The Time is Now! Life From Scratch Book Tour!

I don't often do book tours. I'm too much of a flake and don't trust myself to follow through well enough. However, every now and then a book captures me enough that I know I'll be dedicated enough to participate. The first one was Unsung Lullabies. This second and only other one is Life From Scratch by our very own Melissa Ford of Stirrup Queens fame.

I think this book caught me up so well for a few reasons.
1. I haven't been able to read much and was so excited to find that rare book that I think about even when I can't be reading it.
2. It appeared light and fun but in reality had such deeper meaning and layers to it.
3. The characters were HUMAN and beautifully fleshed out.
4. I love Mel.

If you want to read more of my gushing, see my original post after reading the book.

Now on to the book tour questions! Check out the link following to read about the rest of the tour and to learn how to get your hands on a copy of Mel's book!

1. Which character did you relate to the most and why? Could you see yourself in any of the characters of the book?

I actually related the most to Rachel. At one point, she describes what it's like to feel that you are an "average girl," and I felt a very strong connection to that description. I've often been shocked that someone I found "cool" would like me, this ho-hum everyday sorta gal. I've also often felt that while I'm not unattractive, I'm just your normal girl next door who would have difficulty ever standing out in the crowd or looking beautiful and glamorous. It's nice to know I'm not alone in those feelings.

The most poignant feeling of kinship I had with Rachel is when she describes sitting on the tub, watching a bug that she wants her husband to come home and take care of. It becomes more about missing him and needing his companionship and care than about needing help. I identify so closely with her thought process there... with how she spirals into feelings of depression and abandonment more and more as she waits and how his reaction to her is such a let-down, that it triggers drastic results. I can remember more than one time of feeling that exact way not explaining myself well enough to Hub. I have been guilty of expecting him to understand me in ways that I don't communicate effectively. I've also been guilty of piling on the hurt over time and then unleashing it in ways that are unexpected for him. I wonder if that's a "girl" thing to do?

Oh and the breaking down emotionally in front of someone stuff and feeling like such a dork after doing it. MAN can I connect with that. ;-)

2.If you have to take up a hobby after a life changing event, what would it be? Have you ever wanted to just try something new?

Hmm. I would want to try photography. More specifically, I'd like to try travel photography. When I change, I go big eh? Travel is an absolute passion, and I'd love to be able to capture that on film. And I've often wanted to try something new. I'm very fond of experiencing life to the fullest of my ability (which means nothing too horrifying like base jumping), and I find myself searching for new challenges and experiences often, or I feel, for lack of a better word, bored. That's how I started knitting, archery, show jumping on horseback, moving around the country and eating Thai food. It's also probably why this little white, naive, small town America girl is married to brown-skinned, slightly jaded, three different country connected, bilingual city boy.

3. Rachel learned more than one lesson in the course of this novel - which one impressed you most and which one could you relate to most?

Honestly, I know it's not the central theme of the novel, but I was most impressed with how she handled Gael and that whole situation toward the end. I liked that she didn't act like a wilting flower. I liked that she realized with adult clarity what had to happen in their relationship. I would like to think I'd be that adult but have a sneaking suspicion it wouldn't happen. However, I could relate most to the lesson on communicating effectively with your spouse before working yourself into such an advanced emotional state over a perceived issue.

To continue to the next leg of this book tour, please visit the main list at Write Mind Open Heart!

Interested in this lovely little book?

Buy it in paperback or Kindle edition!