C.H. Armstrong's Blog

(From the Publisher)

Bridgerton meets Gossip Girl with a dash of Jane Austen, in Reputation, a Regency-era historical romantic comedy with a deliciously feminist twist, from a hilarious new British voice, Lex Croucher.

Abandoned by her parents, bookish and sheltered Georgiana Ellers is spending the summer with her stodgy aunt and uncle at their home in the English countryside. At a particularly dull party, she meets the enigmatic Frances Campbell, a wealthy member of the in-crowd who delights Georgiana with her disregard for so-called “polite society.”

Lonely and vulnerable, Georgiana quickly falls in with Frances and her wealthy, wild, and deeply improper friends, who introduce her to the upper echelons of Regency aristocracy, and a world of drunken debauchery, frivolous spending, and mysterious young men. One, in particular, stands out from the rest: Thomas Hawksley, who has a tendency to cross paths with Georgiana in her most embarrassing moments. Sparks fly, but Thomas seems unimpressed with the company she is keeping. And soon, Georgiana begins to wonder whether she’ll ever feel like she fits in–or if the price of entry into Frances’s gilded world will ultimately be higher than she is willing to pay.

Set against a backdrop of lavish parties, handsome men on horseback–and in a time when one’s reputation was everything–this edgy, hilarious romantic comedy explores sex, consent, belonging, and status through the eyes of an unforgettable heroine that Austen herself would have cheered for.

This book was nothing at all like I’d expected, but was such a delightful surprise I couldn’t put it down! And, in truth, I actually listened to the audio version which was exceptionally well-done.

If I were to give this novel a tagline, it might be something like : Well-bred Debs Behaving Badly and Enjoying Every Damned Second of it!

I grew up reading regency romance and all the strictures placed on debs, the importance of reputation, and how well-behaved they all had to be so as not to shame themselves, their families, and be cut by society. So imagine my delight in reading about a group of rather misbehaved young ladies of the era! In truth, a couple of scenes reminded me of DOWNTON ABBY when the oldest daughter snuck the foreign prince into her bedchamber and he died. OH, how she’d have been RUINED!

The same was true overall in this novel. So many of these women “behaved badly” for the era, but that’s what made this book so enchanting. It was awesome to realize there might’ve been women who marched to the beat of their own drum, “misbhehaved,” but were protected behind the names of their families or connections.

Kudos to this author on so many counts. First on the authenticity of the story and the characters, then on the writing, and last on the story itself. I would love to read more by this author!

The above image and the synopsis below are the property
of the author and/or publisher and are borrowed strictly
for the purpose of promoting this title to readers.

Sometimes dreams come true. Other times, the best outcome begins with an epic fail.

Career-driven McKenna Keaton has devoted her life to attaining the senior partnership at her law firm. So asking a man on a date should be nothing. But the past four days have been the worst of her life and have called everything she thought she knew about herself into question. Besides, she can’t remember her last real date—one that didn’t involve using a blind date as an opportunity to get a stranger’s perspective on effective cross-examination techniques. (It’s like sharing fondue with a jury!)

But a real date? And with shy, nerdy Henry Blumenthal—McKenna’s high school rival for valedictorian who once took three hours to beat her at chess? Scratch that. He’s Hank Blume now, the famed documentarian, Durham’s darling son, who has attained all his dreams and more. He also happens to look like he stepped out of an Eddie Bauer catalog.

Whereas McKenna is a disgraced workaholic from New York on unpaid leave, accused of a white-collar crime she would nevercommit, succumbing to panic attacks, watching her dreams unravel. At age thirty-eight—and destined by the family curse to die before she turns forty, it appears—it’s absolutely the wrong time to have a major crush on a man. Especially one who treasures his memories of McKenna as the girl Most Likely to Succeed.

I’m a day late and a dollar short, as my dad used to say, but alas…better late than never. Today’s review is for The Do-Over by Bethany Turner, published by Thomas Nelson Books.

I have so much love for this book, I don’t even know where to start. So I guess I’ll just throw it out as the thoughts come to mind. But before I begin, let me first state that I received this book from the publisher in return for an honest review. So please note the following review reflects my honest opinion of this book and was in no way affected by the advance read I was offered by the publisher.

Now, with that covered, let’s go…

First, I loved that this is a Romance with the protagonist being an unmarried woman by choice at almost forty years old. This isn’t a woman who’s unfortunate in appearance and has been pining away for “Mr. Right” while suffering through a list of bad dates. This is a woman who has been career-driven with no “need” for a man to define her existence. When she’s reunited with an old high school friend and sparks fly, they catch her completely off guard and she has to decide whether she wants to redefine her goals in life. Does she want a signifiant other? Does she want to get married? And, if she gets married, does that mean she must have children? I won’t tell you if all or any of these questions are answered, but they’re natural questions every woman should be asking before jumping into marriage anyway.

Another thing I loved about this book is that it was a romance novel with absolutely no sex. Now, don’t get me wrong…I love a good romance novel with an amped-up love scene that catches my breath. And there’s nothing wrong with romance novels that give the reader an almost voyeuristic glimpse into the bedroom. Those books are perfectly okay, but that’s not what this one is and I love that about this one. I love that I can offer it to my mother-in-law or my teen son’s girlfriend without worry about whether my husband’s mom is shocked at my reading material, or my son’s girlfriend’s jaw would drop open and I’d embarrass her. This is a truly wholesome book about two people who find a connection, fall in love, and the trials and misunderstandings that potentially block their path to Happily Ever After.

I loved the family dynamics in this book. As the fourth of five children, I loved that the main character was roughly the same age gap as I am with my next older sibling, and I felt like the “differences” in the relationships between siblings because of that age gap were well-written. There’s something about that age gap between older and younger siblings that forever keeps the younger siblings just a smidge “out of the circle” of the ones who grew up together while not feeling excluded. I guess it’s just having different relationships with each sibling.

And finally, I loved the cover. How beautiful is that green cover and tiny white flowers with the couple, arm in arm, looking out over a New York skyline? I’ve been known to purchase books based entirely on the cover and, while that was not the case this time, it could’ve been. I would absolutely purchase this book based entirely on the cover and without reading the synopsis.

All-in-all, I really enjoyed this book and would give it a strong 4.5 stars. An absolutely stellar job by the author, and I can’t wait to read more!

All it takes is one spark to start a blaze. At Foxham Prep, a posh private school for the children of DC’s elite, a single rumor has the power to ruin a life. Nobody knows that better than Bryn. She used to have it all—the perfect boyfriend, a bright future in politics, and even popularity thanks to her best friend, cheer captain Cora. Then one mistake sparked a scandal that burned it all to the ground. 

Now it’s the start of a new school year and the spotlight has shifted: It’s geeky Georgie, newly hot after a summer makeover, whose name is on everyone’s lips. When a rumor ignites, Georgie rockets up the school’s social hierarchy, pitting her and Cora against each other. It grants her Foxham stardom . . . but it also makes her a target. As the rumors grow and morph, blazing like wildfire through the school’s social media, all three girls’ lives begin to unravel. But one person close to the drama has the power to stop the gossip in its tracks. The question is—do they even want to? From Dhonielle Clayton and Sona Charaipotra, authors of the Tiny Pretty Things duology (now a Netflix series), comes another edge-of-your-seat social thriller perfect for fans of We Were Liars and Cruel Summer.

Today’s book review for The Rumor Game came to me compliments of the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review, and I’m so happy to report I not only liked this book but I found it to be an important read for every kid who’s ever been focus of bullies on social media.

There’s so much I want to say about this book, but let me start with the content warnings. This book may trigger readers who have difficulty with cyber bullying and sexual assault. With that said, I will say there’s no on-page sexual assault and the topic is dealt with not only with delicate hands but in exactly the right tone (in my opinion) to convey the horrors and “wrongness” of victim blaming in today’s society without being preachy.

Written in third person in the voices of three girls, The Rumor Game opens with “the outcast”–a character who has done something the entire school finds so reprehensible she’s not only the focal point of rumors but also of scorn and derision…most of which targets her through social media. The reader is pulled into her world, reading as she reads, the hateful things her former friends and classmates say about her behind the quasi-anonymity of a computer or smartphone buffer.

As the story progresses, we meet the outcast’s former best friend and new best friend, both of whom are soon pulled into their own version of cyber bullying hell as rumors about their relationships and characters are passed around on social media like breath mints at a kissing booth.

To get to the bottom of the rumors and who’s behind them, the girls will join forces and play their own rumor game–a game that has consequences none of them anticipated. But isn’t that the whole problem with social media and the vitriol spewed in quasi anonymity–the very fact we never anticipate the potential consequences?

This book was so well-done, I think it needs to be in every high school library and in the hands of every kid with access to social media. There were moments I gasped out loud, and other moments when I cried. There were characters I enjoyed, and other characters I hated s completely I wanted to crawl into the page and physically hurt them for the complete reprehensible human beings they were. And there’s nothing better than a book that evokes these types of strong, honest emotions.

For these reasons, I give this book a solid 5-stars and recommend it to those who enjoy books that make you think and consider perspectives that may not have occurred to you before. Kudos to the authors for a job well done.

This book releases today and is available everywhere you buy books. You can use this link for a list of places you can purchase online.

Catalina Martín desperately needs a date to her sister’s wedding. Especially since her little white lie about her American boyfriend has spiralled out of control. Now everyone she knows—including her ex and his fiancée—will be there and eager to meet him.

She only has four weeks to find someone willing to cross the Atlantic and aid in her deception. New York to Spain is no short flight and her raucous family won’t be easy to fool.

Enter Aaron Blackford—her tall, handsome, condescending colleague—who surprisingly offers to step in. She’d rather refuse; never has there been a more aggravating, blood-boiling, and insufferable man.

But Catalina is desperate, and as the wedding draws nearer, Aaron looks like her best option. And she begins to realize he might not be as terrible in the real world as he is at the office.

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything on my blog, but with the new year comes new resolutions and changes. In 2022, I’ve decided it’s time to start sharing my reading with more people and doing my best to help new authors by sharing their work. So my first review of 2022 goes to Elena Areas and The Spanish Love Deception.

Without giving a lot away about this book, this is an enemies to lovers, based upon misunderstandings, fake-dating trope–a trope that’s like candy for me. Not just candy, but candy like really good Godiva Chocolate Truffle. I just never get tired of this trope and could read it all day, every day.

Before I go any further, I should also point out that I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review–which is the only thing you’ll ever receive from me anyway, so we’re all good. With that in mind, let’s go.

To put it mildly, I completely loved this everything about this book. I loved the writing, the story, and especially the characters. But what I loved the most about it was the slow burn that introduced us to Lina and Aaron and made us, the readers, fall in love with them so completely that we were rooting for them to finally find their way together. There was no rush to consummate their relationship before they were both bought-in. Instead, by the time their relationship was consummated, it was like they’d finally won the race and were being awarded the championship prize. And the feelings it produced as a result were worth every second of the wait.

I highly recommend this book and offer it a completely unprompted 5-star rating. It released today and is available everywhere books are sold.

Good morning, Friends! It feels like it’s been months since I’ve written a post. That’s probably because it HAS been months since I’ve written post. So much has happened since COVID-19 hit the United States, and the truth is I haven’t been in a great place to communicate. But I have fabulous news to share today! But first, let me catch you up to date…

COVID-19: For those of you struggling with this awful virus, personally or vicariously, please know I understand. Sadly, I lost my mom to COVID-19 on April 30th when the number of lost Americans was still in the 80,000 range. I never imagined we’d be over 160,000 today! For those who haven’t been touched by this horrible virus, please be grateful. Besides my mom, I’ve watched more than a dozen people close to me struggle with it to varying degrees–some with almost no symptoms, and others on the verge of needing a respirator. If you’re dealing with this, please know you’re not alone and we’ll get through this together.

WRITING: Until very recently, writing has been a major challenge. Since the release of ROAM in 2019, I haven’t written anything worth reading. Truthfully, it goes back to farther than that…back to about the time I finished ROAM in 2016 or 2017. I had a least a half dozen writing prompts and ideas, but I couldn’t find the energy to get more than a chapter in writing. Well, guess what: I fell victim to that horrible disease called depression. Who’d have guessed? I know I didn’t. Having never experienced it before, I didn’t fully understand that those who suffer depression aren’t necessarily “sad.” Because I wasn’t sad. But I was exhausted, irritable, angry, experienced headaches and muscle aches, and really had to make myself leave the house. It just felt like too much energy to go out and have lunch with a friend or whatnot. The good news is I’m all sorted out now and I feel fabulous! So fabulous that I have great news…which I’ll get to in a second.

But first, just a quick Public Service Announcement: This pandemic has caused a lot of people to feel funky. If you’re feeling “off,” don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor. I admit it took me way too long and, looking back now, I could kick myself for the months I wasted. If you’re not feeling quite right as you navigate the pandemic, here’s a link to the Mayo Clinic’s Website with the Signs and Symptoms of Depression. And, as always, if you feel like you might be in danger from yourself, the number for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is: 1-800-273-8255. Be safe and healthy, friends!

I actually have a few pieces of good news. The first is that I’ve finally found my writing mojo. After getting my depression sorted out, I struck on an idea for a new book. It felt so good to be excited by an idea once again that I binge wrote for about a month, poring all the words out on the page before I forgot them. The story just flowed out like I was watching a movie and just had to describe it to a person who couldn’t see. It was the most  fun I’ve had, even including writing my first two books! The result is WILLOW IN THE WIND, which goes on submission today!

[image error]What does it mean to go on submission? It means I’ve sent it to my lovely agent, Tina P. Schwartz at The Purcell Agency, and she’s currently submitting it to publishing houses for consideration–hence the term, “on submission.” This process could take several weeks, a year, or it might never find a home. I hope the latter doesn’t happen–I really love the characters and it received good reviews from my beta readers, but that happens. If you’re interested in learning more about my latest manuscript, click here.

[image error]THE EDGE OF NOWHERE is now available on Kindle Unlimited, and ROAM is expected to follow son. If you have an Kindle Unlimited subscription through Amazon, you can read this novel at no cost with your subscription. For those who’ve read the original version, this version is updated with a few new scenes and an added bonus at the end outlining more about which parts were taken from true experiences, and which parts were completely a product of my imagination. You can use this link to find this book and others by me on Amazon.

Hello from Minnesota! This week makes a straight three weeks I’ve been “sheltering at home” in an effort to flatten the curve for the COVID-19 virus. Though I must admit I’m not finding it too challenging, I’m also looking for some contact without the outside world. With that in mind, I’m introducing “Pandemic Pages Book Club”!!!

[image error]

On April 21st at 7:00 PM (Central Time Zone), join me with author Lyssa Kay Adams as we discuss her celebrated novel, The Bromance Book Club! I hope you’ll join us by reading this novel and contributing to the discussion!

This event is FREE–we only ask you to read the book before joining the video chat and be ready to discuss!

The web address for this event will be sent by email, ONLY to those who have sent an RSVP indicating they will attend. In the meantime, all you have to do is follow this link to let me know you’re coming!

One you’ve confirmed your attendance, you’ll need to get your hands on a copy of The Bromance Book Club. You can download your e-copy here:

Amazon Kindle | B&N Nook | Apple iBooks

If you prefer a physical copy of this book, please consider ordering from your local independent bookstore! You can use this link to find the one closest to you!

Also, don’t forget to check your library’s e-book collection!

I’m so excited to read this book and hope you will join me!

(From http://www.indiebound.org)

[image error]The first rule of book club: You don’t talk about book club.

Nashville Legends second baseman Gavin Scott’s marriage is in major league trouble. He’s recently discovered a humiliating secret: his wife Thea has always faked the Big O. When he loses his cool at the revelation, it’s the final straw on their already strained relationship. Thea asks for a divorce, and Gavin realizes he’s let his pride and fear get the better of him.

Welcome to the Bromance Book Club.

Distraught and desperate, Gavin finds help from an unlikely source: a secret romance book club made up of Nashville’s top alpha men. With the help of their current read, a steamy Regency titled Courting the Countess, the guys coach Gavin on saving his marriage. But it’ll take a lot more than flowery words and grand gestures for this hapless Romeo to find his inner hero and win back the trust of his wife.

[image error]Lyssa Kay Adams read her first romance novel at way too young of an age when she swiped one from her grandmother’s stash. After a long journalism career in which she had to write way too many sad endings, she decided to return to the stories that guaranteed a happy ever after.

Once described as “funny, adorable, and a wee-bit heartbreaking,” Lyssa’s books feature women who always get the last word, men who aren’t afraid to cry, and dogs. Lots of dogs.

Lyssa writes full time from her home in Michigan, where she lives with her sports writer husband, her wickedly funny daughter, and a spoiled Maltese who likes to be rocked to sleep like a baby. When she’s not writing, she’s cooking or driving her daughter around from one sporting event to the next. Or rocking the dog.

Good Morning, Friends!

We’re in strange times at the moment. My husband is working from home, my son is schooling from home, and I am always home but am currently experiencing serious writer’s block, probably due to too much going on in my own home. So what’s a quarantined writer with writer’s block to do? Write a blog post!

Over the next several weeks, I’ll try to post more often than normal. I’ll bring you information as I receive it on the publishing and writing world, as well as maybe give you some insights into my personal life and how my family is dealing with this self-isolation experiment.

For starters, let’s start with the PUBLISHING INDUSTRY. Folks, I don’t think it’s any surprise that the publishing industry is about to be hit hard. When readers can’t get out to bookstores, they either buy from Amazon online or they download ebooks. The result of that is the potential fall of brick-and-mortar stores like your favorite local bookshop or even places like Barnes and Noble. With this in mind, I’d like to encourage you to purchase you books online through your favorite bookstores instead of Amazon right now, if possible. Let’s let Amazon do their thing and meet the immediate needs for those who need supplies. Instead, check in with your local brick-and-mortar stores to see what they’re offering. I know my local Barnes and Noble is offering curbside pickup. You just order online and drive up to the curb to grab your order. I’m sure others are doing something similar, and many are moving to free shipping to meet your reading needs. So please consider supporting your favorite brick and mortar stores by going there first for your reading needs. If you need help finding one near you, let me know.

Second, here’s a note to the TEACHERS out there. First a huge thank you for all you’re doing. I can’t imagine how difficult this time must be for you. Many of the teachers I’ve spoken to are going to Google Classroom, Google Hangouts, Zoom, and other resources to teach their classes. If I can help you, please let me know. For at least the next month (and I may extend it depending upon how this situation evolves), I am opening myself to free virtual visits with your students. If you’re using Google Hangouts or some other platform that will allow me to visit with your class from my home computer, please reach out. We can talk about books, writing, brainstorming on writing topics, or just talk about our individual experiences during this quarantine. Whatever you come up with, I’m game! Just zip me an email at [email protected] and I’ll call you and we can talk about what works best for your classroom.

Third, to the WRITERS out there. Keep writing! I received an email today for a free webinar tutorial for Scrivener. Here’s the link if you need it. It’s at 2PM Central Time today, so there should be plenty of time to register. For those who aren’t familiar with Scrivener, you should check it out! It’s roughly $40 for the program, you download it from the website, and it is supremely helpful with organizing your writing.

Okay, folks…that’s enough from me for today, but I’ll be back in a day or two. In the meantime, leave me a comment below with ideas for how we can help each other in these difficult times.

Happy New Year! It’s so hard to believe 2020 is here! I remember issuing in a new century only 20 short years ago. It seems like only yesterday!

With the release of ROAM last year and my crazy-busy schedule, I’ve allowed myself to neglect this blog. I’d like to rectify that in 2020. Toward that end, I’ve decided to start a weekly “Weekend Read Recommendation” to run every Friday in hopes of offering you something fun to check out for your weekend.

This first edition is dedicated to Kimberly Gabriel and her page-turning young adult thriller, EVERY STOLEN BREATH. And, as a special treat this week, Kimberly is joining me for an Author Q&A about this novel and the process that brought this amazing story to readers.

First, let me introduce you to EVERY STOLEN BREATH by Kimberly Gabriel!

[image error]

TITLE: Every Stolen Breath

AUTHOR: Kimberly Gabriel

GENRE: Young Adult Thriller

PUB DATE: November 5, 2019

PUBLISHER: Blink / HarperCollins

RATING:

Two years after her father’s murder, Lia Finch is the only one left still pursuing his killers.

In downtown Chicago, teenagers have been attacking their victims in packs. Sharing the coordinates of their targets through social media, the swarm emerges from the crowd and descends on a single person, with each member landing a blow until the victim is dead. Local authorities dismiss it as gang violence they can’t control. But Lia is convinced these attacks are politically motivated and controlled by a syndicate of organized crime that thrives on power and intimidation. Desperate to prevent another death, Lia teams up with a teen hacker, a fame-hungry reporter, and the mysterious boy who might have been the cause of her father’s murder. But by the time Lia realizes the deadly consequences behind her obsession, she’s already become the swarm’s next target.

Inspired by the real-life “flash mob” violence that hit Chicago in 2011, EVERY STOLEN BREATH is a fast-paced, immersive thriller, which looks at just how hard one girl will fight back against the crowd knowing any breath might be her last.

Wow! What a ride! From the first page to the very last, this young adult novel is every bit the page turner as one might find in a James Patterson novel. To say I loved this novel is an understatement.

One of my favorite things about this novel is the opening chapter. The story opens with the reader learning immediately that someone is about to die. But, who will commit the murder is unclear, so the reader is pulled in immediately because the need to know who the murderer is and why is very compelling. Almost immediately after, the reader is swept up into a fast-paced story about murder and intrigue. The reader thinks he knows who the mastermind is behind these murders, but trust me when I say that everything clear is actually blurry.

I strongly recommend this book to everyone who loves a good thriller. Though it is categorized as young adult, I wouldn’t hesitate ta second to recommend this novel to adult readers who enjoy a good puzzle. I promise it won’t let you down.

[image error]

About the Author: 

Kimberly Gabriel started writing in fourth grade when she wrote, bound, and gave away books of terrible poetry to family and teachers as holiday gifts. Today she is an English teacher, who still squanders all free minutes to write and uses it as the best scapegoat for her laundry avoidance issues. When she is not teaching or writing, Kimberly is enjoying life with her husband, her three beautiful children, and a seriously beautiful boxer in the northern suburbs of Chicago. Every Stolen Breath is her debut novel and a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection.

QUESTION: In a letter to readers related to EVERY STOLEN BREATH you mentioned that the Swarm depicted in the novel was inspired by similar incidents in Chicago some years back. Can you talk more about that, the incidents that inspired the Swarm, and how long you ruminated over the idea before it became a first draft.

ANSWER: In 2011, a series of “flash-mob” attacks broke out around Chicago near where I lived. I remember reading stories where dozens of teenagers would suddenly emerge from the crowd and descend on one tourist to mug and attack. The stories terrified me and for months after they occurred, I couldn’t stop thinking about them. Eventually I took that concept, made it worse, added elements of mystery and romance to it, and turned it into the basis of EVERY STOLEN BREATH. I started writing ESB’s first scene at Navy Pier probably seven or eight months after the first real attack.

QUESTION: One of the things I enjoyed best about Lia (the main character) was her complete lack of perfection, specifically her asthma. What inspired you to write a character with such severe asthma?

ANSWER: Thank you. I wanted Lia’s strength to reflect the type of strength I see in my classroom and in my own children. I almost lost my oldest son when he was born prematurely. As an infant, he had debilitating asthma, and as he grew older, his chronic illnesses led to his struggle with anxiety. Throughout all of those setbacks, which he eventually outgrew, he remained determined, headstrong, and optimistic in ways that continue to impress me every day. My son was very young when he went through all of that, and Lia carries those parts of him in her. Lia perceives her asthma, anxiety, and PTSD as weaknesses that hold her back. But I’ve always felt she demonstrates her fierce drive and resilience by pushing through each setback. Some of the strongest, most determined students I’ve ever had in my classroom have become that way by battling adversity, and as a result, building their anti-fragility. I wanted Lia to reflect that because to me that’s what real strength is.

QUESTION: What, if any, challenges did you encounter in the writing or publishing of EVERY STOLEN BREATH?

ANSWER: I received a lot of rejection along the way in every step of this process. Luckily, I’ve become very good over the years about dismissing criticism that doesn’t help me improve and using it to strengthen my story when the criticism is smart. In the end, many of my rejections helped me turn it into what it is now.

QUESTION: I understand you were selected as a PitchWars Mentee. Can you talk a little about that process, what you gained from it, and how it led (or didn’t lead) to finding an agent? (Note: PitchWars is a Twitter “contest” to assist aspiring authors to connect with the writing community, find a mentor, tweak their work in progress, and eventually find an agent or publisher. For more information about PitchWars, use this link.)

ANSWER: I was selected to be a PitchWars mentee by Dawn Ius in 2016. After she picked me, I had two months to revise my MS while she mentored me along the way. It was the first time I had to revise under deadline, and at the time, it felt incredibly difficult. But it taught me how to revise quickly and efficiently. More importantly, it immersed me in a wonderful writing community from which I still benefit, and Dawn’s edit letter gave me really great feedback that elevated my writing. I didn’t get my agent from that contest. I found my agent a few months later, but I like to say that PitchWars was the greatest springboard that propelled me into the industry.

QUESTION: EVERY STOLEN BREATH is your debut novel. We’d love to hear about your submission process, how you learned about your title’s acquisition, and your first thoughts when you learned it was being acquisitioned.

ANSWER: Blink showed interest early on during our submission process, but because it was close to the holiday season, it took several months and meetings for them to finally make an offer. I knew the day Blink was having the final meeting about my book, so I kept my phone very close to me. At some point, my agent emailed me, asking when we could talk. I was in the middle of teaching and had to wait thirty very long minutes until my lunch, during which time I was completely worthless as a teacher. One girl had to literally repeat her question three times to me before it registered. When the bell rang and my agent finally called to tell me, I turned into an awkward mess of crying, shaking, and giggling all at once. I’d been writing and pursuing publication for ten years, and then suddenly I was going to be published by HarperCollins? I still get teary-eyed thinking about it.

QUESTION: Can you talk a little about your debut year? What did you learn? Anything that surprised you? What do you wish someone had told you?

ANSWER: I loved getting to know my fellow Novel19s during our debut year. That support network became one of my favorite parts of the journey. In fact, there were many parts of the experience that I really enjoyed. That said, I’m so glad the year is over. As exciting as the debut year can be, it’s also filled with so much anticipation and uncertainty, neither of which I do well with. Because I was one of the last to release, I was able to learn from everyone who went before me. Unfortunately, that didn’t necessarily help prevent any of the anxiety or ease the pitfalls when they came.

QUESTION: What are you currently working on? Do you have any other titles slated for publication?

ANSWER: I have nothing slated for publication yet, but I’m currently working on a new thriller that begins with a dead girl, a gamer, and a bus stop bench. From there it spirals out of control with secrets, revenge, social media, regret, denial, and, of course, murder. Set in Chicago, this one has a slight paranormal twist to it, which I’m excited about.

FIND KIMBERLY ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Website |Twitter |Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads 

EVERY STOLEN BREATH is available at all major book retailers. For your ease, you can usethis link to purchase your copy through Amazon.

[image error]

Seventeen-year-old Abby Lunde and her family are living on the streets. They had a normal life back in Omaha but, thanks to her mother’s awful mistake, they had to leave behind what little they had for a new start in Rochester. Abby tries to be an average teenager-fitting in at school, dreaming of a boyfriend, college and a career in music. But Minnesota winters are unforgiving, and so are many teenagers.

Her stepdad promises to put a roof over their heads, but times are tough for everyone and Abby is doing everything she can to keep her shameful secret from her new friends. The divide between rich and poor in high school is painfully obvious, and the stress of never knowing where they’re sleeping or where they’ll find their next meal is taking its toll on the whole family.

As secrets are exposed and the hope for a home fades, Abby knows she must trust those around her to help. But will her new friends let her down like the ones back home, or will they rise to the challenge to help them find a normal life?

“In Roam, C.H. Armstrong sings with a brilliant, powerful youthful voice as she portrays a narrator named Abby who experiences what it’s like to be homeless with her family, while dealing with the emotional and complex daily challenges of attending a new school. We, her readers, are drawn in from the first page. This lovely book has tremendous heart.” —Brandon Hobson, author of Where the Dead Sit Talking

“In her warm and hopeful novel, C.H. Armstrong has created a spirited heroine who triumphs over her circumstances thanks to those who believe in her; friends, family, teachers and ultimately, herself.” —Lorna Landvik, author of Once in A Blue Moon Lodge

“Armstrong’s book pays compassionate and eloquent attention to teenage angst and love amidst the backdrop of homelessness.” —Cara Sue Achterberg, author of Girls’ Weekend and I’m Not Her

“Roam is a compelling, accurate look into the life of a homeless teen. A must-read for all young people to understand the hardship of homelessness and how they can reach out to help others.” —Cathy Lamb, author of No Place I’d Rather Be

“C.H. Armstrong’s compelling young adult novel Roam follows a homeless teenager as she and her family struggle to make a fresh start in a new town. Roam is a study in empathy, forgiveness, and second chances—an impactful and memorable story of teenage homelessness.” —Catherine Thureson, Foreword Reviews

“A mother’s misdeed leads to scandal, ending friendships and forcing a family move to a new state and into a life of homelessness. An empathetic tale that treats homelessness with respect and makes it visible.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Armstrong seamlessly combines the challenges that teens normally face in daily life with the struggles of being homeless in a new environment. This emotional read with an inspiring and heart-wrenching message encourages readers to walk a mile in another’s shoes before passing judgment. —Savannah Patterson, Booklist

“Heartbreaking . . . Roam couldn’t be more timely in its exploration of how a teenager tries to keep up a facade while living in a van.” —Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities Pioneer Press

‪It’s a Giveaway Giveaway! This week only, Novel 19s authors will be giving away copies of their books for YOU to give away to someone special.

Head over to Instagram and use #Giveaway#Giveaway for more details where you’ll find about a dozen books being given away by your favorite Middle Grade AND Young Adult authors! THIS WEEK ONLY!‬ Details and entry available only on Instagram at #GiveawayGiveaway!

[image error] [image error]