Favorite Daughters Blog Tour: Guest Post + Giveaway

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the FAVORITE DAUGHTERS by Laurel Osterkamp Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

FAVORITE DAUGHTERS
Author: Laurel Osterkamp
Release Date: August 25, 2022
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
Formats: Paperback, eBook
Pages: 314

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, TBD, Bookshop.org

Description:

Elyse Gibbons is out of her depth when, as an undergrad at Columbia, she's befriended by campus superstars Aubrey Adam-Drake and Marina Hunt. While Aubrey's grandfather is a former U.S. president and Marina's dad is a notorious mob lawyer, Elyse was raised in Pennsylvania by a single mother/language professor who made Elyse learn Chinese for allowance money. As her high-profile life evolves, Elyse must use the strength and perseverance she gained from her humble roots, even while joining ranks with the powerful and elite. Then, handsome and enigmatic Finn joins the three friends to form a tightly knit group of four, and life becomes even more complicated.

Years go by, Elyse is further drawn into Aubrey and Marina's world of influence and intrigue, and she will risk everything for her friends and for Finn-the love of her life. When Elyse becomes embroiled in her own political career, it's clear that one misstep can lead to earth-shattering consequences, one lie can cause devastating ruin, and to survive unscathed, betrayal is the only option.

Reviews:

2022 Maxy Awards Finalist
Firebird Book Award Winner (Women's Fiction)
Indies Today Finalist (Contemporary Fiction)

"...a riveting, moving novel, but also a rally cry for readers to find their power." -Jackie Jacobi, author of The Ravens

I have a hard time making lists of my favorite books, because there are so many books that I love. And with each new book that I read, my favorites are always changing. You’ll notice they’re all written by female authors, and save The Secret History, they all feature strong female protagonists. I love books about female empowerment.

That said, here is a snapshot of my current faves:

Donna Tartt/The Secret History: She probably didn’t invent the “dark academia” genre, but reading this book was my first foray into it and I fell in love. A group of ancient Greek scholars accidently kill a farmer and then they kill their friend. And that’s just the beginning.

Suzanne Collins/The Hunger Games: This isn’t just one of my favorite YA novels, it’s one of my favorite novels ever. It’s flawlessly written, and Katniss Everdeen is a classic heroine. Somehow the book is a compelling tale of suspense, a love story, and a cutting social commentary, all in one.

Lesley Nneka Arimah/What it Means When a Man Falls from the Sky: This eclectic short story collection is genius, and I had the privilege of both teaching the book to advanced high school students, and to hear Arimah do an author talk. All of the stories are unique, but they also all focus in some way on mother/daughter relationships. I couldn’t recommend it more.

Charlotte Bronte/Jane Eyre: If I limit myself to one favorite by one Bronte, I’m going with Jane Eyre. I’m sure that some Bronte fans would accuse me of being pedestrian and unenlightened (because Emily and Anne’s novels were more daring and progressive). But I like how plucky Jane is, and the journey of self-discovery that she goes on. Plus, the whole novel is just so atmospheric.

Lis Smith/Any Given Tuesday: This is the newest edition to my list. It’s actually nonfiction, and oh how I wish it was written before I wrote Favorite Daughters. (I could have used the info to make my novel more realistic.) Smith recounts her experiences as a political strategist, and she uses relationship metaphors for every politician she worked for. The behind-the-scenes look is fascinating.

I think most writers will admit to aspiring to the same level as their favorite authors. For me, I wanted my main character to be as strong and authentic as the women were in the books above. I wanted to inspire my readers in the same way these books inspired me. If I achieved just a fraction of that in Favorite Daughters, I will be beyond satisfied.

Laurel Osterkamp is the author of roughly a dozen novels, but she's sort of losing track. Her new novel, Favorite Daughters, will be released by Black Rose Writing in August 2022. Currently, she is on leave from teaching high English and Creative Writing. That's because she is completing her MFA in writing from Lindenwood University, polishing up one novel and finishing a second. Please visit her website/blog, https://laurellit.com/ for book recommendations, writing tips, and info about her writing. She'd also love for you to follow her on Bookbub  and/or on Facebook

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

(1) winner will receive a finished copy of FAVORITE DAUGHTERS - US Only.

Ends September 20^th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

8/22/2022	Two Chicks on Books	Guest Post
8/23/2022	@jaimerockstarbooktours	IG Spotlight
8/24/2022	BookHounds	Guest Post/IG Post
8/25/2022	Better_0ff_Read	IG Spotlight
8/26/2022	Epic Book Society	Excerpt/IG Post
8/27/2022	Writer of Wrongs	Excerpt

Week Two:

8/28/2022	Brandi Danielle Davis	IG Spotlight
8/29/2022	Lady Hawkeye	Excerpt/IG Post
8/30/2022	@jael_and_jenessa_reads	Review/IG Post
8/31/2022	@allyluvsbooksalatte	IG Spotlight
9/1/2022	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Excerpt
9/2/2022	A Dream Within A Dream	Guest Post
9/3/2022	Lisa-Queen of Random	Guest Post/IG Post

Week Three:

9/4/2022	Fire and Ice	Review/IG Post
9/5/2022	More Books Please blog	Review/IG Post
9/6/2022	RavenzReviewz	Review/IG Post
9/7/2022	Rajiv's Reviews	Review/IG Post
9/8/2022	@booksrn_rashi	IG Review
9/9/2022	The Momma Spot	Review/IG Post
9/10/2022	@books_carry_dreams	Review/IG Post

Week Four:

9/11/2022	@bujos_n_books	IG Review
9/12/2022	@jypsylynn	Review/IG Post
9/13/2022	Fire and Ice	Review/IG Post
9/14/2022	@jodieangell_author	Review/IG Post
9/15/2022	GryffindorBookishNerd	Review/IG Post
9/16/2022	@jacleomik33	IG Review

November Surprise Tour: Excerpt & Giveaway

 

November Surprise
Author: Laurel Osterkamp
Genre: Chick Lit / Women's Fiction




Date Published: 8/2012 

Buy Link: Amazon


Synopsis:

For Lucy Jones, the distinction between love and politics is hazy at best. Both can be all-consuming, and either can lead to a heart-breaking loss or an exhilarating win. Whatever the case, if you’re seen as a loser, you probably are one. Lucy first learns this lesson in 1988, when she’s a shy girl, battling a high school bully and rooting for Dukakis. Through the years Lucy will experience the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat as she makes the choices that define her. Meanwhile, she also struggles to define her relationship with Monty, who comes in and out of her life like the changes in public opinion. Is Monty simply a one-night stand, a kindred spirit, or the love of her life? And by 2008, can he offer her a change to believe in?


Over the course of twenty years and six presidential elections, Lucy grows and adjusts with the times. Filled with snarky political and pop-culture references, November Surprise is about the journey we take to believe in a candidate, in love, and in ourselves.


November Surprise is a companion piece to Campaign Promises, which is free on Amazon. They can be read in either order. Both have a liberal slant. 

Monty and I have been dancing together all evening. The slow songs are the best, but we also do the Macarena and even the Chicken Dance. I can’t stop laughing the entire time I’m quacking my hands.
Jack and his new wife, Petra, have fed each other cake. Petra has thrown her bouquet, and all the toasts have been given. The night is winding down, and Monty leads me off the dance floor.
“I’m really glad neither of us had dates,” he says.
“Yeah, me too.” My heart beats just a little bit faster than normal.
“And I’m sorry about earlier. Hitting on you like that. It was clumsy. Will you forgive me?” His face is flushed and his tie is loosened. I’m sure I’ve noticed before how good looking he is, but this is the first time I’ve let myself appreciate it.
“There’s nothing to forgive.” I look around, make sure nobody is watching, and then I stand on my tip-toes and plant a kiss on his cheek. When he doesn’t flinch or pull away, I give him the barest whisper of a kiss on the lips.
It’s all the encouragement he needs.
With a conspiratorial smile, he takes my hand and leads me outside the reception hall. I follow willingly.
When we get to a dark, hidden spot, he wraps his arms around my waist and kisses me deeply. I can feel it everywhere, my entire body is tingling, my knees are weak, and I’m sure that at any moment, my heart will explode.
I don’t want him to stop. But he does.
“Where are you staying tonight?” he asks.
“I was going to drive back to my parents’ house.”
“Hmm…” he leans in and kisses me some more. I press up against him like I can’t get close enough. He tilts his head back ever so slightly, so he can talk. “That’s a long drive. Do you want to stay with me, instead?”
“You have a hotel room?”
“It’s close to the airport,” he whispers. “I fly back to New York really early tomorrow.” Then he baby kisses my eyes, nose, and chin.
I don’t answer immediately. I’m trying to steady my breathing. “So you can make a clean get away?”
“It’s not like that.” he smiles. “And you haven’t even said yes, yet.”
But he knows I’m going to. “You can’t ever tell Jack,” I say.
“He just got married, Lucy. Do you really think he’ll care?”
I rub my hands down his back and across the taut muscles in his arms. “I never had sex with him, and we dated for months. If he finds out you and I had a one night stand…”
Monty cuts me off with another kiss. “I promise I’ll never tell him,” he murmurs, between kisses.
We make out a few seconds more, but our kissing is interrupted when I’m consumed with a fit of giggles.
“What’s so funny?” Monty asks.
I shake my head. “Sorry. It just occurred to me. I’m about to do it with the homecoming king.”
Monty chuckles. “Does that turn you on?”
“Yeah,” I admit. “Kind of. Is that okay?”
He kisses my neck. I tilt my head back and sigh in pleasure.
“Are you kidding?” His lips are a mere centimeter from my skin as he mumbles, and his arms tighten around me even more. “If I had known, I would have worn my crown.”
Now we’re both laughing.
“You know this isn’t the sort of thing I usually do…”
He raises his face so he’s looking me in the eye. “I know,” he says, and he smiles. Crinkles form around his green eyes, and I feel a moment of panic. There’s no way I’m casual enough to be with him for just one night.
“Let’s make it special, okay?” He reaches down and clasps my hand, and I let him lead me somewhere, again. This time, I follow him to the parking lot. Tonight, I’d follow him anywhere.

Author Bio:

Laurel Osterkamp was a comedy writer in Minneapolis before she began writing novels.
Her first novel, Following My Toes, has been a Kindle best seller and won the 2008
Indie Excellence Award for Chick Lit. Starring in the Movie of My Life received honors
in the 2011 Indie Excellence Awards for Chick Lit, and in the 2011 International Book
Awards for Women's Fiction and Young Adult Lit. Both books are indie approved at
indiereader.com. She currently teaches high school, and is working on her next book,
which is inspired by her recent jury duty. 

Author Links:

Website

Blog

  What's up for grabs? A $30 Amazon gift card! Here's how to enter:

 

Leave a comment with a way to contact you to enter into the contest. Also, anyone who buys November Surprise and forwards their receipt to laurel@pmibooks.com will receive 10 entries.

http://novembersurprises.blogspot.com/