Good Morning, book nerds!
I am thrilled to host the next stop along Marti MacGibbon’s Fierce, Funny, and Female book tour! This memoir is full of heart & humor and you have the chance to win your own SIGNED copy, plus spa & Starbucks rewards below! Continue on to learn more about Marti, her story, and the awesome giveaway!
Fierce, Funny, and Female: A Journey Through Middle America, the Texas Oil Field, and Stand-up Comedy by Marti MacGibbon
Title & Author: Fierce, Funny, and Female: A Journey Through Middle America, the Texas Oil Field, and Stand-up Comedy by Marti MacGibbon
Genre: Memoir/Drama/Humor
Release Date: March 20, 2017
Publisher: Stay Strong Publishing
Series Details: Standalone (Prequel)
Page Count: 412 pages
Scroll down for the giveaway!
This book is the celebrated prequel to the critically acclaimed, nationally award-winning and bestselling memoir, Never Give in to Fear. In her raw, vivid, and unabashed style, author Marti MacGibbon
delivers a sometimes heartbreaking, often hilarious, always engaging account of her passage through trauma, betrayal, and loss in adolescence and young adulthood to discover her inner badass self. As one of the first women to work as a laborer in the Texas oil field, she set off explosives and staked oil wells before realizing her childhood dream of becoming a successful standup comic. Marti introduces readers to a wide range of characters in her life: from sleazy authority figures, wannabe Sixties musicians and crazed Corn Belt cult leaders, to Texas oil billionaires and wildcatters, to wild-eyed redneck coworkers who robbed banks on their lunch hour―in the company truck. The book includes scenes with iconic comedians, Hollywood entertainment industry moguls, and a legendary bluesman, and offers insights into resiliency, courage, and self-empowerment.
WINNER, 2017 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards in Humor
WINNER, 2017 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards in Women’s Studies
WINNER, 2017 National Indie Excellence Awards in Women’s Health
WINNER, 2017 Beverly Hills Book Awards in Women’s Issues
WINNER, 2018 Independent Press Award in Humor
WINNER, 2018 Independent Press Award in Women’s Studies
WINNER, 2018 New York City Book Award, Women’s Studies
FINALIST, 2018 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Memoir (Overcoming Adversity)
PRAISE FOR FIERCE, FUNNY, AND FEMALE:
“Being funny is a survival skill. Fierce, Funny, and Female is not only a survivor’s tale but an inspirational story of overcoming the unthinkable, again and again…Her courage and comedy make Fierce, Funny, and Female a winner.” — Foreword Clarion Reviews
“An effervescently witty…chronicle of perseverance and the power to overcome the darkest of days…Perhaps the most rewarding chapter in this chatty, affecting book is the concluding one, where MacGibbon lists the tried-and-true pearls of wisdom that continue to sustain her…” — Kirkus Reviews
“Fierce, Funny, and Female is a thoroughly engaging memoir packed with witty observations, high adventure, and a glimpse of behind-the-scenes Hollywood. Highly recommended!” — Midwest Book Review
“MacGibbon is a natural storyteller, and her life story is a most interesting one. The characters she has run across during her life journey are well-drawn and absolutely fascinating, particularly the good ol’ boys in the Texas oilfields.” — San Francisco Book Review
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I’ve only read a handful of memoirs this year, but even if nonfiction was my predominant genre, I’m certain MacGibbon’s story would leave a lasting impression.
“Deep down, I’ve always been fierce, but didn’t come to grips with that till later on.“
Told in three parts, this prequel focuses on MacGibbon’s traumatic teenage years, her tenacity in the Texas oil fields, and her time onstage as a stand-up comic. Written in an engaging voice, as if she’s speaking to us right off the page, Fierce, Funny, and Female quickly captured — and held — my attention. I fell hard for the spunky elementary school comic-in-training who took roles whenever, and wherever, she could find them. I appreciated her intensity and determination at such a young age (despite Sister Mary Elizabeth continued rejections), which probably made her turbulent transition into her teens even harder to read on the page. 
I know she grew up in a different era, but reading MacGibbon’s blunt reveal of how she lost her virginity, got involved with drugs, eating disorders, and skeevy photographers all before her SIXTEENTH birthday was simply heartbreaking. And the most chilling part? That was only the beginning. As a decades-later reader, all I could do was continue to quickly turn the pages to see how the after effects of trauma continued to mold MacGibbon’s life. From an early marriage to religious cults, debt collection, psych wards, a baby, and abusive and manipulative in-laws, our narrator faces quite the stress-inducing and unrelenting journey. And after an almost unfathomable incident, she’s forced to leave her only joy, her baby girl, and try to build a new life worthy of her in Texas.
“You fight by living, and working, and showing your kid how much you care, in any way possible And you wait, and watch and when your time comes, you’re ready…and I know how this is going to end up. I will prove my love for my child.“
The second (and largest) chunk of the novel set in the Texas oil fields provides some levity to the heavy content we’re exposed to in first third of the novel. I enjoyed getting to meet some of the gritty Texan characters and watch as MacGibbon’s determination and resilience earned her the highest esteem among the seismic crew. One of the biggest laughs for me in the novel actually came from some of the “bonding sessions” featured in this portion of book and involves deer blinds. Trust me it’s worth finding out what I mean on your own!
The final (and shortest section) of the memoir is devoted to MacGibbon’s transition to the stage. Even though it only occupied about 50 pages or so of the story, I truly enjoyed seeing how this evolution played out. It was great to see the advice, tips, and tricks she received along the way — especially in the form of a rather famous cameo.
Ultimately, while one major issue is left unresolved, this memoir was entertaining, emotional, and easy to get lost in! Packing some heavy-hitting punches (and punchlines) MacGibbon’s story is a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we stay true to ourselves and our goals.
A compelling speaker and storyteller, Marti MacGibbon, delivers high-energy presentations and writes books on overcoming adversity, addiction and recovery, and inspiration, with humor and a genuine, down-to-earth style. She’s experienced critical situations that no human being should have to face. 
In the past, she hit rock bottom in every possible way as a hard-core drug addict, was homeless, and was trafficked to Tokyo and held prisoner by Japanese organized crime. Her story of triumph is testimony to the power of the human spirit. Marti lives her message. She reveals simple, effective strategies that anyone can use to get back on track, build resiliency, reduce stress, and cultivate a sense of humor.
Marti is a bestselling author, inspirational speaker, certified addiction treatment professional, Gorski certified relapse-prevention specialist, and member of the National Speakers Association. She’s been interviewed in Entrepreneur, Investor’s Business Daily, on ABC-TV, CBS-TV, and numerous radio shows. And she’s funny: Marti traveled all over the U.S. as a professional stand-up comic and performed at the Hollywood Improv and Comedy Store. She is founder, producer, and host of Laff-aholics Comedy Benefit for Recovery, an annual charity fundraiser in Indianapolis featuring nationally headlining comedians. She also serves on the outreach committee of IPATH, Indiana Protection for Abused and Trafficked Humans Task Force.
║Website║Facebook║Twitter║Instagram║
║Goodreads║Amazon Author Page║YouTube║
Three Winners! In addition to a SIGNED copy of the book:
First Prize: $100 Spa Finder gift card + $25 Starbucks gift card + Moroccan oil sample collection
Second Prize: Estée Lauder Limited Edition Gift Set + $25 Starbucks gift card
Third Prize: $25 Starbucks gift card
December 12-21, 2018
(U.S. Only)
Enter Here!
VISIT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:
| 12/12/18 | Excerpt | Chapter Break Book Blog |
| 12/12/18 | Author Interview | Story Schmoozing Book Reviews |
| 12/13/18 | Review | Carpe Diem Chronicles |
| 12/14/18 | Playlist | All the Ups and Downs |
| 12/14/18 | Guest Post | Max Knight |
| 12/15/18 | Review | StoreyBook Reviews |
| 12/15/18 | Excerpt | The Clueless Gent |
| 12/16/18 | Review | The Book Review |
| 12/17/18 | Guest Post | That’s What She’s Reading |
| 12/17/18 | Scrapbook Page | Kelly Well Read |
| 12/18/18 | Review | Nerd Narration |
| 12/19/18 | Excerpt | Forgotten Winds |
| 12/19/18 | Guest Post | Momma on the Rocks |
| 12/20/18 | Review | Reading by Moonlight |
| 12/21/18 | Review | Missus Gonzo |
Blog tour services provided by:
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nerdnarrationblog.wordpress.com 
Thanks for this excellent review. I am in awe that one person went through so much, so young, and overcame it all to be successful and balanced. Sounds like a difficult but ultimately inspirational story.
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Thanks for the kind words, Kristine!! And I absolutely agree. Every time the story took another turn I found myself in a state of disbelief. Like ALL of this couldn’t happen to one person, could it? Definitely made the pages turn quickly!!
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Wow! Thank you for this wonderful, beautifully written review, Nerd Narration! I’m both honored and grateful to you for reading and featuring Fierce, Funny, and Female on your very cool blog! And your perception and empathy shines as you mention that the after effects of Marti’s adolescent trauma continued to mold her life. Trauma can make us vulnerable to more trauma, substance use disorders, and other difficulties. The one issue is left unresolved, because Marti’s story continues in Never Give in to Fear: Laughing All the Way Up from Rock Bottom, Marti’s story of surviving human trafficking, domestic violence, and addiction, and finding true love, happiness, and resolution of that one issue you mention. Thank you for your lively, upbeat, and fun writing style! You Rock!
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Thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed it and thank you so much for the opportunity to read this incredible journey.
Also I KNEW IT! I literally had a line in my original review about how I’m certain my questions would be answered in the next installment, but couldn’t find a way to properly verbalize it! I will definitely look into Never Give In To Fear because it sounds like another wild ride. ❤
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