The Quarantine Fifteen

Okay, let's set this straight right away... this is about the Quarantine 15 books, not pounds. I mean, all of our jeans are a little snugger, but who wants to talk about that?

What have you been up to in quarantine? Well, it's been a difficult time for all of us. Some more than others. When it came to needing a break - from family, home-schooling, isolation, friends only seen on video, the 6-foot socially distant air hugs, the worrying about toilet paper and sanitizer and how on earth am I going to find them?? - the breaks I needed came in the form of paper. Hundreds and hundreds of pages filled with stories. Each one took me on a journey, and I was never in the same place twice.

So while my body was stuck at home, with my imaginary passport in hand, my mind traveled far and wide, discovering the most beautiful places and meeting the most wonderful people. There's no isolation to be found when you're lost in a good book.

They're calling it the Quarantine Fifteen... but books are far better than pounds, so let me share with you my Quarantine Reading Fifteen: the Good, the Not So Good, the bad, and the Great!

I'll start with my faves and then work my way down the list. Just in case you quit reading halfway through - I'd like you to get the best stuff first. And if you get to the bottom, well I applaud you... and hey, you learned that much more!!

Nic's Quarantine Reading Fifteen... The Great:

Let's start this off on a high... a 5 Star review!

A Woman is No Man by Etaf Rum

4.5/5 Stars (Goodreads), 5/5 Stars (Me)

Cultural Fiction, Contemporary, Feminism

This book is trending right now, and for good reason. I love the Read With Jenna club reads. This is a powerful story, full of voice; it's a story with real substance. I love reading about women in cultures other than my own, expanding my understanding of femininity and exploring what truly lies within us - a universal spirit full of love, strength, and fortitude. This book is written from two perspectives, a young Palestinian mother who immigrates to NYC with her husband from an arranged marriage, and later that of her oldest daughter, on the brink of an arranged marriage. And while she (the daughter) is Palestinian, she is also an American, which can sometimes make all the difference in even a single life. This story explores the dynamic relationships between husband and wife, mother and daughter, woman and woman, and while heartbreaking and violent at times, it is also filled with heart and a rejuvenating hope. 

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

4/5 Stars (Goodreads), 4/5 Stars (Me)

Fiction, Contemporary, African-American lit

I read this book before the most recent implosion in our country over Black Lives Matter, but its relevance has not gone amiss for me. This story is altogether a simple one, but what lies beneath the surface is where the true magic of this novel happens. Little Roy, a middle-class black man in Atlanta, is accused and convicted of a crime, sending him into the heart of the American prison system. And while those closest to him know his innocence, the circumstances surrounding his incarceration creates a strain on his relationships, including the very tenuous one with his new wife. It explores the depths of marriage, friendship, and family, while highlighting injustice in our modern justice system for a man who already has the cards stacked against him. When his conviction is overturned, Little Roy, even as an innocent man, must navigate the waters of his new life, his new reality. Prison didn't just change him, it altered his whole world, begging the question, can damage of that magnitude ever be rectified? He may be exonerated, but can things go back to what they were? Is it possible to pick up the pieces of a broken dream and build something new... something beautiful?    

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

4.5/5 Stars (Goodreads), 4/5 Stars (Me)

YA Fiction, Contemporary, Romance

This book was cute and sweet and should be packaged up with a ribbon on top. It's a coming of age story for Maddie, who is restricted to a life indoors due to a rare disorder. The outside world is the most dangerous place for her. But like we all do, she craves interaction, connection, and when Olly moves in next-door, something special blooms between them through the messages they write and share through their windows, then later through late-night texts. As Maddie discovers herself, she finds bravery that lives deep inside her, and tests the boundaries of life, trying to find a balance between what must be and what could be. In the end, our first love changes us, teaching us lessons and helping us grow. And we never forget it. 

Follow Me Back by A.V. Geiger

3.75/5 Stars (Goodreads), 4/5 Stars (Me)

YA Fiction, Thriller

This was a book I picked up at the local D.I. I bought it blindly simply because the title caught my eye, it was still brand new, and it got decent reviews on Goodreads. I was so pleasantly surprised to enjoy it so much. Is it a deep thinker kind of story? No. Is it fun, upbeat, and fast-paced? Yes. It kept me turning the pages so quickly... a quick read that can easily be done in less than 24 hours. The characters, Tessa and Eric were fun, likable, and the story made me laugh, as well as created some mystery. It was a great light read. Tessa, suffering from agoraphobia from a recent trauma, lives behind the screen of her phone, Twitter being her only connection to the outside world. Eric lives in the spotlight, a pop music sensation and heartthrob, but craves something private, something that is his and his alone. A secret Twitter account might be exactly what he's looking for. What neither of them expects is to stumble across each other. But their secrets run deep and there might be more than one thing capable of destroying what they've created.

Girls Burn Brighter by Shobha Rao

3.75/5 Stars (Goodreads), 4/5 Stars (Me)

Adult Fiction, Cultural

I'll say it straight-up, this book is heavy and not recommended for the faint of heart. Exploring the topics of many atrocities facing women today, such as domestic violence, trafficking, and femininity, it is a raw and deep, devastating and beautiful novel. While this book is tragic and absolutely heartbreaking, the title says it best... girls really do burn brighter. And there is hope that can be found in even the smallest spark. It is about the formidable and determined spirits, the unquenchable thirst, of two girls, driven apart by the forces of a single horrific event, who set out on a mission to find their way back to each other again. It is about the power of friendship, and the redeeming strength of love.

Tell Me No Lies by A.V. Geiger

3.75/5 Stars (Goodreads), 3.5/5 Stars (Me)

YA Fiction, Thriller

This book is the follow-up sequel to Follow Me Back. While I enjoyed it, I will admit I liked the first book better. Although it is a necessary read in the series to finish it out. Like the first, it's a quick read, another less-than-24-hours kind of read, and kept me turning the pages. I had to see if my predictions turned out! The bomb at the end of book one was enough to make me order this book as soon as I finished it, and like I had with Follow Me Back, I loved the characters and what they brought to the story. I'll give nothing away about this plot. The bomb in book one is enough to make you pick this one up.

The Good:

Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton

4/5 Stars (Goodreads), 3.5/5 Stars (Me)

Historical Fiction, Contemporary, Romance

This book was a lesson on world history for me, specifically Cuban history. This story is written with so much heart and love for a country and culture lost among revolution and oppression. My limited knowledge of Cuban history had me researching historical and political references and events made in the book, along with cultural anecdotes, cities, landmarks, and geography. With that said, I very much enjoyed discovering this country, both the present and the past. There are two human love stories weaved into this novel, but the true love story is that which the characters share for Cuba - both pre and post-Fidel. It is a story that explores revolution and the longterm consequences that come with gaining something through the use of force. It is also a testament to the people of Cuba, both those who stayed and those who fled when Fidel took control, as well as the country and culture buried beneath corruption and the passage of time. With Cuba and the U.S. divided by a mere 90 miles, it is the story of a Cuban-American discovering her roots, and a Cuban debutant discovering herself.  

The One by John Marrs

4/5 Stars (Goodreads), 3/5 Stars (Me)

Science Fiction, Thriller, Contemporary, Romance

The tagline says it best... how far would you go to find the one? The underlying themes of this book run deep, weaving together ethics, choice, and destiny. If it were possible to simply undergo a DNA test to find the one you are genetically matched with, would you do it? And what is the price of doing so? This story follows the lives of five very diverse people who discover how far the impact of our choices go. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. It's a story that is fun and unique, mysterious, and provokes real thought... you won't help but be able to wonder, what would my choice be?

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

4/5 Stars (Goodreads), 3/5 Stars (Me)

Fiction, Contemporary

I wanted to love this book, to eat it up. Everyone else seemed to. But it didn't quite hit that mark for me. While it's a great story, with great characterization and dynamic relationships, it left me wanting a little bit more. But that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it. It took a bit to take off, there are so many characters to meet and discover, but once it did, it was difficult to put down. I enjoyed the element of mystery behind the story, as well as its ability to spotlight the capacity of people and the secrets they hold. We are made with good and bad in us, and this story reveals the depth of the consequences of the choices we make. It's a story about motherhood, about childhood, about friendships. It's a coming of age, exploring the moral and ethical choices we make, and why we make them. Both the good and the bad.

The Stormchasers by Jenna Blum

3.5/5 Stars (Goodreads), 3/5 Stars (Me)

Fiction, Contemporary, Mental Health

A Minnesota woman with a bipolar twin brother, a passion for storm chasing and tornadoes, and a deep secret... sign me up! I felt such a kinship for this novel, mostly because I'm a bipolar, small-town, storm-loving Minnesota girl. There were so many references, places, events, and themes that I could connect with and it made me so thoroughly enjoy this book. Can you enjoy it without those connections? Absolutely. The author paints beautiful pictures of mother nature, both the kind that occurs naturally within us, and that which occurs in the environment, in our weather. This story is a testament to family, and how far we might be willing to go to protect those we love most. It's exciting and thrilling, allowing the reader a rare and up-close opportunity - to chase storms. 

Boy Erased by Garrard Conley

3.5/5 Stars (Goodreads), 3/5 Stars (Me)

Non-fiction, Memoir, LGBT

Though still a good book, this one fell a little short of the mark for me. Not the actual story itself, but more the way it was outlined and written. It jumped around a lot, Conley's summer between freshman and sophomore years of college, juxtaposed with his senior year of high school. But also in those times, he jumps further back as he relives memories of his youth. All the jumping around was distracting, diluting the real story - a young man's journey of conversion therapy and self-discovery. The story itself is heartbreaking... that one's sexual orientation can be hated so much and that the Bible can be perverted so greatly, manipulated to instill such shame upon someone. It's clear that the imprint of Conley's experience will forever be stamped into his heart, his soul, his faith, highlighting the traumatizing effects of conversion therapy. This young man's struggle with identity and self-acceptance is a moving one, and it certainly left an impression on me.

The Bad:

Joyride by Anna Banks

3.5/5 Stars (Goodreads), 2/5 Stars (Me)

YA Fiction, Romance

I enjoy a good YA read... check my past book recommendations, but this one, while I did finish it, was a bust. The characters were annoyingly immature, with few redeeming qualities. I found it predictable and boring and was thankful it was a short read. I probably would've given up on it had it been anything longer than it was. I like characters with substance, ones who are diverse in thought, emotion, and action, those with potential for growth and self-awareness. Carley and Arden lack all of the above.

Sweet Tooth by Ian McEwan

3.5/5 Stars (Goodreads), 2/5 Stars (Me)

Historical Fiction, Mystery

I love McEwan's Atonement, so I thought I'd give this one a shot. And while the writing was beautiful, as I had expected it would be, I wasn't particularly fond of the characters or their arc of development, and I found it difficult to follow - it references British history during the Cold War, of which I have no knowledge. For that reason, I spent most of the novel simply confused. It just wasn't for me, and it was not the masterpiece of Atonement.

The Really Bad:

Me Without You by Kelly Rimmer

4/5 Stars (Goodreads), 1/5 Stars (Me)

Fiction, Chick-lit, Romance

This is another book I had high hopes for because I enjoyed previously published works by the author. And while it gets good reviews on Goodreads, quite frankly, I thought it was awful. It's really a slap in the face for the comp-titles it references (One Day, Me Before You, The Notebook). Yes, I sound harsh, I know. I read the first third with great strain and effort and then skimmed the rest of the book - reading every few pages, every few paragraphs, and every few sentences. The ending was exactly as I predicted, and considering the amount of it I skimmed over, not at all confusing. It was full of words for the sake of filling a page. Fluff with terrible characters. Main character Callum is a whiny, and kind of pathetic. I like a man with a deep ability to love. But I also like a strong man, not so co-dependent on someone else (that goes for women, too). And Lilah, well, she is straight-up manipulative, controlling, and selfish. I didn't find anything romantic or redeeming about their love story. Disappointing all around.

Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner

3.5/5 Stars (Goodreads), 1/5 Stars (Me)

Fiction, Chick-lit, Romance

I canned this book quickly. Here's my personal plea to the main character: Cannie, oh Cannie... you are so annoying... so boring. I mean, how long can you listen to one go on and on and on about her weight? On and on and on about her douche ex-boyfriend who publishes details of their former sex-life and her weight in a high circulation newspaper? Get. Over. Him. Have a freaking backbone. And if you're not happy with your weight, there are things you can do about it. But most importantly, find a way to love yourself. Curves and all. There is not enough validation one can find from a man. Love yourself first. 

*Now, of course, these reviews are all a matter of opinion. And I encourage anyone to read any of them. And I would love it if you have a different experience with any of them. I love to dialogue about books. But I also have the expectation of respect in anyone else's opinion. It's okay to like different things. Have you read any of these? Comment if you'd like! Just keep in mind this blog's Terms and Conditions. Be kind and respectful to others. 

2019 From Cover to Cover

I read over a collective of 10,000 pages in 2019. 32 books in total. Plus I wrote and edited my own book, haha. What did you read this year? Do you have any reading goals for 2020? 

And for the record, I spent entirely too much time making this image of all my book jackets!

That's a Wrap! (okay, not really...)

So, it's 3:00 in the morning. I'm lying in bed. Wide. Awake. And thinking relentlessly about my sequel to my latest novel. I'm excited to say that after 8 months of heavy copy editing. And I mean heavy. I have wrapped up my second draft of my novel! I swear it doesn't even look like the same first draft. It took me 60 days exactly to both write and research that book. Word count to-date: 149,635. Or 509 pages. Dang. I was seriously a girl on fire when I wrote this. Oh, my poor tendonitis! By the last chapter, I was literally writing with ace bandages on both wrists. Tim said I looked like a burn victim.

So, since I wrapped up my edits for my final chapter you'd think I'd be like, oh praise... now I get a break! Wrong. Like I said, I'm sitting here thinking about my next book when I should be sleeping. This is my plague as a writer. My mind literally comes alive at night with all my story ideas when it should be shutting down for some serious shut-eye. And for this reason, I have the worst sleep hygiene and as a result, the worst sleep patterns. I mean, a full Ambien doesn't take me down these days.

I digress. What's next for this novel? Well, a lot before it gets into the hands of my readers. Sorry gals, if you were looking to pick it up anytime soon. I've got my beta readers in line first. And then I will consider their critique and criticism for my third draft. And in the meantime, I'm going to get going on my queries (which I swear are double the work of writing the actual book) and get started on that sequel. The rolling stone gathers no moss... right?

Currently, my work is untitled. I had one that I had mostly decided on until I Goodreads-searched it and found A) over 20 other works under the same title, and B) most of those works were erotica. Now, I'm not saying there's anything wrong with the erotica genre... if it's your slice of pie, happy reading! You're reading, and that's all that matters to me. BUT, it's not my genre. And I don't want my work lumped in with it. So the beautiful title Phoenix Rising has been nixed. Next to queries, I might hate titling my work the most. I mean, apparently, if I can't say it in less than 100,00 words, I can't say it at all. 

So I've got my work cut out for me. But as of right now, I can at least say... that's a wrap! On this round anyway, ha!

Don't remember my synopsis from ages ago? Here you go!

Tala Alexander is a woman raised in privilege, the granddaughter of a founder of the Republic of Columbia, a powerful and formidable country built on the remains of the former United States. Kane Ryan is a man from a meager upbringing who has suffered greatly at the hands of the Republic and now lives his life in hiding, with a skillset no man should have. During a brutal attack one night, Tala's and Kane’s lives unexpectantly converge. As they dig into the unprovoked attack, they uncover secrets they never expected to find… secrets that will change everything Tala’s known, everything she’s believed, and everyone she’s trusted. Tala must discern the truth from the lies, her real allies from her enemies. She must decide where her allegiances lie and just how far she’s willing to go to protect what matters most. 

But will the price be worth the cost? In finding Tala, Kane will learn to move beyond his dark past. In finding Kane, Tala will uncover the strength to step out of her family’s legacy and discover her true self. Tala’s strength of character will be tested as she fights for her people, for humanity, for love. And she will learn that not everyone can be saved.

How To... Write a Book (or at least one way)

I get told all the time... "I want to write a book someday." (It's a bucket list item more than you know). And right after that preface, I get the question... "How do I write a book?"

And before anyone asks... mine is still in copyediting. That is a very long and tedious process. I love everyone's enthusiasm. But, patience, please.

Now, onto how to write a book. First, let me say this... advice on how to go about writing a book is like baking a fruit pie... there are a million different ways to do it. The end results can all be awesome. Or not so much. Writing a book is the same way. There's no right or wrong way to do it. But here's my process. Apply it however you'd like.

Where to begin: 

Read. Yes, not actually write, but rather read. And when you read:
- Diversify your genres as much as you can.
- Observe, observe, observe. Observe and absorb. Pay attention to the details.
        What do you like? What don't you like?
        How does the author create different character profiles? How do they use language, body movement, and action to help create and build characterization? How does the author use conflict to drive their plot?

Observe in real life. I like to do this in a few ways:
- Go out in public and just watch people. Go to Starbucks, sit in the corner, and just watch. Hopefully, you're inconspicuous enough that people don't think you're just a creeper. What do you see? How does the barista treat their customers? How do they act when they're not busy with a customer or preparing an order? Who are the customers? What do they order? How do they dress? Are they alone or with someone? How do they interact with other people?
- I also like to use TV and movies. The things I pay attention to in the books I read are the same things I look for from this kind of medium.

Play around with your writing. This is kind of like journaling. Using some inspiration from something you observed, make up a character or a scene and write about it. It doesn't have to be pages long, just something, anything. Then write about another place, another person. How you can differentiate them from each other? We want our characters and our scenes to be diverse. We don't want you to write yourself- what you know, what you like, how you'd behave.
- Build a profile. I literally have a list of 50 things that I answer for each character I write. I find that even the irrelevant information that I am likely to never add to the story still helps me shape who my characters are.
       - Describe your character's most embarrassing moment.
       - Who depends on this character... and why?
       - What's your character's proudest moment?
       - Who does this character look up to most... and why?
       - Describe this character's relationship with each parent.
       - Does this character have any siblings? Where do they fall in birth order? What is their relationship with their siblings?
(Just to name only a few).
- The more I know about my character the more multi-dimensional they become and the more I understand why a character may or may not do something, how they will react to something, the decisions they make. The characters literally become real and I just write what they do... I don't have to force anything.
- Avoid making yourself your character. It's not like it's blasphemy to have similarities between your main characters and yourself. In fact, you're bound to overlap in places. But whatever your natural response to or tendencies would be in a situation - write the opposite of what you'd choose. Rely on all the details you've created to let your character reveal their true self to you.

"Someday you're going to be someone's favorite author."

Outline your plot. Taking the time to work through the arc of your plot is an important way of understanding the direction your components are working toward (characters, action, scenes, etc). How to outline your plot:
- Identify the conflict
- Decide who/what is the protagonist and the antagonist
- Scene development, as well as scene sequels (the falling action following any scenes with action or advancement)
- What is the story's climax- what the entire book is working up to
- Falling action - how is there resolution, noting that even a lack of resolution can be a stylistic option
A storyboard diagram can be very helpful with this.
Keep in mind that you can deviate from your initial arc... just because you thought it up one way doesn't mean it can't change. Evolution can sometimes be a very good thing by way of keeping it real.

Understand the fundamentals of writing. Lots of writers write the fundamentals instinctively, even if they don't immediately identify them in what they've written. But understanding the fundamentals and how to use them will only improve your writing. When you understand how the parts of writing work, how they function together and independently, and why there is a time and place for everything, the stronger your work will be. No, I'm not saying that you have to run out and get a college degree to make yourself a good writer. Many writers can write without any kind of training or education. Although workshops and such can be very helpful when you're always trying to improve.
- The most important fundamentals to understand:
       - Narrative summary & exposition (show vs. tell)
       - Characterization
       - Point of view
       - Proportion - balancing all of the above
       - Dialogue mechanics - including beats & description
       - Interior monologue
       - Voice

Write. Over and over again. And if you get stuck, write anyway, even if it's painful and you know the work is terrible. You can always go back and edit. You can't edit what isn't there.

"If a story is in you, it's bound to come out." - William Faulkner

Clean it up. Maybe you're not an editor, but as the author, you should clean it up as much as possible.

Share your work.
- This part, for me, is always the hardest part. As it can be for many writers. But it's important because, well, it puts your work out there. Maybe you wrote your entire book without the intention of publishing or distribution, but by letting others read your work, you open yourself up to input (and criticism), which only makes you better as a writer. Outside opinion, both good and bad, can give you different perspectives on your work. You can take or leave people's suggestions or critique, but the point is to find the areas you can improve in.

A Few More Thoughts:

Just some other random tidbits...
There are always groups for writers that you can join. See what kind of groups are in your area. See what you can find online. Social media, bloggers, or writer forums are great ways to connect with other writers. And step outside your own genre. Remember, diversity is going to be your best friend when you write to keep your work from being monotonous, redundant, and dry.

Give NaNoWriMo a shot! What the heck is that? National Novel Writing Month. It's all of November, every year. It's free to sign up and gives you goals to work toward every day of the month. The goal: to produce a 50,000-word manuscript by the end of the month. Don't let that number overwhelm you. It's fun. There are always local chapters that come together during the month to offer support to fellow writers. And there are badges you can earn along the way. Accept the challenge and see what happens!

Guidelines: 

Depending on your genre, there are suggestions for word counts that your work should fall within (keep in mind, these numbers can vary depending on your source or publisher):
- Microfiction/flash fiction - this is extreme brevity (definitely not my strong suit) - 5-1,000 words. Think 6-word stories, or 280-character stories, as examples.
-  Short stories - 1,500-5,000 words
- Novellas - typically narrative prose that is longer than a short, but not quite a novel -10,000-40,000
- YA - 50,000-80,000
- Novel (fiction) - 50,000-120,000
- Self-help - 40,000-90,000
- Memoirs - 50,000-90,000
- Narrative nonfiction/creative nonfiction - 50,000-110,000
- Biographies - 50,000-110,000

With that said, there are always exceptions. In writing, there's a rule for everything. So follow them, and then don't. Which is confusing advice. Just don't restrict your creativity. Know your audience... what can you get away with, what can't you? When do you push the boundaries? When you break the rules, do it intentionally and know that your work is better than the confines of a box. Some things are more important than word counts. Just be prepared for some resistance if you set out to break all the rules.

Some examples of books that are the exceptions:
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is 257,000 words. It falls into the category of YA, so yeah, I'd say it broke the rules a little bit.
- The Time Traveler's Wife is written completely in first person POV, in the present tense, which is typically recommended against (and is difficult to pull off), yet this book gets away with it.
- Wolf Hall wraps up in a whopping 672 pages... a work of historical fiction.
- The Sea is known for its adverbs. In writing, adverbs are suggested to use minimally - it goes back to the writing principle 'show don't tell'.
- To the Lighthouse - there's a reason Virginia Woolf is a name we all know... and she's a rule breaker. A common rule in writing is to not begin a book with dialogue. But this one does- and is a masterpiece.

There are so many other rule-breakers out there, the list could go on for days. The point is that the rules are there for a reason. But, you can get away with breaking them. As long as you do it the right way.

Are you ready to start your book? Don't be overwhelmed. Just make a map of your vision and start wherever you want. It doesn't have to be the beginning. Try starting with the ending if you need to. The point is to just start.       

"Call me Ishmael." 

It's Giveaway Time!

I am so excited to announce this giveaway! It's a milestone moment for Girl, Dream It, as it has reached 10,000 hits. I'm sort of speechless. And absolutely full of gratitude. Writing is a very personal thing, and it took bravery (more like I closed my eyes and stepped off the ledge of comfort) for me to write and share myself this way with all of you. And I've loved every moment of it.

win everything but the pretty greenery :)

To celebrate this occasion, and to say thank you, I've got some goodies I want to share! First... BOOKS! (what else?!) 

We Were Liars by E. Lockart was a wow read. I never saw this one coming. I ate it right up. It was different than what I typically read and it just swept me away. 

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline was a powerful, and emotional book. In a very good way. It's a work of fiction that is based on true events... a piece of history that I never knew. This story filled me up from the very beginning and so, naturally, I have to share it.

Keep reading to see what else we're giving away! And for how you can enter. There are lots of ways to be put into the drawing, which ends Monday, March 11th @ 5:00 pm.

I've partnered with Tara Jensen, a wonderful and beautiful woman, who is sponsoring part of this giveaway. She's a sensational woman whose heart and work aligns so perfectly with Girl, Dream It.

Tara and her firefighter husband (truly a hero) live in Utah where they are raising four children, ages 20 to 10 years old. Over the last seven years, Tara has been doing personal coaching. "I've had an entrepreneur spirit my whole life," she says with a laugh. "I'm about creating, and creating something different for your life. My passion lies in helping women to see life differently, to believe in themselves, to know themselves and to know that life can be different. It's about knowing your story and having the power to change your story."

Tara is a certified SimplyHealed practitioner, working primarily with women on energy work and mindset. "I work with most of my clients over the phone. It's about listening to them and validating them, and help them change the way they think about life." In the last few months, Tara has expanded herself and her reach for women by starting her own Mary Kay business. "Women need to feel beautiful on the inside as well as on the outside." 

"I feel that when you help a woman to feel beautiful and powerful, you change an entire family. You change an entire generation. Moms have the biggest influence over their families and their kids, so when they love themselves they teach that to their children." 

In keeping with Tara's mission and goals and the work she does, she has included in our giveaway a charcoal beauty mask. If you've never used one before, let me tell you that they're wonderful. Charcoal is a natural purifier so it is powerful for removing toxins and for removing junk. "[My Mary Kay business] is about teaching women to take care of themselves first. Mary Kay starts with the foundation of skincare and teaches tools on how to look beautiful. We don't have to wear a lot of makeup, but it's fun to learn new ways to change it up. When we look good, we also feel good." And in going one step further to clear the junk out of not just our face but our lives, she has also included her self-published book Joyful Affirmations. "So much of what we focus on is the negative and what we focus on is what expands in our lives. So I help people identify these negative thoughts and help change them to something positive. If we're releasing all the negative self-talk then we want to put something positive back in its place." The book includes topics from across the board: every woman can find at least one of these topics that can be applicable to their lives, from prosperity to body image, from health to connecting with God, from family to work/business, and so many more. Joyful Affirmations goes as far as teaching its readers how to implement these affirmations in their lives to be most effective. 

Tara's vision for women, blending the inner and outer beauty, is a wonderful way to celebrate women and all their power. "I empower women to have a prosperous life." 

Yes, yes you do, girl.

How to enter: (Every one of these will get you an entry!)

Comment on this post.

Like the Girl, Dream It page on Facebook.

Like our post for the giveaway on our Facebook page.

Tag someone in the comments on the FB post (get an entry for every person tagged).

Like our post on Instagram @nicolea_books.

Tag someone in the Instagram post (get an entry for every person tagged).
Like us on Twitter.
(*links are all in the left column of the blog)

What we're giving away:

We Were Liars

Orphan Train

Joyful Affirmations

Charcoal beauty mask

Drawing closes Monday, March 11th @ 5:00 pm (mountain timezone)

Interested in more information on Tara, her coaching or Mary Kay business, click the links. 

First Draft: Completed!

Well, I am excited to announce that my first draft of my manuscript has been finished. Yes, that means my whole story is on paper. In exactly 60 days, I researched, designed, and wrote 130,645 words, 448 pages, and 22 chapters.

This story planted itself in my mind and in my heart nearly three years ago. But I found myself in a hole only three chapters in and I didn't know how to write myself out of it. Eventually, I threw in the towel and it got pushed to the back of my mind, its file metaphorically collecting dust in a folder on my computer. I opened that file three other times since then, worked from the beginning, changing and editing, yet I still found myself in that hole. That hole was like a black abyss.

Then, this past New Years Eve weekend, it came to me- my vision was clear. I had no idea this story was even on my mind anymore. I thought I had given up on it for the last time. But suddenly I knew how to get out of the hole. I sat down at my computer and completely reconstructed everything, starting from scratch, using the previous pieces as a framework. I worked for days just building the setting, a world of my own imagination. I made maps, and flow charts, and character profiles - creating details as minuscule as each character's favorite movie, or most embarrassing memory, not because those details were necessarily going to be in the story, but because those details shaped my characters into who they were. When I understood the foundation of each of them, they were all able to take the reigns in my story, their personalities and behaviors coming out so naturally and onto the page. Because I mapped out every detail, I was able to write past that hole. And as soon as I got going, I couldn't stop. I just bled onto the page.

I've never written anything like this story, and yet it came out so naturally. There's drama, action, a little sci-fi and dystopia, conspiracies, friendship, betrayal, love - both familial and romantic, and my schtick in all my writing, a strong heroine. It's written from two points of view, both female and male. And there are so many characters, but not so many the story gets lost in all of them (at least, I hope). If anyone would've told me that I had something like this in me, with all those genres included, I would've told them to shut the front door. No way. And yet, here it is. And I love it. And that's the only thing that truly matters.

What's next? A ton of copy editing. Then I'll recruit some beta readers - readers who are good at literary analysis and critique and are willing to be brutally honest with me (if that sounds like you, drop me a line), then more editing, after which I will reach out to my editor connections, and send out some queries. And we'll see what happens after that. But I do promise that it will make it to print.

Enough rambling... the part you really read this whole post for... the synopsis. There is no title yet, and this synopsis is also a first draft. But I hope it piques some interest in you.

The Republic of Columbia is a powerful nation that was created after the Great War on the ideals of protection, safety, and freedom. But decades after its borders were drawn, are those still the principles that make up the foundation of the country? And how far will it go to protect its power?

The Republic is all she’s ever known. She has lived a life of comfort and has both a duty to protect her country and a responsibility to maintain the honor of her family name.

He is a man with a dark past, betrayed by both his family and his country. He lives in the shadows, capable of things no human should be able to do.

During a brutal attack, Tala and Kane’s lives unexpectedly converge. As they dig into the motivation of the unprovoked attack, they uncover secrets they never expected to find… secrets that will challenge everything she’s known, everything she’s believed, and everyone she’s trusted. With her brother standing in the core of it all, Tala must discern the truth from the lies, her real allies from her enemies. She must decide where her allegiances lie and just how far she will go to protect those who matter most. But will the price be worth the cost?

In finding Kane, Tala will discover herself. The strength of her character will be tested as she fights for her people, for humanity, for love, and she will learn that not everyone can be saved.  

Exciting News!

How is it Saturday, again? I mean, I feel like the week went by in a whirl. And this weekend is doing the same. My baby girl turns seven tomorrow... so not only am I thinking, where has the week gone? but I'm thinking, where the heck have the last seven years gone? I know you other moms out there can relate.

Exciting news... my official website has been launched and I'm so excited to share it with you! Check it out and spread the word! Along with launching the website, I have launched a new program called Junior Writers. My son told me recently that he wanted to be like me and write a book. Okay, really?? Heart = puddle. For someone who sees words as Mt. Everest, it was the most amazing thing ever for him to ask if he could write a book! And then I felt all humbled because I realized it was me that inspired him. He watches me go at my novel, day after day, and it motivated him. I mean, wow. So, with him in mind, I thought it would be so fun to do a workshop for aspiring young writers. And then my friend came in the picture and the brilliance of Junior Writers was born. A creative writing workshop for elementary-age kids. And you know what? It filled up in just a few hours. It made me so happy to know there are so many aspiring writers out there! Since then, I've been hard at work putting my program together for our first class in March!

The other day I stumbled upon this awesome reading challenge, and I immediately hopped on board with it. If you know me, you know that I love books. And reading goes hand in hand with writing. I'll spare you all 50 challenges at once, so we'll start with the first 10. I really had to think about some of these. And I'll try not to duplicate my book responses. Want to join me???

Read...

1. A book becoming a movie- I've done this so many times I can't even count: Harry Potter series (after book 3), The Hunger Games series, Divergent series, The Help, One Day, The Cider House Rules... oh the list goes on. And yes, the book is always better.
2. A book that makes you nostalgic- A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini or Atonement by Ian McEwan
3. A book written by a musician (fiction or non-fiction)- I have racked my brain for this one and I accept this challenge...
4. A book that you think should be turned into a movie- The Lost Wife by Alyson Richman or My Life Nextdoor by Huntley Fitzpatrick
5. A book with at least a million ratings on Goodreads- The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
6. A book with a plant in the title or on the cover- A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
7. A reread of a favorite book- A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (yes, I know I said I would avoid duplicate answers, but this one is a free pass since it is a reread)
8. A book about a hobby- A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout 
9. A book you have meant to read, yet still, haven't- Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury 
10. A book with an article of clothing or an accessory on the cover- Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin

Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to our winner of the giveaway for A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams...

Dana Skoblik

Dana had a couple entries in for the giveaway, so it definitely pays off to enter more than once! Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you amazing friends out there who entered into the drawing, commented, liked and re-posted! I can't express my gratitude enough! 

Dana- use the Contact section on the right of the home page to send me your contact info so I can get your winnings to you!

Happy Sunday everyone! 

Giveaway!

Happy Sunday ladies! It's July 1st already... where is summer going? Got to sleep in this morning and then woke up to some of the best Kona coffee, ever, right off the plane from Hawaii! It's going to be a great week and it's a great way to kick it off! Thanks to my bestie #momonomo Kristin for giving us such an awesome gift from their recent travels!

Maui

I loved Hawaii! Anyone else ever been? It's been a while since I've been. Tim and I went for our honeymoon. It was dreamy and fabulous and everything in between!

Oahu

I bet you couldn't help but notice the title of this post... Girl, Dream It is doing a summer giveaway! I'm so excited to spread the love to one of my readers with this fantastic summer read: A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams! It has a little bit of everything: history, a little mystery, family & friendship, romance, all set on the beach, which makes this the perfect summer read!

*Details below

Memorial Day, 1938: New York socialite Lily Dane has just returned with her family to the idyllic oceanfront community of Seaview, Rhode Island, expecting another placid summer season among the familiar traditions and friendships that sustained her after heartbreak. 

That is, until the Greenwalds decide to take up residence in Seaview.

Nick and Budgie Greenwald are an unwelcome specter from Lily’s past: her former best friend and her former fiancé, now recently married—an event that set off a wildfire of gossip among the elite of Seaview, who have summered together for generations. Budgie’s arrival to restore her family’s old house puts her once more in the center of the community’s social scene, and she insinuates herself back into Lily's friendship with an overpowering talent for seduction...and an alluring acquaintance from their college days, Yankees pitcher Graham Pendleton. But the ties that bind Lily to Nick are too strong and intricate to ignore, and the two are drawn back into long-buried dreams, despite their uneasy secrets and many emotional obligations. 

Under the scorching summer sun, the unexpected truth of Budgie and Nick’s marriage bubbles to the surface, and as a cataclysmic hurricane barrels unseen up the Atlantic and into New England, Lily and Nick must confront an emotional cyclone of their own, which will change their worlds forever. -Goodreads 

Entering the drawing is so easy! Simply comment on this blog post (make sure to include your name)! For additional entries, you can comment on the Facebook post for this giveaway and you can re-tweet with #girldreamitgiveaway on Twitter. That gives you three times to be entered into the drawing! Share this post! A winner will be announced on July 8th!

So excited to share this read with you!

Twitter @NicoleAhles/Facebook @GirlDreamIt

Summer Livin'

It's the weekend! Yay!
The end of June is fast approaching... which means we are definitely the midst of summer! I love, love, love summer. And the longer I'm away from my hometown roots in Minnesota, the more I acclimate to our hot, dry summers out west.

I woke up this morning, enjoyed some of my favorite summer brew, and put some of my favorite product in my wild mane, and then wondered what other women's favorite summer things were. I feel like I always indulge when it comes to summer. But hey, life's too short not to be in love. And I am in love with summer!

I love good summer reads. Who doesn't? Kick back beside the pool or on the beach and fall in love with a story. (I'm getting sparkles in my eyes just thinking about this.) Here's a few of my favorite summer reads:

-Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot: Chick-Lit, Fiction, Romance. This is a quick, flirty, happy read. I couldn't help but fall in love with Lizzie, the main character, as she fumbles, literally through life.
-A Hundred Summers by Beatiz Williams: Historical Fiction, Chick-Lit, Mystery. This summer read keeps your mind turning as you try to figure out the 'true story', with a sweet romantic story, set in the late 1930s.
-Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple: Fiction, Mystery, Comedy. Not only is it a light mystery read, it's also very comedic as we look into the mother/daughter relationship between Bernadette and Bee, set in a very quirky world.
-The Boy Nextdoor by Meg Cabot: Chick-Lit, Fiction, Romance. Another quick, flirty, happy read written in a unique manner as it tells the story about Mel, and NYC gossip columnist, who gets in over her head with the handsome boy next door.

All those curls!

Like my must-have summer reads, there are certain beauty products that I couldn't live without while living under the hot summer sun!

-Clinique Pep-Start: because we always should wear a broad spectrum sunscreen if we want to keep our faces from looking like jerky by the time we're in our 50s... start now if have don't already use a sunscreen for your face.
-Rusk 12 in 1: I used this leave-in treatment in my hair whenever I'm going to straighten it and keep it down. It's great at getting through those post-shower snarls, and keeping your hair smooth and silky.

-DevaCurl Light Defining Gel: for the days I want to embrace my curly side, this helps manage my hair chaos (I have a ton of hair).
-John Frieda Beach Blonde Sea Waves: this is to manage my day-2 curls... gives them a wild and free beach look.
-Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen, Green Tea SPF 45: more sunscreen! I love this product for my kids as well as myself. If we're going to coat ourselves in something on a regular basis, make sure it's high quality. This product uses aloe vera, green tea, and palm kernel oil. It's free of oxybenzone, octinoxate, PABA, and many more chemicals that are harmful to things like coral reefs. Go green!

Summe at the lake... Yuba Lake

*please note, I have not been paid to represent any of these products.

Favorite To-Dos... who wants to be stuck in the house all day?
-Beach! (I'll take a pool, too): I love spending my summers on the water. Typically we go to MN every summer and spend nearly every day on the lake. But that isn't happening this year, so our local faves at Willard Bay and Pineview Reservoir. In MN it's BugBee Hive Resort on Lake Koronis. And later this summer when we're in So Cal, my faves are Santa Monica and Newport beaches! Give me a cocktail or Diet Coke with a little lime and I am good to go all day!
-Aviary and the Zoo: they're a great place to see the animals, both local and exotic, while the kids (and I) have a great learning experience while being out in the fresh air.
-The library: This is a great, cool option when it's just too hot out! And again... it's a learning environment for the kids. And of course, I just get swallowed up whole in a good book.

Provo Falls, Uintah Moutains

Wall Lake, Uintah Mountains

Real Soccer

-Camping! We love heading up to the high Uintah Mountains for some camping. The window to go is quite limited... July is about the only time to survive up that high in a tent or tent-camper. In June we still have to contend with winter snow, and August it starts getting super cold at night. I mean, colder than July, where hot rocks in the base of your sleeping bag are always a good way to get cozy. Despite the cold nights, it's always pleasantly warm during the days.
-Sports Games: I love going to SL Bees baseball games and the Real SL soccer games. I know very little of the rules of soccer, but there are few sports traditions that rival the atmosphere in a stadium when the home team scores in soccer!
-Amusement Parks/Water Parks: They're always a great way to get outside, even on those hot days, and get some walking in and exhilaration on those roller-coasters and water slides.

Narrows, Zion N.P.

-National/State Parks: Utah boasts some of the most beautiful natural scenery and summer is always a good time to get out and explore. Last summer we did Zion N.P. and Bryce N.P. We hiked the narrows at Zion, and despite my fear of flash floods, I had the best time, and all we decended the canyon of Bryce, which is one of my favorite sight ever. This year we'll head into the red sandstone world of natural arches (highest concentration in the world) when we head down to Moab for Arches N.P. and Canyonlands. Some summer I will make it to Lake Powell.
This weekend we'll also head out to the Hill AFB Air Show, which we look forward to every time it comes to base, which is about every other year. It's stinking hot walking around the flightline, but you can escape some of that unyeilding sun by stepping into the hangars for a bit. This year we'll be following 5 kids around. But those Thunder Birds make it totally worth it!

Bryce Canyon

What are your faves?? I am eager to know! Post in the comments below! And enjoy your summer!!