Guest Post – Jacquie Biggar – Letting Go The Defiant Sisters book 1 #newbook

~ John W. Howell

 

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

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/letting-go-the-defiant-sisters-book1-the-defiant-sisters-duet-by-jacquie-biggar

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:

http://jacqbiggar.com

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

 

106 thoughts on “Guest Post – Jacquie Biggar – Letting Go The Defiant Sisters book 1 #newbook”

  1. Pingback: Guest Post – Jacquie Biggar – Letting Go The Defiant Sisters book 1 #newbook | Legends of Windemere

  8. 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!

    Liked by 2 people

  9. 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.

    Liked by 2 people

  10. 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.

    Liked by 2 people

    2. 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.

      Liked by 2 people

    2. 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.

      Liked by 3 people

  14. 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!

    Liked by 2 people

  16. 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.

    Liked by 2 people

    2. 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.

      Liked by 2 people

  18. 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. ❤ ❤

    Liked by 2 people

    2. 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

      Liked by 2 people

  21. 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.

    Liked by 2 people

  28. 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!

    Liked by 2 people

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