Author Guest Post
A Day In My Writing Life
(AKA The Rare Day Off I Can Attempt Writing)
1. Alarm goes off at 8 a.m.
2. I hit snooze.
3. Again. Snooze.
4. 10 a.m. Awakened by the deafening silence of having hit the snooze so many times that it gives up on you.
5. Laundromat time.
6. Sit in car at Laundromat, hunched over laptop that you can’t see because the sun’s glare is in your eyes.
7. Check Facebook.
8. Email check.
9. 11:30ish. Lulu text. Respond. Get distracted by Angry Birds.
10. Take unfolded laundry home. Dump in corner, convinced you’ll fold them shortly. You won’t.
11. Peek at open document on laptop. Type a line. Delete it because it’s terrible, after all.
12. Afternoon news on television. Hey, something important might have happened overnight. Gotta stay current-affairs-savvy.
13. Go to lake. Glare at strangers crowding the dock you want to utilize for afternoon writing.
14. Find someone you know at lake, waste six hours aimlessly chatting and watching his fishing pole for sudden twitching.
15. Go home. Eat something after you realize your stomach has been hurting all day because you forgot to eat.
16. Get text from Lulu. Lie, when she asks if you got any good writing in.
17. Chat time. AIM is the ultimate time-suck.
18. 11 p.m. news. Something important might have happened while you were at the lake.
19. 12 a.m. snack. Usually involving chips, cookies, a pickle, and some Frosted Flakes.
20. Stand on scale. Lament your weight gain and wonder why the heck you keep packing on the pounds.
21. Go get a sandwich.
22. 2 a.m. Great idea for the story! Type it out as fast as possible.
23. 3:30 a.m. Look up, realize you work in four hours, go to bed.
24. Lie in bed and stare up at ceiling, wishing there were more hours in the day so you could devote more time to goofing off. Err…writing.
25. 6 a.m. Wake up, bitter, grumpy, and you just don’t know why.
About The Author
J.M. Kelley is a proud recipient of a Carrie McCray Memorial Literary award, and is a member of The South Carolina Writers Workshop and Romance Writers of America (PAN). Readers interested in more information may visit her website at www.jmkelleywrites.com.
AUTHOR WEBSITE
GOODREADS
Daddy's Girl by J.M. Kelley ~ Virtual Book Tour Page: Goddess Fish Promotions
Book Review
Daddy's Girl by J.M. Kelley
Publisher: Turquoise Morning Press
Publication Date: January 27, 2013 e-Book / May 21, 2013 paperback
Format: Paperback - 304 pages / eBook- 258 pages / Kindle - 1022 KB / Nook - 875 KB
ISBN: 162237150X
ASIN: B00B76P58S
Genre: Women's Fiction
BUY THE BOOK: Daddy's Girl
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Goddess Fish Promotions.
Book Description:
Janie McGee, the black sheep of her family, is free-spirited, uninhibited, and never one to stay in the same place for too long. When Janie learns her father, Joe, is gravely ill, she reluctantly returns home to rural Pennsylvania to care for him. Joe’s neighbor, David Harris, sports a pocket protector, collects coins, and is addicted to Antiques Roadshow. Everything about him rubs Janie the wrong way, from his nerdy wardrobe to his enviable friendship with Joe. And to make matters worse, her father thinks they’re perfect for each other, proof positive of how little Joe knows his own daughter…or so Janie thinks.
A shared devotion to the elder McGee begins to close the gulf between Janie and David, but a burgeoning romance opens the door to new problems and unexpected consequences neither could foresee. Joe, however, remains steadfast in his resolve to show Janie that Daddy knows what’s best for his little girl. Can Janie finally open her heart to David while watching the first man she ever truly loved fade away?
Book Excerpt:
Before he even opened the door, David knew something was off. Late night visitors, in his experience, rarely brought good news. When the visitor turned out to be Janie, his heart leapt into his throat. “Janie,” he said when he threw open the door. “What’s wrong? Is Joe okay?”
“Yeah. He’s fine.” Relief hit him so hard he took a step back and leaned against the doorjamb.
“You scared me.”
“I didn’t mean to.” Janie rubbed her hands up and down her arms and looked over her shoulder. “It’s cold out here. Mind if I come in?”
“Oh. Right.” David gestured for Janie to enter. “Come inside.” He followed when she slid past him and walked into the living room.
“It’s late.” As if she needed to tell him. The atomic clock on the wall, a Christmas gift from his mother, showed the time at almost two in the morning. Janie stood in the middle of the room and focused her gaze on the bookcase in the corner. “I didn’t wake you, did I?”
“I was reading. A little too wired to sleep, I guess.” David moved up behind her and raised a tentative hand to her shoulder. “Are you sure everything’s okay?”
The sound of his voice jolted her out of her thoughts and she jerked her head toward him. Her movements were stunted. Wooden. “Ever have one of those moments when you’re convinced you may float away, and no matter what you do, you can’t keep yourself grounded? And you need to hang on tight to something until the sensation passes?”
Whatever was going on, he thought, she was not in a good place. David gently spun Janie toward him and gazed at her. “Tell me what you need from me.”
Janie closed her eyes and lowered her forehead to David’s shoulder. “Ground me, David,” she whispered and laid her hand on his chest.
“Yeah. He’s fine.” Relief hit him so hard he took a step back and leaned against the doorjamb.
“You scared me.”
“I didn’t mean to.” Janie rubbed her hands up and down her arms and looked over her shoulder. “It’s cold out here. Mind if I come in?”
“Oh. Right.” David gestured for Janie to enter. “Come inside.” He followed when she slid past him and walked into the living room.
“It’s late.” As if she needed to tell him. The atomic clock on the wall, a Christmas gift from his mother, showed the time at almost two in the morning. Janie stood in the middle of the room and focused her gaze on the bookcase in the corner. “I didn’t wake you, did I?”
“I was reading. A little too wired to sleep, I guess.” David moved up behind her and raised a tentative hand to her shoulder. “Are you sure everything’s okay?”
The sound of his voice jolted her out of her thoughts and she jerked her head toward him. Her movements were stunted. Wooden. “Ever have one of those moments when you’re convinced you may float away, and no matter what you do, you can’t keep yourself grounded? And you need to hang on tight to something until the sensation passes?”
Whatever was going on, he thought, she was not in a good place. David gently spun Janie toward him and gazed at her. “Tell me what you need from me.”
Janie closed her eyes and lowered her forehead to David’s shoulder. “Ground me, David,” she whispered and laid her hand on his chest.
My Book Review:
Daddy knows what's best for his little girl ...
Daddy's Girl is a wonderful story about reconnecting with family and finding love. Author J.M. Kelley weaves an emotional tale written in the third person narrative that follows the journey of Janie McGee, a free spirited artist, who returns to her hometown to reconnect with her estranged family when her father Joe becomes terminally ill. As the black sheep of the family, Janie is unwillingly thrust into the role as her father's caregiver, a role that she is not prepared for nor one that is easy to accept. As Janie struggles to rebuild her relationship with her dad and older sister Colleen, she watches the close relationship that Joe has with his nerdy neighbor David Harris. When Joe's illness progresses, Janie reaches out to David for strength and comfort, and along the way discovers that daddy really does know what's best for his little girl when they find themselves falling in love.
This is a heartwarming yet also heartbreaking story that takes the reader on an emotional roller coaster ride as they follow the complicated family dynamic of the McGee family as they work towards reconnecting while also dealing with the progression of the father's terminal illness. Author J.M. Kelley weaves a realistic tale that delves into the complications within a family dynamic, and how a devastating terminal illness can bring them back together to reconnect and strengthen the family bond. You can't help but become drawn into the McGee family's story, as their family trials and tribulations unfold, they discover the depth of forgiveness and the undying power of family love. I also loved that the author woven in the story of a man and woman discovering love along with all its complications. This is a story that will make you laugh, smile and cry, it will make you think about your own family and love relationships.
With a realistic cast of characters who endear themselves into the reader's heart; engaging dialogue and emotional interactions; and a passionate two-fold storyline about family relationships and finding true love; Daddy's Girl is a truly wonderful story that will tug at the heartstrings and resonate with you for a long time.
RATING: 5 STARS *****
Virtual Book Tour Contest Giveaway
Win A Gift Basket Of Goodies:
$25 Amazon Gift Card
&
Signed Copy of Foreign Affairs - Romance Anthology
By Turquoise Morning Press
Follow the tour and comment on each tour stop; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.
The tour dates can be found here:
http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/04/virtual-book-tour-daddys-girl-by-jm.html
Virtual Book Tour Schedule
Tour Schedule:
5/28/2013 Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews
5/29/2013 Christy McKee Writes for Women in the Sweet Spot of Life
5/30/2013 Book 'Em North Carolina
5/30/2013 SECOND STOP Writers and Authors
5/31/2013 Beyond My Writing Space
6/3/2013 Farm Girl Books
6/3/2013 SECOND STOP MeganJohnsInvites
6/4/2013 The Write to Read
6/5/2013 Andi's Book Reviews
6/6/2013 Black Velvet Seductions Readers Blog
6/7/2013 Bunny's Review
6/10/2013 Enjoying the Unique Flavors of Life
6/11/2013 Romancing the Book
6/12/2013 Sexy Adventures, Passionate Tales
6/12/2013 SECOND STOP House Millar
6/13/2013 Chris Redding Author
6/14/2013 LizaOConnor
6/17/2013 Rogue's Angels
6/18/2013 Loose the Hounds
6/18/2013 SECOND STOP Full Moon Dreaming
6/19/2013 Wicked Readings by Tawania
6/19/2013 SECOND STOP Jersey Girl Book Reviews
6/20/2013 A Chick Who Reads
6/21/2013 Illustrious Illusions
6/24/2013 My Devotional Thoughts
6/25/2013 Harlie's Books
6/26/2013 Reviews by Crystal
6/27/2013 JM Stewart, Contemporary Romance Author
6/28/2013 You Gotta Read Reviews
That's one very busy day. I'm sure you achieve a lot more then you realise.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Hi Mary! Thank you for stopping by and visiting with J.M. today! :)
DeleteBoy, I hope so, Mary. lol
DeleteThank you for hosting
ReplyDeleteThank you for the opportunity to host the virtual book tour event.
DeleteExcellent review, I'm looking forward to reading the book.
ReplyDeleteKit3247(at)aol(dot)com
Hi Ingeborg! Thank you for stopping by and posting your kind comment. You'll enjoy the book, it really was a wonderful read. :)
DeleteThank you, Ingeborg!
DeleteWhat a fun interview. I loved the review. This sounds like an outstanding book.
ReplyDeleteHi MomJane! Thank you for visiting today. This is a wonderful story, hope you get a chance to read it. :)
DeleteThanks, MomJane! I'm so thrilled with the review!
DeleteI love your schedule. LOL. So now I know your secret when I text.
ReplyDeleteAnd I totally agree with the review. It was spot on.
Hi Laurie! Thank you for stopping by and visiting with J.M.! Thank you for your kind comment about the book review, I appreciate it. :)
DeleteYeah, that bag I'm holding...the cat's out. ;)
DeleteWorking second shift is a pain when you're trying to tour. Thanks so much for this wonderful review, and for hosting me today. I really appreciate it!!
ReplyDeleteHi J.M.! Thank you for the opportunity to host your virtual book tour event. I really enjoyed reading Daddy's Girl, it is a wonderful story. :)
DeleteLove your schedule! LOL I will definitely have to grab a copy of this. It sounds really good! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete-Amber
goodblinknpark(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
Hi Amber! Thank you for stopping by and visiting with J.M. Hope you get a chance to read her book.
DeleteSorry for the late post. I’m playing catch-up here so I’m just popping in to say HI and sorry I missed visiting with you on party day! Hope you all had a good time!
ReplyDeletekareninnc at gmail dot com
Hi Karen! Thank you for stopping by and posting a comment. :)
Deletelol Nice day in the life! Sounds about ac crazy as my schedule!
ReplyDeleteandralynn7 AT gmail DOT com
Hi Andra Lynn! Thank you for stopping by. :)
Delete