Amanda LaPera Books

Books

Memoir and fiction united by hope, resilience, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

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True Stories

Psychology Memoirs

A father’s severe mental illness. A family’s search for hope and understanding.

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Young Adult Fiction

Desert of Dreams

Friends forever. Connected coming-of-age stories set in a remote Mojave Desert town.

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Coming Soon

Dystopian Fiction

New worlds. Impossible choices. Stories of survival, hope, and humanity are on the horizon.

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Psychology Memoirs

Standalone memoirs in a connected family story.

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Psychology Memoirs · Book 1 · Standalone

Losing Dad, Paranoid Schizophrenia: A Family's Search for Hope

When Amanda's father develops paranoid schizophrenia at age fifty-three without any history of drugs and disappears, her family begins a desperate search to bring him home.

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Psychology Memoirs · Book 2 · Standalone Sequel

Finding Dad, Paranoid Schizophrenia: An End to the Search

Ten years after her father disappears, Amanda receives a call that changes everything and begins a search that will transform her understanding of family, love, and resilience.

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Desert of Dreams Series

Standalone young adult novels with connected characters.

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Desert of Dreams · Book 0 · Prequel Novella

Sway with the Wind: A Prequel Novella

After a tragic accident claims her parents, Anne is sent to live with her grandfather on his remote desert ranch. Overcoming loss requires courage.

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Desert of Dreams · Book 1

Dare to Dream

Kiara seeks love and acceptance in all the wrong places. Daring to dream of more begins with believing in herself.

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Desert of Dreams · Book 2

Reach for Hope

A powerful coming-of-age story about survival, love, and courage.

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Desert of Dreams · Book 3

Embrace the Truth

Some truths demand courage. Sometimes love hurts more than it heals.

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Dystopian Fiction

New worlds. Impossible choices. Stories of survival, hope, and humanity are on the horizon.

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Recognition

Awards

Readers’ Favorite 5-star reviews – Desert of Dreams Series, Losing Dad, Finding Dad
IBPA Benjamin Franklin Silver Award recognition - Losing Dad
BookLife Prize Quarter Finalist - Losing Dad
Readers’ Favorite Book Award finalist recognition – Losing Dad
IAN Book of the Year Awards finalist recognition – Finding Dad