BETWEEN TWO SEASONS
by Marc Macdonald
GENRE: Literary Fiction
Blurb:
Haunted by regret and stalled by guilt, Alex Chambers arrives at Silver Springs Health and Rehabilitation Centre searching for redemption. What he finds instead is Mae Seasons—a sharp-tongued, fiercely independent resident with no interest in being anyone’s project.
Alex came hoping to make amends for the mistakes of his youth, especially to the woman he once hurt. But when that hope slips away, he’s drawn into an unexpected role: caregiver and reluctant confidant to Mae, whose irreverence hides a lifetime of buried truths.
As days at Silver Springs unfold in their strange, often absurd rhythm, Alex is forced to confront the tangled grief of his past. Through awkward silences, reluctant confessions, and moments of startling vulnerability, he and Mae forge an unlikely friendship—one stitched together by shared loneliness, reluctant compassion, and the possibility of healing.
At once poignant and quietly humorous, Between Two Seasons is a story about the lives we try to outrun, the people who challenge us to face ourselves, and the surprising ways connection takes root.
Excerpt:
Walking back to my room after Mae had been escorted to her doctor’s appointment, Susanne lobbied my attention from near the elevator, requesting a word that, although promised, I knew wouldn’t be quick.
Great, I thought. What fresh hell does she have in store for me now? Was she coming, with her corporate language, to add salt to my very fresh shin wound?
Susanne was dressed in her self-styled uniform. Nearly everything was exactly the same as the day before, but instead of a navy-blue ensemble, it was charcoal grey. Even her hair looked the exact same. If her tone indicated she was operated by levers, her attire confirmed it.
“Mr. Chambers, how are you this fine afternoon?” she asked cheerily. Fake, but cheerily.
“I’m good, Susanne.” Thanks for asking. I guess.
“I heard you had a little mishap with Ms. Seasons this morning. I do hope you will try not to rile her up like that in the future.”
Stunned at where she could have possibly received such misguided information as to the morning’s events, my mouth opened to respond, but no words formed.
“Very well then. I just wanted to check in on you and remind you that our older guests here at Silver Spring can be very sensitive. Many of them have lived a life you and I could never dream of enduring. We need to be mindful of that at all times. I do hope you will remember and conduct yourself accordingly.”
I felt my jaw inching closer to the floor.
“Yes, very good. If you need anything, please let Mr. Abner at the front know. He can assist you with whatever you require. Though, in the future, do try to be a little kinder to him as well. We want to make sure we treat everyone here at Silver Springs, whether staff or resident, with the utmost respect, care, and love.”
Jaw met floor.
Interview with Marc Macdonald
What is your favorite part of the book?
For me, it has to be the moment Mae and Alex arrive at the cabin. That scene captures the turning point where the chaos of their lives slows down, and they’re forced to face not only the wilderness around them but also the emotional landscapes within. It’s quiet but charged—a place where the story breathes.
Does your book have a lesson? Moral?
If there’s a lesson, it’s not to hold on so tightly to the past that you forget to live in the present. Nostalgia can be comforting, but it can also become a trap. The book is about learning to loosen that grip and rediscovering what it means to live now.
Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
They’re entirely from my imagination. Of course, like any writer, I can’t help but be inspired by people I’ve met, scenes I’ve witnessed, or conversations I’ve overheard. But Mae, Alex, and the rest of the cast are fictional creations through and through.
Of all the characters you have created, which is your favorite and why?
Mae Seasons is my favorite. She’s got this spitfire attitude that makes her both unpredictable and magnetic. Writing her dialogue was a joy—she always seemed to have something sharp, funny, or brutally honest to say.
What character in your book are you least likely to get along with?
Probably Phil. He means well, but he can be kind of a pain, especially in the beginning. He represents that sort of person who thinks they know what’s best for everyone else, and I think I’d find myself butting heads with him pretty quickly.
What would the main character in your book have to say about you?
I think Alex and I would get along pretty well—we’d probably have some thoughtful conversations over a drink. Mae, on the other hand, might treat me exactly the way she treats Alex: skeptical, challenging, maybe even a little dismissive at first. But I’d like to believe she’d come around.
Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
In the last few pages of Between Two Seasons, readers get a sneak peek at the sequel, which is coming in May 2026. Those two are directly connected, continuing Mae and Alex’s journey. Beyond that, though, I imagine most of my books will stand on their own—new characters, new settings, and fresh stories that don’t require you to have read the others.
Author Bio and Links
Marc MacDonald is an author who believes every great story starts with a spark—whether it’s a single sentence, an unforgettable character, or an idea that won’t let go. As the writer behind Between Two Seasons, a novel that celebrates the beauty of human connection, Marc weaves heartfelt narratives that linger long after the last page is turned.
When he’s not crafting compelling fiction, Marc applies his storytelling skills as a seasoned communications professional, proving that every message—whether in a book or a press release—deserves to be engaging. He’s also a fierce defender of the Oxford comma, an unapologetic pun enthusiast, and someone who firmly believes that coffee is the most essential writing tool.
Find him deep in his next manuscript, chasing inspiration, or justifying “research” as an excuse to buy more books. Catch up with Marc on his personal website: https://marcmacdonald.ca/ or @MarcMacWrites on Instagram.
Giveaway:
