HOW TWO AUTHORS ARE TURNING INTO PURPOSE
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BY JILL MARKS & KIMBERLY CANO
IN TODAY’S WORLD, parenting can feel overwhelming, especially when faced with tough conversations around grief, addiction and resilience. But stories have the power to comfort, educate, and transform. That’s the mission behind two heart-centered authors: Kimberly Cano (a.k.a. Natasha Brune) and proud Parker mom, Jill “Bubbles” Marks. Together, inspired by true stories, they are using the written word and their experiences to heal hearts and spark hope in children and adults alike. Kimberly Cano is the creative force behind the Wise Marie book series—deep, gripping novels inspired by real-life survival, addiction, and reinvention. Available on Amazon in multiple formats, the series includes both adult and children’s editions. Her children’s line, Wise Marie and the Little Ladybug, blends vintage adventure with moral courage, while her adult books dig deep into the human spirit, tracing difficult but empowering paths toward healing. More than just an author, Kimberly is a passionate keynote speaker and advocate. She regularly brings her message of resilience to prisons, rehab centers, and corporate settings to promote drug rehab awareness and suicide prevention. As CEO of the Aloha Jigsaw Foundation, Kimberly works to empower youth with higher confidence, entrepreneurial tools, and cultural pride.“ We’re helping kids teach us about their world while equipping them with the mindset to become tomorrow’s leaders,” she says.
Jill “Bubbles” Marks, owner of Bubbles Publishing Limited, brings deeply personal perspective to her work. After losing her son, Guy, to suicide 8 years ago, Jill channeled her grief into writing The Travels of Princess Buttercup and Westley series—heartwarming stories about her dogs and their loving human family (including Guy) traveling the world. “This way,” Jill explained, “Guy will live forever in the literary world.” Her books explore themes like friendship, travel, uncertainty, and life transitions with warmth, humor, and gentle honesty. She uses some big words but defines them for the children in what she calls “big word bubbles.” Loved by parents, educators, and therapists, her stories offer comfort while fostering emotional literacy. A portion of the proceeds is donated to suicide prevention charities in honor of her son. Together, Kimberly and Jill are joining forces to amplify their impact through community outreach, school visits, and public speaking. Whether it’s reading to children in a library, leading a workshop at a women’s summit, or speaking at a recovery center, they aim to turn storytelling into an act of transformation. “Our work isn’t just about books,” says Kimberly. “It’s about restoring faith in what’s possible—even in the darkest chapters. For more on Wise Marie, The Travels of Princess Buttercup and Westley, or to book Kimberly and Jill for your next outreach event, visit Amazon or connect through Aloha Jigsaw Foundation (alohajigsawfoundation.org) or Bubbles Publishing Limited (bubblespub.com).