Excited to welcome the lovely Kyra Lennon to the blog today. Take it away, Kyra!
First of all, I’d like to say thanks to Suzanne for letting me take over her blog for the day! Much appreciated!
Today I’d like to talk about loss – which is not the most cheerful topic ever – but it is a big theme in Sidelined. Bree Collinson feels a loss of who she used to be, a loss of the person she wanted to be, and later, she feels the loss of one of her close friends which impacts everyone in a huge way that will ripple through the rest of the Game On series.
Loss is a part of life. I like my books to reflect real life as much as possible, but I try to make it so there is always hope, too. People read as an escape, and I firmly believe that most people don’t want to read a book that is going to plunge them into a pit of misery (although, those books certainly have a place in the market, they’re just not my thing).
When I think about the best books that have been published in recent years, the ones that have stuck with me the most are the ones where the characters have had to battle their way through tough times, shown personal growth, and even though they might not have had their happy ending yet, there’s the possibility and the real belief that they WILL find it one day. I guess those are the kinds of people I admire in real life too – those who have endured all kinds of horrible things and come back stronger every time.
Bree is one of those people. She’s been through some awful things, but she still has this exceptionally bubbly, rose-tinted outlook on life. In Sidelined, much of her happiness is sucked right out of her. She is almost unrecognisable from Game On in the sense that instead of just seeing the lovable ditz that she usually is, Sidelined gets right inside her head and shows who she really is.
For Bree, as is true for many people in real life, loss changes her. Loss prompts her to really look at who she is and what she wants. Hopefully, if/when you read Sidelined, you’ll feel Bree’s emotions, and the changes in her, as strongly as I did when I wrote the story.
Blurb
At the age of twenty-one, Bree Collinson has more than she ever dreamed of. A handsome husband, a fancy house, and more shoes than Carrie Bradshaw and Imelda Marcos combined. But having everything handed to her isn’t the way Bree wants to live the rest of her life. When an idea to better herself pops into her head, she doesn’t expect her husband to question her, and keep her tied by her apron strings to the kitchen.
Isolated and unsure who to turn to, Bree finds herself falling back into a dangerous friendship, and developing feelings for the only person who really listens to her. Torn between her loyalty to her husband and her attraction to a man who has the perfect family she always wanted, she has some tough choices to make.
While Bree tries to figure out what she wants, a tragedy rocks the Westberg Warriors, triggering some dark memories, and pushing her to take a look at what’s really important.
About the Author:
Kyra is a self-confessed book-a-holic, and has been since she first learned to read. When she's not reading, you'll usually find her hanging out in coffee shops with her trusty laptop and/or her friends, or girling it up at the nearest shopping mall.
Kyra grew up on the South Coast of England and refuses to move away from the seaside which provides massive inspiration for her novels. Her debut novel, Game On (New Adult Contemporary Romance), was released in July 2012, and she scored her first Amazon Top 20 listing with her New Adult novella, If I Let You Go.
Kyra is a self-confessed book-a-holic, and has been since she first learned to read. When she's not reading, you'll usually find her hanging out in coffee shops with her trusty laptop and/or her friends, or girling it up at the nearest shopping mall.
Kyra grew up on the South Coast of England and refuses to move away from the seaside which provides massive inspiration for her novels. Her debut novel, Game On (New Adult Contemporary Romance), was released in July 2012, and she scored her first Amazon Top 20 listing with her New Adult novella, If I Let You Go.
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Thanks, Suzanne!
ReplyDeleteLoss is a part of life. Reading about others overcoming it can help us overcome our own losses.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. :)
DeleteIt was certainly a powerful read and I loved Bree's growth as a character. Like you say it's tricky to get the balance right, you always need some light at the end of the tunnel.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nick!
DeleteThose books dealing with loss, tough battles, and growth, are the ones I am drawn to as well. Sidelined sounds like a perfect read. Thank you for sharing, Suzanne and Kyra.
ReplyDeleteEllie Garratt
Thanks, Ellie!
DeleteI like books about loss too. The emotion. They tend to be the ones I read most often. But usually in the end, the mc finds something wonderful too.
ReplyDeleteYes, there is definitely something good at the end of the book!
DeleteEveryone has suffered loss indeed, sounds like a great read
ReplyDeleteThanks to everyone for stopping by and wishing Kyra well.
ReplyDeleteLoss is such a part of life and it can strengthen bonds or tear them apart. I'm very interested to see how it continues with the series. You definitely had me crying!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Krista!
DeleteIt's odd, I love books that make me ugly cry as much or even more than books that make me laugh or that make me hot.
ReplyDeleteI guess it's to do with how much it makes you feel. It's easy to find books that are funny, but books that have enough emotion to make you cry can be quite rare.
DeleteBree's story is very powerful, and beautifully written.
ReplyDeleteSounds like Bree will have some tough challenges to deal with in Sidelined. Thanks for sharing about this book.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteHi Suzanne and Kyra,
ReplyDeleteLovely to see Kyra featured on your superb blog site, Suzanne. The blurb, your thoughts, intrigue with the profoundness of it all. Sometimes, beyond the loss, is gain that stirs the heart.
A peaceful weekend.
Gary
Thanks Gary, I hope you have a great weekend too!
DeleteI like books that show it like it is, and then offer some hope. I hate it when all I'm left with is doom and gloom, so thanks for telling me you don't do that, Kyra.
ReplyDeleteSorry not to have been around the last couple of days, life took over! But thanks again for visiting and all your lovely comments. Congrats to Kyra.
ReplyDeleteI'll add my congrats to Kyra too :)
ReplyDeleteHi Kyra and Suzanne .. Bree sounds a feisty character ... and good luck with the book/s to you both - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteKyra, Kyra, Kyra and her disarming and lovely books... I can't wait to read more. CAN'T WAIT.
ReplyDelete