Review: The 50-Year Secret by Julie MacNeil. Julie MacNeil is 6’4″, and although she is neither a WNBA athlete nor a famous model, she has a remarkable story to tell. Please read on to discover her fantastic journey.
Title: The 50-Year Secret
Author: Julie MacNeil
Publisher: Koehler Books
Genres: Medical Biography, Adoption, Genetic Biography
Print Length: 188 pages
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Synopsis and edition information is from Goodreads and Amazon.
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Review: The 50-Year Secret by Julie MacNeil
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Synopsis:
Julie MacNeil is 6’4,” and although she is neither a WNBA athlete nor a famous model, she has a remarkable story to tell. As an adopted child, she always wondered about the parents who gave her up. After overcoming a challenging childhood and surviving two tumultuous marriages, a chance DNA test revealed an incredibly rare and life-threatening liver-lung disease called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
Julie then embarked on a difficult journey to find her birth family. Her goal was to warn them about the disease, which is highly genetic and often undiagnosed. What followed was a miraculous sequence of events and a remarkable homecoming.
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[socialpug_tweet tweet=”Gina Reviews: The 50-Year Secret – 6’4″ Julie MacNeil has a remarkable story to tell. #NonFiction #BookReview #ReadingCommunity @ginaraemitchell @talljewels6ft4 #GeneticDisease #ad #adoption ” display_tweet=”Please share Julie’s incredible story on Twitter! “]
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My review: The 50-Year Secret by Julie MacNeil
Wow, what an incredible road the author has traveled. Her story is compelling from the opening page. Her trials with her mother, bullying at school, and typical mistakes made in early adulthood, never cause her to falter in her belief in herself or to lose her wit.
In her search for her biological parents, she is relentless for all the right reasons. I learned so much about Alpha-1 Antitrypsin from Ms. MacNeil. I commend her for her battle with the disease and for bringing knowledge to others concerning it.
So much of this story is relatable to every reader. Julie tells her story with wit, humor, and honesty. She is a true inspiration.
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The 50-Year SecretShop on Amazon Paperback 
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The is The 50-Year Secret is also available on Barnes & Noble & iTunes.
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Comments are greatly appreciated. Please scroll to the bottom to find the comment section!
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Meet Julie MacNeil:
I was adopted at birth and for many years have been curious about my family medical history. A few years ago (thanks to a chance DNA test), I learned I have a rare and potentially deadly genetic liver-lung disease called Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. This basically means my liver doesn’t produce a protein enzyme that my body needs to protect my lungs, and can lead to emphysema or COPD in someone like me who has never smoked. If left untreated, it can lead to needing a bilateral lung transplant.
Due to the highly genetic nature of this rare condition and the frightening side effects if undiagnosed, the doctors encouraged me to find my biological parents to encourage them to be tested as well.
“The 50-Year Secret” is my incredible journey to find them. Thank you to everyone who has encouraged and supported me along the way.
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Review: The 50-Year Secret by Julie MacNeil
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More from Julie:
How long have you been writing?
This is my first writing project. It took me about a year, and I had a lot of help.
What inspired you to write in this genre?
My story wanted to be told.
Do you have a set writing schedule?
No
Do you need silence to write, or can you work in any environment?
Definitely silent with very calming music in the background. Easily distracted
If you could set up your perfect writing scenario, what would it involve?
No clue. I’m contemplating a second book about all the things that have happened since meeting my family and advocation for the Alpha-1 Foundation.
Were you an avid reader growing up?
Not at all. It was hard for me to read. I do much better now.
Do you snack while writing, and if so, what is your favorite snack?
I rarely snack at all. If I do, it’s nuts and dried fruit.
Is there anything you would like my readers to know about you and your book?
If I can do it, anyone can. Writing anything used to be my biggest fear. Now I know I can do it better than before.
Author’s contact info:
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Check out The 50-Year Secret on Amazon!
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More non-fiction reviews by Gina
Are We French Yet? by Keith Van Sickle
Bedrolls, Bushes, and Beaches: The Hippie Years by Ron White
Make the Connection by Susan Berkowitz, SLP
The Deprived: Innocent on Death Row by Steffen Hou
Dancing With a Demon by Valerie Foster
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Gee, bring the Kleenex will ya? I loved Julie’s story since ti serves as an inspiration to never give up on your dreams and to never quit.