book spotlight

Book Spotlight and Giveaway: Pretend with Me by Emily Mayer

the bookworm discussion , , ,

Hi all. Today I’m taking part in a virtual book tour for Pretend With Me by Emily Mayer. The book sounds good and something about the cover caught my eye. Read on for more about the book and a nice guest post from the author…



about the book:
One phone call was all it took to upend my entire life in completely unexpected ways.

Whoever said that you can’t go home again was a lair. After the senior year from hell, I had spent a decade trying to avoid Beacon Hill and its residents. My luck came to a sudden end after daddy had an incident with a rotted floor. In and out, I promised myself. I was just there to help my parents for a week or two tops.

Things in Beacon Hill hadn’t changed much since I’d been home last. Mama still worked at the hub of gossip known as Trixie’s, Mrs. Thomas still made the best chicken salad in all of Georgia, and my sister was still the devil in a pushup bra. And of course, the St. James family was still local royalty. Our very own version of the Kennedys.

Imagine my surprise when I discovered that, not only is my sister back in town after a failed modeling career, she’s also engaged to Macon St. James. The golden boy of Beacon Hill, and the star of every single one of my teenage fantasies.

The biggest surprise of all was Holden St. James. I thought he would be one of the villains in this story, but I was learning that I had been wrong about a lot of things. And Holden just might be worth coming home for….

author guest post

Picture it. The year is 1994, and this family does not have cable television. There is one computer, three kids, and two adults. The math ain’t mathing. Your fifth-grade self is busy writing the next great American novel on the top of the swing set with nothing but some notebook paper tied together with string and a number 2 pencil. Not even the mechanical kind, because your mom thinks they’re bad for the environment. Don’t even get her started on gel pens. The story is about a group of female pirates. Reruns of Baywatch have just hit one of the local stations, so it’s obviously a romance. The story is never finished, because your sisters need you to compete in the balance beam event to secure a gold medal for team USA in the Olympics. We won gold.

Picture it. The year is 2004 and you have your favorite English teacher, Cheryl Huffer, for the second time. She hands you back an assignment with “I am so jealous of all the papers your college professors will get to read” in bold black ink at the top of the page. You think to yourself “I wish I could do this for the rest of my life.” Spoiler Alert. You’re about to make some big decisions about your future that will absolutely not work out. Also, your migraine disease is about to go from episodic to chronic and intractable. Best wishes.

Picture It. The year is 2014 and you’re a lawyer now. Feels like it kind of came out of left field, huh? Yeah, you’re not really sure how you got here either. The good news is that you met your future husband while you were in law school. The bad news is that being a lawyer is slowly crushing your soul, and you now have chronic migraine and chronic anxiety. #thriving. You spend a lot of time laying in a quiet, dark room making up stories in your head to pass the time. Your future husband says that you should start writing these stories down. A few weeks later, you jot down a scene about a lawyer who realizes she hates being a lawyer while your boss does push-ups in front of your desk. Again. You write almost 1000 words about how awful being a lawyer is, turns out you are very passionate about this subject. The lawyer you work for does 100 push-ups. It’s a new record.

Picture It. The year is 2023, and you’re sitting on a couch in a hotel room. Your husband has a lot of trade shows to attend this year, so you’ve been tagging along since you can write from anywhere. You’re spending the morning trying to organize all the book signing events you want to attend in 2024 as an author. There are three messages from readers asking when the next book in the Beacon Hill series will be released. Oh, and is Gabe from Everything Girl ever going to get his own book?! You’ve cried zero times today. It’s a new record.

If you made it to the end of this post and are wondering what the point is, I’m guessing that you’re not alone. The point is that life is crazy and will take you places that you wouldn’t even dare to imagine. So, keep daring; keep imagining; keep dreaming, and your own happily ever after might just surprise you!

___________________________________________

Giveaway details:
 To enter to win a signed copy of Pretend With Me, along with a little guinea pig swag bag that will have a stress ball, stickers and a guinea pig notepad inside follow the link below. Emily has THREE sets to give away, US only.

FOLLOW THIS LINK TO ENTER TO WIN



about the author:
Emily Mayer is a part-time lawyer, full time storyteller, and an aspiring writer. She lives in Central Ohio with the two loves of her life; her husband and her dog. If she isn’t working, you can usually find her somewhere with a book in her hand.

Website: https://emilymayerbooks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emilymayerauthor
Amazon: http://amzn.to/3PoO1fq
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/196714708-pretend-with-me


Special thanks to A Marketing Expert for making this possible.

Book Spotlight: The Girl from Wudang by PJ Caldas

the bookworm discussion , , ,

Hi all, today I’m spotlighting a book called The Girl from Wudang: A Novel About Artificial Intelligence, Martial Arts and Immortality by author PJ Caldas. Read on for more…

about the book:
From Emmy-winner, Brazilian best-seller PJ Caldas, comes a story about immortality, martial arts and AI that will make you change the way you look at life, science, and the crazy times we are living in.

My Name is Tigress and I am immortal. This is my story.

Yinyin, called Tigress, was raised in the sacred mountains of Wudang, where her life was about Tai Chi, the Dao, and trying to balance her yang with yin. Artificial intelligence and neuroscience were things she’d never even heard of. But then her overpowering yang sets her on a course to the Bay Area to become a professional fighter.

For as long as she could remember, Yinyin had been told she was poised to become part of something big, but what “big” turned out to be was beyond her imagining: a scientific experiment that would allow her to connect her brain to a thing they called “Brainternet” and become unbeatable. Bonus: the suicidal headaches that had plagued her all her life would cease.

But nothing comes without a price, and this connection would give others access to family secrets Yinyin has sworn to protect. Secrets that, at large and in the wrong hands, could be a very dangerous thing.

Fans of the legendary cyberpunk novels and gritty sci-fi thrillers of William Gibson and Stieg Larsson will be captivated by this new techno-thriller–a fast-paced blend of action, neuroscience, spirituality and martial arts.

about the author:
links of interest:
the author’s website: https://www.pjcaldas.com/
purchase links: pre-order:
–Amazon
–B&N

Cover Reveal: At the Ready by Sharon Michalove

the bookworm discussion , , ,
Hi all. Today I’m doing something here I actually don’t think I’ve done before, a book cover reveal. The book is called At the Ready by Sharon Michalove. It’s a cool cover too, I like it. Read on for more about the book, the author, an excerpt and info on entering a giveaway…




Book Blurb:
 Micki Press agrees to a date with JL Martin when her long-term, seemingly stable relationship with an artist implodes. Now her unfaithful former lover is stalking her, and JL, who is the CEO of WatchDog, Inc. has more than one reason to feel protective.

Micki isn’t ready for a new commitment, especially since she’s trying to get promoted at one of the top corporate law firms in Chicago. But her social activist proposal to create a pro bono division in the firm doesn’t go over well with the conservative partners.

JL has his own complications with a mother who wants him move back to Vancouver and marry someone French-Canadian, Catholic, and young enough to produce grandchildren. Micki won’t tick any of those boxes. And JL wants to get his deadbeat uncle out of his mother’s house and persuade her to move to Chicago.

Are JL and Micki ready to negotiate the twists and turns or will the challenges make them sing the Chicago blues?

Excerpt

Chicago, February 2014

Chapter 1

One secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes.—Benjamin Disraeli

Micki
Today’s the day. Best suit. Flawless hair and makeup. Every inch the polished senior associate. No four-inch heels, though. Frederick Lanscombe, managing partner, is a little sensitive about his height and this meeting is the crucial first step in the campaign to be the next partner at Miller, Lanscombe, Baker, Francis, Masters, and Hargrove.

The door to the small conference room is wide open, Fred at the head of table, eating a donut. My mentor, Rebecca Masters smiles and gives me a small thumbs up. Tyler Miller nods to acknowledge I’m there. More than there. After a hundred years, this firm is still a boys’ club but I plan to crack into top echelon and become just the second woman to make partner.

I fly through the door and end up on hands and knees when Hayden Forbes-Cartwright barrels into me. When I look up, Fred’s donut is poised at his open mouth. Rebecca’s hand is over her mouth. And Tyler laughs. “Great entrance, Micki.” The censure I hear pricks my balloon of confidence.

A snigger erupts from Hayden as his big hand reaches down to pull me up. “So sorry, Micki. Couldn’t put the brakes on in time.”

Upright, balanced a little precariously on my toothpick heels, my glare has the heat of the Milky Way. Not that Hayden pays any attention. His bogus concern is yet one more layer of deceit. Still, points to him. I’m the klutz and he’s the chivalric hero.“Have a seat, Micki, Hayden.” Fred gives each of us a once over. Dressing well is one of the unspoken rules. Hayden’s navy blue pinstripe is comparable to my silver gray jacket and matching pencil skirt—points even on wardrobe. My phone is in my lap and I pull up my spreadsheet. I’ve kept score since the first time we met. The advantage has seesawed back and forth, but we’re competing for the pinnacle in the stakes race, so I’ll have to up my game.

Hayden and I were adversaries from the get-go. We started here, on the same day eight years ago. Me half an hour early. Hayden fifteen minutes late strolling in with his uncle. All my muscles clenched when he looked me over with his the trademark devil-may-care smile.

“I know you received the memo. With Sonny Philips’ retirement, the firm will promote one associate to partner this year. As the two seniors, you will be the leading candidates.”

Hayden stops fiddling with his Chicago Yacht Club tie. “Does that mean other associates might be considered?”

“Technically, yes, but in reality you two are the only ones qualified right now. The partners will evaluate you on several criteria besides the competencies you’ve shown in your time here.”

He pauses.

Hayden rushes into the short silence. “Does every partner get a vote?”

“You know they do,” Tyler chides his nephew impatiently.

“And are some votes weighted more heavily than others? Like seniority?”

“No.” Rebecca’s response is explosive. “Please go on, Fred.”

When I glance toward Hayden, he shows no embarrassment, not even a slight flush. We all learn to put on a neutral face. I permit myself a very small smile. Minus five to Hayden.

Fred looks at the sheet in front of him, then from Tyler to Rebecca. They nod. “The criteria include enthusiasm, treatment of others, the opinion of your mentor, maintaining personal control, commitment, successful building and protection of your reputation and that of the firm, consistent hard work, always available, constant improvement, and most important— being perceived as trustworthy.”

Hayden’s eyes dart like tiny silverfish, his tell when he’s scheming. on how to get the edge. While I put in the long hours and never turn down a request, Hayden skates by, taking credit for the work of junior associates. Boasting about staying late when he disappears in the middle of the day. When your uncle’s name is on the door, you have an extra pass. Tyler Miller will definitely push for Hayden to be the next partner.

Fred is still talking and I wrench my attention back to his droning monotone. “Besides the formal evaluation, the other piece will be assisting Rebecca with a high-profile insider trading case. It’s more than usually sensitive because our client is a candidate for a Senate seat. He says he’s been set up. Not necessarily a strong or provable defense. You’ll be combing emails, social media, accounts, and documents to see what evidence you find.”

Bucket of nightcrawlers? Come on, Micki, try to show some enthusiasm. Can’t jump up and down.

“What a great opportunity for us to show what we’re made of.” Hayden’s wide smile and crackling delivery is phony as a carney barker’s come on.

Our managing partner nods his head approvingly. Hayden is his favored candidate too. Fred and Tyler have some kind of mutual admiration society and Hayden benefits.

Yeah, he’s a suck up.

My turn. Say something but avoid the gush. “This is a amazing challenge. I really appreciate the chance to work on a case so important to the future and reputation of the firm and, potentially beyond, Fred.”

Rebecca produces a small smile, so I hope I’ve hit the right note.

As we walk out, she stops me. “Micki, I have a lunch appointment, but let’s have a drink after work.” She looks around but doesn’t see anyone in lurking mode. “We haven’t had a good chat for a while.”

“Great, Rebecca. Just come by my office when you’re ready to leave.”

Then I cancel my date for the evening. Work comes first, always.


Author Bio:

Sharon Michalove writes romantic suspense and traditional mystery as well as being a published historian. After growing up in suburban Chicago, she spent most of her life in a medium-sized university town, working as an academic professional as well as teaching history. She was married to a composer and frequently uses her knowledge of music, history, and food to enrich her novels. A hockey fan, Sharon moved back to Chicago in 2017 so she could go to Blackhawks games and spend quality time at Eataly Chicago.

Catch Up With Sharon:
CoffeeAndEclairs.com
Goodreads
BookBub – @sdmichalove
Instagram – @sdmichaloveauthor
Twitter – @sdmichalove
Facebook – @sharonmichalove
AllAuthor – @sharonmichalove


Giveaway details:
 This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for Sharon Michalove. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.
The giveaway is for: One $15 Amazon.com Gift Card. U.S. residents only please.

**Follow this link for the full details and to enter for a chance to win.**


This was made possible through Partners in Crime Book Tours. Follow the links below for the other tour stops:

Ashmanda. k
Binge Reading Books
booking. with. janelle
Books, Ramblings, and Tea
Catreader18
Celticladys Reviews
Cozy Up With Kathy
fuonlyknew
Guatemala Paula Loves to Read
Hott Books
sunny island breezes
The Book Divas Reads
The Bookworm
The Reading Frenzy
Wall-to-wall Books

Book Spotlight/Author Guest Post: Becoming Flawesome by Kristina Mand-Lakhiani

the bookworm discussion , , ,


Hi all, please join me in welcoming author Kristina Mand-Lakhiani as she stops by for a guest post where she talks about the story behind her book. First, a bit about Becoming Flawsome. It sounds like a good one!


About the Book:

 Title: Becoming Flawesome
Author: Kristina Mand-Lakhiani
Publisher: Hay House
Pages: 280
Genre: Nonfiction

BOOK BLURB:

 Perfection. We all dream of living by it, feeling it, being it…

And it is in the name of perfection that we demonise our flaws, make ourselves ‘less-than,’ and render ourselves vulnerable to the shame of not being good enough.

We live in a society that subliminally encourages us to wear metaphorical masks, slay our inner sadness, and ignore our imperfections, or as Kristina refers to them, her ‘dragons.’ Even within the world of personal development and spirituality, toxic perfectionism lurks in the shadows.

In Kristina’s upcoming book Becoming Flawesome #BecomingFlawesome, she reflects on her own story, her battle against perfectionism, and what it took for her to return to what she now deems to be her most authentic self. Being described as “10 years worth of therapy in one book,” Becoming Flawsome is a celebration of our whole selves, warts and all, and the glory that is to be found in living in our truth.

Every chapter is closed with reflection points and exercises to encourage the readers to dive deep into the essence of who they truly are, what their values are, and how to navigate an oftentimes overwhelming world.

In this book, Kristina breaks the mould as she takes the reader on a journey through:
The dark, controversial side of ‘personal growth,’ and the insecurities that thrive on it
Self-care vs self-love, and why you need both
What authenticity actually is, beyond the buzz
The ‘Hermione Syndrome,’ and how to diagnose if you’re secretly suffering from it
How to create aligned lifestyle habits that stick
Why the more you judge others, the more you judge yourself
Societal masks, and how to remove them from your psyche
Imposter syndrome in the world of high-flyers
Emotional literacy: how to cope with strong, painful emotions healthily

Purchase links:
Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/mwtzj3jx
Mind Valley Books: https://www.mindvalley.com/books/flawesome


Author Guest Post:

The Story Behind Becoming Flawesome
In our world, we often make decisions without questioning them. For example, if your parents were in business, you might assume that you will also become an entrepreneur without questioning it. Similarly, in my case, both my parents had university degrees, so it was expected that I would pursue the same path. Being in the personal growth industry for 20 years and surrounded by professional friends who have written and published books, including best-selling authors, I always took it for granted that I would write a book. It seemed like a natural part of our industry. However, being honest with myself has always been somewhat of a curse. I knew that I would only write a book when I had something meaningful to say. It took years because I focused on my work as an entrepreneur and marketer, helping other authors share their messages and teaching other people’s methods. It wasn’t until later that I realized I had my own perspective to share. Although much of what I share is based on the teachings of others, it’s important to note that there are no entirely new ideas after thousands of years of human evolution.

At some point, I felt a strong desire to share my message with the world, and that was when I knew I was ready to write the book. As I started writing, my initial concern was finding a remarkable publisher. Given my background in the industry, I felt the need to publish with a reputable and noteworthy publisher. However, the search for a publisher became challenging, and I began questioning my approach. Having witnessed the natural process of book writing and contributing to other books, I realized that if I wanted to write a book about being true to myself, my values, and my authenticity, I had to do it on my own terms. This realization led me to choose self-publishing. I wanted the freedom to make my own decisions about the content, writing style, and structure. The initial version of the book reflected a rebellious spirit, aligned with its topic. However, when the manuscript was complete and I was ready to publish, a reputable publisher, Hay House, approached me. I saw the opportunity for my book to benefit from being published by a respected publisher, so I decided to work with them. My only condition was that I could maintain my unique and somewhat obstinate style in the book. We did collaborate on further editing with Hay House, resulting in a more conventional shape for the book. Nevertheless, at its core, this book remains an act of rebellion.

It was only then that I realized the most challenging aspect of writing a book, especially for someone like me who identifies as a writer, is the process of publishing it. Writing is a joy and a pleasure for writers. It is a form of self-expression, our craft, and our creative outlet. Therefore, the publishing phase has been the toughest part of this journey, a long and arduous process. It often feels like reaching the end of the manuscript is the finish line, but in reality, it’s just the beginning. So, in answer to your question, that’s the story behind this book.



About the Author
 Kristina Mand-Lakhiani is an international speaker, entrepreneur, artist, philanthropist, and mother of 2 kids. As a co-founder of Mindvalley, a leading publisher in the personal growth industry, Kristina dedicated the last 20 years of her career from teachers like Michael Beckwith, Bob Proctor, Lisa Nichols, and many more.

She started her career in a government office in her native Estonia and, by her mid-20s, achieved a level of success mostly known to male politicians at the end of their careers. It was shortly after that Kristina and her then-husband Vishen founded Mindvalley. From a small meditation business operating out of the couple’s apartment in New York, the company quickly grew into a global educational organization offering top training for peak human performance to hundreds of thousands of students all around the world.

Kristina believes life is too important to be taken seriously and makes sure to bring fun into every one of her roles: as a teacher, mother, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and world traveller. Kristina helps her students to virtually hack happiness by taking them through her unique framework – “Hacking happiness” – a unique framework of balancing your life, taking in every moment, and paying close attention to the small daily choices.

Kristina is also the author of three transformational quests – “7 Days To Happiness”, “Live By Your Own Rules.” and “The Art of Being Flawesome”. Kristina talks about personal transformation, authenticity, understanding and accepting oneself, and a path to happiness.

In July 2023, with the help of Hay House Publishing, Kristina releases her very first book – “Becoming Flawesome” #BecomingFlawesome. In her book, Kristina shares her own journey from being on top of a personal growth empire like Mindvalley to stepping aside, conscious uncoupling from her husband, and walking her path towards being more honest with herself.

Website: https://kristinamand.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristinamand

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-mand-lakhiani-73168414/


Special thanks to Dorothy @ Pump Up Your Book Promotions. Click here for the full blog tour schedule.

Book Spotlight and Giveaway: Where the Grass Grows Blue by Hope Gibbs

the bookworm discussion , ,
Good morning and TGIF! Today I’m spotlighting author Hope Gibbs new book Where the Grass Grows Blue. Read on for details about the book, a guest post and Q&A from the author (both of which are interesting and insightful) and a giveaway link that you won’t want to miss out on; there will be two lucky winners.

First a bit about the book. How pretty is this cover? I like the blue.


Synopsis (from Amazon):

Penny Crenshaw’s divorce and her husband’s swift remarriage to a much younger woman have been hot topics around Atlanta’s social circles. After a year of enduring the cruel gossip, Penny leaps from the frying pan into the fire by heading back to Kentucky to settle her grandmother’s estate.

Reluctantly, Penny travels to her hometown of Camden, knowing she will be stirring up all the ghosts from her turbulent childhood. But not all her problems stem from a dysfunctional family. One of Penny’s greatest sources of pain lives just down the street: Bradley Hitchens, her childhood best friend, the keeper of her darkest secrets, and the boy who shattered her heart.

As Penny struggles with sorting through her grandmother’s house and her own memories, a colorful group of friends drifts back into her life, reminding her of the unique warmth, fellowship, and romance that only the Bluegrass state can provide. Now that fate has forced Penny back, she must either let go of the scars of her past or risk losing a second chance at love.


Praise:

“In Where the Grass Grows Blue, Hope Gibbs examines Penny Crenshaw’s journey to pick up the pieces and begin again after divorce. But this mother of three sons soon learns that if she wants to move forward, she’ll have to first go back to the start. Readers will enjoy this fast-paced southern story about second-chances, lifelong friendships, and the healing power of forgiveness.”
– Julie Cantrell, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Perennials

“Where The Grass Grows Blue hit me in all the right places. Young lovers separated by a misunderstanding reunite twenty years later, only to discover that although their love never faded, their choices are insurmountable. Or are they?
Gibbs skillfully weaves the dark side of life with the beauty of a love that has only grown stronger over time. Keep an eye on this author – she is one to watch!”
– Barbara Conrey, USA Today Bestselling Author of Nowhere Near Goodbye

“Hope Gibbs’ debut, Where the Grass Grows Blue, is worthy of taking its place among true Southern fiction novels where the banter is witty and the women are true steel magnolias.
It’s a delightful, engaging story about following your heart.”
– Grace Sammon, Award-Winning Author of The Eves, and host of The Storytellers

Find the Book:
–Amazon
–Goodreads

Author Guest Post:

A Letter to my Ten-Years Ago Self…

Dear Hope Gibbs,

I know I’m addressing you by your maiden name. Don’t panic. You’re not in the midst of a divorce. Your marriage is strong, even with the craziness of trying to wrangle five children, but in ten years, this is the name you will be using hundreds of times a week. There’s a good reason for it, one that I’m sure will shock you, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Recently, you celebrated a big milestone—turning forty. I know it sounds old right now, but this is the best decade of your life. Some big changes are coming your way, and you’re about to accomplish something you didn’t realize or even know you wanted to do.

Your thirties were a rollercoaster. You were a bundle of nervous energy. A third pregnancy, the loss of beloved family members, a painful divorce, falling in love all over again, another marriage, and becoming a stepmother to two small children. But good news, you have a full and happy nest, though the decade is a blur of soccer games, carpool runs, homework, and never-ending trips to the grocery store. Feeding a household of seven can be exhausting. But you will start changing in your forties. Don’t get me wrong, you will still do all those things, but know this. Those little birds will fly away. Sooner than you think, and your realization of that fact sets you on a path that will change your life.

Now here’s another “don’t panic” moment, around forty-five, you’re going to have a little mid-life crisis. Don’t freak out. You won’t buy an expensive car or alter your appearance, though you will be going to the salon more often because your hair color will betray you, but you’ll start to question your choices. What have I accomplished with my life other than being a wife and mother? When my children are gone, who will I be? This will be on a continuous loop in your mind, and on your worst days, you’ll start regretting your decision to leave that corporate job to raise those wonderful, infuriating children. Most people would say to ignore that inner voice, but I’m telling you to listen to it because it will propel you into something unimaginable.

After reevaluating your life, you’ll start journaling. That lasts about a week because you’ll hate it. Then, you’ll do something extraordinary—you’ll develop a character, getting to know her through your imagination. You’ll spend countless hours with her, developing her backstory, creating her world, and fleshing out her fears. You’ll laugh, cry, and grow with her, and before you know it, you’ll type the words…THE END. Hope, you write a book! I know you’ve not written anything longer than an email since college, but somehow, you turned that mini-midlife crisis into a novel that will be published by Red Adept, with the audio rights being sold to Blackstone. Oh. And they make you change your name, but that’s okay because Cummiskey is hard to spell and Gibbs was your name first.

Now in your fifties, your days are filled with writing, and it’s wonderful. You need it as much as you need tennis. Don’t worry, you still play multiple times a week even though you’ll have three knee surgeries in the next ten years. It’s okay, you have a great orthopedist. Every day you’re surrounded by a warm and welcoming community of writers and readers. You’ll also be the host of a monthly Facebook Live program for over 5,000 bibliophiles and start a podcast. I’ll explain what that is later.

The next ten years will define you. Enjoy every second of it. And remember, you’re never too old to follow your dreams.

P.S. Your two stepchildren will ask you to officially adopt them on Christmas morning in 2020. You’ll cry your eyes out.


author Q&A

On writing:
How did you do research for your book?
Where the Grass Grows Blue is set in Kentucky, where I was born and raised, so I was comfortable with most topics—food, dialogue, and setting. But I did write in flashbacks and had to study pop culture during those decades so as to not get the year wrong. I also had to do some serious research into genetic diseases, as they are a plot point for my protagonist.

Which was the hardest character to write? The easiest?
The hardest to write by far was the main character, Penny. She is a complicated and sometimes frustrating character by design.
The easiest was Bradley, her love interest. I might have developed a literary crush on him while writing.

Where do you get inspiration for your stories?
I want to bring the charm of the South to a wider community of readers. It’s my goal to immerse them in the culture, food, and characters, so I look around my surroundings or dig back to my upbringing to find inspiration.

What advice would you give budding writers?
In the words of Nike, “Just do it!” You’ll never know unless you try. Of course, there are going to be bumps, sometimes mountains, along the way, but if you believe in yourself, your voice, and find the right support system, you can make it happen too.



Giveaway details:
Follow the link below to enter to win a signed book, hydrangea notebook, hydrangea bag tags, packets of Kettle Corn, and bookmarks. U.S. residents only please.
CLICK HERE to enter to win!



Author Bio:

 Hope Gibbs grew up in rural Scottsville, Kentucky. As the daughter of an English teacher, she was raised to value the importance of good storytelling from an early age. Today, she’s an avid reader of women’s fiction. Drawn to multi-generational family sagas, relationship issues, and the complexities of being a woman, she translates those themes into her own writing.

Hope lives in Tennessee with her husband and her persnickety Shih Tzu, Harley. She is also the mother of five. In her downtime, she loves playing tennis, poring over old church cookbooks, singing karaoke, curling up on her favorite chair with a book, and playing board games.

Hope has a B.A. from Western Kentucky University and is a member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association.

Website: https://www.authorhopegibbs.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopegibbsauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HopeGibbstuib
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorhopegibbs/

Find the Book:
–Amazon
–Goodreads



Special thanks to A Marketing Expert for making this possible. (Twitter)