Author Guest Post
In 2011, one year after making the leap over the Atlantic with my German husband, moving from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Berlin, Germany, I was faced with a career move. Though I had part-time work with my small business offering blogging and social media marketing for wedding professionals, I was no longer working as a personal assistant for a firm back in Tulsa.
I decided to fill my new found free time with writing that first book I dreamed of publishing. Self-publishing was on a roll, and I thought I’d take a stab at it, creating a book from the notes I’d been collecting about the funny quirks and nuances of life abroad. I spent a lot of time researching self-publishing, studying my craft, learned e-book and paperback formatting, and talked with fellow indie authors who’d been practiced in the self-pub game for a while. Before I knew it that gap in my working time was a thing of the past. I was on my way to authorship!
In December 2011, I self-published my first book, Bumped to Berlin, a personal travel narrative about life as an American expat in Germany. Five months later I set free my first fiction piece, When Girlfriends Break Hearts. And since then I’ve continued releasing new novels every few months, setting free the work I love doing.
When I was six years old I said I wanted to be an author, but twenty-plus years later would I have believed that it would be a wish-come-true? Disney may have promised that, but one can be a bit skeptical. I knew without a doubt I’d always be a writer, but becoming a published writer, an author, was a whole different ballgame.
With the advent of self-publishing I’m able to make my dreams come true and actually be a published author. I’m so grateful to both the platforms of self-publishing and the readers who pick up my novels just as they pick up a traditionally published work.
I love that I have readers—fans who message me on Facebook or send me an email, asking when the next novel’s coming out. I love that I get to do all I’ve ever wanted: Write stories and share them with anyone who will listen and wants to be entertained. And when the passport customs control center asks what I do for a career, I can actually say, “I’m an author.” It feels magnificent! And I thank you for being a part of it.
About The Author
AUTHOR WEBSITE / BLOG
GOODREADS
Book Review
When Girlfriends Take Chances by Savannah Page
Book 5: When Girlfriends Collection Series
Publisher: Pearls and Pages
Publication Date: July 12, 2013
Format: Paperback - 367 pages / Kindle - 473 KB / Nook - 433 KB
ISBN: 1490944370
ASIN: B00DVKDZDK
BNID: 2940148583431
Genre: Chick Lit / Contemporary Romance / Women's Fiction
BUY THE BOOK: When Girlfriends Take Chances
BUY THE COLLECTION: When Girlfriends ...
Book 1: When Girlfriends Break Hearts
Book 2: When Girlfriends Step Up
Book 3: When Girlfriends Make Choices
Book 4: When Girlfriends Chase Dreams
Book 5: When Girlfriends Take Chances
Book 6: When Girlfriends Let Go
Book 7: When Girlfriends Find Love (Publication Date: May 1, 2014)
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.
Book Description:
Emily Saunders has never thought twice about grabbing her passport, rucksack, and camera and trekking across the globe. If there's an NGO, a study abroad program, or simply the travel itch, Emily's on the first plane out. Free-spirited, open-minded, and eager to explore, it's no wonder Emily's hardly in one spot (or relationship) for long.
For the past year and a half, though, Emily's found herself planted in her college hometown of Seattle. She's surrounded by her best friends, has steady work as a photographer and at her friend Sophie's café, and is certainly kept busy by the wild antics of her BFF Jackie. Life's enjoyable, but Emily's looking for something more. She's ready for a change, for adventure!
But when Emily tells her girlfriends she's ready for something new she does not expect Operation Blind Date!
Sure, Emily's single. Sure, she hopes to some day find true love. But being thrown into an insane challenge like this is not exactly the adventure she had in mind! Couldn't she just travel and focus on her photography? Or volunteer in Africa? Will a string of eligible bachelors lined up by her friends--a shot at finding a real and lasting love--really be that change she's searching for?
This is a spirited story about seeking adventure while being true to yourself, wherever you are in life. It's a story about love, risk, and self-discovery. About what happens when girlfriends take chances.
Book Excerpt:
“That’s a fantastic idea!” Jackie blurts out.
“How come I didn’t think of that?” Sophie says.
“That’s not a bad idea, Claire,” Robin says with a nod.
“Perrrrrfect,” Claire sings, returning to her position on the floor by the coffee table. “Such a superbly perfect idea.” She claps her hands together several times. “What do you think, Emily? Brilliant idea, right?”
There are two words that incite major worry and panic, even in someone like me who’s as open to dating, well, just about anyone. One is “blind” and the other is—you guessed it—“date.” God help me.
We’re not just talking a blind date, but several — hear me, plural — blind dates.
“Think about it,” Sophie says, abandoning her wine, her eyes going all star-gazey. “You could meet all sorts of guys. You could dispense with the annoying and time-wasting ‘nice to meet you’ stuff.”
“Yeah!” Jackie cuts in. “Like you wouldn’t have to waste your time on meeting someone and striking up that first conversation that would lead to a date. It’s just, BAM, a date!”
BAM is right.
All right, I’m single, and I have been for a while. And, sure, it’d be nice to find someone I could really connect with and, yeah, fall in love with. But easier said than done. I mean, if I’m going to find someone I can be really and truly serious with then they’ll have to keep up with me, so to speak. I’m not a let’s-get-a-mortgage or even a let’s-have-a-career kind of woman. My lifestyle isn’t exactly what men who are looking for a serious and lasting relationship go for.
Besides, I’m not so hard-up for a date or budding romance that I need to sign on for a round of blind dates—a series of awkward meet-and-greets, an exchange of interests and goals and accomplishments, that unavoidable question about a second date, that unavoidable expectation come the third or fourth date. My mouth suddenly feels dry. I reach for my wine and take a heavy slog.
“I think this is brilliant,” Claire says. She crosses her arms, looking extremely pleased with herself. “This is revolutionary!”
“No,” Lara finally pipes in.
Oh, thank you for coming to my rescue, finally, Lara! I think, still draining my wine.
“It’s not quite revolutionary…yet.” A sly smirk is playing Lara’s lips. “We’re missing something that’ll revolutionize the blind dating experience.”
“I know!” I toss out. All eyes simultaneously turn to me. “I know what would revolutionize this experience.”
“Yeah?” Jackie asks eagerly.
“Totally…” I drag out. “…not…doing…it!” I smile brightly. “Brilliant way to revolutionize blind dating, right? Do away with the whole buggy thing.”
“Oh, whatever,” Claire scoffs. “Don’t be a sourpuss. We’re doing this, Emily. It will be amazing, just you wait.”
“How come I didn’t think of that?” Sophie says.
“That’s not a bad idea, Claire,” Robin says with a nod.
“Perrrrrfect,” Claire sings, returning to her position on the floor by the coffee table. “Such a superbly perfect idea.” She claps her hands together several times. “What do you think, Emily? Brilliant idea, right?”
There are two words that incite major worry and panic, even in someone like me who’s as open to dating, well, just about anyone. One is “blind” and the other is—you guessed it—“date.” God help me.
We’re not just talking a blind date, but several — hear me, plural — blind dates.
“Think about it,” Sophie says, abandoning her wine, her eyes going all star-gazey. “You could meet all sorts of guys. You could dispense with the annoying and time-wasting ‘nice to meet you’ stuff.”
“Yeah!” Jackie cuts in. “Like you wouldn’t have to waste your time on meeting someone and striking up that first conversation that would lead to a date. It’s just, BAM, a date!”
BAM is right.
All right, I’m single, and I have been for a while. And, sure, it’d be nice to find someone I could really connect with and, yeah, fall in love with. But easier said than done. I mean, if I’m going to find someone I can be really and truly serious with then they’ll have to keep up with me, so to speak. I’m not a let’s-get-a-mortgage or even a let’s-have-a-career kind of woman. My lifestyle isn’t exactly what men who are looking for a serious and lasting relationship go for.
Besides, I’m not so hard-up for a date or budding romance that I need to sign on for a round of blind dates—a series of awkward meet-and-greets, an exchange of interests and goals and accomplishments, that unavoidable question about a second date, that unavoidable expectation come the third or fourth date. My mouth suddenly feels dry. I reach for my wine and take a heavy slog.
“I think this is brilliant,” Claire says. She crosses her arms, looking extremely pleased with herself. “This is revolutionary!”
“No,” Lara finally pipes in.
Oh, thank you for coming to my rescue, finally, Lara! I think, still draining my wine.
“It’s not quite revolutionary…yet.” A sly smirk is playing Lara’s lips. “We’re missing something that’ll revolutionize the blind dating experience.”
“I know!” I toss out. All eyes simultaneously turn to me. “I know what would revolutionize this experience.”
“Yeah?” Jackie asks eagerly.
“Totally…” I drag out. “…not…doing…it!” I smile brightly. “Brilliant way to revolutionize blind dating, right? Do away with the whole buggy thing.”
“Oh, whatever,” Claire scoffs. “Don’t be a sourpuss. We’re doing this, Emily. It will be amazing, just you wait.”
My Book Review:
What do best girlfriends do when one of their own is chasing the adventure dream but also wants to find true love?
In When Girlfriends Take Chances, the fifth installment of the When Girlfriends ... collection, author Savannah Page transports the reader back to Seattle for another visit with the six best girlfriends that we've come to know and love: Claire, Sophie, Robin, Lara, Jackie and Emily. This time it's Emily's turn to tell her story!
Emily Saunders has lived a wanderlust and free-spirited life filled with exciting worldwide adventures as a freelance photographer. But home is where the heart is, and for Emily that is Seattle with her five best friends. When Emily gets the itch to travel again, her five besties decide it's time for her to join them in the relationship club, so they form Operation Blind Date, where they each select a guy to set her up on a blind date, hoping that she'll find her one true love, a committed relationship, and a happily ever after ending.
I really enjoyed catching up with all six girlfriends, the author does a great job of intertwining all of the latest news about each of the girls within the main storyline. She has a smooth style of integrating snippets from the previous books' storylines into the current book that makes it easy for the reader to feel like they haven't missed a thing while waiting to read the next installment in the collection. I loved each of the books in the series, but I have to admit that I really enjoyed Emily's story the best, because I love her wanderlust and free spirited nature, her exciting adventures, and yet I could sympathize with her struggle choosing between travelling and finding love and having a committed relationship like the other five girls. I loved the humor and drama, I couldn't stop snickering as Emily endured through Operation Blind Date, these six girls are a hoot to follow and they sure do keep the reader thoroughly entertained!
This is such a fun collection to read, the six girlfriends continue to show what true friendship is all about: through good and bad times, thick and thin, ups and downs, and every trial and tribulation that befalls them, these six lovely ladies are supportive and always there for each other. I am looking forward to reading about Sophie's story (part two) in the seventh and final installment in the collection, When Girlfriends Find Love.
If you are looking for a fast-paced, thoroughly fun and entertaining collection of Chick Lit stories that celebrates womanhood and the strong bonds of friendship, then When Girlfriends collection ... is a must read, you won't be disappointed!
RATING: 4 STARS ****
Contest Giveaway
Virtual Book Tour Schedule
Tour Schedule:
April 2 – Change the Word – Q&A & Excerpt
April 4 – Chick Lit Club Connect – Guest Post
April 8– The East Village – Review
April 8 – Fiction Dreams – Q&A
April 11 – Book Mama Blog – Excerpt
April 14 – Authors and Readers Book Corner – Excerpt
April 16 – Sweets Books – Novel Spotlight
April 17 – Annabel & Alice – Review
April 18 – Every Free Chance Book Reviews – Review
April 21 – Karma For Life Chick – Review
April 22 – Jersey Girl Book Reviews – Review, Guest Post & Excerpt
April 22 – A Blue Million Books – Q&A & Excerpt
April 23 – Books Etc – Review
April 24 – Book Reviews by Molly – Review & Excerpt
April 25 – Bookish – Review
April 28 – Chick Lit Plus - Review
Thank you for the lovely review and for joining in another tour, Kathleen! I'm going to be touring with the next book in the series (WG Let Go) this summer. So excited to tour with CLP some more. Hope to see you there!
ReplyDeleteHi Savannah! You know I'll join that tour, love the series! Thank you for the opportunity to host your virtual book tour event. :)
DeleteReading this now and loving it!
ReplyDeleteHi Samantha! This is such a fun series! Thank you for the opportunity to host the virtual book tour event.
Delete