08th
May
May
Welcome at
my stop on the ‘Infinite Potential’ blog tour. I’m totally excited to participate in this tour and I hope you enjoy your stay! 😉
About the Book:
Kelsi always knows when bad
things are coming, but even she never thought she’d lose her husband at only
twenty-three. Since he died, she’s been living her worst nightmare.
things are coming, but even she never thought she’d lose her husband at only
twenty-three. Since he died, she’s been living her worst nightmare.
Her nights are filled with dreams of a Dark
Haired Man, but her days are full of guilt, because the Man fills her with
longing and confusion, promising to give her all she needs, all she wants, all
she feared she’d never have again.
If only the dreams would stay in her head where
they belong.
Kelsi starts seeing the Dark Haired Man in her
waking life, shadowing her wherever she goes. And when her mysterious new
neighbor, Aiden Hardt, knows about the Man in her dreams, Kelsi worries she
can’t trust her own mind.
“He’s not what he seems.”
But even Aiden’s cryptic words don’t frighten her
as much as the way she feels around him. Kelsi must sort through her emotions
and figure out what’s real before she can ever hope to have a normal life
again.
My Review:
A couple of weeks ago I was approached by Bare Naked Words with the
question if I wanted to participate in the ‘Infinite Potential’ book tour. When
I read where this book was all about I was super excited to start reading it
and so I signed on for this tour. And I’m very happy I did.
question if I wanted to participate in the ‘Infinite Potential’ book tour. When
I read where this book was all about I was super excited to start reading it
and so I signed on for this tour. And I’m very happy I did.
In ‘Infinite Potential’ we read about Kelsi. Kelsi’s life is not going
the way she planned it. At twenty three she is a widow and trying to get her
life on track. But Kelsi is heartbroken and devastated and to make things
worse, Kelsi is having strange dreams. When Kelsi finds herself looking forward
to her dreams she is filled with guilt and sadness. How can she think of
another man after losing her husband just a couple of months ago? In ‘Infinite
Potential’ we follow Kelsi’s journey to find a way around her guilt and
sadness. But not everything is the way it seems to be and soon Kelsi finds out
that everything she has ever known is changing.
the way she planned it. At twenty three she is a widow and trying to get her
life on track. But Kelsi is heartbroken and devastated and to make things
worse, Kelsi is having strange dreams. When Kelsi finds herself looking forward
to her dreams she is filled with guilt and sadness. How can she think of
another man after losing her husband just a couple of months ago? In ‘Infinite
Potential’ we follow Kelsi’s journey to find a way around her guilt and
sadness. But not everything is the way it seems to be and soon Kelsi finds out
that everything she has ever known is changing.
From the moment I started in ‘Infinite Potential’ I was hooked to thisstory. This book is very original and I honestly have never read anything like
this book before. After reading the first few chapters of this book I was
afraid that this would be a –cry-my-eyes-out-
kind of book. But soon I found out that this book was not only sad but
also exciting, romantic and full of paranormal stuff. Even until the last
couple of pages I really didn’t know how this book would end up and it really
kept me interested.
What I liked the most about this book was the character Aiden Hardt. I
loved how mysterious he was and how he tried to help Kelsi even though she
acted like a big B**** a couple of times. Aiden kept helping Kelsi and he never
stopped trying being nice to her. I honestly would have walked away if someone
was acting like Kelsi did. And I really loved how Aiden was with the little
girl Bryn.
loved how mysterious he was and how he tried to help Kelsi even though she
acted like a big B**** a couple of times. Aiden kept helping Kelsi and he never
stopped trying being nice to her. I honestly would have walked away if someone
was acting like Kelsi did. And I really loved how Aiden was with the little
girl Bryn.
Kelsi was a character I had a love-hate thing with. At the beginning I
was really sad for her. I mean being a widow at only twenty three? How
heartbreaking is that. I really felt sad and was really hoping that she would
find happiness soon. But during the book I sometimes really want to scream at
her. She was really not very nice at times and sometimes I even disliked her. I really needed to remind myself that she was
in pain and that she was having very disturbing dreams.
was really sad for her. I mean being a widow at only twenty three? How
heartbreaking is that. I really felt sad and was really hoping that she would
find happiness soon. But during the book I sometimes really want to scream at
her. She was really not very nice at times and sometimes I even disliked her. I really needed to remind myself that she was
in pain and that she was having very disturbing dreams.
After reading this book I can conclude that I really liked this book.
This book was very intriguing and I liked how unpredictable it was. ‘Infinite
Potential’ really kept me interested until the very end and I really look
forward to reading the next book. Even though I sometimes didn’t like the main
character I still rooted for her and at the end I really cheered for her.
This book was very intriguing and I liked how unpredictable it was. ‘Infinite
Potential’ really kept me interested until the very end and I really look
forward to reading the next book. Even though I sometimes didn’t like the main
character I still rooted for her and at the end I really cheered for her.
About the Author:
I’m a
writer, a reader and a frequenter of the more charming sites in town, namely
pubs.
writer, a reader and a frequenter of the more charming sites in town, namely
pubs.
Born and
raised in Southern California, I left to explore the world courtesy of the U.S.
Navy. I’ve lived in San Francisco, New York and Norfolk, Virginia, but prefer
to call San Diego home these days, with my husband, Henry (the inspiration for
all the romance).
raised in Southern California, I left to explore the world courtesy of the U.S.
Navy. I’ve lived in San Francisco, New York and Norfolk, Virginia, but prefer
to call San Diego home these days, with my husband, Henry (the inspiration for
all the romance).
When not
working on my next novel or reading a good book, I can be found running after
my grandchildren, my dog and my sanity.
working on my next novel or reading a good book, I can be found running after
my grandchildren, my dog and my sanity.
I
believe a well-rounded diet consists of coffee, scotch, chocolate, popcorn and
Luna Bars – in that order – and have been accused of violating grammar and
etiquette rules in at least seven countries. My Muse is a Valkyrie named Prue,
so look out.
believe a well-rounded diet consists of coffee, scotch, chocolate, popcorn and
Luna Bars – in that order – and have been accused of violating grammar and
etiquette rules in at least seven countries. My Muse is a Valkyrie named Prue,
so look out.
More about the Author:
Writing
as art, and how I learned to embrace my artistry.
as art, and how I learned to embrace my artistry.
First,
let me say that I come from an extremely talented family. There are any number
of gifted and recognized painters and sculptors lurking in the limbs of my
family tree. My grandfather is a well-known painter, my uncle, mother, brother.
Me? I can’t draw a box to climb out of!
So, with this in mind it’s easy to understand how I grew up thinking I
had zero creative talent.
let me say that I come from an extremely talented family. There are any number
of gifted and recognized painters and sculptors lurking in the limbs of my
family tree. My grandfather is a well-known painter, my uncle, mother, brother.
Me? I can’t draw a box to climb out of!
So, with this in mind it’s easy to understand how I grew up thinking I
had zero creative talent.
And yet
– I’ve crafted stories as long as I can remember. As a young girl I would write
plays and act them out with my friends, as a (typical) teenager, I filled
stacks of notebooks with poems and short stories. As a young adult, I gifted
(LOL) family members with stories I’d written. Lying in bed on any given night,
unable to sleep, I would spin fantasies and makeup tales to help me sleep. I still do.
– I’ve crafted stories as long as I can remember. As a young girl I would write
plays and act them out with my friends, as a (typical) teenager, I filled
stacks of notebooks with poems and short stories. As a young adult, I gifted
(LOL) family members with stories I’d written. Lying in bed on any given night,
unable to sleep, I would spin fantasies and makeup tales to help me sleep. I still do.
It
wasn’t until recently (that being a relative term) that I began to seriously
consider the craft I practiced as a creative, artistic outlet. My husband had been nagging me (really – no
nice way to put it) to write a book and I finally took him up on it. I wrote my
first book over a couple of months; did some basic editing and sent it around
to friends, family and relatives.
wasn’t until recently (that being a relative term) that I began to seriously
consider the craft I practiced as a creative, artistic outlet. My husband had been nagging me (really – no
nice way to put it) to write a book and I finally took him up on it. I wrote my
first book over a couple of months; did some basic editing and sent it around
to friends, family and relatives.
They
loved it. They praised it. They commented on my artistry and creativity. I sat
there with my mouth open, dumb-founded. Me, creative? Artistic? Really? As much as I’ve loved the written/spoken
word, as much as I’ve appreciated the craft and talent of other writers, I
couldn’t see the same attributes in my own work. I couldn’t connect my own
ability to develop a pleasing piece of prose with that of Steinbeck, Faulkner
or Whitman. I could not think of myself as an artist.
loved it. They praised it. They commented on my artistry and creativity. I sat
there with my mouth open, dumb-founded. Me, creative? Artistic? Really? As much as I’ve loved the written/spoken
word, as much as I’ve appreciated the craft and talent of other writers, I
couldn’t see the same attributes in my own work. I couldn’t connect my own
ability to develop a pleasing piece of prose with that of Steinbeck, Faulkner
or Whitman. I could not think of myself as an artist.
But I
was. I am. I will always be.
was. I am. I will always be.
The
first book hasn’t gone anywhere. It needs a woeful amount of revising before
it’s ready for public consumption, but it taught me so much! I’ve learned I
have a unique voice and I need to not only trust in it, but to give it free
rein. I’ve learned I have stories to tell that people want to hear, and I
should follow my gut when deciding what to write. And it taught me to polish,
polish, polish until it shines so bright you need sunglasses to read it, then
set it adrift in the universe of publishing.
first book hasn’t gone anywhere. It needs a woeful amount of revising before
it’s ready for public consumption, but it taught me so much! I’ve learned I
have a unique voice and I need to not only trust in it, but to give it free
rein. I’ve learned I have stories to tell that people want to hear, and I
should follow my gut when deciding what to write. And it taught me to polish,
polish, polish until it shines so bright you need sunglasses to read it, then
set it adrift in the universe of publishing.
Because
art is meant to be seen, whether on the wall, on film or on the written page.
Interview with Barbara:
What’s
your writing process?
your writing process?
Hmmm –
there really is no process. I’ve often referred to my writing style as “verbal
vomit,” (sorry for the gross analogy)! When the story hits and takes hold,
there’s almost nothing I can do to stop it. I have to capture all the words as
the spill out. I’ve learned the hard way to capture the story when it hits –
and have been known to jump out of bed in the middle of the night and jot down
those flashes of insight – or risk losing the thought.
there really is no process. I’ve often referred to my writing style as “verbal
vomit,” (sorry for the gross analogy)! When the story hits and takes hold,
there’s almost nothing I can do to stop it. I have to capture all the words as
the spill out. I’ve learned the hard way to capture the story when it hits –
and have been known to jump out of bed in the middle of the night and jot down
those flashes of insight – or risk losing the thought.
When
and where do you write?
and where do you write?
Hah!
Good question. I have an office at home and I usually climb into it after work
each night and most of the weekends. I refer to it as “the cave,” though it’s
quite nice and sunny. Finding time is hard. I have a (more than) full time job,
try to hit the gym 4 or 5 days a week and am clinging desperately to what
social life I had! Family always comes first, of course, but I will admit there
are times I resent not curling up with my characters. My poor husband caters to
my idiosyncrasies and never complains when I neglect him – though he has a
right to!
Good question. I have an office at home and I usually climb into it after work
each night and most of the weekends. I refer to it as “the cave,” though it’s
quite nice and sunny. Finding time is hard. I have a (more than) full time job,
try to hit the gym 4 or 5 days a week and am clinging desperately to what
social life I had! Family always comes first, of course, but I will admit there
are times I resent not curling up with my characters. My poor husband caters to
my idiosyncrasies and never complains when I neglect him – though he has a
right to!
Speaking
of your husband, you’ve said he’s the inspiration for all your heroes. How and
Why?
of your husband, you’ve said he’s the inspiration for all your heroes. How and
Why?
Well,
besides the fact that they are all tall, dark haired and incredibly handsome –
all of my heroes are strong, gentle and affectionate. They don’t super-impose
their needs and wants on the main characters – instead they support and
encourage the independence of the women they love. That’s my husband – and that
inspires me. I don’t think it would have been possible for me to accomplish all
that I have – personally, professionally and as an author – if it were not for
him. I’m one lucky gal!
besides the fact that they are all tall, dark haired and incredibly handsome –
all of my heroes are strong, gentle and affectionate. They don’t super-impose
their needs and wants on the main characters – instead they support and
encourage the independence of the women they love. That’s my husband – and that
inspires me. I don’t think it would have been possible for me to accomplish all
that I have – personally, professionally and as an author – if it were not for
him. I’m one lucky gal!
Where
do you get your stories and characters?
do you get your stories and characters?
Oh,
geeze – stories and characters are all around us! Sometimes it’s something
that’s happening right in front of me, sometimes it’s just an interesting
person or conversation. I try and take ordinary events and people and place
them in unusual circumstance, which means I spend a lot of time asking myself
“what if?” and then following where it leads. I’m frequently surprised where
the story does go, being a complete
Pantster!
geeze – stories and characters are all around us! Sometimes it’s something
that’s happening right in front of me, sometimes it’s just an interesting
person or conversation. I try and take ordinary events and people and place
them in unusual circumstance, which means I spend a lot of time asking myself
“what if?” and then following where it leads. I’m frequently surprised where
the story does go, being a complete
Pantster!
Even
as a Pantster, you must have some idea where a story is going in order to write
a complete trilogy. How do you do it?
as a Pantster, you must have some idea where a story is going in order to write
a complete trilogy. How do you do it?
I do have the story ARC laid out in my
head and I’ll usually scribble some general notes for specific scenes I want to
include, but those are very rough and often won’t make it into the final
version. I like to let my characters drive the story, and I like to put them in
predicaments they have to find their own way out of. Book 2 of the Phasms
trilogy (coming Fall, 2014) was the perfect example of what happens when your
characters come to life: Kelsi and Bryn ended up hijacking everything I thought was going to happen. The last
scene in book 2 remains the same as I’d originally envisioned it, but
everything between the beginning and ending was a complete surprise.
head and I’ll usually scribble some general notes for specific scenes I want to
include, but those are very rough and often won’t make it into the final
version. I like to let my characters drive the story, and I like to put them in
predicaments they have to find their own way out of. Book 2 of the Phasms
trilogy (coming Fall, 2014) was the perfect example of what happens when your
characters come to life: Kelsi and Bryn ended up hijacking everything I thought was going to happen. The last
scene in book 2 remains the same as I’d originally envisioned it, but
everything between the beginning and ending was a complete surprise.
Barbara is
attending the Romantic Times
Convention in New Orleans May 13 – 18 and would love to see anyone there!
attending the Romantic Times
Convention in New Orleans May 13 – 18 and would love to see anyone there!
Social links:
For more information about Barbara Garren you can visit her on her website and social media accounts:
Buy links:
Interested in buying a copy of ‘Infinite Potential’? Here are the links:
Giveaway:
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Sunday's Author Spotlight: Nikki Rae
Maureen is a mom, wife, nurse, and Ravenclaw living in the Netherlands. She spends her days juggling mom-life, reading, blogging, planning date nights with her husband and working as a nurse. Maureen also is a big Anglophile, loves cooking, Gilmore Girls, Bridgerton and Harry Potter.. Always! Facebook | Instagram
Thank you so much for hosting and reviewing my book, Maureen! I'm glad you enjoyed it, and it's funny – there were times during the writing when I didn't like Kelsi as well! In fact, my husband ran upstairs one night, thinking I'd hurt myself. Seems I was having a rather loud, one-way argument with Kelsi about how ignorant she behaved! Yes – authors do that. It's usually a good thing, as it means our characters have taken on a real life and personality of their own. Inside our little heads, LOL!
Thank you so much for your comment. I really enjoyed your book and can't wait to read the second one.
I love that you give so much about your characters. I think all good authors should! 😉