"Sheilah Vance's novel, "Land Mines" (2009), follows the life of Carolyn James, a woman whose seemingly perfect life takes a sudden and devastating turn when her husband leaves her for his yoga instructor. Carolyn, a successful writing teacher, copes with the emotional turmoil by keeping a journal that becomes the foundation for the novel. As she grapples with feelings of betrayal, embarrassment, and financial insecurity, Carolyn turns to real self-help books to guide her through the challenges of divorce and grief. The narrative weaves Carolyn's personal journey with reflections on the self-help books she reads, offering readers a resourceful guide to navigate similar struggles. Through journaling, faith, a sense of humor, and the wisdom gleaned from self-help literature, Carolyn rebuilds her life, finding strength for herself and her children. The novel is accompanied by an additional journal, 'Journaling through Land Mines,' providing readers with a space to reflect on their own experiences of divorce, grief, and other challenging life events. Sheilah Vance, a writer, lawyer, and motivational speaker, draws on her personal and professional experiences to create a narrative that resonates with those facing upheavals and offers a practical tool for self-reflection and growth. "Land Mines" was recognized as a 2009 Best Book for Self-Help."
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