I’m so happy to have Jacquie Biggar as a guest on Fiction Favorites. Jacquie is a Romance author who writes stories and characters in such a way that even an old crusty like me can enjoy them. She is here to talk about her latest book, Letting Go – The Defiant Sisters Book 1. The post is yours, Jacquie.
Many thanks, John, for inviting me to visit today. And yes, Lucy and Twiggy, I’ve brought kibble treats 😊
Before then though, I’d like to talk a bit about the backstory that gave me the inspiration to write about two sisters torn apart by their father’s suicide. I know, tough topic. But if we don’t talk about it, we can’t help or heal each other, and we need to listen more than anything.
A few years ago, one of my regular customers at the café began dating a nice, caring man. She’d lost her first husband not long after giving birth to her second son which shattered the family. The newcomer, we’ll call him Sam, picked her up for lunch most days and brought her to see us, just up the street from her job at the bank. It was so sweet to watch them fall in love. He was great with her kids, and her mom, too- in a word, perfect. That is until he went into their backyard one morning as she was getting the kids ready for school and blew his head off. No one saw it coming. We were all shocked and horrified for the family, and for Sam. What drove him to do such a thing? Why didn’t we see the signs?
Fast forward a couple of years; I moved to Vancouver Island with my husband and started a new career in writing. An opportunity opened to join a writer’s group—people focused on working together to better their place in the market. Though there are more than thirty of us, we’re very close, and we regularly chat in our Facebook group and through emails. We’re friends, so it was particularly devastating to learn that one of the writer’s sons had committed suicide. He was in his mid-thirties, happily married, successful, and had three beautiful daughters. Why?
I couldn’t begin to comprehend the turbulent emotions those families had to traverse; the guilt they may have felt, the overwhelming anger, sadness—loss.
When I saw this beautiful cover created by Teagan Geneviene, I felt the story of two sisters who had gone through a terrible loss, losing each other along the way, begin to develop. Letting Go is the beginning of their journey to forgiveness.
Letting Go- The Defiant Sisters Book 1
A coming-of-age novel about the pain of misconceptions and learning from them.
When life gives you lemons…
Izzy
Mom is barely in the grave and the prodigal child is here to pick the bones clean.
I don’t want her here. My sister’s defection is a wound that won’t heal and her return simply rubs at the scabs covering my heart.
I’ve managed just fine without her. She can go back to her fancy college and forget about us- that’s what she does best anyway.
If only I didn’t need her help. Or miss her so much.
Renée
The day my dad committed suicide I ran. I’ve been running ever since.
Going home is supposed to be the answer. Instead, it makes me question every thoughtless decision I’ve made.
My sister hates me. My little brother barely knows me. And Simon… is engaged.
None of it matters- or so I tell myself. I’m here to make amends and face a past haunted by regret.
As long as I can convince myself to stay.
Letting Go is a young adult romance dealing with tragedy, restitution, and love in all its aspects. The story relates to sensitive topics that may be triggering for some readers.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B3R41NWF
International: https://books2read.com/Letting-Go-Defiant-Sisters
TBR: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61269995-letting-go–the-defiant-sisters-book-1
Bio
JACQUIE BIGGAR is a USA Today bestselling author of Romance who writes about smart, sassy females and tough, alpha males who learn the true power is love. Free reads, excerpts, author news, and contests can be found on her website:
You can follow her at http://Facebook.com/jacqbiggar, http://Twitter.com/jacqbiggar
Or email her via her website. Jacquie lives on Vancouver Island with her husband and loves to hear from readers all over the world!
You can also join her street team on Facebook: Biggar’s Book Buddies
Or her exclusive Review Crew: https://jacqbiggar.com/join-my-review-crew/
And sign up for her newsletter-
http://www.subscribepage.com/jacqbiggar
Fiction Favorites 
[…] Guest Post – Jacquie Biggar – Letting Go The Defiant Sisters book 1 #newbook […]
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Thank yu for sharing the post, Charles.
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Thank you for sharing the post, Charles.
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Thank you for sharing my post, Charles- appreciated.
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Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you for sharing the post today, Michael.
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Thank you, Michael!
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Thanks for this great interview, John! Jacquie also writes stories you can’t stay away from. Hearwrenching, captiving, and with calming ending. Best wishes, Michael
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Thank you for your support, Michael.
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My pleasure, John! xx Michael
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I love that you said this, Michael, that’s exactly my goal.
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That is such a sad and tragic thing to have happened, Jacquie. I’m looking forward to reading your new book and wish you every success! Thanks for sharing, John. Hugs 💕🙂
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Thank you for support, Harmony.
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It’s devastating for the families. You’d always wonder if there wasn’t more you could have done.
Thank you, Harmony.
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Interesting motivations for a story. Thanks for sharing those.
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Thanks, Craig. 😊
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It’s weighed on my mind for a long time. In the case of Sam, I truly thought he was happy, which made it all the more shocking.
Thanks for stopping by, Craig.
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Thanks for hosting Jacquie today, John. Wishing her all the best!
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Thank you for the good wishes, Jill. 😊
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Thanks so much, Jill!
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Terrific interview, John.
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Thanks, GP. 😁
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Appreciated, GP. Not the lightest of subjects but pertinent to the sisters in my story.
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You handled it very well.
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I think the incident that inspired the book goes to show that we can never really know what is going on inside another person. All the best to Jacquie for the success of The Defiant Sisters!
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Thank you for the terrific message, Liz. 😊
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You’re welcome, John.
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😊
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Exactly. To an outsider- and even those closest- things can seem perfect. In Sam’s case, they were in the midst of planning their wedding the following year.
Thank you, Liz.
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You’re welcome, Jacquie. That must have been so, so hard for his fiancee.
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Thankfully, she has a strong support unit in her mom, kids, and town. Many, like Izzy in my novel, feel lost and alone in a crisis situation- that’s sad.
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I always enjoy learning where an author’s idea came from, but this is a profoundly sad beginning. This book is waiting on my Kindle, and I’m even more anxious now to get to it. Best wishes, Jacquie.
Thank you for hosting, John.
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Thank you, Staci. 😁
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Thanks, Staci. It was hard to see the families left behind to struggle and I needed to explore that in my book. It is an angsty read but also healing- I hope.
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It seems tragedy propels many of us to write. And your two stories of profound sadness, grab at the heart. I look forward to reading your book, Jacquie, and wish you much success. Thank you, John, for hosting her today.
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Thank you for the support, Gwen.
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Some of the greatest tragedies, such as Romeo and Juliet, strike our hearts with empathy. We want a happy ending, but the grand sacrifice stays with us the longest.
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Thanks for spreading the word about this book, John. The backstory is very sad. Spreading the word, making us aware, is a good thing.
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Thank you, Dan. I think Jacquie is such a talent that everyone should hear the background. 😊
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I feel we could avoid many situations like these if we really listen to our loved ones. All too often, our day-to-day lives take up all of our energy and we ignore signs we might otherwise have noticed.
Thank you, Dan.
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Such tragic stories, Jacquie – I’m so sorry to hear about those people. That cover is perfect, and I didn’t know it was done by Teagan. Congrats on the new release!
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Thank you, Teri. Good combo, Teagan and Jacquie.
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Thanks, Teri. I’m honored by the things Jacquie has said about the cover. I had to take an extended break from making covers for others. I had my hands full making them monthly for “Dead of Winter.” But I’m getting back to the “Designed & Ready” book covers — although not for custom work.
I need to catch up with Bad Moon Rising at your place. ❤ Hugs.
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Teagan’s amazing cover pulled so many emotions out of me I was compelled to put them to words- does that sound corny? lol
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I just read a fantastic review of this book by Diana Peach. Sounds like a downloadable winner!
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Thank you, Noelle. I think you are right.
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Thanks for mentioning that, Noelle. I might have missed it. Hugs.
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Diana writes beautiful reviews. I’m beyond grateful for her kind thoughts on my book baby 🙂
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What a wonderful spotlight for Jacquie’s new book! I recently finished and can say the characters are memorable and I found myself rooting for each of them. Anxiously awaiting the continuation of the story! Thanks, John!
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Thank you for supporting Jacquie, Jan.
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I was thrilled to see your wonderful review, Jan, thank you!
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Always interesting to hear what propelled a writer in the direction of creating their work. Best of luck to Jacquie on the book…and thanks for sharing her story here, John.
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Thank you for the terrific words, Bruce.
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I tend to write from personal experiences, it’s cathartic and I can draw on my emotions to hopefully connect with readers.
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Hi, John. Thanks for hosting Jacquie. While she’s shared bits, I didn’t know the full background for the creation of this story. It’s amazing how many people we all know whose lives have been touched by suicide… and how surprising it is to find out. People don’t talk about it, and Jacquie, you are absolutely right — it must be brought into the light of day.
I’m honored that my cover design added to that inspiration. Thanks so much.
Hugs to you both.
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Thank you, Teagan. Your cover is smashing. 😁
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I know the story won’t appeal to some, but hope it makes a difference in a small way to others going through something similar.
Thanks again for giving me the inspiration to write this important story, my friend.
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Such a tragic inspiration, Jacquie you really captured that in your book. Thanks for hosting, John!
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Thank you, Denise. 😁
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Thanks for giving it a read, Denise!
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I appreciated learning the inspiration for the book, Jacquie, and your suicide prevention message in the end now makes perfect sense. Suicide is so tragic, and a terrible way to lose someone… as Renee demonstrates. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. You write wonderfully authentic characters, and I always know I’m in for a treat. The cover from Teagan is beautiful. Great to see you here and many thanks to John for hosting. ❤ ❤
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Thank you for the lovely words of support, Diana. 😊
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Thanks for your beautiful review, Diana, I’m overwhelmed.
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Very welcome, Jacquie. I think your writing glows and you do a wonderful job with these kinds of characters. They’re all so nuanced. Congrats.
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😊
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I feel the same about yours- that Dalcoran! I can’t decide if he’s good or bad, lol
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Ha ha ha. 🙂 🙂
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Great post, John. Tragedy is often a strong motivation for composition, both in words and music. Best wishes for your book, Jacquie.
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Thank you, Tim
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Very true. There have been numerous songs written about devastation. One of the best that comes to mind is Alan Jackson’s Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning-https://youtu.be/gPHnadJ-0hE
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Got my copy yesterday and can’t wait to begin reading it. Congrats, Jacquie, and thanks for hosting, John!
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My pleasure, Joan.
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That makes my day, thank you!
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It’s always good to hear where the idea for a story came from. Suicide is a tough one and we know of two cases recently that shocked everyone and devasted the families.
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So true, Darlene.
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Robin Williams comes to mind. I can’t look at his photos now without trying to see the pain behind his eyes.
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Best of luck to Jacquie with her latest book. I think it’s great that she’s tackled a tough subject.
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So true, Pete.
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Thanks, Pete. It was something I had to do.
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Reblogged this on Jacquie Biggar-USA Today Best-selling author and commented:
Many thanks to John Howell for hosting me on his entertaining blog today!
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Thanks for sharing, Jacqui.
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John, thanks so much for hosting me today. I’m sorry I was late commenting, still sleeping off the flu bug.
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Understood.
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Such a difficult subject to tackle, so full marks to Jacquie, and many thanks to John for highlighting her book. Gracias.
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Thank you, Joy. Jacquie is a treasure.
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Thank you, Joy. I hope it makes a difference in someone’s life {{hugs}}
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Congratulations, Jacquie! What a wonderful post!
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Thank you for the support, Kymber.
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Thank you, Kymber. My heart hurts for anyone who goes through a tragedy like suicide.
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Yes, mine, too.
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😊
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I have this on my Kindle. I cannot wait to read it!
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Thanks, Jacqui. I’ll bet it is music to Jacquie’s ears.
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Woohoo, thank you!
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Hi John, thanks for hosting Jacqui. I saw her book on Diana’s post of reviews, so I look forward to reading it. My son is 27 now, but when he was 14, one of his closest friends committed suicide at that same age. It was shocking because his friend was a wonderful young man with so much to offer the world. Anyway, this topic is beyond tragic without answers most of the time. I also enjoyed reading the inspiration behind this story and Teagan’s cover is beautiful. Best of luck to Jacqui!
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Thank you so much, Lauren. 😁
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I’m so sorry your son had this experience, Lauren. It’s tough at any age, but as an impressionable teen… horrible.
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I like what you wrote, Jacquie, “If we don’t talk about it, we can’t help or heal each other.” I look forward to reading your book. 💗
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Thanks, Lauren
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Thanks for hosting John and congratulations Jacquie.. looking forward to reading.. xx
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😊
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Congratulations, Jacquie, and all the best on your new release!
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Thank you, Mark.
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Nice to see Jacquie and her book here on tour too. Congrats again Jacquie. 🙂
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Thank you for your support, Debby. 😊
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🙂
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