EXCERPT: 

For as long as I can remember, I have been surrounded by these blonde, beautiful smoking people.

Me— in all my blackness, finding myself time after time sitting in the presence of my Mother or Martin (vital people)

staring in awe at them—

All blonde and beautiful and smoking like demons from Hell. Taking their long, lazy drags and then blowing smoke out all around their words—

(around me.)

I get lost in the clouds.

I breathe them in deeply, knowing the dangers,

but unable to walk away.

You see, I have always believed

that everyone you really loved

killed you a little

just by breathing.

EXCERPT:           

While he stood there, I stared at his strong profile and smiled as he fussed over the chiffon drape one last time. It wasn’t going to get any more perfect, but the act of fussing was how funeral directors showed they cared. Joel used to fuss for hours, picking at invisible pieces of hair and lint, straightening already perfect ties again and again, right up until the family walked in sometimes— this was an unspoken sign of dedication and personal investment.

I watched Martin’s lined face, bent seriously over the casket as he set about straightening the chiffon with the importance and earnestness of a doctor performing surgery.

Dear Martin, I thought, how could anyone not see the beauty in your tall grace— your stiff elegance— and your overwhelming (and ever mounting) fear?

EXCERPT: 

            I stared straight ahead.

            He stared at the table. 

            He lit a cigarette.  I watched the tip grow crimson red and begin to dance as he sucked air and smoke into his lungs.  Finally, it turned mostly into gray ash with a red glowing center.  Tiny bits of ash broke away and played in the invisible air currents, and landed ultimately near the end of the brown veneer table or wafted off over the edge. 

            Watching Martin play so casually with the world's wanton desire to catch fire and go up into flames was like waiting for God to show up.  He looked up and blew a lopsided smoke ring in my direction. 

            "Hey look, Lou," he said in a relaxed tone.  "I made a heart for you."

CRITICAL REVIEWS:
THE PAPER

thecommunitypaper.com

June 9, 2011

The Final Bath
A Review

by lyle e davis

I’ve come across a rather fascinating book by a local author, Amber Lenore Winckler.

“The Final Bath,” is a book dealing with what many of us tend to think of as a sensitive issue . . . but, in fact, it’s simply another part of life. Funerals, funeral homes, and the people who provide those services. This book is an excellent look inside that world as Ms. Winckler takes us through the rites of passage of a young lady who has just graduated from Mortuary Science, serves her apprenticeship, excels at it, and finally becomes a full fledged embalmer and funeral consultant.

One suspects much of Ms. Winckler’s book is modeled after herself as she has gone through all of what is described in the book.

Contrary to what you might believe, the book is not at all morbid. Far from it. It is an unusual opportunity to look inside a profession that most of us just talk about . . . and wonder about.

It’s a brilliantly written book, easy to read, and easy to follow her journey. Once you have finished the book you will not only have enjoyed a good read, complete with a bit of touching romance, but you will also have a better understanding of those who live and work within the funeral world.

Ms. Winckler worked in Escondido at the Alhiser-Comer Mortuary as an Apprentice Embalmer. She went on to become one of the first female mortuary technicians ever hired by the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office.

She has since written several other books, one of which has made it as a finalist on the San Diego Book Awards. See:
http://sdbookawards.com/finalists_2011.php - Check Published Fiction, Short Stories.

The young lady can write! More importantly, she writes well. I look forward to reading more of her books and have great pleasure in recommending her to you. “The Final Bath,” and her other books may be ordered from amazon.com or kindle.

READER REVIEWS:

I selected The Final Bath for my book club and I'm so glad I did. Not only did everyone really enjoy the book, we found the topic spurred a lot of interesting conversation.

I am not a graceful writer so I wont even try. This is a raw reponse. I have only read one book in my 47 years of life... sad to say.This was my second. On recommendation from my mom I read and never stopped. I sat down at 11:00am and at 5:00 with no potty break had ended and in tears?? dont know why... loved the way Amber wrote , had me captured all the way. Made me think alot. Loved the writing loved the book.... forever in my memory..

 Being in the funeral profession for 27 yrs., I found Amber's book "The Final Bath", an astute depiction of the day to day operations of our profession and our dealings with the families who we meet at the worst time of their life. Her story about a student who has just graduated from a college of Mortuary science is very accurate. The book also does not shy away from addressing the whole issue of burn out in the profession. I could relate personally to some of the issues of burn out that Amber wrote about. "The Final Bath" gives a well balanced treatment of our profession, a profession I am proud to be a part of.

The Final Bath quickly grabs your attention and immerses the reader into the life of Apprentice Embalmer Louise. I followed Louise as she dealt with the very human struggles of success, failure, morality, addiction, religion, loneliness, and facing the end of life. It also immerses the reader into the often overlooked world that cares for our dead and deceased. It's a very real and honest look at an incredibly challenging occupation.

Ms. Winckler has captured the reader with her impeccable writing skills and candid peak behind the scenes of the American funeral industry. I was captivated from the moment I commenced my reading until the last page was turned! I look forward with anticipation towards her next work of genius. Absolutely outstanding! 5 Stars!

I started this novel last night about 10:00 P. M. and could not put it down. My path through the funeral business is very similar to the character in many ways. I found such truth in some of Winckler's writings that I have never been able to express to those closest to me.I plan to highlight the parts of this book that mean the most to me and let them read it, and hopefully they will gain more insight to who I am. I am a pretty serious funeral director and I usually do not feel good about industry related media...but Ms. Winckler nailed it. Thanks.
20+ year Funeral Director

The Final Bath is a surprisingly touching, nuanced book. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the book was not an empty, voyeuristic gore-fest, but a compelling, sincere, and entertaining illustration of an earnest, young mortician's experience.

I really appreciated the sincerity of "The Final Bath." The main character is so adorably unassuming and honest about her flaws and tribulations that you become part of her world and simply care more and more with each page. The other characters are all so different, flawed, and yet very believable and real--you feel like you can touch them.

"The Final Bath" is a powerful book. It is a coming-of-age story driven in reality through profound verse-like words.