Archive for August 2021
An Interview with Julee Balko
Readers agree that 2021 Debuts author Julee Balko knows how to write relationships. One reviewer wrote of her debut novel, The Things We Keep, that Julee crafted “a story with really complicated family dynamics,” while another reader said, “Complex relationships can really take a toll on us . . . The author has brilliantly written…
Read MoreTalking to the Animals
When the girls were around six months old (or maybe a bit younger), one of Tim’s fellow graduate students bought them an extra large Pooh Bear. By extra large, I simply mean he outranked them by quite a bit. (Pooh never outweighed them, but he certainly stood taller, since on his back paws, Pooh stands…
Read MoreAn Interview with J.S. Dewes
2021 Debuts author J.S. Dewes is knee-deep (or higher!) in publishing mania. Still on cloud nine from the release of her debut novel, The Last Watch (April 2021), J.S. had the thrill of seeing the second in the series—The Exiled Fleet—launch last week. And don’t worry, fans . . . the series isn’t finished yet!…
Read MoreLessons I Hope They Learned
The girls leave for college today. As in, they might never step foot permanently into this house again. (Sniff.) This day would have occurred last year around this time, but thanks to COVID-19, Zoe and Talia chose (and had no choice at first) to work remotely for their entire first year. As much as I’m…
Read MoreAn Interview with Jenn Bouchard
2021 Debuts author Jenn Bouchard takes her readers on a culinary adventure in her debut novel, First Course. In fact, the tagline for the book reads, “Second acts can be delicious,” and the story centers on Janie Whitman, who cooks up comfort food for her and her family. Jenn herself is an “avid cook,” and…
Read MoreAn Interview with Sarah Adlakha
2021 Debuts author Sarah Adlakha has a lot to smile about these days. Her debut novel, She Wouldn’t Change a Thing, released last week, and already, it’s doing very well. Prior to publication, it landed on CNN’s “The Best New Books of August 2021,” which included some big names like Stephen King and Sandra Brown,…
Read MoreAn Interview with Sarah Zachrich Jeng
Fellow 2021 Debuts author Sarah Zachrich Jeng is flying high. Her debut novel, The Other Me, launched yesterday, and it’s quickly gaining praise. Samantha Downing wrote of the book, “The definition of unputdownable . . . A fresh story, quick pacing, intriguing characters,” while PopSugar called it a “Black Mirror-esque rabbit hole.” Having read the…
Read MoreThat Season
It’s that season again: twice a day soccer practices. One at six in the morning, the other in the evening. Which means its the season of morning disruptions. My morning disruption. Aaron is old enough to get himself to practice now, but having another human being up early puts me in a mood. A funk,…
Read MoreAn Interview with Nicole Willson
2021 Debut author Nicole Willson is another person I’d like to meet in real life. The jaunty hat she wears in her profile picture intrigues me, horror used to be a favorite genre of mine to read, and I love hanging with people who are “very independent” and content doing just about anything by themselves,…
Read MoreAn Interview with C. D’Angelo
Author C. D’Angelo is a person with a healthy attitude to admire. As she states on her website, “I love my job [as a psychotherapist for young adults] but also love SO much more in my personal life.” And that personal life is full; it includes a husband, reading, traveling, music, Italian culture and more,…
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