“Memories remind us that every moment of our lives, even the most tragic, have contributed to our strength. We’ve gotten through. We’re still here.”
Despite living in Texas for my entire life, I can't claim to be a country music aficionado. I've heard my fair share of the genre, but I've never really taken much interest in its history. Still, there's no denying the appeal of some of the music. When I was in high school, I was fortunate to sit front row for a Willie Nelson concert. I never expected to connect with his music the way I did! There was honesty in every note he played and every word he sang. In his book It's A Long Story: My Life, Willie provides some insights and anecdotes of his storied career.
Willie is the first to admit that he is difficult to place in a box. In fact, his vocal quirks and varying stylistic influences made him nearly impossible to sell during the first part of his career. He writes about the ways that his early record companies tried to produce him the same way they did other top selling country stars. The sweet strings and background vocals simply did not gel with Willie's singing. It wasn't until a producer allowed him to record the way he played his live shows that Willie found true commercial success.
Willie's writing comes off as if he were right there with you telling a story. The book takes on a kind of folksy quality that reads more like a conversation than a history lesson. The timeline is framed by Willie's unfortunate run in with the IRS during the 90's. As he narrates through his childhood in Abbot, Texas all the way through to present day, this tax incident continues to interrupt the story and remind us that all that we are reading is leading to this event. I found this to be rather out of place. It seemed more like the publisher or editor was trying to give some kind of structure to the story that didn't need to be there.
As I read through the book, I realized that Willie Nelson is a man of contradictions. He loved his family but cheated on his wives. He has a deep devotion to the methodist church, but played in sinful beer joints and swears by the healing qualities of marijuana. The list goes on and on. Whatever your opinion of the man, there is no denying that these inconsistencies make Willie a fascinating character. He is an imperfect man in an imperfect world who is driven to make his mark on the world through his music.
For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and GoodReads.
(2016, 13)
It's A Long Story: My Life by Willie Nelson
Author Feature: Deek Rhew
I am so happy to be on A BOOK A WEEK today! Hello, Ethan and all you wonderful readers of his blog. Read the little history on getting published and stick around to learn about our books and win a $50 Amazon gift card!
Today, we are talking about the wild and crazy ride of getting from "It was a dark and stormy night..." to "Yaaaay! You're officially published." There was an article I read by Dave Barry who said that he bought plane tickets. They boarded and while they were waiting to take off he randomly started asking people how much they paid for their ticket. The answer was not surprising: No one on that flight paid the same fare. So to is it with authors: No one's journey is the same.
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| Birth by Deek Rhew |
In the interim, I finished 122 and joined a critique partner group. I was paired with a wickedly smart (and incredibly beautiful) woman, Erin Rhew, to help with my grammar (my books are basically long emails) and to critique the story. She did Birth first, then worked on 122. We started talking in the comments sections of those
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| Beautiful Erin Rhew |
See how I told you no two authors' paths are the same?
Okay, so the books...Well, I wrote query letter after query letter and have a wall of rejection letters to show for my efforts. I never got a single request for more. Not a full request, not a "send more chapters." Zilch. I got my break during #PitMad on Twitter. Since Erin and I were really busy preparing to sell a house, I was going to skip the event, but she told me to take a few minutes and write some tweets. Maybe it's because I didn't have time to overthink that it worked? I received several requests for my manuscript, one of whom, Pandamoon, offered me a contract.
Fast-forward through the long, arduous editing process, creating a cover, sending out ARCs, so on and so on, and here we are. My book has been out for almost a week, and I couldn't be happier with it.
You need to be prepared for your editors to teach you some lessons. Erin is so super smart in grammar, and I can't even begin to tell you how much she taught me about passive voice, leaving "this" dangling without pointing to things, the evils of adverbs, and so forth. My content editor, Anya, is so good at the macro level of a story. We moved, removed, and added things like crazy for the better part of five months. Some of it hurt SO bad. Erin's friend, Heather, taught Erin and I both about "talking heads"--long strings of dialog without any character action--and how to fix that.It's indescribable how much better this story is because of all the people who've helped me learn the writing craft. I've still got a ton to learn, but I'm beyond grateful to have such wonderful peeps willing and able to help.
I think the biggest takeaways from all of this are:
A) Be patient - This is a SLOW process. You are learning a new craft, and the writing/publishing process NEVER moves as fast as you want it to.
B) Be humble - You will think your story is pretty good. It will resonate with you, and you'll nod and pat yourself on the back. Then an editor comes and takes you down a few pegs, as my mom used to say. This isn't personal. The road to getting better is anything but easy.
C) Listen - These people are trying to help you become a better writer and to make your book better. Listen to them.
D) Learn - Everyone wants you to succeed, but you have many many lessons to get there. Learn the lessons and incorporate them. Do NOT listen, nod, then go back to what you were doing.
Remember: You can always be better.
Alright, that's a little history on the writing of my books. Are we ready to celebrate? Then let's GO!!!!
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| Rhew 2 Rhew Book Blog Tour |
Rhew 2 Rhew Blog Tour - 122 Rules Book Blitz Extravaganza!
How's that for a catchy title? What a crazy adventure this has been FIVE years in the making, and it has finally arrive: 122 Rules has been born unto the world. The stories I could tell just so I could tell you this story...well, let's just say it's been an interesting, educational, and life-altering adventure.
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| Who could resist those stunning blues? |
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| Ahhhh! It's cold out here! |
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| Do ya feel lucky punk? Well, do ya? |
Erin Rhew and I started out as critique partners, became friends, and now she's my bride. She's my best friend and partner in all things. Even if I don't sell a single copy of my writings, I'll always be a smashing success because I met Erin.
Book Blitz
On this half of the Rhewination tour, I am visiting blogs all over the globe, from Australia to the farthest corners in Canada. Next week, on the second half of the tour, Erin will be gracing the pages of 50+ bloggers!
In addition, we are giving away a $50 Amazon gift card! Prepare yourselves to win!
122 Rules
Today, we are announcing my adult thriller novel, 122 Rules.
Synopsis
In his black and white world, Sam Bradford--former Marine turned government assassin--finally sees a speck of grey. He has always followed orders without question, but his latest assignment threatens to disrupt the precision of his universe and may either severe or redeem his last remaining sliver of humanity.
Using his mastery of the 122 Rules of Psychology, Sam hunts down everyone The Agency sends him to find and eliminates them. Just as he has his rifle scope focused on his latest victim, Monica Sable, a SoCal girl entangled with the mob, his long-dormant conscience reappears for a final performance...one last ditch effort to save the sinking ship of Sam’s soul. He’s killed innocents before, but tarries on pulling the trigger this time.
When Monica escapes his crosshairs and fumbles her way across the country in a pathetic attempt to elude capture, Sam gives chase. But he’s not the only one after her. Ruthless henchmen, hired by the mob, froth like bloodhounds and nip at Monica’s heels. Now Sam is faced with a choice: turn his back on the rules and jeopardize his way of life by helping her or join the pack and rip her to shreds.
What are readers saying?
Visit the 122 Rules Web Page
Deek Rhew
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| Deek Rhew |
He and Erin love to share books by reading aloud to one another. In addition, they enjoy spending time with friends, running, boxing, lifting weights, and exploring the little town--with antique shops and bakeries--they call home.
Connect with Deek!
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| Erin Rhew's book that started it all, The Prophecy! |
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| Erin Rhew's The Fulfillment |
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| Erin Rhew's The Outlanders |
Erin Rhew
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| Erin Rhew |
word. She went on to work as a grammar and writing tutor in college and is still teased by her family and friends for being a member of the "Grammar Police."
A Southern girl by blood and birth, Erin now lives in a rainy pocket of the Pacific Northwest with the amazingly talented (and totally handsome) writer Deek Rhew and their “overly fluffy,” patient-as-a-saint writing assistant, a tabby cat named Trinity. She and Deek enjoy reading aloud to one another, running, lifting, boxing, eating chocolate, and writing side-by-side.
Are you ready to win?!!! Enter the Rhewination, Rhews on Tour Giveaway!
Artwork
Authors, do you think the artwork for The Prophecy, The Outlanders, The Fulfillment, Birth of an American Gigolo, and 122 Rules is as stunning as we do? Visit Race-Point.com to find out how you can get the amazing Anita to work on your book as well!
Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
“Just because it's complicated, just because you think you can't ever know everything about another person, it doesn't mean you can't try.”
Who is Bernadette Fox? The mothers at the charter school where Bernadette's daughter Bee attends don't have an exact answer. They've seen the elusive Bernadette briskly drop Bee off at the school, but she is noticeably absent from any kind of extra curricular activities. One of the mothers whose home is located directly on the edge of Bernadette's dilapidated estate is particularly curious.
Audrey Griffin likes to think that she embodies all of the characteristics of a woman in modern suburbia. She has a loving husband who provides for her and her son Kyle. This affords her the time necessary to devote to taking an active role in her community, a job she takes very seriously. As she prepares her home to host a prospective parents brunch for her son's school, she notices that her neighbor's blackberry vines threaten to invade her yard. If Audrey doesn't find a way to get Bernadette to eliminate the blackberries in her own yard, they will certainly make their way back to Audrey's garden and ruin her event.
We learn about Bernadette through a collection of correspondence compiled by her daughter bee. We discover that she's an acclaimed architect and recipient of the MacArthur Genius Grant. She resides in a dilapidated building in Seattle with her daughter, Microsoft employed husband Elgie, and their goofy dog Ice Cream. Her family loves her, but in recent years Bernadette has become a recluse. Now she relies on her Indian assistant Manjula to manage her daily affairs. As we make our way through the various messages, we learn more about the woman, the events that stirred her disappearance, and piece together the clues to find out where she has gone.
Where'd You Go, Bernadette is one of the rare novels that seeks to provide satire and actually achieves it. Author Maria Semple, who is notable for her writing on Arrested Development and Ellen, turns the mundane observations of suburban life into a whimsical and sharp social commentary. By revealing most of the story through letters and emails, Semple maintains a brisk pace that provides just enough details to hold the reader's interest. I found the abandonment of this style in favor of a more traditional narrative towards the end of the novel to be a bit jarring. I was so accustomed to the quick succession of messages that the more straight ahead approach seemed a tad out of place. Refreshing in both content and style, Where'd You Go, Bernadette is ultimately about the importance of family and embracing each others differences. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and can't wait to see what Semple has to offer next.
For More information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and GoodReads.
(2016, 12)
Bad Monkey by Carl Hiaasen
Florida based author Carl Hiaasen is known for his clever and intricate novels. Prior to reading his latest novel, Bad Monkey, my only encounter with Hiaasen's writing was with his young adult novel Hoot. True to form, Bad Monkey sees Hiaasen set his story is his home state and cast it full of quirky characters.
Andrew Yancey has fallen on hard times. An unfortunate incident involving a vacuum cleaner and his girlfriend's husband saw him demoted from his plush detective job in the Florida Keys. Relegated to "roach patrol", Yancey spends his day's enforcing health and sanitation standards at local restaurants. But remnants of his past career threaten to come back to haunt him. Namely, the human arm that currently resides in his freezer!
Beyond Yancey's narrative, Hiaasen casts his novel with several other questionable characters. There's a Bahama native who is looking to curse another man. He turns to the island's local voodoo expert to cast a curse on the man. He also happens to be the owner of titular mammal who is said to have been cast in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.
Then there's Yancey's neighbor who is building an oversized mansion in a "get rich quick" scheme. The only problem is that no one wants to buy the out of place home. Yancey, who hates that the structure blocks his view of the Florida landscape, is doing everything in his power to sabotage potential buyers.
In Bad Monkey, Carl Hiaasen delivers on all fronts. He expertly balances on the edge of absurdity, never allowing his wild story or characters to wander too far astray. Hiaasen's various narrative threads manage to entertain and maintain suspense. When they finally come together, you'll be as surprised as you are satisfied. While Bad Monkey never takes itself too seriously, it is a seriously fantastic read!
For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and GoodReads.
(2016, 11)
The Quality of Silence by Rosamund Lupton
"Life is a little bit like a ship and sometimes it feels like you're sailing solo, but you're not because I'm with you."
How far would you go for the ones you love? Yasmin never thought she would voluntarily leave the comforts of her home in the UK to meet with her husband Matt in the desolate environment of Alaska. When Matt told her weeks before that he would embark on an expedition to the state to film wildlife, she assumed it was just another excuse to be away from home. Their relationship had not been the same since the revelation that Matt had kissed another woman. All of that seemed like a distant memory now.
Matt and Yasmin have a ten-year-old daughter named Ruby. Ruby is deaf. Life has not been easy for the girl, but her parents have done their best to shield her from the realities of the world. Matt and Ruby share a special bond. That's why Yasmin is here in Alaska. When she received the news that the small village that Matt was staying in was engulfed in flames with no apparent survivors, she gathered her daughter and rushed to the US. There must be some mistake. With the authorities refusing to listen to her insistence that her husband is still alive, Yasmin takes it upon herself to travel through the treacherous landscapes of Alaska to find her husband and keep her family in tact.
Rosamund Lupton, author of the bestselling Sister, returns with The Quality of Silence. The novel alternates perspectives between the unflinchingly determined mother and her innocently observant daughter. This contrast makes for strong character development and back story that elevates the otherwise straightforward plot. At the start, it is rather difficult to connect with Yasmin. All logic points to her husband being dead, but Yasmin recklessly defies this. In the process, she places herself and Ruby into an unnecessarily dangerous situation. Fortunately, the character becomes more well rounded through her daughter's recollections.
It is in the parts about Ruby that Lupton's skill shines through. The young girl is extremely intelligent and her voice reads as that of a genuine child. Lupton captures the love, wonder and confusion of a child who is on a strange journey that she can't fully comprehend. The fact that she is deaf only adds to this brilliance. The Quality of Silence unfolds as a slow churning thriller that keeps the suspense tightly wound throughout. Still, the novel seems a bit uneven in its execution and the story ends without the ultimate payoff that the steady pace demands. The Quality of Silence is a unique story that adds to the promise of greater output from Lupton in the future.
To enter for a chance to win an ARC of this novel, use the RaffleCopter widget below. Open to US residents. No PO boxes please. Ends 4/5. After being contacted, winner will have 48hrs to respond.
For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and GoodReads.
(2016, 10)
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Jaws by Peter Benchley
A year before Steven Spielberg frightened audiences away from beaches with his blockbuster film Jaws, author Peter Benchley was terrifying readers with the book that would inspire the movie. That movie has become so entrenched in our popular culture that Benchley's novel seems to be forever stuck in its shadow. As a fan of the film (I even appreciate the atrocious sequels for the silly fun that they are), I decided to read the book that created the phenomenon.
The peaceful tourist town of Amity is disturbed when the mangled remains of a woman's body washes ashore. There is no denying the cause of death. The woman was clearly attacked by a shark. And from the severity of the wounds, it looks like it was a massive one.
Amity Police Chief Martin Brody is determined to do everything in his power to prevent any further attacks, but he is met with a united resistance from the local political and business leaders. Shutting down the beaches during the peak of summer tourist season would cripple the town's economy and scare away any potential new visitors. Instead the townsmen elect to bring in the expertise of shark guru Matt Hooper. Hooper assures the town that sharks rarely stick around and that any future attacks are highly unlikely. Hooper is wrong.
The resulting hunt is as thrilling and suspenseful as anything I've ever read. The book particularly benefits from being able to show readers the shark's perspective. The plot inches further with an ever present foreboding. Benchley inhabits his story with a variety of townspeople whose motivations add to the complexity of the situation. That being said, I found most of the characters difficult to sympathize with. These are not 'good' people, and most of their troubles are self inflicted. I was particularly troubled by a detailed account of Brody's wife having an affair. This portion did little to advance the main plot or to develop the character. Overall, Jaws the novel is a fun but inconsistent story that never reaches the same depth or excitement of the movie.
For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, or GoodReads.
(2016, 9)
