Who Is Adah Marie?
A woman of few words.
A romance writer of many.
Adah Marie Guy is a fighter as well as a survivor. She has pulled through more than 27 years with a broken neck and a brain injury despite doctors giving her no more than a year to live. Her spinal cord was severed at C-1 to Medulla. That injury left her unable to move anything below her neck. She cannot breathe without assistance from a ventilator. She cannot swallow, either. Besides a spinal cord injury, the impact contused her brainstem. That traumatic brain injury left her with recurring dizziness, headaches, and nightmares among other neurological abnormalities. During those 27 plus years, she earned five degrees with honors.
Her Academic Achievements
- Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies from University of Maryland University College,
- Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Breyer State University,
- Master of Science in Law from Champlain College,
- Bachelor of Arts in Irish Studies from National University of Ireland, Galway,
- Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching of Writing from Southern New Hampshire University, and
- Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University.
Her Writing Career
The morning of June 2018, she penned her first romance novel for an Audible writing contest. Her short stories had captured a bit of romance, but that challenge took romance writing to a more intense level. Her story did not win. Writing it did prepare her to apply to the online Master of Fine Arts program, though. As one of the requirements for admission, she needed a manuscript. An excerpt of that novel secured her spot in the program.
Writing shorts have been a passion since she could use a pencil. Publication, however, did not happen until 2019. Submitting work to outlets, such as magazines and journals was a foreign concept. Four of her shorts written in a genre other than romance have been accepted in the Book of 422 anthology. “A Castle Rescue Where Saved by a Good Dragon” was a fairy tale and “A Woman’s Perspective of Liberating Nineteen” was historical fiction. “The Haunting but Motivating Spirit of Tennis Past” was a sports piece whereas “A Cowboy and a Gun United in Self Defense” was a western. One short won a Story of Excellence award. The anthology is anticipated to be released in November 2024.
Her Literary Memberships
Her Family Life
Slightly to the east of where skipjacks sail and blue crabs swim, Adah Marie was born. Three years later, she found herself holding a sister. The Guy family became a sailing family, traveling up and down Chesapeake Bay every weekend. Then a catastrophic car accident happened. Lapping water and luffing sails minus Adah Marie on board but rather on land brought about a brother. Four years after that, another sister entered her life.
Her fur babies are equally as important as humans.
Her Favorite Causes
Humane Society of Wicomico County
Dogs, cats, and small animals have played a part in her life. Not purebreds but mutts. They came from either the Humane Society of Wicomico County or the streets. When from the streets, those animals were strays destined to be hit by automobiles. Harsh weather conditions could victimize them, too.
One cat in particular, Oliver Twist, saved Adah Marie’s life.
When she plunged to her lowest of lows, he was there. A comforting body would sit in her lap. He was a lap cat with forever an ear to listen to her or a paw to shake.
When she soared to her highest of highs, he was ready to celebrate. He introduced her to kitty kisses. They happen when in contact with a feline’s sandpaper tongue. Unfortunately, she has not experienced that again. Only fitting, he became the spokescat for her writing career.
In 2009, he faded in and out of consciousness. Eventually, a tumor on his hip consumed his life. What remnants of his existence the tumor left, sleeping medicine in a needle finished off. Oliver came from the Humane Society of Wicomico County. Consider making a difference in someone’s life and donate or otherwise help unwanted dogs, cats, and small animals in any way you can.
World Wildlife Fund
From sailing on Chesapeake Bay to living in a forest, she admires the natural environment. Daily, she would ride in her wheelchair around the yard in the fresh air and solitude. That cleared her head so she was in a better frame of mind to tackle whatever came next. Then her health worsened. In 2017, her body began deteriorating to the point she noticed it. Bouts of severe pain increased. Through her bedroom windows, therefore, she watches wildlife frolic in the field and in the woods. Vibrant purple sunsets captivate her, too.
Not only Adah Marie but everyone needs the natural environment. Prevent habitat degradation and species endangerment among other climate change and global warming grievances. Illegal killings of elephants and snow leopards threaten the species’ populations. We need biodiversity to thrive as a planet overall. Help conserve the environment, too. The World Wildlife Fund does amazing work. Consider donating.
The Humane Society of Wicomico County shelters dogs, cats, and small animals. The World Wildlife Fund protects the natural environment and its inhabitants. In Adah Marie’s romance novels, animals of all sizes and/or the environment plays a role. They are more than props.
Her Online Presence
“But real love is very quiet, very still. It’s boring . . . Love is deep and calm — and constant.”
Alex Michaelides, The Silent Patient