Interview and Giveaway with Katherine Owen

Katherine Owen lives near Seattle in a suburb overlooking Lake Washington in a very old house with her husband and two children. She has written and released three novels: Seeing Julia (Zola Award Winner), Not To Us, and When I See You. She is hard at work on her next novel, Finding Amy, which is due out this summer 2012.

For more information about her novels, writing, and life, in general, visit her website at http://www.katherineowen.net where she uses edgy language and a little bit of sarcasm in observing life as a writer. Get in touch with her via her contact page at the website. She'd love to hear from you.

Katherine, thank you so much for stopping by the blog today and chatting with us! I love all of your books, but When I See You holds a special place in my heart. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer a few questions and give us some insight into this incredible book.

CB: What was your inspiration for When I See You, and why Austin, Texas (though, for obvious reasons, I am beyond thrilled you chose that particular city and state)?

 KO: First of all, thank you for saying such nice things about When I See You. It is a novel that is near and dear to my heart, too, although I did have my doubts while I was writing it because where my first novel, Seeing Julia, took two years to write, and my second one took months, then, there was When I See You. I spent the majority of 2011 just contemplating the story. It took a long while for it to come together, but I think it did. I’m very happy with the end result—this novel.

As I’ve shared in a few other interviews, When I See You first came about as a stand-alone story based upon a scene I didn’t use in my debut novel, Seeing Julia. That scene is chapter three of When I See You, where Ethan and Brock are back in Afghanistan and the high drama and consequences of war unfolds for these two soldiers/best friends. This particular scene had stayed with me for a long time, and I always knew I wanted to build an entire novel around it. I definitely wanted to explore the idea of a woman being left behind, while her husband goes off to war, and, from there, the idea of Jordan, Ethan, and Brock began to take shape.

As to the second part of your question: Why Austin? Situating much of the scenes in Austin, Texas became a natural fit. I was looking for a place that represented both country and city life. I believe Austin fulfills that requirement quite nicely. I’d done some research on Austin in my previous work for Seeing Julia, and I thought it would fit well for this story, too. Austin is only made reference to in Seeing Julia, while in When I See You, the place makes quite a statement and it ends up being a representation of home for many of the characters in this story.

 CB: I read that one of your favorite scenes between Brock and Jordan was when Jordan was icing the Finding Nemo cupcakes. Can you tell us a bit about it and why it’s so special to you?

 KO: I view it as kind of an awakening scene between Jordan and Brock. There’s Jordan, frosting these cupcakes, putting a lot of effort into her favorite pastime. It’s obvious she’s quite comfortable with her roles as a mother to Max and a wife to Ethan. She appears relaxed and amenable to entertaining Ethan’s best friend Brock while everyone is off doing something else. And yet, the subtext going on between these two seems to expand with every word they utter and every breath they take. This scene is at the beginning of the story and I think it subtly demonstrates the powerful connection that has begun to ignite between them.

There’s one other scene, later in the book, that I really enjoyed because I think it effectively showed Brock and Jordan’s personalities and the way they behave with one another. It’s the one where Jordan is driving Brock’s car on the way to the Lazy J Ranch for the first time. I loved writing the dialog for that one. Brock, being a typical guy, is worried about his car; and yet, Jordan seems to know how to handle his car as well as him.

Lastly, there’s one other scene I truly enjoyed that contains my favorite line from the novel. This is the one where Jordan meets up with Brock in the restaurant parking lot. I just love it when she says, “You’re a long way from home, soldier.” Given their circumstances, this one line sums up the tension between them quite well.

CB: I think one of my favorite moments in the book (and one of the hottest) was when Jordan offered to cut Brock’s hair. It was so endearingly awkward for them, and it was just so sensual! Did you have as much fun writing it as I did reading it?

KO:  Yes! This is a very hot scene! Probably what gives it that extra sensual kick is the way Brock seems to be reacting to Jordan while she cuts his hair. By the end of the scene, what started out as a simple favor seems to have left them both reeling as they silently combat this unexpected attraction for one another. From Jordan’s point of view, readers get a sense of her silent acknowledgement and shame when she discovers she’s attracted to this guy despite her being very married to Ethan. It’s startling and surprising at the same time. Everyone seems to be holding their breath at this point! It’s a great scene and was so much fun to write.

CB: I would love to see When I See You made into a movie. Who would make up your dream cast? (I’m pretty sure I can guess who would play Brock!)

KO: Oh my... my crush on Henry Cavill precedes me. I thought I would get past that by the time the book was finished, but I haven’t. He’s just so perfect, although he might have a bit of a problem affecting a southern drawl. For inspiration for When I See You, I actually picked out different pictures from various Hollywood websites to keep myself inspired, but Jordan kind of transformed into someone else for me as I went along. If this were ever made into a movie, I would love to see Ryan Gosling play Ethan; Henry Cavill play Brock Wainwright; Cobie Smulders play Jordan;  Evan Rachel Wood play Ashleigh; and Josh Duhamel play Tate Mathews. Those are the actors I have envisioned lately, anyway. Thank you for the question, I’ve had a few readers express their wish that this would be made it into film. It’s fun to imagine that happening someday. Love that idea!

CB: Oh, my!  That is quite the cast! *fans self*

I love a stand-alone book; however, I wouldn’t mind seeing a continuation of Jordan and Brock’s story. Do you have plans to revisit any of your novels and continue these amazing characters’ stories?

KO: Thank you for the compliment. It’s always a thrill to have readers want to see a storyline continue. I like to believe that’s an indication that I’ve created likeable and, hopefully, well-rounded, characters. Yes, I suppose out of all the novels I’ve written, When I See You would be one of those stories that lends itself well to a continuation. I have a number of stories stored up in my head, waiting to burst forth, but it would be fun to return to these characters, at some point. I think series are tough to write from the standpoint that it can be a real challenge to keep a reader’s interest going in the middle, much like a story. My preference for standalone books is largely due to my personality because I get bored easily and like to move on to the next thing fairly quickly, but I’ll think about it. Seriously.

CB: You’re such a phenomenal writer that it’s hard to believe you haven’t been doing this your whole life and you had a completely different career for years. Can you tell us about the day you made the final decision to change careers and become a writer full time?

KO: Thank you so much for the compliment about my writing. I never tire of hearing praise about my craft even though I haven’t always been writing.

I had a fantastic job in high tech-sales, working with global accounts with great customers such as Costco and Starbucks. Then, there was a change in management in my third year with this particular company and the new guy questioned if I was a good fit. Hmmm ... Soon after, a huge layoff spread across the sales organization and I was one of the ones let go. I had been waiting for a long time (years) to have the opportunity to write full-time. It was one of those lifelong dreams that required perfect timing and some savings. We had achieved both and I viewed it as a now or never proposition. So, I began writing full-time in April of 2009.

My first novel sits in a big beautiful box hidden away at about seven hundred plus pages and will never see the light of day. After my first year of writing full-time, where I read many books on writing, read many more novels in general, and wrote a million words, I decided I needed to take some classes. I enrolled in an online writing course with The Writer’s Studio in January of 2010. The Writer’s Studio has been fabulous and studying all types of famous fiction writers work has certainly had a positive influence upon my writing. Many of the scenes I’ve written for various stories, including the beginning chapters for Seeing Julia and When I See You came from class. Critiques from teachers and peers helped shape those works. And, after three years of writing full-time and taking classes at The Writer’s Studio, I’ve released three novels: Seeing Julia, Not To Us, and When I See You. I’m working on my fourth novel, Finding Amy, right now.

CB: Finding time to write can be difficult. How do you manage whole novels with a family to care for and a household to run? Does it involve locked doors and keys being thrown away? Wine?

KO:  Well, you would have to see my house to really get a good idea of what has gone by the wayside over the last three years! Cleaning is not my forte. I do manage to get the meals on the table most nights, but it’s a chore. The kids know that when I’m working, they need to announce themselves at the stairs, so they don’t scare me to death when they come to visit my humble abode. I’m pretty intense when I’m writing.

It is nice to be home and be present (some of the time). I enjoy going to all my son’s track meets and my daughter’s volleyball games. When I was working in the corporate world, I usually wasn’t home before seven at night and I missed a lot of kid events and spent way too much time on a headset, taking client calls while I was driving my kids to school. I like to think I’m more present. Now, I enjoy our little jaunts in the car and I have a better idea of what is going on with them at school and with homework. Writing full-time is fabulous. And, it is so much more fun working from home, although we all miss the cleaning lady. Wine? Yes, a certain amount of wine, especially on the weekends, is involved.

CB:  Congratulations on making a number of bestselling lists on Amazon!  How does that feel?

KO: Thank you! It feels good. When I See You just achieved Kindle Bestseller status in Literary Fiction, Literature, and American Drama, just like Seeing Julia and Not To Us did earlier this spring. Achieving bestseller status is exciting and surreal at the same time. I equate it to plate spinning because it takes effort and attention to keep it all going, but I do love seeing my novels listed on Amazon’s various bestseller lists because it means people are finding the novels. Still, the thing I enjoy the most are the emails from readers, seeking me out to tell me what they enjoyed about my novels. I’m truly touched and gratified by both their kindness and their enthusiasm for my work.

CB: I’m so excited for your next novel, Finding Amy. What can you tell us about your current work-in-progress? Teasers are always welcome! ;)

KO: Oh ... I wish I could tell you more about my work in progress, but because the story changes as I go along that remains challenging, however, here’s the latest tagline for Finding Amy:

They share an unexpected connection that proves life changing which leads to a continual search: he, to find her; she to stay lost.

I’m really excited about this story. It’s different from my others in that the main character, Tally, starts out so young. Readers will have a chance to see her evolve and change, which I think will have a wide appeal. I’m enjoying the writing process with this one and can’t wait for its release late this summer.

CB: Thank you so much, Katherine, for stopping by and for sharing your work with us. A huge thank-you for giving us Brock Wainwright - he is the stuff dreams are made of!

KO: Brock is fabulous!! Love him so much!! That is … until you meet Linc Davis in Finding Amy.  Thank you so much for hosting me at your blog!!

Katherine is graciously giving away several copies of When I See You.  Five signed print copies for US residents and three digital copies for US and International Residents (digital copies are from Amazon.  Winner will need a Kindle or Kindle app).  You can grab the giveaway badge  (see below) for extra points.  A huge thank you to the lovely Christie from Christie's Book Reviews for making the badge. Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below and good luck! 

<a href=”http://BLOGURL/” style=”border: none;”><img alt=”A Belle’s Tales” <a href="http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z324/midnightsun197/?action=view&current=wheniseeyou-1.jpg" target="_blank"> </a><a href="http://abellestales.blogspot.com/2012/05/interview-and-giveaway-with-katherine.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z324/midnightsun197/wheniseeyou-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"/><style=”width: 129px; height: 129px;”/></a></style=”width:></a> a Rafflecopter giveaway

Signed Insurgent Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to the lucky winner of the signed copy of Insurgent: 

Book Ninja!

The winner has been notified, and her book will ship today.

For those of you dying to get your hands on a signed copy of Insurgent

 and who are unable to go to a Veronica Roth signing, you can go to: 

 The Book Stall at Chestnut Court. 

They still have signed copies of Insurgent in stock. 

The shipping is fast and the staff is very courteous. 

Signed copies of Divergent are also available! 

Thank you to all who entered! 

 I have another awesome giveaway going up tomorrow!

Hope to see you then!

When I See You by Katherine Owen

Title: When I See You

Author: Katherine Owen

Publisher: The Writing Works Group

Publication Date: December 20, 2011

Amazon | Barnes&Noble | Goodreads


My Rating:

From Goodreads:

He breaks his promise, more than once.

He makes another.

Will she believe him?

Can he keep it?

Jordan Holloway and Brock Wainwright share a past connection and devastating loss that intricately ties them to one another. But now, both must find their way to a new and different life and discover for themselves that moving on begins with letting go, making promises, and keeping them, most of all.

My Review:

 

It was a whirlwind romance. Jordan, an amazing chef, met the gorgeous Ethan Holloway when she exasperatingly confronted the man who kept sending his food back to the kitchen. Ethan swept Jordan off her feet, married her, and, before she could catch her breath, she became a mother to their first child. Almost every woman’s fantasy... well, maybe not the part where Ethan Holloway is a Navy Seal and spends the majority of his time away from his family. The brave soldier loves Jordan and their son Max more than anything in the world - a love shared only with serving his country. They have been married for 1,428 days, and, out of those 1,428 days, have only spent 297 of them together. And now he’s leaving... again.

Ethan and his best friend/snipe partner Brock Wainwright had one more tour in Afghanistan. The week before they leave, Ethan brings Brock to spend that last week with his family. He wanted Jordan to meet his best friend and Brock to meet his best girl. When Brock looked at Jordan, he saw her. Really saw her. Saw to the very depths of her soul. Saw who she was, who she wanted to be, and, most of all, the part of her that she tried to hide from everyone else in her life. So, when Jordan asked Brock for his promise to bring Ethan back home... he only hesitated for a moment before saying yes.

But it was a promise Brock shouldn’t have made, and it was a promise he wasn’t able to keep.

Jordan and heartbreak have been fast and furious friends since she was 17 years old. She was the daughter of bigger-than-life, famous, Oscar-winning parents.

“‘Can you imagine loving someone like that? Believing in them so much?

The extravagance of their love is something I will never forget.

It’s what I try to remember and what I hold on to, even now.’”

Loving parents who were slain in the most horrible, gruesome ways one can imagine - the details of which were covered up and known only by Jordan and the police. Details that Jordan has pushed down to the furthest corners of her mind, heart, and soul. Jordan has always been able to get away with the tragedy that is... well, Jordan. She can hide it from Ethan, as well as her best friend, Ashleigh. So, how is it that the arrogant, too-handsome-to-be-legal Brock Wainwright can completely undo her with one look? How does he know that she stopped believing in happily-ever-afters a long time ago? Not to mention he has the audacity to assume he knows her better than anyone else in her life. And even more frustrating... it would seem he actually does.

I love the way the author wrote Jordan. She is strong, determined, and yet... so very human. This character was extremely easy to relate to. Her heartache was my heartache, and her triumphs, my own.

“And even though I don’t believe in happily ever after,

it doesn’t stop it from hurting when it doesn’t work out.

When the people I love the most die. Not now. Not ever.”

It’s always a wonderful thing when an author gives you more characters to love than just the main characters. I adored Jordan’s best friend, Ashleigh: a seductive little vixen that all the men drool over, who responds to the word ‘commitment’ like someone hearing the F-bomb dropped in church. Yet, she is a friend who would walk through fire to be by Jordan’s side.

“She strokes my hair, tucking strands of it behind my left ear. ‘Sweetie, you can’t live like this. You have to trust that things will work out. You have to give yourself a chance at happiness.’”

Then, there is the holy-hot-and-rugged, real-life cowboy Tate... another of Ethan’s best friends and Brock’s cousin. Tate is also quite possibly the only man who may be able to tame one Ashleigh Blondell.

“‘Just so you know,’ I say in a low voice,
‘Ashleigh goes through men like a pair of pajamas.

You best stay clear.’ I gaze at him in defiance.

At first, he looks disappointed that I would say this,
but then he says, ‘Yeah, I got that.’
Thirty seconds later, his face dissolves into this wide, dazzling, white smile.

I catch my breath, awe-struck by his stunning beauty, so like his cousin’s.
‘But just so you know, I’m going to marry that girl.’”

The beginning of the story takes place in Malibu, Jordan’s paradise. So, the fact that she soon finds herself in Austin, Texas, where she actually says the word “Austin” like it’s something stuck to the bottom of her Manolo Blahniks, is priceless.

Sweet, funny little Max, Ethan and Jordan’s son, is off-the-charts adorable and manages to steal the hearts of everyone around him - including the reader’s.

“Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. ‘Pooh!’ he whispered. ‘Yes, Piglet?’

‘Nothing,’ said Piglet, taking Pooh’s paw.

‘I just wanted to be sure of you.’”
- A.A. Milne

Oh, the things I have to say about Brock Wainwright. The pages I could fill with details about this man! He was gorgeous, yes... but he was deep and reflective, and, of course, I could never get enough of his sarcasm and the amazing banter he has with Jordan.

“‘You’re impossible,’ he says. ‘Kind of cranky.’
‘Maybe, it’s the flu.’
‘Please don’t throw up in my car,’ he says.
‘Are you begging me, Mr. Wainwright?’
‘No. But I will.’”

He has his flaws, which, if I’m being honest, made him even more appealing. He was strong, but he had the most tender moments that were so completely endearing.

“It’s ironic. This special kind of torture God plans just for me.

The woman who haunts me - this goddess in all of my dreams now - is finally next to me.”

The author wrote the alternating POV’s between Brock and Jordan flawlessly. Those can be tricky, but having the insight into both of these characters was my favorite aspect of the book. Brock’s POV made my heart flutter and my toes curl!

Katherine Owen does it again with her latest novel, When I See You. A brilliant story filled with brilliant characters. Her amazing and beautiful story-telling abilities captivate and mesmerize. I love a book that touches my heart and keeps me thinking about the characters long after I have turned the last page. When I See You is exactly that kind of book.

A huge thank you to the author for sending me my beautiful copy of When I See You in exchange for my honest review.

Ms. Owen will be stopping by the blog on Wednesday for an interview and giveaway.  She will be giving away several copies of When I See You.  Hope to see you then!

Katertot's Review of A Greyhound of a Girl by Roddy Doyle

Title: A Greyhound of a Girl
Author: Roddy Doyle
Publisher: Amulet Books
Publication Date: May 1, 2012

Amazon |  Barnes&Noble | Goodreads

Katertot's Rating:

FromGooodreads: 

Mary O’Hara is a sharp and cheeky 12-year-old Dublin schoolgirl who is bravely facing the fact that her beloved Granny is dying. But Granny can’t let go of life, and when a mysterious young woman turns up in Mary’s street with a message for her Granny, Mary gets pulled into an unlikely adventure. The woman is the ghost of Granny’s own mother, who has come to help her daughter say good-bye to her loved ones and guide her safely out of this world. She needs the help of Mary and her mother, Scarlett, who embark on a road trip to the past. Four generations of women travel on a midnight car journey. One of them is dead, one of them is dying, one of them is driving, and one of them is just starting out.

Katertot's Review:

Mary O’Hara is a twelve-year-old girl living in Dublin, Ireland. Unfortunately, things haven't been going very well for Mary lately. Not only has her best friend just moved away, but her grandmother, Emer, is extremely sick and has been admitted to the hospital. To add to that, a strange woman keeps appearing in Mary’s neighborhood. Mary assumes she is a new neighbor, but finds out later that that is not true at all. The woman, Tansey, short for Anastasia, is a ghost. A ghost of Mary’s grandmother’s mother. She’d heard of Tansey plenty of times in stories, but, of course, had never met her in person. Now, Tansey is asking Mary and her mother (who, oddly enough, are not all that shocked about a ghost in front of them) to help her reach Emer again so she can talk to her. Mary and her mother agree to help Tansey and take her to the hospital to see her daughter, and that’s where the adventure begins.

This book was so fun and interesting to read. And set in Ireland? Even better! A lot of Irish references and words throughout the story had me laughing out loud, along with several other parts, but then, there were parts that had me on the verge of tears, as well. I’ve never read any books by Roddy Doyle before, and, though A Greyhound of a Girl may be my first, it definitely won’t be my last! The writing style was unique and captivating, and I was hooked from beginning to end. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun, exciting read. Also, the cover and pages are beautiful, and that is always a plus!

Now, for my favorite characters!~ Scarlett: Scarlett, Mary’s mother, was so hilarious and eccentric that I couldn’t help but love her. Though my mother is not eccentric by any means, she is also hilarious and always in good spirits, and Scarlett reminded me of her. She was always shouting things and ending sentences with !!!s, as Mary said.

~ Tansey: Tansey’s story, though sad, was enjoyable to read about. I loved reading about her and what happened, how she died, and how she was able to stay on earth as a ghost. Tansey and Emer had a beautiful mother/daughter relationship, and I could really relate to that, as well.

~ Dommo and Killer (Dominic and Kevin): Though these two boys (Mary’s older brothers) did not appear in the story often, it was interesting, to say the least, when they did. They were usually very funny, and a lot of parts involving these two had me cracking up. Like this (also an example of Mary’s hilarious, overly-excited mother):

. . . the boys charged into the kitchen, in a race to the fridge that Killer was winning.
The boys stopped when they saw Tansey.
“We’re talking about death, boys!” said Scarlett.
“Cool,” said Dommo.

This was an amazing story, and, after reading in the back of the book where some of Roddy Doyle’s books have become movies, I hope this is made into a film, also. I have a feeling it will - such a wonderful book deserves to be on the big screen! I hope to read more of Roddy Doyle’s fabulous work… and soon!

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Title:  Code Name Verity
Author: Elizabeth Wein
Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children
Expected Publication: May 15, 2012

Amazon |  Barnes&Noble | The Book Depository

My Rating:

From Goodreads: 

Oct. 11th, 1943—A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a chance at survival. The other has lost the game before it's barely begun.

When “Verity” is arrested by the Gestapo, she's sure she doesn’t stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, she’s living a spy’s worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution.

As she intricately weaves her confession, Verity uncovers her past, how she became friends with the pilot Maddie, and why she left Maddie in the wrecked fuselage of their plane. On each new scrap of paper, Verity battles for her life, confronting her views on courage and failure and her desperate hope to make it home. But will trading her secrets be enough to save her from the enemy?

Harrowing and beautifully written, Elizabeth Wein creates a visceral read of danger, resolve, and survival that shows just how far true friends will go to save each other. Code Name Verity is an outstanding novel that will stick with you long after the last page.

My Review:

“It's like being in love, discovering your best friend.”

Code Name Verity is the story of two friends fighting for survival in 1943.  This story was given high ratings by reviewers I deeply respect, as well as one of my favorite authors, so I was incredibly saddened that I wasn’t able to appreciate the story the way they did.

The details that Elizabeth Wein provides will captivate most readers - just not this particular reader. I realize this is not the fault of the book, nor the fault of the author who wrote it. I can’t imagine how much research went into this story. The author writes this era so flawlessly that I am easily impressed by her talent. The problem really lies with me. I am simply not the target audience for this type of book or time period. I struggled with the first person narrative that changed to third person narrative, along with the switch in POV’s.

I feel as though I’m being transported back to the 9th grade, when I had to tell the boy who wanted to go steady with me that I just didn’t feel the same way. So, I say to this book: You didn’t do anything wrong. You are a perfectly nice book. I like you, but I’m just not in love with you.

There are some twists and turns that were very surprising and equally intriguing - enough to make me want to see the story through to the end, which speaks volumes when you’re reading something that isn’t your cup of tea. I don't want to give away any spoilers, and talking more about the plot of this book would surely do so.  As it is often repeated in the book:  Careless talk costs lives!

I think readers who enjoy historical fiction and/or have a love for piloting and different types of aircrafts should definitely give this book a go. I myself would be very open minded to reading more of this author’s work, as I believe she can tell quite a story.


Thank you to Netgalley and Disney-Hyperion for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Happy Birthday and an early Happy Mother's Day

Today, my beautiful, sweet mother is 76 years young. She is my hero and my rock. She gave me my love for reading and if I can be half the mother that she has been, my daughter will be very blessed.  I thought I would share my favorite childhood memory with you in her honor:



I was four years old. Every Thursday was what my parents referred to as grocery day. They still call it that, though it has since moved to Wednesdays. Before we would get our groceries at the Air Force Base Commissary, we would always stop by the BX, which was the base exchange. On this particular Thursday, as we turned down an aisle, I saw her. She was the most beautiful baby doll I had ever seen. Chestnut brown curls, big brown eyes that really blinked, and rosy cheeks. I was smitten. Even though she was in a huge box, I picked her up and showed my mother my own big, blinking brown eyes. Mom agreed the doll was beautiful and looked her over, but she faltered when she saw the price. $26.00 for a doll in the 70’s was outrageous and way more than my blue collar parents, who had a budget to adhere to, could afford. I was raised to know better than to ask, especially when it wasn’t my birthday or Christmas, so I understood owning this doll wasn’t a reality. I did, however, ask if I could just carry her in her box while we shopped. So I lugged that box down every single aisle while Mom loaded our buggy with the usual weekly necessities. When it was time to check out, I put the dolly back on the aisle she belonged on, bid her goodbye, and told her I would see her next week.


And I did. Actually, for many weeks. Every Thursday, it became routine. I would rush to her aisle, pick her up, and carry her while we shopped. At four years old, I had no idea I was breaking my mother’s heart. I didn’t know that she longed to buy me that doll more than anything else in the world. I was just happy to have my weekly visits. The next Thursday, after my visit with the baby doll, whose name was Puddin’(which I thought was the BEST name in the world for reasons only a four-year-old could explain), we finished our grocery day and headed home. While my parents unloaded the grocery bags and shared some hushed whispering, I became lost in a favorite cartoon. A half-hour later, I heard a car pull up. Excited over unexpected company, I raced to the door… but it was my mom’s car pulling up. Where had she gone? And why didn’t she tell me she was leaving? I instantly became terrified that something was wrong. My dad opened the door and told me to go see if she needed help with anything. As I approached the car, my fears were alleviated when I saw her beaming. I reached the car door as she opened it, and then, she placed the most wonderful doll in the world in my arms. I burst into tears. I may have only been a little child, but I knew the enormity of the gift I had been given, and it was more than just a doll… it was a symbol of my parents’ love and a preview of what they were willing to sacrifice for me, their little girl.

I was twenty-three years old. I was renting my very first house on the other side of town. On my own for the first time in my life, I felt so grown-up and so independent. I loved that little house, and decorating it became my number one priority and a bit of an obsession. An older lady that I worked with, who only lived a few streets away, asked to come by and see my new house. She brought her friend with her, and, to my delight, they ooooed and aaaahed their way through my little home, complimenting every arrangement of furniture or décor we passed. When we came to my extra bedroom that held my childhood furniture, a few stuffed animals, and, of course, the most wonderful baby doll in the world, I told them the story of Puddin’ just as I have told you. My friend’s friend asked if she could hold her - see her more closely. I obliged, and she immediately turned her over and checked the back of my doll’s neck. Before I could ask, she remarked, “I thought so!” She then informed me that what I had in my possession was a Madame Alexander doll. I nodded like I knew exactly what that meant - I had no clue. She offered me a very large sum of money right then and there. I was only twenty-three. Every penny I earned went towards my new rent, utilities, and gas money. At that moment, I had exactly eighty-three cents in my bank account. I beamed at this woman and told her, “No, thank you. This doll is priceless.”

I am now in my thirties. I have been happily married for fifteen years. Fortunately, I have more than eighty-three cents in my checking account, and I have long ago put away childish things. Except for one: the most wonderful doll in the world now belongs to the most wonderful little girl in the world. My daughter adores Puddin’ and only gently handles her on rare occasions. Puddin’ is missing a bit of hair from too many brushings, and she has a few scars from too much cuddling, but, when I look at her, I don't see an old childhood toy... I only see one thing: a mother’s love for her little girl.




My doll-themed 7th birthday party (that's me and Puddin' in the front). All the little girls brought their favorite dolls, and everyone was given awards, like Best Dressed, Most Popular, Newest, Oldest, etc. Want to take a wild guess whose doll won Most Loved?

Ascend (Trylle Trilogy #3) by Amanda Hocking

Title: Ascend (Trylle Trilogy#3)
Author: Amanda Hocking
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Publication: April 24, 2012

Amazon | Barnes&Noble | The Book Depository |
                       Goodreads

My Rating:

From Goodreads: 

The final book in the Trylle Trilogy..


With a war looming on the horizon, Wendy's fate seems sealed.But everything she sacrificed might be in vain if she can't save the ones she loves. Her whole life has been leading up to this, and it's all coming to an end.

                  This is a young adult paranormal romance with some
                          mild language and mild sexual situations.

My Review:

This is a difficult review to write. Not because I’m at a loss for words - because I have too many! I’m about to burst at the seams needing to vent to someone about everything that went down in the final installment of The Trylle Trilogy. What are you trying to do to me, Amanda Hocking? How am I going to express any of my opinions here without giving anything away from the book? I suppose I will stick to safe topics, and this review may go down as one of the shortest in my little blogging history.

Normally, I like to gush about the yummy male characters, but I think I did enough of that in my last two reviews. I’m actually excited to talk about Wendy this time. I’ve had definite issues with her in the last two books, but talk about character development! Wendy really grew into a likeable heroine who worked hard to earn the respect of not only her peers, but the respect of the readers. She showed strength and compassion in Ascend, and, while I didn’t agree with everything she did or certain choices she made, I am very pleased with how Wendy matured and the young woman she grew into. She’s no Remy, but she definitely wins most improved.

Another shocker was that I, albeit begrudgingly, changed my opinion about Elora. Oh, I fought it, believe me... but, when all was revealed, I certainly saw things from a different point of view.

I will miss these characters, and, even though it ended a lot differently than I would have thought, I enjoyed everyone’s happily-ever-after. The glimpse into their future lives was very satisfying and gave some closure no matter what “team” you were on. I will hold out hope that Finn will get his own book one day - he is not a character that I am ready to say goodbye to.

“‘It’s what’s best for you.’ He paused. ‘But I want you for myself, too.’”

*********************

“‘Tomorrow, you will belong to someone else. But tonight, you’re with me.’”

*********************

“‘Can’t we just sit here and look longingly into each other’s eyes until we fall into each

other’s arms, kissing passionately?’”

*************************

“‘Everything I went through,’ he said. ‘For you. It was worth it.’”

***************************

“‘I don't want only one night. I want all the nights. I want all of you, forever.’”

Note:  This is a young adult paranormal romance with some mild language and mild sexual situations.