My guest today is Brooklyn James, the author of The Boots My Mother Gave Me. Boots won the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award as a Quarterfinalist in 2011. Please welcome Brooklyn James.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to walk through life in someone else's shoes?
Strong-willed tomboy Harley LeBeau puts you in the boots her mother gave her, as she takes you along her journey of escape from an abusive childhood and the desire to find herself as she comes of age. Made to feel a burden to her father simply by her gender, Harley is determined to prove her worth and independence, leaving the small town she grew up in and the one boy who gave her a soft place to fall, Jeremiah Johnson. Torn between saving herself and abandoning her mother and younger sister, Harley chooses her own life in hopes they will choose theirs, too.
A mature, candid read for everyone. A must for women. The Boots My Mother Gave Me explores the dynamics of abuse and dysfunction, the courage to overcome, the strength in sisterhood, and the ongoing conflict and unconditional love between mothers and daughters.
Climb into Charlene the Chevelle for a fast-paced story about a girl who is tough enough to survive and tender enough to learn to trust in love.
Signed Paperback & Original Music Soundtrack to The Boots My Mother Gave Me can be found at www.brooklyn-james.com
Guest Post by Brooklyn James:
First, let me say, I am delighted to be guesting with Donna today. Donna and I have become blog buddies through my efforts as an author/singer/songwriter. The Boots My Mother Gave Mewas my first published book. Lo and behold, it won an Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award as a Quarter Finalist in 2011. The novel was inspired by a true story, following the coming of age tale of a young girl, Harley LeBeau, as she overcomes an abusive childhood. One flattering review likened the piece to Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird.
This book is a bit unique in that it offers an original music soundtrack to accompany the novel. Being a singer/songwriter in the local live music scene of Austin, Texas, it made perfect sense to me. Movies come standard with music soundtracks, why not a book?
The book and its soundtrack were both ‘heart’ projects for me in rewriting the script of my own life, overcoming an abusive childhood. I believe within each of us, there lies the innate ability to survive, triumph, and overcome…having some power over our fate and the fate of generations to come. Nothing has to be just because that’s the way it’s always been.
If I may share with you a video blog of a reading and musical performance from The Boots My Mother Gave Me. This video excerpt is from the Televised Public Forum here in Austin. This particular forum was dubbed, Creativity Is Therapy, utilizing the power of creativity and its therapeutic effect on the mind and the soul. It was through my own creativity that I came to terms with my childhood experiences. In this video, you will see a reading from the Chapter entitled, Live & Let Love, where Harley LeBeau reads her father’s suicide letter. The reading is followed by a live acoustic musical performance from the soundtrack to the book, featuring the song that shares the same title, Live & Let Love. For anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide: May you find peace among the chaos, light in the darkness and forgiveness in your heart.
Light & Love – Brooklyn James
www.facebook.com/BrooklynJamesSinger (listen to music here in the Music Store)
Twitter: @BrooklynJames7
My Review:
I
absolutely loved the book. Can you say that about a book that involves abuse?
Setting that part of the storyline aside for a moment, the story was riveting.
I purchased
the music and fell in love with the songs long before I opened the first page
of the book. I had no idea at the time how the music would eventually intertwine
with the story. As I read the book and came across each song, I turned on my
iPod and listened to the music. The music added a dimension not found in book
reading, allowing the reader to become even more immersed in the protagonists
feelings at that moment in time.
Although not
a memoir, the author writes the book in first person, giving the book
creditability in the subject matter, abuse. Beyond the abuse, are the lessons
Harley learns from the poignant gesture of her mother gifting her the boots
that she and Harley’s father danced in, to the guitar that Harley’s father
presented her with to write her music.
We follow
Harley as she leaves the small town behind in search of herself. Repeatedly,
she is drawn back to the small town that she craved to leave. Harley LeBeau
lives hard, laughs hard, cries hard, and loves hard, as she learns life’s
lessons about love, life, and the highway.
The book is
well written, with complex characters, and boasts an inclusive story line, coming
full-circle with a wonderful ending. Brooklyn James did an outstanding job of
incorporating her personal story of abuse into the story of Harley LeBeau
The only
thing I was disappointed with was finishing the book. I wanted to keep reading.
I still have my music…
Giveaway!!
Brooklyn has graciously offered a copy of the book and the CD to one lucky commenter! All you need to do is leave a comment with an email for contact purposes. The giveaway is open until August 25, 2012.
If you would like a second entry - please click on the Amazon Link below and vote for my review. Thanks!
Amazon review link:
The Boots My Mother Gave Me is available on Amazon:
E-book:
Paperback:
Music:
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joining me today!
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I would love to win this. I have never read a book with a CD that goes along with it. It sounds like fun. Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteTia
videoclimber(at)yahoo(dot)com