Fierce, Funny, and Female

A Journey Through Middle America,
the Texas Oil Field, and Standup Comedy

by

MARTI MacGIBBON

Genre: Memoir / Drama / Humor

Publisher: Stay Strong Publishing

Publication Date: March 20, 2017

Number of Pages: 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 Book Award, Women’s Studies

FINALIST, 2018 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Memoir (Overcoming Adversity)

PRAISE

“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

Amazon  ┃  Baker and Taylor

This book dives into the gritty world of Texas oil fields, growing up in the 70’s and free love & drugs, and one woman’s perseverance to survive it all, if not for herself, then for her daughter.

I was intrigued by this book because Marti is a woman that found herself in a man’s world in the late 70s. And not just any man’s world, but one that was rough and tough and filled with discrimination and sexual overtones.  She gave as good as she got and was well respected by her peers which was probably a miracle considering the industry.

The first third of the book discusses her life growing up and some of the horrors she encountered as a teen, a young wife, and as a mother.  Some of the chapters were hard to read for me because of the drug use described in the chapters, but that is not to say that I can’t appreciate her journey in her formative years.  Her ex’s family was very controlling and some of what she experienced at their hands was devastating.  I know there are many people out there like Derek and his parents and that is a shame but at the same time I think it gave Marti strength and courage to tackle tough career choices and excel later in life.

I enjoyed watching her grow especially when it came to being a comedian.  She took a lot of the advice to heart given by many famous comedians which helped her hone and perfect her craft.  I know she has given back ten fold what she received to other comedians coming up in the ranks.  I cracked up when she was describing a scene at a cattle call and laying on the Texas accent and stereotypes.  Funny thing is that she was talking to the head of NBC and had no idea who he was and his role at the studio.

Because no book is perfect, here are a few things I didn’t like or found lacking.  There are a ton of f* bombs.  I totally expected it especially during the chapters talking about the Texas oil fields and working with the men.  It is a hard job field and is filled with tough individuals with varied pasts and just seems like that would be a normal part of every day in the fields.  I didn’t expect to see one when talking about her childhood (around 8).   The other thing is that there was no mention of her daughter once Marti found herself immersed in becoming a stand-up comedian (the last few chapters).  I know she was working towards custody of her daughter but how was it resolved?

Overall this was a book that shows you that you can overcome anything once you have made that decision.  It will make you laugh and respect Marti for everything she endured before getting where she is today.

We give this 4 paws up.

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 standup 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.

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GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

Each of Three Winners Gets a Signed Copy of the Book PLUS:

FIRST PRIZE: 

$100 Spa Finder gift card + $25 Starbucks gift card + Moroccan oil sample collection
SECOND PRIZE:

Estee Lauder Limited Edition Gift Set + $25 Starbucks gift card

THIRD PRIZE:

$25 Starbucks gift card.

DECEMBER 12-21, 2018

(U.S. Only)

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