Author Alexandra McGroarty releases second book on Atmosphere Press

Alexandra McGroarty, local author from Marlton, NJ, releases her second book entitled, So Now What? Harnessing Grief After Life’s Major Losses. After losing her husband unexpectedly in 2021, McGroarty shares her journey through grief with an open mind and warm heart. She observes that grieving is an individual process and writes as if she’s speaking to a friend.

McGroarty could not find a fitting advice book as many are written by doctors or psychologists and she couldn’t relate to their text. As a single mom of two and new business owner, she decided to pen her own book to help others in her unexpected position. She wanted to share what helped her and offer guidance and suggestions. So Now What? explores the stages of grief from a real-life perspective, focusing on each individual person’s path as unique and different. No two grief journeys are the same, said McGroarty, who encourages readers to take their own road forward.

“Grief after any loss is a very personal journey. Within a matter of hours, I went from being a happy wife to being a widow. I was in a state of shock – nothing had prepared me to lose someone so close to me,” says McGroarty, who resides in Marlton, New Jersey. “While grief never ends, I have learned how to continue a meaningful relationship with my late husband, while honoring his memory and our life together. I wrote this book to try to help those who are having a difficult time moving forward.”

McGroarty writes about a positive approach to grief by encouraging readers to release guilt and expectations. She explores strategies for understanding and working through grief, such as therapy and creating rituals to honor and cherish the deceased. So Now What? ends with a look at some of the unexpected gifts that come from a tragedy like hers.

So Now What? Harnessing Grief After Life’s Major Losses is published by Atmosphere Press, and is available online through the publisher, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

McGroarty is also working on a children’s book about grief entitled, Until We Meet Again Leo, which will be available later this summer. For information, visit www.alexandramcgroarty.com.

McGroarty’s first book is Bridging the Gap - Reducing Gender Bias in the Workplace. It is an overview of the current state of gender bias in the workforce with a personal twist. McGroarty outlines unconscious biases and how the pandemic changed how women are viewed in the workforce. By outlining what women face both at home and at work, McGroarty lays a path for how to reduce gender bias. It can be found on Amazon.

Early Amazon 5-star reviews for So Now What?:

“For a long time during your grief, you might have felt adrift, lost, like a stranger in your own life. You are, nevertheless, still you, still capable of love, joy, remembrance, and laughter.”

“When one is in pain as a result of a death of a loved one, if there was only one book to read, it would certainly be this one; it will undoubtedly help you in this difficult time. Simple to read and of great depth”.

“The author has a gentle way with words, each day's page opens the heart to healing step by step, she puts into words things I'm feeling but can't quite articulate, so that when I read certain passages I think, “Yes - exactly!” and she is also giving me greater understanding of some things I’m experiencing and walking me through them”.

“Alexandra McGroarty imparts her personal experience, she’s so brave and that makes this a powerful source of wisdom and practical insights for dealing with grief. There’re tools for finding meaning and purpose to move on with our lives despite the loss. And struggle with the complex emotions and challenges of grief and how it affects both us and the people around us.

The fact that it is well written makes it accessible. It has several quotes that touch your heart and with which many may feel identified.”

About Alexandra McGroarty:

Alexandra founded McGroarty & Co. Consulting with her husband in 2021. Due to her husband’s sudden death, in only 6 months, she became the sole proprietor of her business. She serves as the lead Human Resources consultant. She is a certified Diversity Professional as well as a Certified Professional Coach who recently obtained a graduate certificate from Cornell University in sustainability. Alexandra lives with her two children, Lucas and Ava, two dogs, Sugar and Fiona, and a feisty cat named Scrambles, in Marlton, New Jersey. In her free time, she likes to spend time with family, travel, and volunteer in the Greater Philadelphia area.