Author Guest Post
It’s taken me years to understand why it’s good for us, but it truly is. Rejection should be viewed as a lesson or a chance to learn and grow. When we’re rejected, it’s time to expand our worlds or redefine our belief in what surrounds us.
I know, this sounds hokey, right? It’s not. I was rejected by a job in 2008 that didn’t want me anymore. I should send them a thank you note, because I wouldn’t be writing if I had not been laid off. When my agent was shopping my book, Rum Punch Regrets, we got rejections. With each one I would only let myself feel my disappointment for five minutes. Yep, that was all, because any more than that and I was wasting my time.
As with anything else in life, “when one door closes, another one opens.” I refused to hold on to the potential of what could have been in a relationship with a publisher. I only have my potential to draw on and make bigger, bolder, and grander. Did it hurt when an email came through saying “no” or the call came from Cynthia (Manson, my amazing agent)? Yes, it would smart but again…five minutes. No wallowing.
Instead, you keep going, you keep trying. You go back to the drawing board and you make it better, you learn more about yourself, and your writing and you move forward. If you do look back, smile and say thank you. All that stuff in the past doesn’t count.
Eventually, someone says yes. They always do. Just be open to the journey – after all it’s yours.
About The Author:
Anne Kemp is the author behind the Abby George Series, which includes her debut novella, All Fruits Ripe, and first novel, Rum Punch Regrets, which is available in print and as an eBook. She is also the columnist behind “Anne In Progress,” which appears monthly in the Frederick News-Post, a newspaper in the DC-Metro area. As a blogger, she was nominated for a 2012 Bloggers Choice Award for Best Humor Blog, and is known for penning “The Ultimate Late Bloomer.”
Follow her on TWITTER, or join her fans on FACEBOOK for fun contests and giveaways. You can always find her at her AUTHOR WEBSITE.
A portion of Anne's proceeds are donated to LUPUS LA.
Virtual Book Tour Contest Giveaway
Win A $10 Amazon Gift Card
Click on Anne Kemp's Rum Punch Regrets Virtual Book Tour Page On Chick Lit Plus and post a comment to enter the contest to win a $10 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of Rum Punch Regrets before September 3rd and sends their receipt to Samantha@ChickLitPlus.com, will get five (5) bonus entries.
Rum Punch Regrets Trailer
Book Review
Author Anne Kemp's The Abby George Series introduces her readers to Abby George in the novella, All Fruits Ripe, a prequel to Rum Punch Regrets. So I decided to read and review All Fruits Ripe to set the stage for Abby's adventure in Rum Punch Regrets. Note: Rum Punch Regrets can be read as a stand alone book.
All Fruits Ripe by Anne Kemp
Published By: Premier Digital Publishing
Publication Date: April 4, 2012
Format: eBook - 46 pages / Kindle - 482 KB / Nook - 324 KB
ISBN: 1937957683
ASIN: B007RRQAYY
Genre: Contemporary Women's Fiction / Chick Lit
BUY THE BOOK: All Fruits Ripe
Disclaimer: I bought a copy of the book in order to read and review it as the prequel to Rum Punch Regrets.
Book Description:
All Fruits Ripe introduces the loveable, single and laid-off thirty-something, Abby George.
In just a few short weeks, Abby has endured the death of her mother, was dumped by her fiancé, and got laid off from her job.
Stunned and seeking a shoulder to cry on, she turns to her perfect older sister, Leigh. But instead of comfort, Abby receives a surprise: Leigh needs her in the Caribbean to help with some mysterious personal business.
Should she go? Will she go? Join Abby as her journey begins...
My Book Review:
All Fruits Ripe is an entertaining short novella that introduces the reader to Abby George, the main character in The Abby George Series. Abby George is a thirty-something LA girl who hasn't had a very good year. She lost her fiance to another woman, her mother passed away from cancer, she was laid off from her job, and she's basically penniless. Abby turned to her older sister Leigh for a sympathetic ear and for moral support, but instead she receives a "chance of a lifetime" proposal. Leigh asks Abby to fly to the Caribbean for a few months to oversee the repairs and sale of her island home. Surprise! Abby didn't know Leigh had a house in the Caribbean, it was a well hidden secret, as Leigh's second hubby, Daryl, doesn't even know the house exists. While Abby relishes a chance to have her own island fantasy adventure, she can't shake her gut feeling that there is a hidden agenda behind her sister's offer. Will Abby accept the proposal and embark on an island adventure? The answer will be revealed in book two of the series, Rum Punch Regrets!
All Fruits Ripe is a great short novella that introduces the reader to Abby George and her older sister Leigh. The novella provides the reader with background information into the lives and family dynamic of Abby and Leigh. Leigh is twenty years older than Abby, a typical Type A personality and all around perfect woman. Abby's birth was needless to say a surprise to her parents, who had begun planning their retirement when they found out that May was pregnant with Abby. Abby and Leigh are complete opposites, where Abby has a sarcastic personality, dry humor and free spirit way; Leigh is the successful businesswoman who has been the "mother" in Abby's life, and has asserted her pushy "been there, did that" advice and assistance on Abby throughout her life.
With the background set, this fun, fast-paced little teaser of a prequel to Rum Punch Regrets whets your appetite and interest to follow Abby on her Caribbean island adventure!
RATING: 4 STARS ****
Rum Punch Regrets by Anne Kemp
Published By: Premier Digital Publishing
Publication Date: May 16, 2012
Format: Paperback - 250 pages / Kindle - 421 KB / Nook - 340 KB
ISBN: 1937957713
ASIN: B0085O82BM
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Chick Lit / Women's Fiction
BUY THE BOOK: Rum Punch Regrets
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.
Book Description:
Stunned and seeking a shoulder to cry on, she turns to her perfect older sister, Leigh. But instead of comfort, Abby receives a surprise: Leigh needs her in the Caribbean to help with some mysterious personal business.
While assisting in the sale and repair of a bed-and-breakfast, Abby uncovers a few huge family secrets as she juggles an unexpected roommate, quirky locals, and nasty centipedes.
Abby's world is further complicated when two potential suitors enter her life. Can Abby get beyond her own psycho drama long enough to open her heart to someone new? Or will she neurotically make her romantic life worse?
Packing nothing but her suitcases and a sense of humor, Abby George travels down an unfamiliar road, but it's all she can do to hang on for the ride...
Or will she wake up with "Rum Punch Regrets?"
Book Excerpt:
Abby smiled to herself, looked directly at Maria and said slowly, “I’m not trying to be a jerk or rude, but you wake me up after a long day of travel to ask me to leave my sister’s home?” Abby waved her hand around the room. “That I’m here to take care of?”
Abby looked Maria in the eye, almost laughing at the thought that this was an issue. Yet Maria was not reacting. In fact, she was just rocking and nodding.
“No time for limin’. Leigh asked me to be kind in telling you since you traveled so far an’ being her sister an’ all. Just no way to wake someone up to say get out, really.” The big pearly white smile was back. This woman needed to share her Crest Whitestrips with Ziggy.
What is the obsession with picking limes here? Abby thought. Are limes a main source of island income, and do I need to help pick them?
Abby crossed her arms. She could tell that her quizzical stare made Maria melt a little, wanting to explain further. Yet Abby felt like Maria was stopping herself.
“Abby, come. Let me make you some coffee. It seems to me that Miss Leigh may have left something out when she sent you here . . . ”
Oh no. Oh no! Abby’s voices were screaming in her head. Of course there is more to the story. That DAMN Leigh! She never, ever, ever can tell just the truth or tell something like it really is. Oh, hell no. She has to cover up something or . . . instead of lie, “I omitted the truth, Abby,” she says. Humpf. Omits the truth. I always think I know her. All I really know is that I never will know her like I think I do.
Abby was rubbing her forearms and realized her demeanor had shifted from “I’m the Queen of the Manor” to “I think I’m lost.” Maria took note of this, too, as she lifted herself from the rocker.
“Abby, come. Coffee and food. It does wonders for the body and the mind, not to mention the surprise of all this. And then I can explain to you the things you need to be hearing. It’s gonna be a bit to take in, oh yes. But Leigh wants you to know it for some reason. Otherwise, it would not be you doing this, right?” And with that, Maria began to walk out of the room, stopping at the door to turn around and wait for Abby.
Okay, strange Kittian woman with the bright smile, Abby thought as she slid into her flip-flops and shuffled out of the room behind Maria. You have a point. I need coffee. Let’s do this.
Abby looked Maria in the eye, almost laughing at the thought that this was an issue. Yet Maria was not reacting. In fact, she was just rocking and nodding.
“No time for limin’. Leigh asked me to be kind in telling you since you traveled so far an’ being her sister an’ all. Just no way to wake someone up to say get out, really.” The big pearly white smile was back. This woman needed to share her Crest Whitestrips with Ziggy.
What is the obsession with picking limes here? Abby thought. Are limes a main source of island income, and do I need to help pick them?
Abby crossed her arms. She could tell that her quizzical stare made Maria melt a little, wanting to explain further. Yet Abby felt like Maria was stopping herself.
“Abby, come. Let me make you some coffee. It seems to me that Miss Leigh may have left something out when she sent you here . . . ”
Oh no. Oh no! Abby’s voices were screaming in her head. Of course there is more to the story. That DAMN Leigh! She never, ever, ever can tell just the truth or tell something like it really is. Oh, hell no. She has to cover up something or . . . instead of lie, “I omitted the truth, Abby,” she says. Humpf. Omits the truth. I always think I know her. All I really know is that I never will know her like I think I do.
Abby was rubbing her forearms and realized her demeanor had shifted from “I’m the Queen of the Manor” to “I think I’m lost.” Maria took note of this, too, as she lifted herself from the rocker.
“Abby, come. Coffee and food. It does wonders for the body and the mind, not to mention the surprise of all this. And then I can explain to you the things you need to be hearing. It’s gonna be a bit to take in, oh yes. But Leigh wants you to know it for some reason. Otherwise, it would not be you doing this, right?” And with that, Maria began to walk out of the room, stopping at the door to turn around and wait for Abby.
Okay, strange Kittian woman with the bright smile, Abby thought as she slid into her flip-flops and shuffled out of the room behind Maria. You have a point. I need coffee. Let’s do this.
My Book Review:
Author Anne Kemp introduces The Abby George Series with the short prequel novella, All Fruits Ripe, where the reader is introduced to main character Abby George and her sister Leigh. This fun little novella provides the reader with background information into the family dynamic and lives of Abby and Leigh, that whets the reader's appetite and interest into following Abby's Caribbean island adventure on St Kitts in the second book of the series, Rum Punch Regrets. With that being said, the reader can follow the series by reading the books in sequence, or they can just start by reading Rum Punch Regrets, as it is also a book that can stand alone. I personally like to read the books that are a part of a series in sequence, as I want as much background information as possible, and I prefer the flow and continuation of the story from book to book.
Rum Punch Regrets picks up the story where All Fruits Ripe left off: Abby George is a thirty-something LA girl who hasn't had a very good year. She lost her fiance to another woman, her mother passed away from cancer, she was laid off from her job, and she's basically penniless. Abby turned to her older sister Leigh for a sympathetic ear and for moral support, but instead she receives a "chance of a lifetime" proposal. Leigh asks Abby to fly to the Caribbean for a few months to oversee the repairs and sale of her island home. Surprise! Abby didn't know Leigh had a house in the Caribbean, it was a well hidden secret, as Leigh's second hubby, Daryl, doesn't even know the house exists. While Abby relishes a chance to have her own island fantasy adventure, she can't shake her gut feeling that there is a hidden agenda behind her sister's offer. Abby accepts her sister's proposal and embarks on a Caribbean island adventure on the island of St Kitts, only to find out that the Leigh's island "house" is really a Bed and Breakfast! And that's just the beginning of what Abby discovers on her island adventure: family dynamic with drama and secrets, new friendships, reasserting sibling relationships, romance, and a journey of self-discovery all waits her on the beautiful Caribbean island of St. Kitts!
Rum Punch Regrets is an entertaining fast-paced story that has enough drama, mystery and a touch of romance to captivate your interest. Written in a witty third person narrative, the reader is transported to beautiful Caribbean island setting of St Kitts, where they follow Abby on her island adventure full of drama, mystery, and romance. Rich in vivid details and descriptions, the reader can feel the warm island breeze sway through the palm trees as they lay on the sandy beach and sip a cool island rum punch! Abby's adventure will reveal more family secrets and drama, while also leading her on a journey of self-discovery that will change the way she lives her life.
With an engaging cast of characters that are realistic and fun, their antics, dialogues and interactions will keep you in stitches. Abby, Leigh and Ben (who is a renter at the B&B) are all complex individuals, the author does a really fine job of developing the characters, I found them to be intriguing and loved their different personalities. The supporting cast of characters: Maria, Ziggy, Tracey, Cutty and Buddy are a bunch of fun people whose crazy antics and interactions makes the story that much more of an entertaining read.
I loved how the author weaves a captivating tale of mystery, drama and romance, she builds the story up to a cliff-hanger where she leaves the reader wanting more, knowing that she has once again whets their appetite for the next book in the series!
Rum Punch Regrets and The Abby George Series is a fun series that will captivate you from the beginning and leave you wanting more just like the refreshing island drink of rum punch does, knowing that you just can't have one!
RATING: 4 STARS ****
Can't wait for the next book!
ReplyDeleteHi Samantha! Thank you for the opportunity to read, review and host the virtual book event. I can't wait for the next book too! :)
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