Six of a Story, The Summer Called Angel, Sola Olu

"My journey to motherhood began with a siren-blaring, horn-blasting ride to the emergency room of a specialist hospital. Within a day, everything I had imagined for the birth of my child changed". And so began the memoir "The Summer Called Angel - a story of hope on the journey through prematurity". This moving and inspirational memoir provides intimate, hands-on details of the complexity of preeclampsia and prematurity as well as the emotional toll taken on parents who must witness their tiny baby struggle for life. With equal parts remorse and resolve, Sola and Chris struggle along, with the sole, all-consuming focus on their daughter’s survival.

How can we as readers, relate to your main character?  

 The main character here is myself, as a mother and I believe any parent can relate to me. Any parent or expectant parent that knows that love for the child begins at conception, and knows that from that time on, they will fight to protect the child by all means. It also focuses on my husband who goes through every bit of the experience with me, and I hope he inspires dads everywhere with his strength and focus at the time we needed it most.

What makes her stand out from all the other main characters found in other pages?  

Mainly because the story is told from my point of view. My husband is of course side by side with me, but my emotions, my ups and downs, my humanity, my weaknesses and strengths are laid bare in a relatable way.

What was your worst trait?  

Anxiety I would say, but in the circumstances where there was a mixture of hope, helplessness, resolve, confusion, I'm not sure how else I could have reacted or I didn't know how else to react. What I did learn though is no matter how anxious you become, it doesn't change or solve anything, whereas faith does solve problems. Letting go and letting God does solve problems.


What do you think will make a reader want to read this book?  

Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn babies, with 1 in 8 births ending in premature births. The Summer Called Angel will resonate with preemie parents because it tells them that there is hope, miracles do happen, and these babies do make it and make it well. It will also impact parents who have had healthy babies by making them appreciate their own birth experience even more.


Is there a strong message to this story? Or is it just for pleasure and a fun read? 

I hope there is a strong message - it's a story that says even in the darkest tunnels there is hope, and that bad situations do turn out to be good. When I was in the NICU, as a parent all I wanted to hear were stories of babies who made it and were doing well. That sometimes is all we have to hold on to. I hope it offers "strength to readers attempting to process prematurity in their lives—and salve to those who have undergone a similar experience. All in all, rare and profound celebration of devotion is certain to resonate with parents everywhere." (Dana Mitchelli - reviewer)

The Summer Called Angel is available on Amazon  (both kindle and paper back), Barnes and Noble,  Createspace and the authors website.