Showing posts with label author blog tour. Show all posts
Showing posts with label author blog tour. Show all posts

July and Everything After by Allie Nava: Blog Tour & Giveaway

Monday, November 11, 2024
 
July and Everything After by Allie Nava

We're back with another awesome blog tour for an amazing book you don't want to miss. Allie Nava is launching a blog tour for her book July and Everything After. Fans of Paolo Coelho, Amy Tan, Vaddey Ratner, and Khaled Hosseini will be captivated by July and Everything After, a modern tale of resilience and transformation against extraordinary odds. Join us as we celebrate the launch of her book with a giveaway and an interview with the author.

But before we get to that, here's more about her book:

Maya’s journey from America to her birth country was meant to be a nostalgic visit. Instead, it became a fight for survival.

On the eve of Maya's 22nd birthday, civil war breaks out in Sri Lanka. During what will become known as “Black July,” Maya is targeted and attacked in the organized massacres and pogroms against minorities, and she barely escapes the genocidal chaos.

Haunted by the horrors she witnessed, Maya returns to the US and tries to rally a diverse group of allies to help expose the atrocities in her birth country, among them her Norwegian-American best friend, a magnanimous Catholic nun, and a gifted young man from her past.

Bent on justice, Maya isn’t prepared for the unexpected twists and turns and confrontations with a nemesis that will test her resolve. As the war and humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka intensify, so does Maya’s disillusionment, but contact with a mysterious mentor whose wisdom she once ignored holds the key to her future.

Fans of Paolo Coelho, Amy Tan, Vaddey Ratner, and Khaled Hosseini will be captivated by July and Everything After, a modern tale of resilience and transformation against extraordinary odds and war.

Publisher: DartFrog Books (September 16, 2024)
ISBN: 1965253059
ISBN: 978-1965253052
AISN:  B0DHFWGP1P
Print length:  238 pages

Purchase your copy on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop.org. You'll also want to add it to your GoodReads reading list.

About the Author, Allie Nava


Allie Nava is an American writer who survived the violent anti-minority massacres of 1970s Sri Lanka. A former executive and writing advisor, she’s been a board member or advocate for several mission-oriented organizations including Bellevue Literary Review and Golden Seeds. She has been an invited speaker at several ideas festivals, universities, and conferences, an expert panelist for WNYC (The Brian Lehrer Show), and has been recognized for her work  by several organizations including Amazon, Harvard, and Asia Society.  She is a member of The Authors Guild.


--- Interview by Jodi M. Webb

WOW: Congratulations on July and Everything After. Were you ever concerned that readers would be unfamiliar with the events of the Sri Lankan civil war featured in your book?

Allie: The story is as much an American story, as it is one with events that take place across both the US and South Asia. It is the story of human resilience and transcendence, based on an American citizen’s experience with oppression and terror in her birth country in 1983, and how she tries to grapple with the fallout while attempting to rally personal US allies. I wanted to introduce an overlooked chapter of human history as a vessel for telling this story of resilience against extraordinary odds, to underscore that the themes are universal. I hope readers get something meaningful out of the story, whether it be a view into human resilience, or the action-packed excitement of the story itself, or even a bit of romance.

WOW: Was it difficult writing a fictional account of a world event that you lived through?

Allie: While I wasn’t physically present in South Asia in 1983, I was attacked there during the events in 1977, and was fortunate to survive, while hundreds of others died. That experience did provide me with a unique lens through which to try to tell this story as authentically as possible through a fictional format, what a character might go through and feel moment to moment, before, during, and after such incidents, and the various personal issues that one might grapple with. The characters' experiences also include the triumphs in life, the friendships, the romances, the lighter moments, and a path that the journey of resilience might take. I did also conduct research and interviews to learn more, and I believe this was a powerful and important aspect of being able to develop and tell the story.

WOW: Sorry, I mixed up the events of 1977 and 1983. Just like Maya, and indeed yourself, it seems most people have some degree of trauma in their past. What have you found to be the best advice for moving past trauma?

Allie: My observation is that while many people learn to move past trauma through their own life experiences grappling with it, for those that continue to struggle, a mentor figure can play an important role in helping that person move past that trauma, whether that mentor figure be a friend, or therapist, or religious figure, or something else. Many people also have shared with me that their exposure to philosophies that focus on self-awareness, learning, truth-seeking, analysis, and personal responsibility, also can expedite this healing process.

WOW: July and Everything After has been a success. Can you tell us something surprising about being the author of a bestselling book?

Allie: I am in awe of the generosity of readers and friends who have supported the book or said they gained something meaningful from it. I’ve also been surprised by the amount of time it takes to move from a fully written manuscript through a revision process, especially the one I embarked on myself before I even showed it to an editor. I appreciate the process though, because I witnessed how a book can improve through those many revisions, as well as benefitted from perspectives of beta readers and an outside editor.

WOW: Can you tell us a little about your life beyond your writing?

Allie: When I’m not writing for my next book, I dedicate myself to work that moves opportunity forward for women in various ways. Through my prior career, my current projects, and my volunteer endeavors, I focus on working with organizations that advance economic, leadership, and creative arts opportunities for women. Outside of that, I enjoy discovering new restaurants, new walking trails, and new travel destinations, though there are many places I also enjoy returning. I love learning about the history of the places I visit. And yes, I appreciate reading new books and of course a great romance (be it film or book)!

WOW: Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us today. Good luck with your next book!

July and Everything After by Allie Nava Blog Tour

-- Blog Tour Calendar

November 11th @ The Muffin
Join us as we celebrate the launch of Allie Nava's novel July and Everything After. Read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of her book.

November 13th @ Create Write Now 
In today's spotlight, learn more about July and Everything After by Allie Nava.

November 14th @ Pages and Paws
Stop by for a review of  July and Everything After.

November 17th @ Just Katherine
Novelist Allie Nava writes about Carving a Tunnel of Hope.

November 18th @ Tracey Lampley
"Expect to self-rescue. No help is coming.” Learn more in today's guest post by writer Allie Nava.

November 19th @ The Faerie Review
Need an addition to your TBR pile? Check out today's spotlight of July and Everything After by Allie Nava.

November 20th @ Pages and Paws
Author Allie Nava will also be sharing a guest post on kindness as the antidote to anger.

November 21st @ Some Thoughts - Everything Creativity
Novelist Allie Nava is writing about drawing your own conclusions.

November 23rd @ Words by Webb
Celebrate the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday with a new author. Read a review of Allie Nava' July and Everything After.

November 25th @ Chapter Break
Julie interviews author Allie Nava. Learn more about her and her novel July and Everything After.

November 27th @ A Storybook World
Today's guest poster, Allie Nava, writes about The Choice to Heal.

November 30th @ Nikki's Book Reviews
Stop by for Nikki's review of July and Everything After, a novel by Allie Nava. 

December 4th @ What Is That Book About
Start out a new month with a spotlight on a new book: July and Everything After.

December 7th @ A Wonderful World of Words
Allie Nava is visiting with a post about Positive Growth.

December 10th @ Choices
Author Allie Nava, author of July and Everything After, guest posts about Being Overlooked or Ignored.

December 15th @ Jill Sheets
Learn more about author Allie Nava and her novel July and Everything After in today's interview.

December 15th @ Boots, Shoes and Fashion
Linda is chatting with Allie Nava about her novel July and Everything After.


***** BOOK GIVEAWAY *****

Enter to win a print copy of July and Everything After by Allie Nava! Fill out the Rafflecopter form below for a chance to win. The giveaway ends November 24 at 11:59 pm CT. We will randomly draw a winner the next day via Rafflecopter and follow up via email. Good luck!


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My Year of Casual Acquaintances by Ruth F. Stevens: Blog Tour & Giveaway

Monday, September 23, 2024
 
My Year of Casual Acquaintances by Ruth F. Stevens

We are excited to launch another blog tour for an incredible book you'll want to add to your reading list. Author Ruth F. Stevens is launching a tour for her novel My Year of Casual Acquaintances. It's a perfect book for readers who like funny-sad, character-driven novels with compelling or quirky protagonists. Join us as we celebrate the tour launch with an interview with the author herself and a chance for you to win a copy of the book.

But first, here's more about the book:

When Mar Meyer's husband divorces her for another woman, she reacts by abandoning everything in her past: her home, her friends, even her name. Though it's not easy to start over, Mar is young-looking, fit, and ready for new adventures - as long as she can keep things casual.

With each passing month, Mar goes from one acquaintance to the next. Among them: a fellow gym member down on her luck, a flirty hip-hop instructor, a bossy but comical consultant, a kindly older gentleman . . . and Charlie, a handsome best-selling novelist who wants more from Mar than she's able to give. She learns something new from each encounter. But can she change enough to open herself up to happiness and true connection?

Surrounded by an ensemble of quirky, endearing characters, Mar follows a tortuous and unpredictable path as she navigates the first year of her reinvented life. My Year of Casual Acquaintances is packed with laugh-out-loud moments mingled with scenes of loneliness and self-doubt that will put a lump in your throat.

Publisher: Black Rose Writing (September 26, 2024)
ISBN-10: 168513484X
ISBN-13: 978-1685134846
ASIN: B0D43GW5XZ
Print Length: 322 pages

Purchase a copy of My Year of Casual Acquaintances on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop.org. Add to your GoodReads reading list.

About the Author, Ruth F. Stevens


Ruth F. Stevens likes to create stories that will make readers laugh and cry. A former public relations executive in New York and Los Angeles, she is a produced playwright and author of a previous novel, Stage Seven, which was a featured selection of national online book club and Alzheimer’s awareness organizations. Ruth is a proud member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association and the Dramatists Guild of America and serves as a volunteer and acquisitions editor for AlzAuthors.

Ruth lives in Torrance, California with her husband. In her spare time, she enjoys travel, hiking, hip-hop and fitness classes, yoga, Broadway musicals, wine tasting, leading a book club, and visiting her grandsons in NYC. Visit Ruth at https://ruthfstevens.com and consider signing up for her monthly newsletter to receive publishing updates, book reviews, and special offers.


-- Interview by Nicole Pyles

WOW: First of all, congratulations on your novel My Year of Casual Acquaintances! What inspired this novel?

Ruth: Thank you! The idea for this novel started at the gym. For years, I’ve enjoyed going to health clubs, where I’ve met lots of fun and interesting people. It struck me that sometimes I’d have a very personal—even intimate—conversation without knowing the other member’s name. There’s something about the gym environment that gives us a sort of casual closeness. I felt certain this could translate into an unusual twist for a novel.

I also like stories about second chances, and the idea that life can still be fresh and exciting through middle age and beyond. So I decided to write about a fit, youthful-looking, fiftyish woman named Mar trying to start over after a bitter divorce…and I set her story in and around a new gym she’d joined as part of her reinvention. Mar was determined to meet new people at the gym and have a good time, but with no commitments. 

WOW: I think that's great insight and I love that setting. One burning question for me: are you a plotter or a pantser or a blend? And why?

Ruth: Definitely a plotter! I had a long career in PR and advertising agency work, so I’ve been writing professionally for years. When working on an article or brochure, I always had to plan it out meticulously—so I later carried over that same discipline into fiction writing. I’ve found that when I know where the story is going and who my main characters are, the writing flows. It’s a great way to prevent writer’s block.

WOW: I'm slowly becoming a plotter myself! So, I totally get the benefits. I love that this novel approaches the idea of loneliness in a fun but deep way at the same time. What was your approach in building out your character and her overall story arch? 

Ruth: The narrator, Mar, is smart and witty and outspoken, and that makes for an often humorous read. But she’s grappling with loneliness and rejection, which is where the serious themes come in. I decided to make her journey an episodic one. Every month she meets up with a different character who impacts her life in a unique way. So each month has kind of its own story arc, but there’s also the overriding arc of how Mar grows and changes in the course of her first year of divorced life.  

WOW: What a great approach! What was your revision process like?

Ruth: The initial draft was harder for me than any other first draft I’ve written. I found the episodic structure to be challenging, and it required intricate plotting and a larger-than-usual cast of characters. But the revision process ended up being more like a fine-tuning process than a major overhaul. I worked on revisions with a critique group of three other writers, and their feedback was incredibly helpful. 

WOW: Good thing you had that kind of help! What has it been like to work with your publisher Black Rose Writing?

Ruth: Reagan Rothe and the team at Black Rose are terrific. They are responsive and efficient, and I believe they are more marketing-savvy than a lot of indie publishers—an important benefit, as book marketing is one area where authors are most in need of education and support. The Black Rose author community is also a strong one, with an active Facebook group, a monthly book club, and more. It’s been a great experience so far. 

Before signing with Black Rose, I had a contract with a different indie publisher, TouchPoint Press, for this book. After about a year, they stopped working on my project due to massive internal problems, and it became clear that they might never publish the book. Many authors who did publish with them are still waiting for royalty payments going back a couple of years. I’m one of the lucky ones: My contract expired and I signed with Black Rose. Their professionalism has been a breath of fresh air.  In mid-September, the Authors Guild announced that TouchPoint has agreed to shut down publishing operations and abide by a court-enforced payment plan to distribute royalties to those owed money.

WOW: I'm so glad you shared that experience! It's great to share with our WOW writers. What wisdom can you share with writers about pursuing their writing dreams?

Ruth: The first step is to understand what your personal writing dream really is. I met a retired corporate executive who loved to write poetry. He self-published his work using a company that produced beautiful, high quality volumes that he signed and distributed to friends and relatives. This was his sole publishing goal, and he derived great pleasure from sharing his work this way. 

True, most writers are a bit more ambitious. Many of us dream of seeing our work hit the bestseller lists. But in reality, competition is beyond tough and authors with high ambitions must be willing to invest a huge amount of time (and often, money) to break through the noise—with no real guarantee of success. 

On the bright side, I’ve read that out of 1000 people who start writing a novel, only around 3 percent or 30 people go on to finish. So if you’re in that 3 percent, give yourself a huge pat on the back! Then, an estimated 6 out of those 30 go on to see their work published. I can assure you from personal experience, being a published author is immensely rewarding, even if you’re not breaking any sales records. In summary: First define your dream; then pursue it with a balance of realism and optimism.

WOW: That is great advice! What are you working on next that you can tell us about?

Ruth: I’ve completed a sequel to My Year of Casual Acquaintances, titled The Unexpected Guests. Black Rose Writing will publish this book as well, just three months after the first title. The story picks up right where the previous book leaves off. Mar is still very much a player, but she does not narrate the sequel: It is told in alternating POVs of three characters from the first novel who are all very involved in Mar’s life. 

WOW: I can't wait to see it! Thank you so much for your time today. Enjoy the blog tour!

My Year of Casual Acquaintances by Ruth F. Stevens Blog Tour

--- Blog Tour Calendar

September 23rd @ The Muffin
Join us at The Muffin when we celebrate the launch of Ruth F. Stevens' book My Year of Casual Acquaintances. We'll be interviewing the author and giving away a copy of her book.

September 24th @ The Faerie Review
Join by Lily's blog for a spotlight of My Year of Casual Acquaintances.

September 25th @ Words by Webb
Visit Jodi's blog for her review of My Year of Casual Acquaintances.

September 27th @ Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews
Stop by Lisa's blog for an interview with author Ruth F. Stevens.

September 29th @ Book Review From an Avid Reader
Visit Joan's blog for her review of My Year of Casual Acquaintances.

September 30th @ Just Katherine
Visit Katherine's blog for an excerpt from My Year of Casual Acquaintances.

September 30th @ Choices
Visit Madeline's blog for a guest post about how casual acquaintances play an important role in our life.

October 1st @ A Storybook World
Visit Deirdra's blog for a spotlight of My Year of Casual Acquaintances.

October 2nd @ Create Write Now
Visit Mari's blog for a guest post by Ruth F. Stevens about why fifty is nifty for a fictional character.

October 3rd @ Knotty Needle
Visit Judy's blog for a review of My Year of Casual Acquaintances.

October 5th @ What Is That Book About
Stop by Michelle's blog for an excerpt from My Year of Casual Acquaintances.

October 6th @ Storey Book Reviews
Visit Leslie's blog for a review of My Year of Casual Acquaintances.

October 7th @ Life According to Jamie
Stop by Jamie's blog for a review of My Year of Casual Acquaintances.

October 9th @ Beverley A. Baird's blog
Stop by Beverley's blog for her review of My Year of Casual Acquaintances

October 11th @ Beverley A. Baird's blog 
Visit Beverley's blog for an excerpt from My Year of Casual Acquaintances.

October 12th @ Author Anthony Avina's blog
Join Anthony for his review of My Year of Casual Acquaintances.

October 13th @ Rosh's Reviews
Visit Rosh's blog for her review of My Year of Casual Acquaintances.

October 15th @ Frugal Freelancer
Visit Sara Trimble's blog for a guest post by the author about whether AI is a friend or a foe.

October 18th @ A Wonderful World of Books
Visit Joy's blog for an excerpt from My Year of Casual Acquaintances.

October 20th @ Chapter Break
Visit Julie's blog for an interview with author, Ruth F. Stevens.

October 23rd @ Boys' Mom Reads!
Visit Karen's blog for a review of My Year of Casual Acquaintances.

October 26th @ Boots, Shoes, and Fashion
Visit Linda's blog for an interview with author Ruth F. Stevens.

***** BOOK GIVEAWAY *****

Enter to win a copy of My Year of Casual Acquaintances by Ruth F. Stevens! Fill out the Rafflecopter form by October 6th at 11:59 CT for a chance to win. We will choose a winner randomly the next day and follow up via email. Good luck!

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Disrupted by B. Lynn Goodwin: Blog Tour & Giveaway

Monday, March 18, 2024
Disrupted by B. Lynn Goodwin

I'm excited to announce that author B. Lynn Goodwin returns to us again with a new book called Disrupted. Join us as we celebrate the launch of her book and interview her about her writing journey. You'll also have the chance to win a copy for yourself.

Before we get to that, here's more about her book:

The San Ramos High students are busy rehearsing their performance of Our Town when the school and the surrounding towns are rocked by a 7.1 earthquake. As a series of unusual aftershocks disrupt the town further, their school is deemed unsafe, and the show is postponed indefinitely unless they can find a way to turn that bad luck around. Dealing with their own personal difficulties and led by the stage manager, Sandee, who is working her way through the loss of her brother, they attempt to bring the community together, make the performance a success, and do their share to raise funds to rebuild. Both the show and life must go on!

Publisher: Olympia Publishers
ISBN-10: 1804393487
ISBN-13: 978-1804393482
ASIN: B0CTKPM735
Print Length: 238 pages

Purchase a copy of Disrupted on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop. You can also add it to your GoodReads reading list.

About the Author, B. Lynn Goodwin

B. Lynn Goodwin is the owner of Writer Advice, www.writeradvice.com. 

Talent was short-listed for a Literary Lightbox Award and won a bronze medal in the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards and was a finalist for a Sarton Women’s Book Award. A second edition cane out on November 1, 2020 from  Koehler Books. She also wrote You Want Me to Do WHAT? Journaling for Caregivers.

Her memoir, Never Too Late: From Wannabe to Wife at 62 won a National Indie Excellence Award, a Human Relations Indie Book Awards Winner, a Dragonfly Book Award, Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Best Book Awards Finalist & NABE Pinnacle Book Achievement Award Winner.

Her latest book, Disrupted, published on January 25th. 

Goodwin’s work has appeared in Voices of Caregivers, Hip Mama, Dramatics Magazine, Inspire Me Today, The Sun, Good Housekeeping.com, Purple Clover.com, and elsewhere. She is a reviewer and teacher at Story Circle Network, and she is a manuscript coach at Writer Advice. She always has time to write guest blog posts and answer questions. She loves working one on one, trouble-shooting, and helping writers find what works. Contact her to see how she can help you.

You can find her online at:


--- Interview by Nicole Pyles

WOW: Congratulations on Disrupted! I'm so glad to have you back with us. And I love your new YA book! What has happened since your last blog tour It's Never Too Late? 

B. Lynn: I’ve been busy with writing, editing, and maybe spreading myself too thin. Writer Advice, www.writeradvice.com takes up a hunk of my time because of our writing contests and my responses. I read and review all the time, and reading other people’s work helps my writing. I’m on the board at Story Circle Network, Story Circle Network — Women Writers & Writing Resources, where I lead a monthly Writing Extravaganza and teach Independent Study Classes, and the San Francisco Chapter of the Women’s National Book Association. I’m also writing articles for several of the people who want me to share my ideas on this blog tour, and I find time to be with my husband every day. 

WOW: I love hearing how well things are going for you. Why did you decide to pursue fiction? And specifically, why young adult? 

B. Lynn: I used to teach English and drama in high school and college. They say you should write what you know, which means writing a memoir and writing this fiction weren’t all that different. I know how teens sound and I know what they want at least as much as they do. I also know what we all dream about. 

WOW: So true! I love all of the characters in this book. How did you create such real feeling characters? 

B. Lynn: Whether you’re writing fiction or acting, when you develop a character you need to focus on what each character wants, what she can do to get it, and what is in her way. 

WOW: Great tip! What kind of research did you do to capture the experience of the earthquake? 

B. Lynn: I lived through the 7.1 Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. My husband’s experience of feeling like there was an ape in the back of the truck is an authentic one used in Disrupted. 

WOW: As someone who grew up in California, that's a perfect description. What are you working on now that you can tell us about? 

B. Lynn: I’m working on juggling the varying aspects of my writing life and the rest of my life, always gathering material, and processing a lot of it in my journal. 

WOW: That's amazing! What advice do you have for authors who want to write YA? 

B. Lynn: Can you answer these questions? Why do you want to write YA? How do you feel about teens? What could they get from your book that might not be available in adult fiction? If you can answer those questions, just do it. 

WOW: Great insight! Thank you again for joining us! Best of luck on your tour.

Disrupted by B. Lynn Goodwin Blog Tour

--- Blog Tour Calendar

March 18th @ The Muffin
Join us on WOW as we celebrate the launch of B. Lynn Goodwin's newest book Disrupted. Read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy for yourself.

March 19th @ Rockin Book Reviews
Join Lu Ann for her review of Disrupted by B. Lynn Goodwin.

March 20th @ Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews
Join Lisa for her interview with B. Lynn Goodwin about her writing journey and her newest book Disrupted.

March 22nd @ The Faerie Review
Visit Lily's blog for a spotlight of Disrupted by B. Lynn Goodwin.

March 23rd @ Word Magic
Join Fiona's blog for a guest post about earthquakes. Learn some interesting facts and mysteries behind this geographical event.

March 25th @ Michelle Cornish's blog
Join Michelle for a guest post by B. Lynn Goodwin about what makes your story unique.

March 30th @ Chapter Break
Visit Julie's blog for a guest post by B. Lynn Goodwin about the benefits of writing what you know.

March 31st @ A Wonderful World of Books
Visit Joy's blog for a spotlight of Disrupted and a giveaway of a copy of the e-book.

April 2nd @ World of My Imagination
Visit Nicole's blog for her review of Disrupted by B. Lynn Goodwin.

April 6th @ Boots, Shoes, and Fashion
Join Linda's blog for her interview with B. Lynn Goodwin about her new book Disrupted.

April 8th @ Sara Trimble's blog
Join Sara for her review of Disrupted by B. Lynn Goodwin. You can also win a digital copy of the book.

April 10th @ Susan Uhlig's blog
Visit Susan's blog for a guest post by B. Lynn Goodwin about how loss affects teens.

April 13th @ Book Review From an Avid Reader
Visit Joan's blog for her review of Disrupted by B. Lynn Goodwin.

April 14th @ Boys Moms' Reads 
Join Karen for her review of Disrupted by B. Lynn Goodwin.

April 15th @ Choices
Visit Madeline Sharples' blog for a guest post by B. Lynn Goodwin about pantsing or plotting and whether that matters.

April 16th @ Storeybook Reviews
Join Leslie for a guest post by B. Lynn Goodwin about rising above fear.

April 17th @ Just Katherine
Join Katherine for her review of Disrupted by B. Lynn Goodwin.

April 19th @ Just Katherine
Visit Katherine's blog again for a guest post by B. Lynn Goodwin about journaling for writers.

***** BOOK GIVEAWAY *****

Enter the giveaway for a chance to win a copy of the novel Disrupted by B. Lynn Goodwin! Fill out the form below for a chance to win. The giveaway ends March 31st at 11:59 pm CT. We will choose a winner the next day and announce in the Rafflecopter widget, and also follow up via email. Good luck!

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Homecoming Chaos by D.W. Brooks: Blog Tour and Giveaway

Monday, November 20, 2023

 

Homecoming Chaos by D.W. Brooks
We are excited to launch the Homecoming Chaos blog tour and giveaway today!

This romantic suspense by D.W. Brooks is perfect for readers who enjoy some witty dialogue and family issues mixed with a little romance and mystery. The blog tour starts today and lasts through December 17th.

Below, you'll have the chance to find out more about this book and the author D.W. Brooks.

Join us as we celebrate this book and this inspiring author.

First, here's more about the book...

A dead body in the parking lot of her family’s business, a killer on the loose, and a handsome detective asking a lot of questions…

Jamie Scott’s life fell apart four years ago when she broke off her engagement, turned down a dream job, and went overseas to run away from her life. Now she’s back, but the reunion is not without problems. She arrives home just in time to attend the soiree her mother planned, but she’s not prepared for what she finds—a dead employee in the parking lot.

Detective Nick Marshall is assigned to the murder case at the forensics lab owned by Jamie’s family. He meets the headstrong Jamie, but he has a job to do. And his attraction to her… well, he’s a professional.

Jamie knows the stakes are high. She has to face the past and save her parents’ business while dealing with her family drama and an uncertain future. She also has to deal with Nick, who wants her out of the way of his investigation. But fate keeps throwing them in one another’s paths… and into chaos that they both want to avoid, but neither can seem to escape.

Publisher: Life: The Reboot, LLC
ISBN-13: 979-8218150501
Print length: 449 pages

Purchase a copy of Homecoming Chaos by visiting Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Kobo. Make sure you also add Homecoming Chaos to your Goodreads reading list.

About the Author, D.W. Brooks 

Author D.W. Brooks

D.W. Brooks lives in Texas with her husband and children. She enjoys trying to stay in shape, sporadically cooking, reading (still), writing, and working on her blog. She is eternally grateful to the woman who donated a kidney to her over 5 years ago and continues to advocate for organ donation as much as she can.

Learn more at www.authordwbrooks.com.

--- Interview by Michelle Cornish

WOW: Congratulations on the release of your book Homecoming Chaos! What was your primary inspiration behind the book? Did any personal experiences shape the narrative?

D.W.: My first ideas for Homecoming Chaos centered on writing a story about a female physician who had made the decision to leave the practice of medicine, like me. I thought it would be interesting to explore some contradictions surrounding that. When I decided to leave medical practice, it was not as common as it is now. Friends and family greeted me with many questions, recriminations, doubts—you name it. That was going to be a part of the story. But as I developed the idea in my head, I moved away from that component of the story—at least for now—but kept the part about a person named Jamison Jones Scott who completed her training and realized that for whatever reason she didn't want to do what she trained for at this time. 

I then had to create a compelling reason that she wanted to leave. To do this, I called on another personal experience: my sometimes challenging relationship with my mother. My mother and I didn't always see eye-to-eye. Jamie's relationship with her mother is 100X more challenging than my experience, but it gave me a solid foundation to create some of the issues that Jamie has. Beyond that, Jamie's character differs greatly from mine. It excites me to write about stuff I would never do.

WOW: I'd love to talk more about Jamison Jones Scott. She has undergone significant life changes prior to the events of the book. How do you think these past experiences influenced her actions and reactions throughout the story?

D.W.: Jamie's prior life experiences color most of her actions in the present. She returned hoping to improve her familial relationships since she burned a few bridges on her way out of town. After she spent decades not expressing herself and going along to get along, she finally reached her breaking point, which led to the crisis point and her escape from town and country. While she was away, she went to therapy and spent a lot of time in self-reflection, trying to learn how to better manage her relationships and her reactions to them. However, therapy can give you confidence in a vacuum, but when you enter the actual situation, using the strategies you practiced may not be as easy. She also had to learn how to better deal with her guilt about how she treated her family by leaving like she did, as well as the guilt from what happened when she was in New York. Finally, her family may not be completely on board with the more balanced Jamie and could expect the various relationships to return to the previous status quo.

It also appears that therapy did not affect her impulsiveness—which got her in trouble in the past. She will have to address that as well. For readers who want to know more about Jamie's backstory, I wrote a prequel novella—I DO CHAOS—that I am currently offering as a free download from AuthorDWBrooks.com. 

WOW: Detective Nick Marshall and Jamie Scott have a complex relationship, especially with Nick trying to keep Jamie away from the investigation. Without giving us any spoilers, can you discuss the dynamics of their relationship and what you aimed to convey through their interactions?

D.W.: Without the backdrop of the mystery at the lab, Jamie and Nick's meeting would probably be like any meeting between a man and a woman who are attracted to each other. But the murder changes the dynamics. Nick is very interested in Jamie. However, he is also very dedicated to his job. His nickname is "the Bulldog" after all. Jamie feels guilty about her previous actions, sees her family in danger, and plunges in to make it right. With her mother throwing bombs into the mix, it increases the romantic tension between Jamie and Nick.

I hoped to convey that the relationship between them was not just an attraction—that there was a potential for more. I think they are very similar in many ways with a strong sense of right and wrong and willingness to push a few boundaries to get the right answer. Their interactions have some edge because of the pressures related to the investigation, but it's obvious to others watching them that there's some sexual tension as well.

WOW: The title Homecoming Chaos suggests a return to one's roots and the upheaval that can ensue. How does the theme of 'homecoming' play out in your novel?

D.W.: The homecoming concept plays out in several ways in this story:

  • Jamie was living with her fiancé before she left the country. It had been almost two decades since she had lived in her parents' home, having moved to New York as a teen while she was modeling. She had been on her own, so living at her parents' home was a shock.
  • Her sister made a comment about Jamie's homecoming, comparing it to the return of the prodigal son. Jamie left while burning bridges and hurting her family but is being welcomed home by all, despite her behavior. 
  • Her ex-fiancé and estranged best friend were both big parts of her life, but she ghosted them as well. Now, Jamie's homecoming also will involve meeting and addressing her behavior towards them too.
  • This book briefly touches on her medical career, but when she left, she torched potential employers and bosses. Coming home to her career, uncertainty is another aspect of her homecoming.

WOW: The family drama element is a pivotal aspect of the story. How did you approach writing about family dynamics while intertwining it with a murder mystery?

D.W.: Some of the familial dynamics were straightforward to write about in this story. As I noted previously, I used some dynamics of my relationship with my mother as a baseline and then proactively ratcheted up the tension between Jamie and her mother. Writing a sibling relationship was a bit more challenging as I don't have any! I wanted to use the thought that Jamie was likely the "favored" child to build the relationship with the sister. But I wanted to help that relationship grow by having them team up to help the family. 

I didn't think it was difficult to intertwine the murder mystery because I planned for everyone to act in character. Everyone reacted to the scenario in character. The only wild card would have been Jon, but he had his own drama to deal with, so I kept him out of the main mystery story for the most part.

WOW: The importance of organ donation is a cause close to your heart. Do you incorporate personal advocacies or experiences, like this one, into your writing? If so, how?

D.W.: I am a fortunate recipient of a kidney which was donated by a living donor we located through Facebook. Because my kidney problems are genetic, I had been aware since I was a child that kidney failure was likely in my future. Because the entire experience of kidney failure, dialysis, and searching for a donor was so very stressful and scary, I have shied away from writing about it, although others have asked me to. Maybe I will incorporate organ donation into a future story; I feel as if I might be in the right headspace to do that now. I think there are several interesting and touching ways to incorporate the topic into one of my future Chaos novels in the series.

WOW: Can you share with WOW! readers what you are planning next?

D.W.: I am writing the next installment in the CHAOS series, and there may be another novella or two tucked in there. I also need to resurrect my activity on my blog and on my Etsy shop where I sell printable checklists, planners, calendars, and more. In addition, I am also looking forward to my kids' graduations this May (one from college and one from high school) and some trips that my husband and I are planning. It's going to be a busy time!

WOW: That's amazing, how wonderful! All the best to you with the release of Homecoming Chaos! Thank you so much for answering my questions. 


Homecoming Chaos Blog Tour

--- Blog Tour Calendar

November 20th @ The Muffin
Join us as we celebrate author D.W. Brooks and interview her about Homecoming Chaos. You'll also have the chance to win a copy for yourself.
https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com

November 22nd @ Author Michelle Cornish
Visit Michelle's blog to read her review of Homecoming Chaos.

November 25th @ The Faerie Review
Stop by to check out Lily's spotlight of Homecoming Chaos by D.W. Brooks.

November 27th @ Michelle Cornish
Join Michelle to read an interview with D.W. Brooks.

November 29th @ Pages & Paws
Join Kristine as she shares a guest post by D.W. Brooks about switching careers from medicine to writing. 

November 29th @ Lisa Haselton’s Reviews and Interviews blog
Join Lisa for an interview with D.W. Brooks.

November 30th @ Life According to Jamie
Stop by Jamie's blog to read her review of Homecoming Chaos.

December 3rd @ Author Michelle Cornish
Visit Michelle's blog to read a guest post by D.W. Brooks writing as Jamison Scott about the wedding that wasn't.
https://www.michellecornishauthor.com/blog/bookish-bits

December 5th @ Reading Beyond the Book Cover
Join Jaleesa as she shares her review of Homecoming Chaos.

December 6th @ A Storybook World
Stop by Deirdra's blog to read her spotlight of Homecoming Chaos by D.W. Brooks.

December 7th @ Nikki's Book Reviews
Check out Nikki's review of Homecoming Chaos by D.W. Brooks.

December 9th @ Helen Hollick Author
Visit Helen's blog to read a guest post from author D.W. Brooks.
https://ofhistoryandkings.blogspot.com/

December 12th @ Bring On Lemons
Join Crystal as she shares her review of Homecoming Chaos by D.W. Brooks.

December 14th @ The Knotty Needle
Stop by to read Judy's review of Homecoming Chaos by D.W. Brooks.

December 15th @ Sue Edwards’s blog
Stop by Sue’s blog to read a guest post by D.W. Brooks about literary beginnings.

December 17th @ World of My Imagination
Visit Nicole's blog to read her review of Homecoming Chaos by D.W. Brooks.
https://worldofmyimagination.com


***** BOOK GIVEAWAY *****

Enter to win a copy of Homecoming Chaos by D.W. Brooks! Fill out the Rafflecopter form for a chance to win. The giveaway ends December 3rd at 11:59 CT. We will choose a winner the next day and announce in the widget and follow up via email. Good luck!

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Party Like It's 2044 by Joni B. Cole: Blog Tour & Giveaway

Monday, November 13, 2023

 

Party Like it's 2044 by Joni B. Cole

We're back again with another incredible book on a blog tour. Author Joni B. Cole joins us to celebrate the launch of her collection of essays in Party Like It's 2044. It's perfect for anyone who could use a good laugh or a good cry, sometimes at the same time. In this collection of pitch-perfect stories about life, death, and the sort of things we secretly think but maybe shouldn’t say aloud, Cole invites readers to a party that you won’t want to leave.  

We'll be interviewing the author about her book and giving you a chance to win a copy. Before we get to that, here's more about Party Like It's 2044:

Author Joni B. Cole worries that Vlad the Impaler may be a distant cousin. She feuds with a dead medium. She thinks (or overthinks) about insulting birthday cards, power trips, and the real reasons writers hate Amazon. And she wishes, really wishes, all those well-meaning people would stop talking about Guatemala. At once irreverent and thought provoking, Cole offers a joy ride through this collection of eclectic essays that lands smack on the sweet spot between soul searching and social commentary, between humor and heft. Writes author and national book reviewer Joan Frank, “Here is a voice giving us a welcome break: vibrant, provocative, funny and flavorful...Cole’s deep and generous thinking makes room and fresh air: worth breathing deeply.”

Publisher: University of New Mexico Press
ISBN-10: 0826365566
ISBN-13: 978-0826365569
Print length: 240 pages

Purchase a copy on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Thrift Books, and Bookshop.org. You can also add it to your GoodReads reading list.

About the Author, Joni B. Cole



Joni B. Cole is a writing instructor and author of seven books, including the acclaimed new essay collection Party Like It's 2044, described by scholar and humorist Gina Barreca as, “Fabulously readable and thoroughly engaging, it is Cole’s voice that makes her stories sing. Whether she’s leading us into laughter, or holding our hand through dazzling moments of emotional recognition, Cole takes writing seriously while taking herself lightly, and thereby illuminating the world with these memorable essays.”  

Joni also has authored two books for writers: Good Naked: How to Write More, Write Better, and Be Happier (listed as one of the "Best Books for Writers" by Poets & Writers magazine); and Toxic Feedback: Helping Writers Survive and Thrive (“strongly recommended” for students and teachers by Library Journal). Nominated for a US Fellowship Award and Pushcart Prize, she created the three-volume “This Day” series that shares a day in the life of hundreds of women across America (“fascinating and eye-opening,” Publisher's Weekly). 

For twenty-five years, Joni has taught online and in-person creative writing to adults through her own Writer's Center in White River Junction, Vermont, as well as at academic programs and conferences around the country. She lives in Vermont and has two daughters. For more info, email jonibethcole@gmail.com. Or visit: jonibcole.com or thewriterscenterwrj.com.

--- Interview by Nicole Pyles

WOW: Congrats on your book, Party Like It's 2044. What inspired you to put this
collection together?

Joni: I’d say Party Like It’s 2044 is full of lots of little inspirations, rather than one big aha moment.

For example, The Seven-Year Bitch is an essay that was inspired by me wanting to better understand why I (almost) squandered my relationship with my partner. 

The inspiration for the essay The Other Woman came in the form of a letter I received from a disgruntled writing client. But how could this be? I was so confused. All my writing clients loved me...or so I thought, until I came to understand this other woman’s perspective through writing that essay.

And the essay Dear Mr. Impaler was born of my long-held fear that I might be a descendent of the real-life inspiration for Dracula, though the piece ultimately became an exploration on how some people can do such awful things to other people.

I find it heartening—and helpful in alleviating a lot of editorial angst—to recognize that many of my most meaningful essays originated from “everyday”experiences that, for whatever reason, compelled me to start delving into them more deeply on the page. As a particular example of this, one of my favorite essays, Our Old House, is about buying my ex-husband a new oven for the home we once shared with our two daughters. This is hardly a riveting plot, but many readers have pointed out how deeply touched they were by that essay, and how it offers insights into how we can all move past difficult experiences with love (and appliances) intact.

WOW: I love how each essay became part of the bigger puzzle that turned into a book. I LOVE the title. How did you come up with it?

Joni: Well, I love a good party! But the party I’m referencing in the title (which is also the title of one of the stories) isn’t the kind of party you want to attend, given that it’s hosted by the Grim Reaper. Ostensibly, that story is about me celebrating—or trying to celebrate—my birthday, despite being constantly deflated by birthday cards from friends reminding me of my impending decrepitude. I don’t want to give away the exact meaning behind the title, so I’ll just quote a line from the essay that speaks to a recurring theme in the book: What was I missing, I thought. A sense of humor, obviously, but what annoyed me when I looked at this assortment of cards was the irony of the situation, meaning that after someone dies, we all talk a good game about their funeral being a celebration of their life, yet in most of the years leading up to that inevitability, we behave like a birthday is a cause for mourning.

WOW: I love that insight! You have an incredible way of writing humor. How do you know when something is successful at hitting the reader's funny bone?

Joni: It’s funny (funny peculiar, not funny haha) that I’ve never really thought of myself as a humor writer, or at least I didn’t until after reading the reviews of Party Like It’s 2044, some of which describe the collection as “hilarious” and “laugh out loud funny,” with comparisons to Jerry Seinfeld and David Sedaris. This is so flattering, but also surprising because a lot of the stories deal with difficult subject matter, such as my father’s death, or professional insecurities, or the difficulty of making friends once you’re older. But of course being funny can happen even when you don’t exactly feel like laughing.

Humor doesn’t discriminate and can sneak into all sorts of situations. I will say that when I was writing these stories, I did find myself laughing at times, so I suppose that is how I knew some of my observations or thoughts would most likely also hit the reader’s funny bone.

WOW: What a compliment! And I know what you mean; sometimes humor erupts in the most unlikely places. I think we need funny so much right now. What do you hope readers gain from reading your book?

Joni: Do we ever need funny now! Especially humor that reminds us of our collective humanity, our foibles, and the dearness and weirdness of life. Ultimately, I hope this book entertains readers while making them think and feel. I also hope the collection reminds readers to lean toward optimism; to recognize that we are all only human, so why not be forgiving and loving toward others and ourselves. I also hope readers have fun and lively exchanges with their friends and book groups about this collection. I do believe Party Like It’s 2044 offers much fodder for discussion and shared laughs.

WOW: I do too! As a writing instructor, what have you noticed are common problems people run into during the creative process?

Joni: As a writer and a writing instructor, I’ve not only noticed common problems that people run into during the writing process...I’ve lived them. I think that’s why I’m an effective writing instructor (no false modesty here) and why my two books on writing (Good Naked: How to Write More, Write Better, and Be Happier; and Toxic Feedback: Helping Writers Survive and Thrive) resonate with so many aspiring and seasoned authors. I get it. I know the mountains we have to climb.

One of the most common problems I see are writers who get in their own way by overthinking or being too critical in the front end of the creative process. Another common problem stems from writers who simply don’t have a solid knowledge of narrative craft, which is absolutely learn-able (yes, you can teach creative writing), and is key to writing forward productively and with confidence. I’ve also seen writers get in their own way by avoiding feedback right when it can serve them most. These and many other issues are what I tried to tackle in my writing guides because I do believe everyone who wants t write can write, and we all have stories to tell.

WOW: I think many of us needed to hear you say that creative writing is teachable! What does your writing space look like?

Joni: My writing space looks a lot like one of my daughter’s bedrooms, but without all her stuff in it. That’s because this daughter now lives in California (I’m in Vermont) so I adapted her room into my office, except for when she returns for visits. I like that the walls are a sea-mist blue (her choice back in middle school) and that her stuffed bear still rests on her pillow and makes me smile when I glance over at it while working. In the past, especially when both my daughters were younger and life was even busier than it is now, I’ve had to write in whatever corner of the house seemed the least hectic, or on sidelines while (pretending) to watch some game, or wherever I could sneak in some words. I should add, I also love to work in cafes, even when I have my house to myself.

WOW: What a lovely visual! What are you working on now that you can tell us about?

Joni: Another collection of essays just like Party Like It’s 2044...only completely
different.

WOW: I can't wait! Best of luck on your book and the rest of the tour.


Party Like it's 2044 by Joni B. Cole Blog Tour

--- Blog Tour Calendar

November 13 @ The Muffin
Join us at the Muffin as we celebrate the launch of Joni B. Cole's essay collection Party Like It's 2044. Read an interview with the author and win a copy of the book.

November 15 @ One Writer's Journey
Visit Sue's blog for a guest post by Joni B. Cole about tips for productive revision.

November 18 @ A Wonderful World of Words
Visit Joy's blog for a spotlight of Party Like It's 2044.

November 20 @ One Writer's Journey
Join Sue again for her review of Joni B. Cole's essay collection Party Like It's 2044.

November 22 @ Michelle Cornish' blog
Visit Michelle's blog for her review of Party Like It's 2044.

November 24 @ Lisa Haselton's Reviews & Interviews
Visit Lisa's blog for her interview with Joni B. Cole about her book Party Like It's 2044.

November 26 @ Chapter Break
Visit Julie's blog for an interview with Joni B. Cole.

November 28 @ Thoughts of Maddness
Don't miss Maddie's review of Party Like It's 2044. 

November 30 @ Deborah Adam's blog
Join Deborah for an interview with the author, Joni B. Cole, author of Party Like It's 2044.

December 1 @ The Faerie Review
Visit Lily's blog for a spotlight of Party Like It's 2044.

December 3 @ Shoe's Seeds and Stories
Visit Linda's blog for her review of Party Like It's 2044.

December 4 @ The Shaggy Shepherd
Visit Isabelle's blog for her review of Party Like It's 2044.

December 6 @ A Storybook World
Join Deirdra for her spotlight of Party Like It's 2044.

December 7 @ Knotty Needle
Judy shares her thoughts about Joni B. Cole's essay collection Party Like It's 2044.

December 8 @ From the TBR Pile
Visit Kari's blog to see a spotlight of Joni B. Cole's essay collection Party Like It's 2044.

December 10 @ Boys' Mom Reads
Visit Karen's blog for her review of Party Like It's 2044.

December 13 @ Jill Sheets' blog
Visit Jill's blog for her review of Party Like It's 2044.

December 15 @ The Mommies Review
Visit Glenda's blog for her review of Joni B. Cole's essay collection Party Like It's 2044

December 17 @ Boots, Shoes and Fashion
Visit Linda's blog for her in-depth interview with author Joni B. Cole about her essay collection Party Like It's 2044.


***** BOOK GIVEAWAY *****

We have 3 copies to give away of the hilarious essay collection, Party Like it's 2044 by Joni B. Cole! Fill out the Rafflecopter form for a chance to win. The giveaway ends December 18th at 11:59 pm CT. We will choose three winners the next day and announce in the widget and follow up via email. Good luck! 

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