Monday, 30 September 2013
Brooklyn James is an author/singer/songwriter inspired by life in the Live Music Capital of Austin, Texas. This year marks the Three Year Anniversary of her first novel, The Boots My Mother Gave Me. In celebration, her camp has re-released the Anniversary Edition with a new cover (as chosen by a fan) and a new epilogue, setting up the anticipated sequel.
You can grab yourself a copy via Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.
The Boots My Mother Gave Me – Brooklyn James
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What they say:
‘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.’
MY REVIEW
This book will take you on an emotional roller coaster so be prepared. Have the tissues and waterproof mascara ready! To read about the life Harley and her family have at the hands of her father is a shocking yet not uncommon one amongst families living with domestic abuse. Throughout this book my heart broke alongside Harley's and burst with love for the wonderful man that is Jeremiah Johnson. A modern day knight in shining armour. If ever the world needed someone to show them that good men still exist, then Jeremiah is that someone. The love scenes, written very tastefully, will make you go weak at the knees.
Through every chapter in this book I cried for and with Harley and the book affected me in such a profound way. I saw snapshots of part of my own history in the book and understood her pain. The Boots my mother Gave me is the type of book that stays with you for a long time after you have read the final chapter. But, its not a book that is filled only with sadness. Harley's story offers hope and is uplifting. Exploring many difficult issues, such as domestic abuse and suicide, this book is written in a mature and sensitive way. It's a story of a woman's journey to escape her life and make a new one. Going through their own journey are her mother and sister. Celebrating the strength that women possess and the courage to change your life and eventually stop running, this book is a must read! I cannot recommend The Boots My Mother Gave Me highly enough.
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The Boots My Mother Gave Me was chosen as a Quarter Finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards, and has ranked in Kindle's Top 100 Coming of Age and Women's Fiction. Accolades for the book include a host of radio and television appearances, book signings, live music events, televised public readings and a music video release of the title track 'Can't Get It Right' from the original music soundtrack to the novel, viewable on YouTube.
"Brooklyn James' soundtrack to her novel The Boots My Mother Gave Me does more than give a clever feminist twist to the title. Her songs serve as chapters themselves, underlining James' deft ability as a storyteller and songwriter." - Margaret Moser, The Austin Chronicle.
Like what you hear?
Her music can be found on Amazon, iTunes, CDBaby, Pandora and Jango online Radio. She enjoys airplay from American Independent radio stations as well as in Australia, South of France, Netherlands and the UK. Her song 'Can't Get It Right' was chosen for MEOW's (Musicians for Equal Opportunity for Women) 2012 Discoveries Jukebox, naming Brooklyn among the top 15 female singer/songwriters on the rise. Jango Radio named track two, 'Moving On,' off the same album to their Top 10 Songs of Summer. All songs from the soundtracks are written/co-written and performed by the author, and are produced and recorded at Wonderland Studios, Austin, Texas. Listen free on Brooklyn's Website or Facebook.
***Giveaways***
Win 1 of 3 Anniversary eCopies!
Entry via Rafflecopter. Giveaway closes October 8 2013.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Win 1 of 2 The Boots My Mother Gave Me Soundtracks
Entry via Rafflecopter. Giveaway close October 8 2013.
Author Bio:
Brooklyn holds an M.A. in Communication, and a B.S. in both Nursing and Animal Science. Her nursing career has seen specialties in the areas of Intensive Care and Labor & Delivery/Postpartum, which she's hoping will come in handy as she and her handsome hubby (the inspiration behind Jeremiah Johnson from The Boots My Mother Gave Me) are expecting their first child this Christmas. You can read about such experiences on Brooklyn's Blog, if you fancy.
A self-professed Jack-of-all-trades, she has enjoyed careers in massage therapy, personal training, teaching, day labor at a cattle company (doing everything on horseback, the old-fashioned 'cowboy' way), radio DJ, TV news writer and reporter, waitress, bartender, even amateur actor. To date, her most fun experiences in front of the camera have been starring in a Weezer video, being a 'stand-in' for Mira Sorvino on the set of TNT's Trooper, and as background in When Angels Sing with Harry Connick Jr. Brooklyn says he couldn't have been more of a gentleman and oh so swoon-worthy!
She takes great pleasure in performing as part of an acoustic duo in the local live music scene in Austin. Got a little video here from a set at Austin Bergstrom International Airport. Her hobbies include, spending time with family and friends, dancing until her feet are sore, weight lifting, running, paddleboarding (anything outdoors really), reading, watching The Big Bang Theory and anything on The History Channel, partaking of a good cup of Joe and trying out new and local food fare. Brooklyn also serves as a guest speaker from time to time with a focus on awareness and prevention of domestic violence and suicide, a cause near and dear to her heart.
Thank you so much for being so kind to take the time to check out my blog hop! Light & Love – Brooklyn James.
Stay in touch:
If you're still hankering after the first book, with original story and cover, it's still available at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.
Fantastic review! So glad you enjoyed the book and thank you for taking part in the tour :)