HealingTies (Ties Series Book 1) By Jennifer Roche

Healing Ties

(Ties Series Book 1)

By: Jennifer Roche

*All photos in this entry are property of Jennifer Roche.*

I was sought out through facebook instant messenger by Jennifer. She introduced me to a book that was written by not one, but several authors, that the proceeds are donated to help families affected by child loss, and she explained to me that she is the creator of said anthology and co-publishing it through her company. I became even more excited. So I explained to her that I am a book reviewer, and ask if she wanted reviewed and interviewed, and she said sure. 

You’re thinking this is that, aren’t you? So was I. But instead, Jennifer offers up another book, which she wants me to review, and it is the one I am going to review now: “Healing Ties.”

 

As I let myself crumble with sadness at the change in her plans, Jennifer explained everything, and that she is also my stalker. She opened up to me, and wow. This is one wild and lovable woman. She is totally open and honest, and she just seems like someone who cannot sit still for five seconds. I instantly felt I was getting to know an ADD or ADHD person who just loved to help others, and use her talents to benefit others. I was instantly thrilled and excited to welcome Jennifer to my blog family, and read her book, especially when she told me all about it, even before I read it. 

So here is my honest review of “Healing Ties:” by Jennifer Roche:

We are going into the lives of Andrea and Blythe and we are going to get to know them, and see when they first met, and see what their friendship was like, and all the things that their friendship entailed. 

As we all are aware, friendship have their ups and downs, and as we read, we will see and feel just how Andrea and Blythe build their bond, and work through things like best friends should, even when  life gets in the way. 

Within this book you will find that sometimes friendships do go different ways, but true friends do find their way back to one another.

You also learn that yes, sometimes friends manage to keep secrets, thinking that maybe it is best to do so, when maybe it isn’t. And that in the end causes regrets.

Through the transformation of life, growing up, and seeing and needing, and realization, Andrea and Blythe will see and come to realize that what they had is something that is and was destined to be. 

Their friendship is a life lesson, and though it may have not been perfect, they needed it. Together Andrea and Blythe have always managed to even think of one another when they weren’t together, and missed one another. Andrea and Blythe worked together learning that their friendship could teach them to learn to heal their ties. 

This is a beautiful five star read, and it will bring tears to your eyes in some spots, and a smile to your face in several others. If you have ever had that one perfect friend, I am certain you will even reminisce as you read this. This book is a beautiful story, and worth the time and effort to read. I enjoyed it immensely. And I am grateful that Jennifer brought this book to my attention, as well as brought herself into my life. I suggest you go out and get a copy, you will be glad you did!

My questions for Jennifer:

1.  What made you write this book: "Healing Ties" and how long did it take you?

Healing Ties is part of a three book series which I originally planned as a stand-alone but as I wrote it, it began to take on a life of its own and I realized it was growing into a book that had so much more potential and could be spun into a series. At times it felt as if the book was writing itself as my fingers flew across the keyboard. There are so many parts of my life I now find discreetly interwoven within the fibers of the story that were done unconsciously.

The actual writing part of Healing Ties Book One in the Ties Series took probably about three months.   It all seemed to fall into place. The reason behind writing this book was to create a book that would show the strength and bond of a friendship tested by society and prove that despite the odds and barriers put in place true friendship always surpasses the odds.  I also wanted to show that people if placed in different emotional circumstances could change their attitudes and should be allowed a second chance to prove themselves. This book was about being open to the possibility of finding the inner strength inside oneself and embracing it to make yourself a stronger, more positive individual.

2. Who designed the beautiful cover?

The idea for the cover was mine. I am a Award-winning photographer as well as an author and I wanted this book cover to represent the simplicity and vintage feel associated with the scenes I wrote about the Turner Farmhouse. Something about that Farmhouse seemed to evoke images of old friends gathering together,  accepting one another unconditionally. I even had passed a house in my life where I saw a tire swing hanging from a tree and I captured it an my Nikon D3300 I shoot with. I knew I wanted a similar image for my book cover. Only when I teamed up with Amanda Walker of Walker Designs did she manage to find and design this amazing novel cover that fit my own image. She created this book cover and did an amazing job of it!   ❤

3.  What are your hobbies?

I have a variety of hobbies in fact if my hands are ever idle it drives me crazy! I constantly have to be creating!  I am the CEO of Rainbows of Happiness LLC my own company and under it I created 4 businesses so I am always doing something. I am an Award-winning photographer who has sold my images exclusively for Getty Images, ViewBug,  and EyeEm, winning Judge's Favorite Image for Winter 2015, Best Shot, and was nominated for Image of the Year for 2015 where I placed 50th. I am never without at least two cameras on me wherever I go. I have been taking pictures since my first camera a 110mm at age 8! I love photography! 

 I also design handmade seaglass jewelry & accessories. It started as a way to relax after writing then people started asking to order the pieces. I now have created a line Just For You Creations by Rainbows of Happiness LLC where I create and name each piece. Only one copy of each jewelry design is made thus the name Just For You. I give away more than I sell and when I do sell it the prices are enough to cover my costs. I don't think you should charge people exorbitant fees to own something special.   I dance all the time and have been in classes since the age of ten. I auditioned for the NJ Governor's School for Dance in high school.  I love drawing I am currently designing the illustrations for my three book children's series teaching children to improve their self-confidence and self-esteem.  I love baking not so much cooking but baking anything!  I love writing poetry and have notebooks full of my poems.

4. What are you working on now?

Currently I am promoting my first anthology that was my idea to create where I am the Co-publisher through my company Rainbows of Happiness LLC along with Indie Editing Services.  The anthology is in pre-order now and is called Detours In Our Destinations https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HZXQI9Q

This is a 13 author anthology which I also wrote for as well that includes inspirational short stories & original poetry created by Indie Authors to inspire hope and healing in families affected by child loss.  Proceeds from the anthology sales will be donated to 3Hopeful Hearts http://www.3hopefulhearts.com to further help families. The anthology seeks to show individuals through its emotionally poignant stories covering real life topics including child loss, loss of a spouse or loved one, dealing with rare diseases, and dealing with feelings of inferiority & lack of self-confidence issues that they can rise above the pain and persevere. Detours In Our Destinations Anthology is a celebration of positivity showing the durability of the human spirit despite extreme circumstances. Sometimes in life we can't predict which obstacles may encounter our paths causing us to take a Detour in our original route. Sometimes taking the path to these Detours leads to unexpected outcomes more amazing than we imagined!

We are having a 3 day epic Extravaganza Blowout for the Release of Detours In Our Destinations Anthology from Aug 19th - 21st https://www.facebook.com/events/560882220746482/
Harlequin Books has donated 49 new paperback releases to our event,  Don Lucey himself of Harlequin /HarperCollins  contacted me about our anthology.  ❀ ღ

The cover of our anthology was created and donated by Patti Roberts of Paradox Book Covers http://bit.ly/ParadoxPremadeBlog
Anne-Marie Spiby of DragonRose Books Galore and Carmen Alicea of Alicea's Creations and Romanceaholic both created and donated all our banners, both Indie Authors and NY Times Best-selling Authors have donated generously to our party.

I also have an short story in the next Gems of Gratitude anthology by Metamorph Publishing due out November 2016 and Healing Ties Book Two Yearning for Acceptance will release in early November 2016 or Dec 2016 depending on my beta readers. 😊 I have a short story in Gems of Freedom in July 2017 as well as the final installment of the Healing Ties series Healing Ties Book Three H.E.A.R.T Endures. Plus my three book children's series which I redid the illustrations on Jingles the Clumsy Elf,  Jingles Saves Christmas, and Jingles All the Way  (new title) and a 60 poem anthology of my works. So a lot to come!

5. What gives you the desire to write?

I have always wanted to be a writer I love reading. My mother instilled the love of reading in my brother and I as young children and my father devours books. He read the entire Lee Childs series, loves James Patterson, anything with mystery, history, war heroes.  My mother and I have similar reading tastes romance, contemporary,  HEA books, books with intriguing plots.

When I write my books both my parents are willing to read my arcs to provide feedback and I value that. They attend author events online, and support me.

I also am spurred to write by the support of the followers I have. I am stunned by their kind words and devotion to my books. I always wanted to create books that if they touched the lives of just one person I would have succeeded.  Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that people would be so supportive and show such unconditional love for my books. I have some amazing followers who I truly treasure and they are the reason I write!

My fellow authors constantly inspire me to become a better writer as well. I see the difference they make with their books and their words and I aspire to become a better writer because of them! I have made some amazing author friendships because of this experience! ❤

6. Have you ever met any Authors IRL and do you want to?

Yes I have met some authors in real life but I would always love to meet  more!  ❤  I have had lunch and had Author Gretchen Fox to my house. I have had several lunches and had Author Alisha Cole now Coggins to my home. I've been lucky enough to meet celebrity and military authors while traveling. Then of course there are always the people you just happen to meet in random places that I feel fate has brought to you that turn out to be struggling authors or people with a story to tell that have yet to print that book.

7.  What is your absolute most favorite book of all time?

 That is such a hard question for me I am the type of person who will read any book and I love holding a newly printed paperback in my hands for the smell of the book itself. I love books. I love the classics. I love Gone With the Wind. I love anything written by Jane Austen. If a writer creates a book with a strong storyline, well-defined characters, an unexpected  plot twist and keeps my attention rapt, it doesn't matter if the genre is children's literature or erotica, I'm hooked.

8.  Do you think people can change?

 I'm a positive individual always and an optimist. I believe in giving everyone an equal chance to prove the type of person they are. In my book Healing Ties Blythe's mother goes from a materialistic, self-righteous, character who judges Andrea based on her socioeconomic status. It is only when her situation changes and she is forced to see the opposite sides view that she has a change in perspective.   So yes I believe when forced to view life differently from the point of view of those you are judging, you will find people can change their attitudes.

9. Do you have any photos or descriptions of the characters or people to go along with your book to share?

I do not take photos of my characters in my books for one specific reason.  I want the reader to use the words I write to formulate their own personal image of the characters so when they read my stories the experience can become more genuine and unique to each individual.  They conjure up a mental image of who they feel in their minds each character represents without the constraints of an image to force them to picture a character a certain way.

Andrea - long, straight, black hair, green eyes, pale complexion that easily revealed the slightest trace of a blush should she become flustered. Her eyes were always taking in her surroundings since she was an amateur writer. She was a small-town girl more interested in what would constitute a good story idea as opposed to going out partying. She recognizes the value of friendship and the greatness found in others yet has trouble recognizing her own ability for greatness.

Blythe- is a pint-sized powerhouse of energy and Andrea ' s best friend who is a gorgeous socialite always ready to party. She is blonde, with blue eyes, and tanned. She carries herself with attitude that says to the world not to mess with her. She is always dressed to the nines in the latest designer fashion and accessories her outfits with studs, glitter, anything to stand out in the crowd.   She had a constant entourage of admirers yet no one she can call a true friend. 

That describes the two main characters of my book. My Healing Ties bond I set out to show.

10. Please share with us your social media and book links:

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJenniferLRoche

http://www.facebook.com/rainbowsofhappiness2013

https://www.facebook.com/DetoursInOurDestinations.01/
https://www.amazon.com/Jennifer-Roche/e/B018PV264I/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HZXQI9Q

https://www.goodreads.com/JenniferRoche
https://www.twitter.com/Pensivewriter36

https://www.pinterest.com/RainbowsofHappiness

https://www.instagram.com/AuthorJenniferLRoche

Gems of Sisterhood Page: https://www.facebook.com/Gems-of-Sisterhood-175750802794775/

My blogs:

A Veil of Enlightenment
http://pensivewriter36.wordpress.com

The Final Penstroke
http://thefinalpenstroke.blogspot.com

LinkedIn : http://www.linkedin.com/m/rainbowsofhappiness2013

11. Anything to add:

Please feel free to join our 3 Day Epic Extravaganza Blowout for Detours In Our Destinations Anthology happening Aug 19th - 21st at https://www.facebook.com/events/560882220746482 and pick up a preorder copy of the anthology today.  The authors of the #DetoursCrew have each created such emotionally poignant stories with positive impacts on life as their catalyst and the majority of the stories come from the anthology author's lives themselves!  They are moving ! Remember this anthology is all about inspiring hope and healing in others !  

Thank you Deneale for having me on your blog and allowing me the chance to share my books with your followers! It means a lot to have support from amazing individuals such as yourself!  

Much love to all and may all you Detours lead to happiness in life! ❤

Healing Ties by Jennifer L. Roche
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was sought out through facebook instant messenger by Jennifer. She introduced me to a book that was written by not one, but several authors, that the proceeds are donated to help families affected by child loss, and she explained to me that she is the creator of said anthology and co-publishing it through her company. I became even more excited. So I explained to her that I am a book reviewer, and ask if she wanted reviewed and interviewed, and she said sure.

You’re thinking this is that, aren’t you? So was I. But instead, Jennifer offers up another book, which she wants me to review, and it is the one I am going to review now: “Healing Ties.”

As I let myself crumble with sadness at the change in her plans, Jennifer explained everything, and that she is also my stalker. She opened up to me, and wow. This is one wild and lovable woman. She is totally open and honest, and she just seems like someone who cannot sit still for five seconds. I instantly felt I was getting to know an ADD or ADHD person who just loved to help others, and use her talents to benefit others. I was instantly thrilled and excited to welcome Jennifer to my blog family, and read her book, especially when she told me all about it, even before I read it.

So here is my honest review of “Healing Ties:” by Jennifer Roche:

We are going into the lives of Andrea and Blythe and we are going to get to know them, and see when they first met, and see what their friendship was like, and all the things that their friendship entailed.

As we all are aware, friendship have their ups and downs, and as we read, we will see and feel just how Andrea and Blythe build their bond, and work through things like best friends should, even when life gets in the way.

Within this book you will find that sometimes friendships do go different ways, but true friends do find their way back to one another.

You also learn that yes, sometimes friends manage to keep secrets, thinking that maybe it is best to do so, when maybe it isn’t. And that in the end causes regrets.

Through the transformation of life, growing up, and seeing and needing, and realization, Andrea and Blythe will see and come to realize that what they had is something that is and was destined to be.

Their friendship is a life lesson, and though it may have not been perfect, they needed it. Together Andrea and Blythe have always managed to even think of one another when they weren’t together, and missed one another. Andrea and Blythe worked together learning that their friendship could teach them to learn to heal their ties.

This is a beautiful five star read, and it will bring tears to your eyes in some spots, and a smile to your face in several others. If you have ever had that one perfect friend, I am certain you will even reminisce as you read this. This book is a beautiful story, and worth the time and effort to read. I enjoyed it immensely. And I am grateful that Jennifer brought this book to my attention, as well as brought herself into my life. I suggest you go out and get a copy, you will be glad you did!



View all my reviews