Barbara's Books
Stories of healing, imagination, and the quiet threads that shape a life.
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There are stories that entertain, and there are stories that stay with you. Barbara J Mockford writes the kind that linger. The kind that gently ask you to reflect, to feel, and sometimes, to heal.
From children’s picture books to young adult fiction, fantasy, memoir, and non-fiction, her work is rooted in lived experience, shaped by years in education, and guided by a subtle spiritual perspective that invites rather than instructs.
Books by Barbara J Mockford
A Collection of Stories Across Life, Healing, and Imagination
Barbara’s writing moves across genres, but each book shares a common purpose. To explore what it means to live, to struggle, to imagine, and to find meaning in the experience.
Please Tell Me Who I Am
Young Adult Fiction | 2019
(Published under Marti A Hough)
Set in rural Alberta in the 1960s, this coming-of-age story follows Alexis, a young girl navigating abandonment, isolation, and emotional pain. Through her weekly visits to the library and an unexpected relationship with a new librarian, her world begins to shift in ways she never expected.
Trees of the Lew: The Amber Pendant
Young Adult Fantasy | 2024
In the ancient Lew Forest, Tree Spirits, animals, and unseen forces live in harmony until that balance is disrupted. As new and unfamiliar beings enter their world, courage, curiosity, and connection are tested in this imaginative and spiritually layered story.
Crying Silent Tears
Non-Fiction | 2024
A deeply personal exploration of healing from childhood sexual abuse. This book walks through betrayal, grief, and the long path toward healing, offering both honesty and hope for those on a similar journey.
My Blue Angel
Memoir | 2025
A reflective and complex memoir that weaves together memory, trauma, and unexpected moments of grace. At its heart is the story of survival, and the presence of something greater that quietly intervenes along the way.
Continuing the Story...
Barbara’s work continues to grow, with new stories already taking shape.
The Storm
Children’s Picture Book | Coming 2026
EXPECTED SUMMER 2026
Barbara's first to be published children's illustrated book. The Storm is a story of loss, fear, and quiet reassurance, as a young boy discovers he is never truly alone.
Fire, Fire, You’re a Liar
Sequel to Please Tell Me Who I Am
EXPECTED SUMMER 2027
A new mystery unfolds as secrets surface and danger draws closer. Alexis returns, but the cost of uncovering the truth may be higher than before.
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Blessing Waters
The Next Installment of the Trees of the Lew
EXPECTED SUMMER 2028
A drought threatens the Lew Forest, but something more than nature is at work. As the waters disappear, questions arise about what forces are behind it, and who must stand against them.
What Readers Are Saying
"The layers of self-portrayal in this simple telling of a complex personality are exceptionally woven into the character of Alexis. You feel her fear of her own revelation: you sense her urgency to do so. Alexis invites us to know her, to stay with her as she faces the story that is hers, to honour the pain that drives her cutting. I grew to love her as I read and by the end realized that she is not so different from all of us. Her pain is very real but you never feel you need to turn away from it. An intense personal read, especially for those who have needed to move between parts of themselves to cope with what has been too painful for one part to hold. A tremendous resource for therapists and psychologists journeying with the Multiple Personalities that may evidence before them, all asking for care."
Dr. Colleen MacDougall, Registered Psychologist, Review for Please Tell Me Who I am
"The Amber Pendant is a captivating journey into a beautifully crafted world brimming with magic. The story's rich themes of charity, mercy, gratitude, and wisdom are masterfully woven into a plot that keeps readers eagerly turning pages. Each character brings a unique charm and relatability, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their journeys. Fans of young adult fantasy will find themselves swept away by this wonderfully imaginative world, and long after they've finished the final chapter, the lessons and warmth of the story will linger in their hearts."
Meaghan Clark, Review for The Amber Pendant
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Meet Barbara J Mockford, M.Ed.
Barbara J Mockford is a retired teacher with a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education, with a focus on early literacy and the role literature plays in shaping understanding.
But long before the credentials, she was a writer.
It took fifty years before she completed her first book, written longhand in the middle of a busy mall food court. The noise never distracted her. She was already somewhere else, deep in the story.
Her books now span multiple genres, but they are connected by something consistent and unmistakable. A quiet depth. A sense of reflection. And a spiritual thread woven gently through each story, never imposed, always offered.
Barbara lives in Sherwood Park, Alberta, where her life as a mother, grandmother, teacher, and writer continues to shape the stories she tells.
From Barbara's Desk
Reflections on Writing, Healing, and Story Telling
Writing has never been just about telling a story. It has always been about understanding something more deeply.
In this space, Barbara shares reflections on her books, the writing process, teaching, and the experiences that shape the stories she tells.
A Place to Connect
If something you’ve read here resonates with you, you’re welcome to reach out.
Whether you’re a reader, a fellow writer, part of a book club, or simply someone with a question, Barbara welcomes thoughtful connection.
Email: barbarasbooks.yeg@gmail.com