On Tour 10/16/25-11/30/25 “The Past That Made Us” by Kelly Marks

Release Date: September 2, 2025

About The Book:

Millie Carpenter has built her life around control. A work-obsessed loner, she’s long believed the only person she can count on is herself-a belief shaped by a painful childhood and years of estrangement. But when a cancer diagnosis shatters her carefully ordered world, she’s forced to accept help from the last person she ever expected: her mother.

Returning to the seaside town of St. Bell, Maine, means confronting everything Millie thought she’d left behind-old grief, buried memories, and the man who once held her heart. The golden boy turned lobsterman who vanished when she needed him most.

As chemo drains her strength, Millie faces more than just the physical toll of illness. Long-suppressed wounds begin to resurface-and so do the people who might help her heal, if she can find the courage to let them.

Now, with the biggest fight of her life ahead, Millie must choose: keep running from the past, or embrace the messy, beautiful possibility of second chances.

About The Author:

KELLY MARKS worked as a nurse for ten years before settling into the somehow more demanding job of raising her kids. Born in Canada, but primarily raised in Texas, she calls herself a “Texas-Canadian.” She dreams of one day living on the ocean where she pictures writing novels to the background sounds of crashing waves. For now, she lives with her wonderful family in Houston, TX. The Past That Made Us is her debut novel.

To learn more about Kelly or become great reader friends, check out www.kellymarksbooks.com.

Social Media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelly.l.marks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kelmarks

Book Blurbs:

“Kelly Marks crafts an evocative story that is realistic, engaging, and hard to put down…The opportunity to absorb all of these features in a story that is compelling and inviting makes The Past That Made Us a provocative, engaging recommendation that will reach a wide audience.”-D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

“The Past That Made Us is a novel filled with deep insights. It’s also a beautiful story, and one I could happily read again and again. It’s Kelly Marks’ debut novel, and it’s truly a magnificent production…”-Lorraine Cobcroft, Reedsy Reviewer

“The author nails Millie’s voice as she narrates the story, revealing her emotions and creating an engaging, candid read…The Past That Made Us is a gem of a story featuring true-to-life characters and timeless themes.”-Edith Wairimu for Readers’ Favorite

Bloggers On Tour:

Oct. 16th- Books and Coffee MX https://instagram.com/booksandcoffeemx

Oct. 17th- Sarahs Bookish Reviews https://instagram.com/sarahs.bookish.reviews

Nov. 8th- Nissa The Bookworm https://instagram.com/nissa_the.bookworm

Nov. 14th- Nature Books and Coffee https://instagram.com/nature.books.and.coffee

Nov. 14th – Subakka Bookstuff https://instagram.com/subakka.bookstuff

Nov. 20th- Books Love And Understanding https://instagram.com/booksloveandunderstanding

Nov. 20th- Crafty Jenn Reads https://instagram.com/crafty.jenn.reads

Nov. 21st- One More Exclamation https://instagram.com/onemoreexclamation

Nov. 21st- Coffee Break Book Reviews https://instagram.com/coffee.break.book.reviews

Nov. 21st- Rozier Reads and Wine https://instagram.com/rozierreadsandwine

Nov. 26th Red Corset Reads https://www.instagram.com/redcorset_reads