Mary Ellen Shea Clifford is the author of 13 books for teens to share with their mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters and friends.

The Saginaw Series includes five short stories: Webber House, Bertie's Bakery Heaven Scent, Andersen Pool, Daniel's Den and Martha Street Market.

The Holiday Series includes four short stories: No Christmas for Olivia, Easter Break in Florida, Independence Day and A Very Thankful Thanksgiving.

Novels now available:

Enough Kindness to Fill an Empty Heart

Four Seasons Friends

A Light Shines Forth

New Beginnings

The books are filled with mystery, suspense, romance, friendship, loving families and fun.

Pinterest boards for each series and novel show the author's ideas about rooms, fashions, and events. Questions at the end of each book give readers the opportunity to discuss issues.

Review from Amazon - Webber House

I loved the characters in this book. I felt like I knew and liked them right away. I read it out loud to my daughter and we were intrigued from the first sentence. I like the way the author combined the present day with a more nostalgic, sweet, and innocent time of long ago (I could tell because I'm a native of Saginaw and recognized the long-gone Bertie's Bakery and Webber House). The result is a story for today's kids that shows them a life they can choose to have if they put away the video games!

I also like the integration of spirituality into the book. It's a part of the girls' lives and never seems contrived or off-putting. The life the author presents is inviting in every way, from the beautiful relationships that include friendship, romance and an abiding sense of community to the loving but real families. I highly recommend this book, especially as a read aloud with your daughter or granddaughter!

- Jane N. - Webber House Review

Enough Kindness to Fill an Empty Heart Review

Wonderful, heartwarming story; a great book

“Enough Kindness to Fill and Empty Heart” is another wonderful book by author Mary Ellen Shea Clifford. This is a heartwarming story told by an author that truly wants to bring kindness and love to her reader and into their life. It’s very uplifting and I’m sure it will leave a long lasting positive mark on any reader.

I started following this author several years ago. As a Michigan native, I always enjoy books that are based in Michigan. The setting for this story is in Saginaw MI, a town about 30 miles from where I grew up. The author’s books are geared toward young teens but I’ve found them all to be a very enjoyable read even as an older adult. Each time I finish one of her books, I come away with an uplifted heart and spirit and this book does not disappoint. It has so many great gifts for the reader. When I read a book where the characters and their lives become real to me and I’m thinking about them weeks after the books ends; that’s when I know it’s a great book. (Luckily the author incorporates characters from her previous books into her new books; so I hope to get another glimpse of them in future stories.) This was one of those kind of books for me. Actually all of the books by this author are like that. She truly has a gift.

The author presents her stories with a faith-based theme that’s relatable and authentic; not forced, contrived or preachy. The main characters in this book are a middle school teacher (Beth) and student (Rebecca) in a Catholic school. Although I’m not Catholic, I could easily relate. There are so many wonderful life lessons that are woven throughout the book that make it not only an entertaining read but also a read that, regardless of age, enriches the life of any reader.

This book covers many different topics from friendships, family issues, relationships between people of all age groups and even challenges with weight/health issues. The characters are not presented as perfect people; but most are people who are striving to live their best lives. They have flaws and we are introduced to some of those but we also have a front row seat to watch the characters use faith, prayer and support from others to help deal with them and with life’s issues and problems.

The author’s writing is very descriptive. I feel like I’m right there. I’m in the school, I’m at the thrift store, I’m at the Estate Sales, I’m having coffee at the local coffee shop, I’m buying plants at local florist and enjoying a sweet treat on the patio of the local bakery. I also enjoyed the small details that the author weaves into the story. I don’t enjoy cooking, but the meals Beth and Rebecca made inspired me to try some new things. I enjoyed visualizing Rebecca’s displays in the thrift shop and also reading about her designs. Just writing this makes me homesick for the neighborhood and all the people that were brought to life in my imagination from Mary Ellen Shea Clifford’s written words.

The introduction in the beginning of the book allows you to learn a little bit about the author and understand her passion for writing the stories she does. I love the prayers that she shares as herself and also those scattered thru the story. I really like the epilogue as it helps give the reader one more chance to say goodbye to the characters; a little closure. I also really enjoyed the discussion questions at the end of the book. That helps brings things full circle. The cover art is really beautiful as well. I enjoyed reading that it was a painting by a local Saginaw, MI artist. It really set the tone for the story.

I encourage people who buy this book to also read previous books by this author. I’ll be looking forward to her next book.

-Amazon Customer-