Writing fiction is actually the third career for the author of the new book, The Genuine Stories.

Susan Smith Daniels lives in Iowa and started writing for a equestrian magazine, Practical Horseman, in 1999 when her daughter began to participate in horse shows. Previously she had helped her husband with his business and attended Fairfield University’s Master of Fine Arts program, graduating in 2002.

She found people were drawn to her descriptions of characters and it led to the publication of her first book, “Horse Show Mom Survival Guide,” in 2005.

“I think it comes from an urge to say something or say something better,” Daniels said during a telephone interview earlier this week. “I’ve been an avid reader all my life and write to figure out what I think.”

Her book “The Genuine Stories” is 205 pages of sheer wonder and amazing storytelling as Daniels has weaved together 16 linked short stories that revolve around Genevieve “Genuine” Eriksson, who at the age of 8 finds she possess the ability to heal sick people and help the injured recover from their wounds.

It’s one of those rare books that leaves you pondering for days after reading it how you personally would react to situations she describes.

In each of the stories, Daniels explores the precious human connections we all share with one another, the depths of grief and the miracles of associated with a healing touch. She examines relationships, puts vulnerability under the microscope and captivates readers with lavish and detailed descriptions of the daily struggles anyone may endure at some point in their life.

“When I’m writing, I don’t always think about character appeal, who would this be, how would they relate,” she said. “The character of Genuine just kind of came to me. But a lot of things in that story are things I’ve experienced.”

Her stories are part-inspirational, part-motivational and keep the reader involved from beginning to end.  She uses the backdrop of Genuine’s healing powers to spin tales that unleash a roller coaster of emotions, a deluge of stressful situations and topical issues, foreshadowing, and grace under fire, all significant aspects of what we call life.

For this moving collection of richly told tales, “The Genuine Stories” was awarded the Fairfield Book Prize and because of her passion for writing, Daniels is pursuing a doctorate degree in creative writing from Bath Spa University in the United Kingdom.

She said being a published author has cultivated her interest to write more and Daniels is now working on a novel called “I Remember I Forget,” a senior love story about memory loss.

According to Daniels, the creative process is the best part of writing.

“It’s super rewarding,” she said. “It’s not just how you’re thinking, it’s how you put your words together. Hardly anybody gets what you do.”

The underlying message of “The Genuine Stories,” says Daniels, is hope.

“The world is large and filled with large problems and the ways to connect with each other are the way to succeed,” she said.

“The Genuine Stories” is now available through New Rivers Press and can also be found on Amazon.