On the Eighteenth of May by Jordan R. Samuel - Book Tour + Giveaway
On the Eighteenth of May
by Jordan R. Samuel
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GENRE: Romance
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BLURB:
On the evening of the eighteenth of May, a young woman named Cass walks alone into a small village with the intent to stay for exactly one year. Cass soon meets two precocious children, a caring and generous business owner, and the Chief of Police from the neighboring town. Family and loss are parts of many of their stories, and while these people, as well as others, attempt to know and help her, the history and troubled memories of what led Cass to this place begin to gradually unfold. As the potential for love and the pathway for healing become clearer, the date of departure approaches. Cass and those around her will be forced to decide how forcefully they are willing to hold on: to the past, to the pain, and to the person.
On the Eighteenth of May is the story of the people and events that are interwoven throughout Cass’s journey and her life. It is a story that examines the true test of strength in the deepest depths of sorrow, as felt by the human heart. It is a story that explores the perceived helplessness of those within the support structure, and the extent to which those we love can hinder or accelerate the healing process. Finally, it is a story that reminds us of the overwhelming power of comforting influences in all of our lives, as our human souls struggle, against all odds, to survive.
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EXCERPT
The megaphone announcer was readying the competitors now. “All teams to the line, please. I’ll count down from three to one, then listen for the horn as your start signal.”
Lucas watched as the other pairs approached the line where he now stood alone. He looked down at his right leg where the Velcro strap lay. He started to bend down to retrieve it so he could move aside and out of the way, when suddenly he saw another leg appear beside his. A person was crouched down, securing a left leg to his right one, pulling the Velcro tight, fastening the hooks.
The megaphone announcer shouted, “Three!”
The person was standing upright now, looking straight ahead towards the finish line. Lucas, however, was looking at the side of her face. He felt her left arm reach around his waist, felt her hand as it clasped onto his shirt.
“Two…,” the announcer called. The spectators appeared fully enthralled with the drama of the countdown.
She was silent, looking straight ahead, and now, he too, looked straight ahead and readied himself for the race. Without thinking, his right arm reached up and over her shoulders, found her waist, and settled there in a loose embrace of her shirt and skin underneath.
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Author Q&A
1. What is the first book that made you cry?
The Road. I read that book in under 24 hours,
and cried for most of it. It was so unbelievable, and so sad, yet written in a
way that I honestly thought I was getting a glimpse into the end of the world.
2. How long, on average, does it take you to write a book?
I have only written one novel, and it took my
about 5 months to complete in draft, un-edited form. Then, I went through
several months of editing but still, it was not enough time. There were many
days that I “wished” was a professional writer, and could devote 24/7 to the
book – but, alas, a fulltime job, a family, and other commitments made the
process a little slower.
3. How do you select the names of your characters?
Some of the names of minor characters’ names I
chose from friends or family members, as something fun to do! But, for the
major characters, I chose names that I thought “fit” the qualities of the
characters. For example, to me at least, “Juney” sounds like the name of a
sweet, little girl with blond girls and big eyes. I also considered how the
names of each character would sound alongside the names of other characters
whom I knew they would be interacting with. Finally, there were certain names
that just HAD to be in the book, like the name of my dog, Sammy. Yes, he made
it in!
4. What are your top 5
favorite movies?
#1: Pride and Prejudice
#2: Moulin Rouge
#3: The English Patient
#4: The Return of the King
#5: The Lord of the Rings
5. What fictional character would you want to be friends with in real life?
Gandalf from the Lord of the Rings movies. What
better friend could I possibly have?
6. Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
My first bit of advice would be – don’t put it off! If you have
the desire to try it, start it today. You may be surprised by how difficult and
fun it is. There is something very interesting that happens when your creative
capabilities are let loose to write on a blank canvas. I think people my age,
who have long been out of school, may have forgotten how that feels. It feels
wonderful! So my advice would conclude
with: start today, keep at it until you finish, then celebrate the fact that
you wrote a story that may actually bring joy or healing or reflection to some
other person in this world.
7. If you could live in any time period, what would it be and why?
When I watch movies based on Jane Austen novels,
for a fleeting second, I think how lovely it would be to live in that time
period, where everyone talks so formally and people find such happiness in
simply walking across a field of green grass. Then I realize that I wouldn’t
survive one day in that time period. The time period I am in right now suits me
just perfectly!
8. What is your favorite genre to read?
I love
simple, fictional romance. I love a book I can pick up on Friday and finish on
Sunday. I love a book that I don’t have to “think too hard” to figure out, but
that also keeps my attention. I love the feeling of not wanting to put down a
book! Or knowing, as I’m driving home from work, that a great book is waiting
for me to resume.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Jordan R. Samuel is a former public school teacher and administrator who enjoys her current work as an Assistant Professor of Education. She spends her days with her husband and her three children as she teaches, studies and writes. She immensely enjoys travelling, and penned many parts of this particular story while relaxing in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina.
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Jordan-R-Samuel/e/B087CB3RTF/
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION
Jordan R. Samuel will be awarding a $30 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner
via rafflecopter during the tour.
15 Comments
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteSounds like a good book. Congrats on your books release.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bernie! I would love for you to give the novel a try and let me know what you think! JRS
DeleteThank you, Jazzy Book Reviews, for hosting today! I look forward to sharing On the Eighteenth of May with your readers! - JRS
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome! :)
DeleteSounds like a good read.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rita! I hope you will try it out! - JRS
DeleteI appreciate getting to read about your book. With sisters and daughters who love to read, this helps so thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for following the tour, James! I am willing to guess that one of your daughters or sisters may love the book! To be honest, when I first started writing it, I started out as a Young Adult novel - and even though it ended up not being one (because of the age of the characters), there would be nothing that would keep me from recommending it to high school age young women or up. In fact, I think young women may be particularly touched by the story! - JRS
DeleteThe cover looks so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marisela! It is the mountains of the Blue Ridge - at sunrise. Or sunset? I will let you read the book and decide! -JRS
DeleteSounds like a good book!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Victoria! I hope you will give it a try! - JRS
DeleteThank you - I think it is and from what I am hearing, a book that is hard to put down! It is broken up into six sections: Arrival, Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring, Departure. Hope you are intrigued enough that you might want to give it a try! -JRS
ReplyDeletePlease try not to spam posts with the same comments over and over again. Authors like seeing thoughtful comments about their books, not the same old, "I like the cover" or "sounds good" comments. While that is nice, putting some real thought and effort in is appreciated. Thank you.