Karen Malena

With a vivid imagination, the lessons learned in childhood, and the love of a close, Italian family, Karen began writing heartfelt, inspirational fiction novels, one which closely follows many of the conversations she and her mother shared through the years: Reflections From my Mother’s Kitchen: A Journey of Healing and Hope.

When her mother began showing signs of Alzheimer’s- type- dementia in the last several years, Karen once again stepped into the role of caregiver for her aging parents along with the help of a wonderful brother. It was watching the love between her parents into the golden years which inspired her fiction novels about dementia: Love Woven in Time, and Love Finds a Way.

Karen has been active mentoring young writers, speaking at local libraries, schools, and care facilities. Recently she became a member of AlzAuthors, a loving community of writers dedicated to encouraging caregivers and family members of loved ones with dementia and Alzheimer's. Karen is a passionate advocate for the elderly.

Her walk with God has given her the inspiration to blog about losing her parents and their family’s journey from grief to healing and other heartfelt, encouraging tales.

Several of Karen’s stories were recently chosen by Guidepost’s sister magazines for publication. “The Earrings” appeared in Mysterious Ways magazine, “The Memory Blanket,” in Angels on Earth, and "Merry Christmas Mom and Dad,” as well as a few others.

She has written several other books, Piggy, a fun cat story which showcases friendship and carries an anti-bullying message, and Sound of Silence, a cautionary dystopian tale about a society forbidden to utter the spoken word. Karen also is part of an anthology about rescue cats, entitled Rescued Two: The Healing Stories of Twelve Cats Through Their Eyes.

Karen is a member of Pittsburgh East Scribes writer’s group and Ligonier Valley Writers.