Presented by:
Series: The Lake Effect Series # 1
Author: Rue
Audience: NA and Adult
Genre: Contemporary, Chick Lit, Lesbian
Formats: E-book and Paperback
Publisher: Sittin’ On A Goldmine Publications LLC
Cover by: Rue and Anne French
Editor: M. Scott Gilbert; Kathy Gorchesky
Pages: 312 pages
ISBN: 0986062766
ASIN: B00KMHFW04
Date Published: April 21, 2014
The Hutchinson sisters grew up under the piercing, pious stare of a preacher’s wife. Plagued by her ever-disappointed refrain, “Well, it’s not my favorite.” Their search to find their own way in the world has not been a screaming success.
Gwenn is a good girl, a responsible girl…a miserable girl. Her steady diet of vivid fantasies is the only part of her life she enjoys. She daydreams of new parents, a more exciting job and an actual love life. She struggles to run a business as The Organizer, while she stacks relationship carcasses in the closet of her own completely unorganized life. Her only real friend is her younger sister, Rachel.
Rachel is outgoing, risqué and happily gay. The only people who don’t know this little secret are her judgmental parents, Pastor Ed and Shirley. Rachel struggles mightily to dodge her mother’s constant attempts to set her up with “nice Christian boys”; while holding down a job at the bakery and keeping up with her rock-star girlfriend!
Gwenn uncovers a photo that brings her imaginary world careening into reality. She’s forced to ask herself if wealthy artist, Daniel Gregory is the answer she’s been seeking or a grand delusion.
Break-ups, meltdowns, family secrets, wild nights and finally a journey of self-discovery to exotic New Zealand keep Gwenn and Rachel stumbling toward independence.
So grab your parka and join the Hutchinson girls, as they experience the Lake Effect in Duluth, Minnesota!
“Why Jeff, I had no idea you were a necromancer.” Gwenn saw the confusion cloud Jeff’s face. “Sorry, bad joke. She’s a ghost. I mean literally, sheet with holes, etc. Good luck finding her.” Gwen pretended to see someone in the crowd and smiled at Jeff as she rushed away. She turned the corner just in time to see Rachel climbing up on the buffet. “Oh, you gotta be frickin’ kidding me.” Gwenn made it to the bathroom before Rachel hit the chorus of Let’s Go Crazy.
Hiding in the bathroom, Gwenn remembered a far more embarrassing Halloween. She was barely ten and had just started fifth grade at a new school, several weeks late in keeping with the Hutchinson family annual relocation tradition.
“Hi, I’m Gwenn.” No one at the lunch table acknowledged her existence. “Um, sorry, I didn’t want to bug you. I was just wondering if any of you wanted to come to my big Halloween party?” Gwenn smoothly lied.
All heads turned.
“Cool!” Came from several directions.
“Yeah, totally,” chimed in a few guys.
“Awesome. What’s your costume, Jen?” Sarah Beth asked.
“Oh, it’s Gwenn, and my costume is Catwoman.” Gwenn embellished.
“Wow. My mom is making me dress like Alice in Wonderland. I can’t wait to come to your party.” Sarah Beth made room for Gwenn at the table, “Here, sit by me.”
Gwenn had rushed home, filled with the excitement of acceptance—finally.
“Hey Trixie, yer home early.” Pastor Ed patted Gwenn patronizingly on the head. “Take a seat in the living room. We are havin’ a family meeting.”
Gwenn felt her stomach churn. Oh crap they were moving again. She just made an actual friend. Why were Ed and Shirley so dead set against her having friends?
“Hi Gwenny!” Rachel beamed.
“Shut up, twerp.” Gwenn stuck her tongue out at Rachel.
Shirley took the reins, ”Girls the Lord has spoken to us and He has shown us that Halloween is Satan’s night. As good Christians we cannot sin against the Lord by paying tribute to the Devil.” She closed her eyes and folded her hands in prayer.
“What’d that mean mommy?” Rachel innocently asked.
“Halloween’s canceled idiot! No costumes. No candy.” Gwenn stormed out of the room.
Big wet tears rolled down Rachel’s chubby cheeks. “No candy!” She wailed.
But the torment was much greater for Gwenn.
Ed and Shirley didn’t have the decency to cancel Halloween at the Hutchinson house. Instead, they carved up some pumpkins and turned on the porch lights to lure the unsuspecting children. Gwenn hid on the stairs and watched through the banister as innocent trick-or-treaters came to the door and Shirley shoved little orange tracts in their treat bags and told them Jesus died for their sins.
Sarah Beth did not make room for Gwenn—ever again.
That’s when the emotional deformities started. The inability to trust completely, the gnawing nameless guilt and finally that unsettling feeling that someone was judging her every action—and Gwenn always came up short.
She kept telling herself it would change, that someday she would find the key that would unlock the door to her invisible prison and she would be free.
Gwenn jumped when the music stopped. She wiped an unexplained tear from her cheek, exhaled the yuck and marched out of the bathroom.
The party was winding down and Rachel had crossed the line between life of the party and annoying drunk; landing clumsily on the pain-in–the-ass side of that line. Gwenn shepherded her sister through the maze of glass and steel skyway corridors connecting the buildings of Duluth’s downtown.
They emerged into the bitter cold wind knifing across the harbor and Gwenn tried to hurry the procession to her car. Rachel was already quite numb from the alcohol, so the cold had little effect.
“Rache, come on. I’m freezing. I’ll take you back to my place.”
“No…home,” slurred Rachel, insistently.
“But…”
“Gotta work…”
“You have to open the bakery tomorrow? Rache, how the hell are you gonna—”
“No worries, mate,” Rachel spouted off in her best Australian accent.
“Oh, crikey!” Gwenn was keenly aware that in the order of Rachel’s sorrow-drowning inebriation, accents preceded vomiting and passing out was just around the corner.
“Fine. I’ll take you home, but you have to hurry.” Gwenn steered zig-zaggy Rachel to the Jeep and fishtailed out of the icy parking lot in a hasty attempt to arrive at Rachel’s loft before phase vomit emerged.
Gwenn beat the odds and managed to get Rachel into her own bed without further incident. She removed the alcohol-stained costume and placed it on Rachel’s dry cleaning pile. Gwenn kissed her sister on the forehead, tucked the comforter under Rachel’s chin and quietly flicked off the light as she left the loft.
5 X Autographed Books W/Bookmarks (USA Only)
Minor Character Named After Winner In Book 2.
Rue graduated from Pepperdine University in Southern California with a degree in Journalism. Her intimate knowledge of the Midwestern United States, the inordinate amount of time she spent in its churches’ pews and her unique parentage make her an expert on life after religion. Having moved 17 times by the time she graduated from high school Rue has seen more than her share of the Great Plains. She never stayed in one place long enough to make human friends. Her best friends were all characters from her beloved books; and the love of reading led to a lifelong passion for writing.
Our Author Interview
What would you have done differently if you were the main
character of your book?
I’m not a big risk taker - so I probably would not have
been as brave as Gwenn or Rachel.
What was your inspiration behind this book?
Growing up in various states around the Midwest and being
forced to spend WAY too much time in church :) it gave me the chance to observe
people and catalog little things away—for future reference. I was
inspired to share the Hutchinson sisters with someone outside of my head!
Why did you become a writer?
I always
wanted to be a writer. I am a fairly introverted person and I always found it
easier to express myself through writing.
Do you have a favorite author or authors?
Depends on the genre—I have many favorites. But,
if you put a Marian Keyes book in front of me I wouldn’t be mad about that.
Do you like to write your books in a continuing series?
Yes and No. Readers can expect more of the same genre AND
books from a new genre. There are two more books in the Lake Effect Series and
I have two YA books and a children’s book
on the schedule, as well.
If you could date any character from any book, who would it be
and why?
Nerd alert: Aragorn from Lord of the Rings
- because I would want him to teach me how to be a good tracker.
What kinds of books do you like to read in your spare time?
ALL. I just love to read - fantasy, romance, paranormal,
historical fiction, how to, self-help, YA, children’s picture books - anything!
As a reader and writer I think it is important to get to know
your fans and make a connection with them as an author who takes the extra step
to hear what their fans think and want in their continued writing is continued
success and key to selling more books. Do you agree with that?
Absolutely! Reader feedback is important to me. If the
story the characters are telling in my head is not getting translated to the
page—I want to know.
Do you cry when writing sad scenes?
Like
a baby!
Did you have a Cover Designer?
Not on
this book, but I am reviewing options for the entire series.
Who is your fictional boyfriend or girlfriend crush?
Herb Gooley
If you were able to dine and have a one on one with your favorite
writer/author who would it be?
In reality I would
die of old age before I could make a decision. But, again, if you sat me down
across from Marian Keyes I wouldn’t be mad about that.
Do just re-read your favorite books?
Rarely.
I have a semi-eidetic memory, so it’s rare that something
warrants a re-read.
Do you ever get in a reading slump like your readers do?
Well, if slump means not reading…then no. I am always reading something. If slump means a
rut of similar genre or same author…then yes!
What is the funniest book you ever read?
Bossypants
by Tina Fey
Tour Schedule - Two Week Blog Tour for It’s Not My Favorite by Author Rue from Aug 3 to 16, 2014
Coffee Books & Art - Promo, Author Interview, Guest Post, Top Ten & Book Soundtrack
http://sarityahalomi.blogspot.com/
TTC Books And More - Promo & Book Soundtrack
http://www.ttcbooksandmore.com
Aug 4
A One-click Addict's Book Blog - Review
http://aone-clickaddictsbookblog.blogspot.com/
Bajgajka Loves Books And Giveaways - Promo, Dream Cast, Character Bio's, Book Soundtrack & Playlist
http://bajgajka.blogspot.com
Aug 5
Deal Sharing Aunt - Promo
http://www.dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com
Booky Ramblings of a Neurotic Mom - Promo & TopTen
http://bookyramblingsofaneuroticmom.blogspot.co.uk/
Aug 6
Breny's Book Obsession - Promo & Dream Cast
http://brenysbookobsession.blogspot.com/
Pretty Little Pages - Review
http://prettylittlepages.blogspot.com
G The Book Diva Blog - Promo
http:/www.gthebookdiva.com/
Aug 7
Sinful Reviews - Promo
http://www.sinfulreview.wordpress.com
Indy Book Fairy - Promo, Character Bio's & Book Soundtrack
http://paranormalbookfairy.blogspot.com/
Aug 8
Our New Generation for Reading - Promo
http://jessica13bridgers.blogspot.com/
Clarissa Wild's Blog - Promo, Character Bio's, Book Soundtrack & Playlist
http://clarissawild.blogspot.com
Aug 9
A Cauldron of Books - Promo, Dream Cast, Character Bio's, Book Soundtrack & Playlist
http://acauldronofbooks.info
Fiction Dreams - Promo & Author Interview
http://www.fictiondreams.com
Aug 10
Angels with Attitude Book Reviews - Promo, Author Interview, Book Soundtrack & Playlist
http://angelswithattitudebookreviews-joelle.blogspot.com
Eclipse Reviews - Promo, Character Interview, Dream Cast, Character Bio's, Book Soundtrack & Playlist
http://www.eclipsereviews.weebly.com
Aug 11
The Avid Reader - Promo, Author Interview, Dream Cast, Character Bio's, & Book Soundtrack, Playlist
http://the-avidreader.blogspot.com
Portals to New Worlds - Promo, Author Interview, Dream Cast, Character Bio's, Book Soundtrack & Playlist
http://authorkarenswart.blogspot.com
Aug 12
Sassy Southern Book Blog - Promo & Review
http://sassysouthernbookblog.blogspot.com/
Darkest Cravings - Promo, Top Ten, Dream Cast, Character Bio's, Book Soundtrack & Playlist
http://www.darkestcravings.weebly.com
Aug 13
The Idle Musings of a Writer's Mind -
Promo
http://theidlemusingsofawritersmind.blogspot.com
Aug 14
Night Owl Reviews - Promo
http://www.nightowlreviews.com/V5/Blog
Aug 15
2 comments:
Good Morning Angels! I hope you will enter the giveaway and connect with me on social media. I love to hear from readers! - Rue
Hi Joelle,
I just wanted to thank you for participating in the Blog Tour for It's Not My Favorite. Thank you for supporting Indie Authors! -Rue
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