Anybody read any good books lately that you want to talk about?
I recently read Into The Free, by Julie Cantrell. Julie was actually a guest on the blog a few weeks ago, and soon after that, her book, her debut novel no less, hit the NYT Bestseller List! Amazing, isn’t it?
And yea, I admit to going a little green. I’m not sure how that happens. Is it just a lot of good buzz, lots of interest and word of mouth that suddenly catapults a book to that status? Of course the book IS good, but I’ve always wondered what the process for becoming an overnight sensation is.
But I truly LOVED this book. It did raise some questions in my mind, but I hear there is a sequel on the way, so perhaps those things will come up in the next book. I just loved Julie’s prose and the way she drew me write into Millie’s world, as horrible as it was at times. Well, most of the time. It’s very satisfying to me when I do read a book that stays with me long after the last page is turned. Unfortunately that’s not always the case with a lot of books I pick up these days.
It’s a pleasure to have Julie here today! Her debut novel, Into The Free, has just released, and it is already a smashing success! I haven’t read it yet, but I can’t wait! Here’s what you have to look forward to:
Into the Free
Debut Novel of Love and Forgiveness from Southern Author Julie Cantrell
“Gritty, compelling, and beautifully told, Into the Free will take you into a coming-of-age story filled with heartrending hardship and luminous hope. Julie Cantrell is a writer to watch!”
—Lisa Wingate, bestselling, award-winning author of Dandelion Summer
COLORADO SPRINGS—Debut author and editor of Southern Literary Review, Julie Cantrell, writes an extraordinary story of love, survival, and forgiveness in the new David C Cook release, Into the Free. Readers will be awed by Millie Reynolds, a young girl from Mississippi who has packed a lot of life into her seventeen years.
With an abusive father and a “nothing mama,” it seems that young Millie has no hope. She longs to flee Depression-era Mississippi and the madness that marks her world. Then a sweet gum tree she calls Sweetie, her beloved neighbor Sloth, and a band of gypsies that caravans through town all combine in a life-changing way. Her traveling friends lead Millie to a box filled with family secrets, and Millie wonders what its contents mean for her future. Will it give her the means to break her family’s cycle of abuse? Will she find a way to be safe and loved?
In Into the Free, Cantrell tells a story so compelling that people will scarcely believe it is a debut novel. Set in Cantrell’s home state of Mississippi, Into the Free has a full cast of genuine characters and a heart-touching story that readers will never forget. The book also includes an AfterWord section with book club-style discussion questions and other behind-the-scenes information. Readers will long remember Into the Free, finding the ordinary yet remarkable Millie to be one of their most beloved characters.
About Julie:
A speech language pathologist and literacy advocate, Julie Cantrell is the editor-in-chief of the Southern Literary Review. She has served as a freelance writer for ten years and published two children’s books. Julie and her family live in Mississippi, where they operate Valley House Farm. Visit her online at www.juliecantrell.com
Let’s find out a bit more:
Who Are You?
I’m a sleep-deprived, sugar-addicted mom of two spunky, strong-willed souls; a worn-out worrier of a wife with way too much guilt; a frazzled friend who wishes I had more time to meet for coffee and walks; a first-generation organic farmer with dirt on my jeans and hay in my hair; a pal to all things furry, feathery, and fun; a teacher of students learning English as their second language, a certified speech-language pathologist who contracts to conduct school evaluations, a frenzied freelance writer who loves the challenge of a crazy deadline; a voracious volunteer who is finally learning how to say “no thanks,” and – as of February 1 – a newbie novelist. Whew. I’m tired.
Where Are You Now?
Physically: Exhausted
Spiritually: Sound
Emotionally: Stable. No. Unstable. Wait. Stable. Yep. Let’s go with stable.
Mentally: Debatable
Where Are You Going?
Crazy. Any day now. Watch me.
Well, don’t go too crazy, Julie, I think you have great things ahead of you!
What schedule?
I've never been all that good at sticking to schedules, so I hereby admit that I don't have one. I guess you could say I'm an eclectic blogger. When I have something to say, I'll say it. If I want to post something fun that I think others might enjoy, I'll do that to. Basically, I'd love this blog to be a place for you to stop by when you want, get to know a bit about me and my writing, and hopefully allow me to get to know you.
