Andrea Nourse's Blog, page 3

Review: Betty, Tiffany McDaniel

I can’t believe I let Betty sit on my shelf I read for so long. The prose was beautiful, and I instantly fell in love with Betty’s voice.

Her story, however, was gut-wrenching and heartbreaking. I wanted to hug every one of her siblings and her mom. I wanted to thank her dad for being a caring, loving father and keeping his family alive with his stories.

This book does contain several tough situations that could be triggering to some readers.

On Hiatus

As a writer, I’m expected to know the right words to say … or at least have a few prepared. But I don’t.

I’m exhausted. I need to breathe. I need to focus. I need a break.

If you’ve stumbled on this post because my Instagram account is currently disabled, know that I will be back, I’m just taking a breather. I’m stepping away from my phone and back into my life for a bit.

The past year and a half has been difficult for everyone. I pulled away from reality to try to find a little corner of peace and happiness. For a while, that was enough. Then when it wasn’t, I just kept pretending it was.

Between leaving a toxic job situation and starting a new job that is both rewarding and filled with grace and positivity, I’d hoped that would be enough to clear my headspace.

But one change rarely makes the kind of impact I needed.

My struggles went beyond a work-life balance issue. I won’t go into everything here as I’m sure many of you understand the weight working mothers, women, wives, etc. carry. We slap on smiles and make everyone think we have it all together.

We don’t.

We yell at our kids. We cry at our desks. We toss and turn as every mistake and anxiety replay when the lights go out.

For me, I also hide in my phone. I scroll on social media or play stupid games or do anything I can to keep myself from facing reality. And, it’s not working for me. I need to break up with my phone for a bit and reprioritize life. Say yes to playing Barbies or LEGOs with the kids. Listen to my husband when he tells me about cryptocurrency or something on Reddit. Pay attention to the world around me.

But most importantly, I need to pay attention to myself. I need to sit with my thoughts and try to dig myself out of the layers of protection I’ve spent 40 years building.

I don’t know how long I’ll be offline for, but if you need me, use the contact form or email or text me. I’m still here. I’m just trying to find myself. Again.

Releasing a Piece of Me into the World

I’ve been staring at the long list of things I need to do to prepare for a big book release, and I’m overwhelmed.

This release feels different. This book IS different from anything I’ve written or released. It’s also one of my favorite books because it is a bit raw.

Shay, the main character, is a lost soul who isn’t quite sure where she belongs or if she even wants to. She can count on herself and no one else. She doesn’t let people in. Her walls are tall and wide. She’s been hurt, and she’ll be damned if she lets it happen again.

In a lot of ways, Shay is me … but a little more broken. I want to protect her and keep her safe. Releasing her out into the world is a wee bit terrifying.

All that to say … Out of Anywhere is out on 8/3! Pre-order now or request it on NetGalley and fall in love with Shay now. ⁣

Review: Five Little Indians, Michelle Good

I finished this book over the weekend and have struggled to find the words to adequately review it.

Five Little Indians is a must read book. It was raw and emotional and honest.

Following the lives of five native children who were stolen from their parents and sent to Canada’s Indian schools where they faced horrible conditions and abuses. Their lives are wrought with tragedy and a bit of triumph as they find their voices and paths forward.

The most uncomfortable truths are often the most important. This is especially true when it comes to history. This is evident in the white-washed version of American history.

I never learned about Japanese internment camps. Or Indian schools. Or how Black American soldiers where intentionally shut out from receiving the GI Bill when it was introduced.

This is one reason why Own Voices literature is vital. There are stories and truths that need to be told without filters.

Review: The Girl With Stars in Her Eyes, Xio Axelrod

Is there anything better than reading a book and having it completely blow all your expectations out of the water?

The Girl With Stars in Her Eyes was a deep, yet fun, journey into Toni and Seb; two people with a difficult past and a star-crossed future. Add in the drama of music’s latest “it” band, the Lillys, and this book has all the right ingredients for a delicious music-filled book.

So, yeah, I loved it. You should read it.

Review: Have We Met by Camille Baker

Y’all. Y’ALL! This book right here was a sleeper surprise. I was 100% expecting a cute rom com. While, yes, it was that, it was so much more!

The inclusion and representation in this book was both very present but also natural … if that makes sense. The main character effortlessly accepts people for who they are. She doesn’t stumble over pronouns or complain about learning sign language. She does what we should all do … meet people where they are and don’t force personal beliefs on them.

I also loved Cory and all of Corinne’s friends and family. The romance part of the novel didn’t disappoint, either.

All in, this was a fabulous book. Go get it. ⁣

Review: Felix Ever After, Kacen Callender

Another fabulous book that lived up to the hype.

It’s been about 22ish years since I’ve been a teenager, but reading Felix’s story brought me back to the heartaches and confusion of that time. But his story was so much more than that.

It’s a story of discovering strength in yourself and finding your people. It’s about learning to accept and give love. It’s about being true and kind to yourself.

Felix Ever After should be required reading for all high schoolers. The importance of respecting someone’s identity and exploration of that identity is something that isn’t taught but should be.

I know I’m late to the game on Felix Ever After, but I’m so glad I read it. Have you read it yet?

Review: Thank You for Voting, Erin Geiger Smith

This book provided a great overview of voting, the history of voting, voting rights, voter repression, polling, elections, and everything in between.

Geiger Smith utilized research and expert to highlight the points she made. She also highlighted the importance of voting and how one vote (yours) can and does make a difference.

I definitely recommend this one for literally anyone – a casual voter or a consistent voter, but especially non voters.

Review: Malibu Rising, Taylor Jenkins Reid

This was a 5 star read for me until the last little bit. I loved the Rivas family. Loved their drama. Loved their closeness. Loved them.

I didn’t particularly care about the cast of characters that arrived at the party. I felt like those last lashes should’ve been dedicated to Rivas family and what came next for them.

But I still loved the book. TJR rarely disappoints.

Out of Anywhere

I wrote Out of Anywhere back in 2019. Pre-pandemic. Pre-life changes. I fell in love with Shay and her story, and it took me a few years to feel ready to share it with the world.

Out of Anywhere (August 3, 2021)
Having lived as a nomad for most of her life, Shay Lane is desperate to find a place to call home. Yet, she follows in her estranged mother’s wandering footsteps and bounces from town to town, never settling down, because it’s the only way she knows.

That is until her car dies outside Wishing, Missouri, and she finds herself stranded in a small town filled with nosy neighbors and too many questions. Shay is eager to leave as soon as she can but when random gifts start appearing, her curiosity gets the best of her. Shay doesn’t know what to think or who to thank, or what they expect in return.

As Shay settles into a life in Wishing, she searches for the identity of her anonymous benefactor. With each new gift, the threads of her life and her mother’s begin to unravel. If she pulls the wrong one, she may never find her mother or the home she’s been searching for.

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