For 34-year-old Marlton resident Janine Carbone, the desire to help others has been present in her life for many years, dating back to when she was growing up and envisioned herself in the social services field as a counselor or social worker.
“In my early teens, I placed myself in volunteering positions, mentoring and tutoring younger kids,” Carbone said. “I continued to do so even through my college years. After college, I worked with non-profit agencies for years, helping children placed in group home settings and adults in assisted residential settings.”
Now, those desires to help others have manifested in a new way with the publication of Carbone’s first novel, “Wildflower,” a psychological thriller that explores the struggles of mental health.
According to Carbone, “Wildflower” tells the story of a young college student, Faith, as she works to navigate her way through school while simultaneously dealing with issues from her past.
Faith has visions that take her back to her time as an 8-year-old, when she was faced with burdens such as abandonment, betrayal and death, while in the present, Faith learns her struggles are far from over, as there’s a sadistic stalker to contend with and Faith is soon once again fighting for her life.
Carbone, who graduated with a BA in psychology from Arcadia University, said her college research of behavior and abnormal personalities never quite left her, and so about four years after graduating, she found herself creating and exploring the psyche of Faith’s childhood self.
“Since mental health does encompass our society in such a large way, why not write about it?” Carbone said. “Not only was I looking to put a spotlight on it, but I also wanted to give relatable characters to others struggling with similar disorders that they could connect with.”
Although the story focuses on the struggles of a young woman, and although Carbone said she had those who were ages 17–30 in her mind as her main audience when she wrote the book, several reviewers have since told her that “Wildflower” shouldn’t simply be “boxed” into the category of young adult fiction.
“Its content sparks the interest of a more mature adult audience as well,” Carbone said. “There is something in it for everyone. Mystery, romance, suspense, psychology… all meshed together.”
Carbone, who said she always had a love of writing and reading from a young age and can remember spending summer breaks from middle school in writer workshops, said it took her about five years to write “Wildflower,” as she didn’t actually know she was writing a novel when she started and still had to deal
with work and take care of her family.
“At times I would go a few months without going back to the story,” Carbone said. “Years went by and I got tired of going back to reread the entire story every time I decided to write again, just to remember where I was going. At this time, I set a goal for myself to have my manuscript finished by a certain date.”
With her goal in mind, Carbone persevered and is now just weeks away from the book’s official launch in February.
“It took decades for me to accomplish what I’ve always wanted, but I never gave up on my dreams of being a published author,” Carbone said. “You should never give up on your dreams either. Anything is possible.”
“Wildflower” will be available in softcover, hardcover and as an e-book on Feb. 15. It can be purchased through Amazon, Barnes and Noble’s website, Kobo books, Apple iBooks and at select, local independent bookstores.
Books will also be available during author events and signings, with a spring and summer event schedule to be posted on Carbone’s website, www.authorjaninecarbone.com, in early March.
