life as well, such as her music. She and her husband play African influenced music, further adding to her cultural diversity.

The first-time author is already working on another book. It revolves around the relationships between mothers and daughter. DeBrincat is co-authoring the book with another writer. The other writer will be writing the daughters portion, while DeBrincat is working on the mother's perspective.

I wasn't able to stay for DeBrincat's reading, but when I left the wine and laughter were still in ample supply. Good signs for the success of any reading. Or anything at all for that matter.

Low-resolution photograph of the launch at Aqua Books. Thank goodness I remembered to take this or I might have had to forge something in Microsoft paint.