Beau Hale
She said that she was my best friend and then one day she wasn’t. Every day I live with the visible scars, but it’s the invisible ones that hurt the most. They are a constant reminder of everything I’ve lost as well as all the things that I’ll never have. I should be over this by now, it’s been years, but I can’t escape the memories that haunt me. Everyone around me is moving on with their life, so now I need to do the same. Tennis brought me to Columbia University, and I am quickly proving that I will not let anyone defeat me, past or present. I am in control now. Life has taught me the hard way to remember that. But after all this time, I’m still searching for an answer to the one question that is constantly burning in the back of my mind…why?
Leila Starling
He said that he was my best friend, and then one day he wasn’t. It took one moment to change my entire life. What I thought I knew became a lie and nothing was ever the same. Slowly, I picked up the pieces and focused on what I could control…me. I live in New York City and attend one of the world’s most prestigious fashion and design schools. Day after day, I am getting closer and closer to making my dreams come true. I did this all on my own and no one can ever take it from me. I know my future is bright, even if my heart is destined to stay in the dark. The dull ache that still lingers is my daily reminder to rely on no one but myself. Although, after all this time, I still can’t help but wonder…why?
Over ten years ago my husband and I were driving from Chicago to Tampa and somewhere in Kentucky I remember seeing a billboard that was all black with five white words, “I do, therefore I am!” I’m certain that it was a Nike ad, but for me I found this to be completely profound.
Take running for example. Most will say that a runner is someone who runs five days a week and runs under a ten minute mile pace. Well, I can tell you that I never run five days a week and on my best days my pace is an eleven minute mile. I have run six half marathons and one full marathon. No matter what anyone says, I am a runner. I do, therefore I am.
I’ve taken this same thought and applied it to so many areas of my life: cooking, gardening, quilting, and yes…writing.
I may not be culinary trained, but I love to cook and my family and friends loves to eat my food. I cook, therefore I am a chef!
My thumb is not black. I love to grow herbs, tomatoes, roses, and lavender. I garden, therefore I am a gardener!
I love beautiful fabrics and I can follow a pattern. My triangles may not line up perfectly…but who cares, my quilts are still beautiful when they are finished. I quilt, therefore I am a quilter.
I have been writing my entire life. It is my husband who finally said, “Who cares if people like your books or not? If you enjoy writing them and you love your stories…then write them.” He has always been my biggest fan and he was right. Being a writer has always been my dream and what I said I wanted to be when I grew up.
So, I’ve told you who I am and what I love to do…now I’m going to tell you the why.
I have two boys that are three years a part. My husband and I want to instill in them adventure, courage, and passion. We don’t expect them to be perfect at things, we just want them to try and do. It’s not about winning the race, it’s about showing up in the first place. We don’t want them to be discouraged by society stereotypes, we want them to embrace who they are and what they love. After all, we only get one life.
In the end, they won’t care how many books I actually sell…all that matters to them is that I said I was going to do it, I did it, and I have loved every minute of it.
Find something that you love and tell yourself, “I do, therefore I am.”
Carla’s Review:
5 huge,outstanding stars for Starless Nights by Kathryn Andrews! This is
the second book in the Hale Brother’s Series, and it is just as phenomenal
as the first book, Drops of Rain. Seriously, if you haven’t read either of
these books, you don’t know what you are missing!!
I fell desperately head over heels for the ever so charming Beau Hale in
Drops of Rain. I can’t tell you how excited I was to read his story. I
admit I might have stalked Kathryn Andrew’s facebook page so I would know
the exact moment this book would be availabe. 😉 Poor Beau’s childhood was
just terrible. He suffered at the hands of an abusive father and a
emotionally detached mother. The one bright spot in his life was Leila
Starling. With her, he always felt at peace. When that was taken from
him. he was left feeling both confused and devastated. Beau’s character
was so well developed and engaging that I found myself desperately wanting
him to find his happily ever after. While his pain may make you want to
hate Leila, you won’t be able to. She has loved Beau for the majority of
her life, and she much like Beau has been a victim of lies and circumstance.
This book alternates between the past and present tense of this beautiful
couple’s story. Through this process, Kathryn Andrews fills in the blanks
about what actually transpired between these two. Kudos to her for
creating such an emotional and beautifully written series. Remember the
name Kathryn Andrews because I am sure she is well on her way to a very
successful career as an author.
*I was given a copy of this book as a gift from Stephanie’s Book Reports in
exchange for an honest review.
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