Caroline Akervik's Blog, page 2
July 22, 2024
July 5, 2024
April 29, 2024
April 22, 2024
January 1, 2024
Author Visit Holiday Fun!
Visiting with Mrs. P's Second Graders was a highlight of the holiday season for me! We discussed where authors get their ideas, "small moments" that inspire writing, and how all of us have stories to tell. We also read the first chapter of Calvin the Cookie Maker. Calvin is no longer print, but it was delightful to revisit this story. The second graders connected with the themes and descriptions. Author visits are one of my favorite parts of being an author!
August 26, 2023
Anything But Graceful: A Second Chance Romance by D.G. Driver
Anything But Graceful: A Second Chance Romance Novel by D.G.Driver
As a woman of a certain age, this novel was a delightful surprise.Grace Fuller has deferred her dreams of becoming an actor and a dancer. Lifegot in way. She works as a realtor while continuing to hone her craft as adancer. She dances because it is necessary to her soul. The thing is she hascontinued to grow as an artist at an age when most other dancers are burned outor over the hill. An old flame enters the scene. Tyler represents all thedreams that Grace gave up when she lacked the confidence in herself to pursueher passions. The mature Grace is not blinded to Tyler’s faults. She is a womanwho goes after what she wants, including a smoking hot choreographer/danceinstructor with whom she has a steamy interlude.
Grace is inspirational, a reminder that as more mature womenwe can still pursue dream and ambitions which may not have been available to usearlier in our lives. This story is vulnerable and sexy and brings the world ofacting and dancing vividly to life. In sum, Anything But Graceful is a sophisticateddelight.
March 16, 2023
Book Review: Dragon Surf by D.G. Driver with Jeni Bautista Richard
Eric Long wants to learn to surf, like his surfing champion father. For his fifteenth birthday, Eric is given a surfboard, his heart’s desire, but painted with a yellow serpent dragon by his artist mother. Eric wants nothing to do with the dragons and dragon symbolism that art part of his heritage as a Chinese American and the son of a dragon artist. While attending a surf competition with his dad, Eric is haunted by dreams of a golden, protective dragon who may be connected to his ancestors. I especially enjoyed the juxtaposition of Eric and his father on their surfing trip with the stories of his immigrant family all woven together through the dragon, Baidu. The setting of the surfing life was flavorful and fun. This is a delightful, fast-paced read!
February 23, 2023
December 7, 2022
Advent Giveaway
ADVENT CALENDAR GIVEAWAY
December 1st-25th
Goodies Given Away Every Day Totaling $450
https://ellenmint.blog/advent-calendar/
It’s Christmas every day with this romantic Advent Calendar giveaway. Twenty-Five authors have teamed up to bring you over $450 worth of prizes. Every day another door opens and another giveaway chance for you to win!
Each day, return to the site to click on the calendar and open the door to another fantastic prize. Be swept away this holiday season by gripping romance, pampering treats, cozy gifts, and an amazing offer hidden inside the calendar.
The giveaway is sponsored by these wonderful authors:
Ellen Mint • Jordyn Kross • Caroline Akervik • Wendi Zwaduk • Totally Entwined Group • T. Strange • Katherine Grant • Heather DiAngelis • Tanith Davenport • Liz Paffel • TJ Finn • Melissa McClone • TJ Finn • AE Lister • Elizabeth Cole • S. J. Coles • Lonna Seibert • Aurora Russell • Rianne Thaxton • Tigris Eden • Delta James • V.J. Allison • Monica Barrie • Cynthia Terelst • Sara Ohlin • Jaqueline Snowe
October 5, 2022
Review of Songwriter Showcase
Songwriter Showcase by D.G. DriverMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
“What love feels like”
(Spoilers)
This is the charming but real sequel to Songwriter Night by D. G. Driver. The novella recounts the trials and tribulations of two couples, Lyle and Trish, and Odette and Neil, as they compete in a talent competition. In “Songwriter Night,” Lyle and Trish seemed made for each other. He brought charm, good lucks, and more knowledge of the music industry to the relationship. In contrast, the lovely Trish is inexperienced, new to this entire world. But on the night of the competition, it is Trish that catches the judges’ eyes, among whom is Aiden Bronson. Lyle is both jealous and contemptuous of Aiden, a former friend. There is a conflicted honesty to Lyle’s reaction to Trish’s success. He is threatened. He loves Trish and wants her to do well, but he also doesn’t want to lose her.
We see more of Odette’s and Neil’s relationship in this story. She is a woman who has a history. Any man who wants to be with her needs to accept the past that has shaped her. Neil is younger and less mature than Odette. He is frustrated by her lack of openness with him. She can’t expect him to understand her decisions if she doesn’t share her reasoning and experiences with him.
The power of this novella lies in the appeal of the characters. I found myself genuinely rooting for them, wanting them to succeed and get past the obstacles that life is putting in their way. The twists of the plot are often unexpected and there is a thread of humor throughout. I find myself wanting to know what happens next. Does Lyle finally break through in the music industry? Does Aiden make a play for Trish? Can Odette let Neil be a part of her life?
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