Welcome to the Official
Website of Bonnie MacDougall

Explore gripping and heart-wrenching tales from the incredible mind of Bonnie MacDougall, a multi-award-winning and nominated novelist.

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About

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Bonnie

 

Born in the U.S, raised just outside of Washington, D.C. I’ve spent long periods, twice, in the U.K. studying. I’ve been to India and China, Canada and Mexico, France and Italy and each is fascinating. So now, let me get down to the personal. I have one sibling, an older sister who has shown me everything worth knowing about living a good life. I have one daughter, who is strong and independent and the mother of my four favorite people in the world, my grandchildren. I have a loving and funny as heck husband, who is my partner in everything. I have a Ph.D. from Columbia University, New York, in 16th century literature. I was a Professor for about 40 years. I have always written fiction but only lately have had the time to polish and show it. I have three completed novel manuscripts. Something Terrible About Love is my first novel out. I sure hope you enjoy it.

Featured Books

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Those Who Live

Description: Two cousins, Chinle Davis and Mae Godwin, are determined to find the truth about why six female infants spanning three family generations died shortly after birth.

Award.
A. A finalist in the Florida Writers Association 2023 Royal Palm Literary

B. Twelve five-star reviews on AMAZON

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Something Terrible
About Love

Description: Love can be ecstasy only to be lost. It can lift then desert. Love is forever one day, never the next, always forgiven, never forgotten. Love can act like a dream, react like a nightmare.

Award.
A. THOSE WHO LIVE wins NYC Big Book Award,2025

B. Semi-finalist in Florida Writers Association Royal Palm Literary Award Contest, 2025

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Love, Ruthie

Description: Was the poet, William Wordsworth, right when he wrote “the child is the father of the man”? That is the question Jane Meyer asks Ruth Lucas in a letter.

Award.
A. A 2024 Independent Press Award Distinguished Favorite in the category of Women’s Fiction –

B. 2024 display in Times Square, NYC

C. Third Place Award Fiction – Women’s February 22, 2024

D. Silver Award from Literary Titan

Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024! Love Ruthie won a silver Literary Titan award

E. Reader’s Favorite five stars

Books Award

Testimonials

Susan Diane Carter

Both Heartbreaking and Heartwarming
Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2022 – Verified Purchase

Something Terrible About Love is a hauntingly beautiful account of a once wonderful mother/daughter relationship that has gone awry. Helen Baird is devoted to her run-away daughter, Kristen—and will do anything to get her back and reestablish their bond. It is a densely layered exploration of love, friendship, the pull of family, and the power of all three to transcend time and space. Something Terrible About Love will cast you in its spell and not let go until you reach its final pages. Be prepared to shed some tears. Bonnie MacDougall’s unforgettable story is told with grace, wisdom and the discerning eye of a poet.
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A Complex Yet Complete Circle of Love
Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2023 – Verified Purchase

An amazing storyteller! I was captured in the first chapter and could hardly put down the book. What a story filled with characters who were multidimensional. And although there were several personalities, Dr. MacDougall tied them all to Helen in a complete circle of love. Enjoyed every minute reading it! Brava!
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Jacqueline Jacobs

A journey of self that is moving, relatable, and full of promise
Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2023 – Paperback

“Love, Ruthie” is a wonderful fictional story of self-discovery with humor, life challenges, and acceptance of a life that navigates twists and turns which mimic the journey many of us experience. A delightfully poignant story. A must read.
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Page turner!
Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2023 – Paperback

This book is unstoppable — once I started reading it I couldn’t put it down!
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Novelist Bonnie MacDougall — Mastering Character Development
Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2025 – Kindle

Exemplary in her search of the human condition, rising star novelist Bonnie MacDougall smartly lets her prime characters, two attractive young women, 26-year-old Chinle and 27-year- old Mae, tell their own stories while they jointly uncover their family’s hideous mystery, the deaths of six new-born family babies, either at birth or soon after. With Chinle and Mae, every self-realization, social or physical handicap, loss, change in life style, marital status, social and economic threat, every mood, tear shed, smile and sigh are nailed, investigated, dwelt with, rectified and/or adjusted to. Bonnie MacDougall has mastered character development. When you finish the last pages of “Those Who Live,” and close the cover, you will sense, like Chinle and Mae, a grand catharsis; you have enjoyed and benefitted, you have survived and even improved yourself, found life is better, even good. You may say to yourself, “Yes, I am better.” Unless, of course, you have always been, are now, and will always be… perfect.
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Amazon Customer

This is the best one yet!
Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2025 – Kindle

I loved the way chapters end with a lilt. I loved the two main characters and their relationship. I loved the interweaving of plot lines. I loved that the old ladies were old but still so self-aware. What a great read.
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Lovelace

Family history and relationships build to create a compelling, page-turning mystery!
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2025 – Paperback

Fascinating, memorable characters populate two cousins’ exploration of their dark family history, leading to a riveting journey through unexpected plot twists and surprising revelations. Family secrets revealed, new and old romances abound, and comedy and tragedy intertwine to make this an unforgettable family saga. A page-turner!
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Reader Favorites

Discover the works that readers and critics alike have praised for their insight, depth, and cultural richness. These standout titles represent the heart of Bonnie MacDougall’s contribution to literature, architecture, and South Asian studies.

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Get in Touch

Have a question, collaboration idea, or want to reach Bonnie for an interview or speaking engagement?

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