Tara Chevrestt's Blog, page 94

When Our Books Become Outdated...

I write my share of contemporary romances or just plain ole contemporary stories, all genres. And lately, I've grown to wonder, what will I do when my title becomes outdated?

Think about this: 

In Love Request, the hero and heroine hook up via Facebook. I've already had to modify this book once to accommodate the new Timelines. Facebook changes its stuff every two weeks though. I can't modify the book every time they change something. So...week by week, my book is becoming outdated.

In a book I recently edited, the heroine had a flip-top phone. Does anyone still make those?

In A Healing Love, when I first penned it, I was told Cindy Crawford was awful old. Could I refer to a more modern model? So I replaced her with Megan Fox...but twenty years from now, will anyone know how that is?

My point: contemporary stories are only contemporary now. With technology constantly changing, with cell phones that eventually will probably even wipe our arses for us, our contemporary books will one day be picked up by a curious reader who just may think it's historical!

"Oh, how quaint! These people are still using toilet paper! Doesn't she know there's an APP for that?" 

Do we then change the genre? Twenty years from now when the world is like Back To The Future with flying cars and skateboards, will we need to change the genre of our now-contemporary titles or revise them to get with the times? I guess Carlos would have to have a flying Harley, Maria would wash the car using a car wash app, Ciara probably won't even be hard of hearing; stem cell research would have taken off.

But what if we're dead and can't revise anyway? Seems changing the genre would be easier. After all, if someone in 2030 releases a book containing a plot that occurs in 1990, it will be labeled historical fiction then, making ours technically historical fiction too!

That concludes my thoughts of the day.

Spotlight: The House on Burra Burra Lane by Jennie Jones

A dilapidated house, a city girl looking for a tree change, and a rugged vet with a past. Just another day in rural Australia…

Just ten days after her fresh start in the isolated Snowy Mountains, Samantha Walker trips over a three hundred pound pig and lands in the arms of Dr. Ethan Granger — and the firing line for gossip. It was hardly a ‘date’ but sparks of the sensual kind are difficult to smother in a community of only 87 people. Now there’s a bet running on how long she’ll stay and what she’ll get up to while she’s in town.

Ethan has his own issues — Sammy’s presence in his childhood home brings with it painful recollections of family scandals and a bad‐boy youth. When the gossip around them heightens, his life is suddenly a deck of cards spread on the table for all to see. Then Sammy's past catches up with her... and it looks like all bets are off.

Excerpt:
Sammy threw herself on top of her, lying flat-out. ‘Don’t move. Please don’t move.’ The pig’s body had sunk another four inches already. Sammy petted her nose and spoke softly. ‘Not long, baby. Ethan will be here soon.’
            As though her prayer had been answered, the sound of his ute’s engine sang on the breeze. She couldn’t see over the ridge high above her but she recognised the engine’s hum the way a faithful dog left at home would. And Mrs. Johnson’s 4WD was behind it.
            Both vehicles stopped, engines running. A door slammed, the children’s voices rose, sounding like pleas, and then Ethan’s voice, the low steady timbre telling the children to stay clear.
            ‘Here we go,’ Sammy whispered, and wondered if she was calming Ruby or advising herself to remain controlled when she saw him.
            The ute’s engine purred, then the tow bar came into her view. The door opened and closed. The tarpaulin ruffled on the tray. Some shifting sounds, and his voice again, asking the children to bring his bag.
            Sammy breathed deeply, steadying herself when he stepped to the edge of the ridge.
            The afternoon sunshine shone on his back. The wind billowed his tan checked shirt and blew his sandy hair across his brow. For a moment, he melded with the breeze and the tall gum tree behind him like a painting from another era. A time of bushmen, and horses and roping; the layers of oil on canvas darkened at the edges. The sunshine glistening through the emerald green of the tree branches, resting like a halo on the shoulders of a man at home on the open land.
            Legs akimbo, rescue gear in his hands, he looked as though he could ring any bell in the world.
            Sammy’s heartbeat skittered. She hadn’t seen him or spoken to him since yesterday in the kitchen and hadn’t expected to be in touch with him until … She didn’t know. Didn’t have any idea what would happen between them next.
            He had his gaze on Ruby. Then it moved to Sammy, and his eyes narrowed.
            Ruby shuffled her snout, as though she sensed his presence. She oinked, and wriggled in the mud.

            Sammy put her hands flat on the pig’s midriff, and pushed to keep her still. She glanced up to the ridge again. It was the strangest moment to feel thrilled. She had no right to it, but no matter what he was doing - holding rabbits, patting horses or saving pigs, her heart would always burn with pride at his composure. He was a flagship of strength and her eyes would always welcome the sight of him.

Where to buy:

Amazon.com  http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=9780857990532
All Romance eBooks  http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=title&qString=The+House+On+Burra+Burra+Lane
Escape Publishing(Links to all Where to Buy eRetailers)http://www.escapepublishing.com.au/product/9780857990532

Born and brought up in Wales, Jennie loved anything with a romantic element from the age of five. At eighteen, she went to drama school in London then spent a number of years performing in British theatres, becoming someone else two hours, eight shows a week.
Jennie wrote her first romance story at the age of twenty five whilst ‘resting’ (a theatrical term for Out of work). She wrote a western and sent if off to Mills & Book in the UK who politely and correctly declined. She put writing to one side after that and took a musical theatre job. Which brings Jennie to her favourite quotation: “Fate keeps on happening.” - Anita Loos.
When Jennie’s life changed and a new country, marriage and motherhood beckoned, she left acting and the UK.
She now lives in Western Australia, a five minute walk to the beach that she loves to look at but hardly ever goes to due to there being too much sand. (Sand is like glitter; once it gets between your toes, you keep finding it in the house for months.)
Jennie returned to writing three years ago. She says it keeps her artistic nature dancing and her imagination bubbling. Like acting, she can’t envisage a day when writing will ever get boring.
Where to find Jennie: Webpage: http://www.jenniejonesromance.comFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennie-Jones-Romance-Author/290261037740578?ref=hl Twitter: http://twitter.com/JJRomance    @JJRomance

Strong is Sexy Heroine of the Week: Holly Grey

Book: Hubble Bubble
Author: Jane Lovering
Heroine: Holly Grey


Holly Grey from Hubble Bubble is an independent woman.  She lives and works alone and doesn’t need anyone else in her life – she’s already got a man in the shape of her brother, Nick.  But Nick is not the big brother that most women would want, or could cope with, he’s highly strung and prone to paranoia, so Holly has to maintain stability and absolutely NEVER give way to her emotions.  She has to stay strong, to keep life running smoothly for her brother, even when it seems her own life is out of control. 

It’s Holly’s ability to care that makes her sexy.  Her ability to empathise.  When Kai Rhys gets some news he never expected, that makes his whole life fall apart, Holly is there for him.  She listens, when no one else will, she offers the support and comfort that he needs in order to face up to some serious personal demons, and overcome them. And she’s there when he finds out who he truly is, and what he truly wants...

Blurb: Be careful what you wish for…


Holly Grey only took up witchery to keep her friend out of trouble – and now she’s knee-deep in hassle, in the form of apocalyptic weather, armed men, midwifery…and a sarcastic Welsh journalist.



Kai has been drawn to darkest Yorkshire by his desire to find out who he really is. What he hadn’t bargained on was getting caught up in amateur magic and dealing with a bunch of women who are trying really hard to make their dreams come true.

Together they realise that getting what you wish for is sometimes just a matter of knowing what it is you want…
Hubble Bubble is one of Apple's 'Best Books of June': https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/hubble-bubble/id626890821?mt=11



Are you an author with a strong heroine in your book? Want to see her featured? Find out how here.

Cover Reveal: Long Road, Full Speed Ahead by Emily Walker

Blurb – A young girl struggles with abuse, addiction, and abortion all while trying to go to school. Somehow she hits rock bottom and finds an unlikely love story.
Synopsis- Grace finds herself with a toxic friend and a brand new hobby when she discovers meth. She had a promising future before Grayson came into the picture. A wolf in sheep’s clothing he soon shows his true colors and they are painted with black and blue.
The drugs cause more problems than they fix, but lost in the intoxicating world of numbness she must find herself through abuse, addiction, and abortion. Will she let the drugs take her out of the world, and be forever numb, or will an unlikely love pull her out and make her feel again?
Website – http://www.authoremilywalker.com Blog – http://www.selfpublishordie.com Review site – http://www.reviewsfrombeyondthebook.b... Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/authoremilywa... Twitter- http://www.twitter.com/authorewalker
Bio:Emily Walker loves creating worlds and stumbling around in them. She is constantly losing her chap-stick, and has an obsession with the color pink. Currently a resident of the mountains and loving the view she writes mostly paranormal fiction, and horror. Her small family consists of her red bearded other half, a rat terrier named Rebel, and a cat called Mr. Creepy.

Ten Questions from Tara: An Interview with Erik Schubach. Bullying, Dating, & Strong Women

I love meeting new authors. I especially love meeting authors whom I have something in common with. Every now and then I'll spot a book that grabs my attention...I'll email the author of the book. Sometimes I'm ignored. Sometimes the author replies, promises to get with  me again at such and such a time or send a post, and I never hear from them again. But sometimes, they turn out to be some real nice, down-to-earth, awesome people, and this leads to some great correspondence and new friendships. And this how I came to meet Erik. Please give Erik a warm welcome. He has some really important things to say from bullying to discrimination to one of his coolest-ever dates.
Tara: You came to my attention because you have a deaf heroine in your book, Music of the Soul. Tell me about the research you did on this, the things you learned from hard of hearing/deaf people.
Erik: Most of my experience was back in the mid to late 1980's. Being the curious person I am, back then I had asked my deaf friends how they experienced music. Also about and how they overcame bullying, which I witnessed frequently and was grouped into since I was bullied all through my young adult life. We all sort of stood up for each other. I think Amber, one of my hearing impaired friends, handled it better than I did. I seriously believe that young people can be much meaner than adults.

We had gone to movies at times and I was curious how much of the dialog she was able to pick up on by reading lips. She let me know that what she didn't get, she picked up on by the progression of the scenes.

I thank God that the hearing impaired people I had dealings with could read lips (Though there were some misunderstandings.) because I sucked at learning sign language, I tried and tried... I felt like a complete idiot since my other friends were learning it at a quick pace. Amber once said that teaching me was like like trying to teach a one-eyed raccoon how to sign.

I did try the sensory deprivation technique I describe in the book to experience some music and a sub-titled VHS movie at her house to try to gain some perspective after high school at Amber's house. It is a real eye-opener.

Tara: What do you feel hearing people could learn from your book?

Erik: That what they deem as different or as a handicap is really only a matter of perspective. Differences are what make us all amazing individuals and give us character. Nobody should be treated any differently or ostracized because they don't “hear” the world in the same way.

Tara: *nods head* Amen, Erick. Thanks for pointing that out. You bring up bullying. I understand what being on the receiving end of that is very well. I notice you also tackle the subject in book two. What message do you hope to get across to people by putting this topic in your novels?

Erik: Bullying is one of the worst things a person can subject another individual to. In many cases that bullying can damage someone almost beyond repair. More suicides are being attributed to bullying almost every day. People need to take a stand against it, and realize that “ignoring” bullying when they witness it is the same thing as saying that it is OK. It is very rare for a person to not be affected their entire lives by it, even if they don't show it externally.

I myself was bullied relentlessly in high school and beyond because I was a small gangly nerd (the term geek wasn't used widely back then yet). Always getting pressured into doing other people's homework just to be made fun of by those same people.

I think I turned out relatively OK, but to this day I hold a deep seated grudge against anyone I see bullying anyone and am the first to step in to diffuse it. I remember the names of each and every person that ever bullied me, even though I can't remember most of my other classmates from the time. That's my damage.

So I try to mention the subject in each and every book I write. I believe people need to be more educated about bullying, bigotry and discrimination.

Tara: A DEAFENING Whisper. I love that title. Does that feature a hard of hearing person too? If not, what significance does that choice of words have? 





Erik: It pertains to a poem one of my characters writes. A Deafening Whisper is something whispered between two people that is so profound that it alters their lives forever. Whether it is for the good or the bad. So regardless of how quietly it is whispered, the consequences boom louder than thunder. Like telling someone you love them for the first time.

None of the characters are deaf in that book, though one main character suffers from OCD and Tourette Syndrome and the other has a sickness she has not revealed to anyone. I like to write about strong characters that use their supposed weaknesses as their greatest strengths.

Tara:  That is truly beautiful. I like that. All your books are lesbian fiction, which is awesome, but as a man, how did you end writing that? Did someone suggest you write one? Did the characters just pop in your head and refuse to quit nagging you until you put them on the page?

Erik: Well, there are a few reasons. My nieces are both lesbian and I think it is awesome how strong they are. One has even asked me to base a character on her struggles in an upcoming book. Also, I have always enjoyed strong female characters in media. In the past, I don't think that they have had their fair share in the spotlight (though recently that has been turning around).

The ideas just come to me and I have to write them down. The first book, Music of the Soul, was written in one weekend because the idea popped into my head and I just had to write the story down. My style and grammar my not be the most professional (It sucks) but, it is the story I want to share.

I do want to point out that none of my books contain erotic material. A lot of people seem to jump to that conclusion. But I leave those moments to people's imaginations. I may lead up to it but never delve into details. My stories are about the love and romance two people share, not the sex.

Tara: I commend you for that. Sex is all over the place nowadays. It's nice to meet an author just giving a solid story. Do you think you’ll ever write m/m or m/f?

Erik: I'm open to writing about anything. It doesn't matter which two individuals fall in love... it is the love that matters, and romance is romance. The only reason my first four books are F/F is because they are in the same story arc world. Other romance books in different settings may be a different dynamic.

I am currently finishing the manuscript for the fifth book in the Music of the Soul arc and will be turning to science fiction for a book or two. There are two ideas just screaming at me to write down.

Tara: Your Amazon bio says you have always been drawn to strong female characters in books. That totally rocks. Can you tell me some of your favorite book heroines?

Erik: I could seriously go on forever with this list :) but the top three main ones are as follows...

Honor Harrington from the Honorverse books by David Weber (my personal favorite). Not only is she a kick butt admiral in the royal space navy, but she also has a husband AND a wife later on in the series. She is known by the enemy as the Salamander, she always shows up where impossible battles rage the hottest, and somehow always walks away victorious.




Killashandra Ree from the Crystal Singer books by Anne McCaffrey. She gave up her life to mine crystals and be with the man she loved even though she knew that same crystal mining would eventually strip her of her memory and curse her to an extraordinarily long life without those memories.

Magiere from the Nobel Dead books by Barb and J.C. Hendee. Not quite vampire and not quite human, she travels the continent hunting the vampires and other creatures that prey on the weak. She has to fight not just the undead, but her own rising blood-lust.

Tara: An Amazon reviewer recently reviewed book three of your series, The Dating Game. She says, “Enticing book with excellent dating tips ;)”. Okay. Now I must know more. Give us a dating tip, please.

Erik: Since my two previous books were so deeply emotional I attempted to lighten up the mood on this third book, Dating Game, before dipping back into the heavily emotional fourth book. To mixed reviews... apparently you either love the book or hate the book.

The dates are fun though. I would say that nothing beats a picnic if you share it in a location that means something personal in your life. Share that information and your impressions then and now. Nothing is more intimate than letting someone into your life like that. Communication is sexy.
Tara: Tell us about a date of your own. Did it make it in the book? Was it horrible, funny, boring?

Erik: I have lived in the Pacific Northwest most of my life. At one point I had asked a girl in Spokane, WA out for some “adventure”. I had brought her to a bridge where an Anubis hieroglyph graffiti was tagged with a triangle. We drove the direction of the point of the triangle. The next bridge had the same graffiti.

This continued through some scenic views of the city, I made sure to give her time to look at the city and mountains from these unique vantage points before moving on to the next. Soon we wound up at a plaque overlooking a portion of the Spokane River that described a whirlpool that used to exist at that point caused by the meeting of two forks of the river.

There just happened to be a picnic lunch set up there (what a coincidence). I shared with her the first time I had discovered that “secret” Anubis breadcrumb trail years ago and how I had never shared it with anyone. After letting me know I was a goofball, she admitted that she hadn't had that much fun in a long time.
Digger
Tara: Thank you for sharing that. Really. That's cool. This is always the tenth question...As a dog mom, I must know. Do you have pets? If so, what are they and their names? Baby
Erik: I happen to share my home with three dogs. Tucker Magoo, who is the coolest, big black Flat Coat Retriever mix... ever... period. Digger Doo, who is a Basset Hound, Labrador Retriever mix (imagine a black lab cut off at the knees). Then there is Baby, a Papillon who thinks she owns the world.
Tucker
Then there's the seven cats, three finches, two hamsters, three mini-goats and thirteen chickens. Help, I think I live in a zoo!
Tara: I want to thank Erik for taking the time to come on here. Erik, it's been a pleasure. I wish you all the best in your writing career and I hope to maintain our email correspondence. Those of you wanting to connect further with Erik, check out his blog and like him on his FB page. 

Forward Pass by Lorna Schultz Nicholson

Big thumbs up to the author for tackling a very "sensitive" subject in the YA world...actually, two subjects: sexual abuse and sexuality.


Parmita is at a special sports-oriented school in Canada. Though months from graduating high school, she's already living away from her parents, with a family near the school, sort of like an exchange student program but there is no exchange.

By day she plays soccer and tries to avoid her very hands-on coach, by night she battles with the growing attraction to her best girl friend. Nobody knows she's a lesbian.

Long story short, the coach does some inappropriate things and lays it out like this: if Parm tells, the coach will make sure she doesn't go to Nationals (a big deal) and will say it was all mutual (it wasn't.)

Parm being a young girl who hasn't  yet "come out" of the closet yet is faced with some really tough choices. I fell this is an important story. Many young people face stuff like this and sadly, out of shame or fear, won't speak up. This enables people in positions of power to continue abusing others, something Parm realizes. But just when she decides to take action, someone else does it for her.

Again, I appreciated the lessons in this book and the fact it brings awareness to a serious problem, not only sexual abuse, but a teenager's fear of "coming out".
What I didn't like: 1. The story was real quick in the telling. It bypassed descriptions and emotions much of the time just to lay the story quickly on the page. Don't tell me Parmita sits there and cries, tell me what she is feeling deep inside, especially after the social network thing. WOW. I felt that warranted more emotions than we were given. 2. There was no dawning awareness of her sexuality. I'm not sure when that happened. I wanted to know when she realized she was a lesbian, what that realization was like. 3. There was a beautiful opportunity here to show the Christian community should practice "tolerance" of others. I don't like the outcome with her billet/exchange family. Perfect opp was there and passed over, to educate the family.

Still a very good read though and I def think young people should read it. Three bikes. I got this from netgalley.

Is This Lady Pastor Going from the Pulpit to Prison? Or...

Please welcome J.Q. Rose as she talks about her latest mystery romance...featuring a woman pastor!
Tara and I have at least one thing in common. We like to write about strong women as our heroines. No wimps allowed. I was drawn to Tara’s historical fiction book, Ride for Rights. This YA story is about two sisters who showed everyone they could ride motorcycles across the country in 1916 where there weren’t even roadways! Amazing examples of strong women. I was especially interested in this story because I wrote a non-fiction book for girls, Girls Succeed! I profile fifteen strong women who share their journeys on paths blazing new trails for women in the workplace.
In my latest mystery/romance, Coda to Murder, my strong heroine is Pastor Christine Hobbs. Yes, she’s a female minister, an occupation where women are finally breaking down the barriers to share in the leadership of many denominations in the Christian churches.
In order to write the book, I interviewed female pastors. One woman laughed as she told me how parishioners will make comments to her they would not say to a male pastor e.g. “I like your shoes.”
When asked if it was difficult for a woman to lead a congregation, another minister said, “I have discovered that people don’t care if you are a man or a woman. They just want you to do your job well.”
Pastor Christine Hobbs wants to do her job well, but seminary school didn’t prepare her for obstacles she faces in Coda to Murder. She’s been in the pulpit business for over five years, but she never imagined herself caring for a flock that includes a pig, a kangaroo, and a murderer. 
Detective Cole Stephens doesn't want the pretty pastor to get away with murdering the church music director. His investigative methods infuriate Christine as much as his deep brown eyes attract her.
Can they find the real killer and build a loving relationship based on trust?
Thanks, Tara, for hosting me on your blog. Strong heroines rock!
About J.Q. Rose:
After writing feature articles in magazines, newspapers, and online magazines for over fifteen years, J.Q. Rose entered the world of fiction writing with her first published novella, Sunshine Boulevard, released by MuseItUp Publishing in 2011. Her latest mystery, Coda to Murder, was released in February. Blogging, photography, Pegs and Jokers board games, and travel are the things that keep her out of trouble. Spending winters in Florida with her husband allows Janet the opportunity to enjoy the life of a snowbird. Summer finds her camping and hunting toads, frogs, and salamanders with her four grandsons and granddaughter.
Connect online with J.Q.
J.Q. Rose blogGirls Succeed blog Author website  Goodreads Pinterest  
Buy Links for Girls Succeed:Smashwords Link http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/241825Amazon Link  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009NY6ZASKobo Link http://www.kobobooks.com/search/search.html?q=girls+succeed%3A+stories+behind+the+careers+of+successful+womenBarnes and Noble Linkhttp://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/girls-succeed-jq-rose/1114041658?ean=2940045118033Sony Link https://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/j-q-rose/girls-succeed-stories-behind-the-careers-of-successful-women/_/R-400000000000000883970
Buy Links for Coda to MurderNow available at MuseItUp Publishing- http://tinyurl.com/anax9x7 Amazon.com http://tinyurl.com/ap376tb bn.com and major online booksellers

Ask Away Sunday: Yes, I DO Have a Bad Writing Habit...

Today's question is from M.A. Grant. He or she wants to know..."What is your best writing habit, and what is your worst writing habit (if you have one, that is)?"

My best writing habit...is...I edit as I go! Every few paragraphs I go back up and reread it and watch for errors. I'm sure my publishers and editors appreciate this as they rarely get MSs from me full of errors.

My worst writing habit: I sometimes start things and don't finish. I have thrown away 10k before. Something wasn't working. I wasn't satisfied. Maybe book sales were really bad and I said, "F*ck this! Nobody wants to read my sh*t anyway!" and I'll throw the entire first quarters of novels away.

I'd say that's a bad habit. LOL

Want to ask me a question about me, deafness, my books, editing, publishing, whatever, for next Sunday? Head over to this post to fill out the form.

I Am Who I Was Born As

June is the month of weddings and all these weddings got me to thinking about wedding-related traditions and why they were started...and heck, upon learning the reason for some of these traditions, I began to question why we still do them. 

Why do women take the man's name upon marrying him?

Online research reveals many different reasons, the main one being:

In biblical times, a woman was considered a burden on her father. He was eager to get rid of that extra mouth to feed. He provided a dowry, perhaps a couple of sheep along with some gold coin--and when a suitor agreed to take the daughter off his hands, he was rewarded. Eager to get the daughter gone, the father was more than happy to see the daughter's clan name change to that of her husband. She became of his property and his problem.

Why, in 2013, are we continuing this practice? I'm curious. What are your thoughts?

I'm fortunate. I married a wonderful man. I did not marry because society expected it of me. I did not marry because I was pressured. I was not handed over with a dowry. My husband wanted to marry me. I did not NEED to be married. I was living on my own, making my own money.

And I also wed a man who respected my desire to stay ME, to stay Tara Chevrestt. I kept the name given me upon birth, the name that I carried through childhood, the name I said proudly during roll calls, the name I used on job applications. The name Chevrestt got me through 23 years without fail. Why not continue with it?

I told my husband, "I am not your property. I am Tara Chevrestt."

This, however, has led to problems with other people. Men I used to work with would ask me, "You didn't take your  husband's name? Why not?"

"This is the 2000s. Why? I'm not his property. I am me. Despite the ring on my finger, I am still me."

This warranted outrage on their parts. "I wouldn't marry a woman that didn't take my name!"

"Why not?" I would ask.

"Because it's a sign of respect. If she doesn't take my name, she doesn't respect me."

I'd think on this and ask, "Do you respect your wife?"

"Of course."

"Then why don't you take her name?" And I would shrug. Seemed like such an honest question to me.

The answer is always, "It's just not done."

Pffffht.

Are we really still, thousands of years later, that close-minded a society?

p.s. The only reason mine is hyphenated on FB is to separate the personal me from the author me. ;)

The Scavenger's Daughters (Tales of the Scavenger's Daughters #1) by Kay Bratt

This is a story full of morals and lessons, each one will touch a spot on your heart.


It begins with a boy...imprisoned, beaten, harmed, all because of his family background. All it takes is one act of kindness to change this boy's life and that of dozens of people. For when someone shows him this act of kindness, he vows he spend the rest of his life doing good for others.

The boy becomes a man, a trash collector. In China, daughters are discarded and abandoned a lot. He finds them in the trash and he keeps them, feeds them, clothes them, provides them as love as he can. With all these daughters, he's relegated to a life of poverty. They don't live like other people, but they have love. They have each other.

But what will happen to them all when he dies? He's very ill; he has no retirement, no savings; nobody is helping them.

The lessons that sum up beautifully in the pages...

-You can't judge a group as a whole by the actions of one or a few. There are bad and good in every bunch.
-Never let pride prevent from you getting help if it's needed and available. Don't deny those around you a better life because you can't bear to admit you need help.
-Karma happens. One good deed can change a life....as well as your own.
-One doesn't need material objects to have a fulfilling life.

Very well done and thought evoking. I truly felt as though I stepped in another world. Chinese customs and stories and revelations about Mao's reign and just how the Chinese live in general kept me absolutely entranced. My only quibble: I wish the book had told us more about the romance between Ye Ye and Nai Nai, but this is the first in a series. I imagine there may be a prequel in the future--at least I hope so.

Five stars. I received an ARC via Amazon Vine.