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Any weird things you do when you’re alone?
I'm a weird person. My time alone is really a great opportunity for me to create in silence or in quiet without distractions or disruptions. I do love to play when I'm alone, like play with makeup or essential oils or putting together outfits and jewelry. I love to take naps and sometimes when my daughter and husband are out of the house, I really love to do absolutely nothing.
What is your favorite quote and why?
My favorite quote is, “I love the woman I've become, because I have fought so hard to become her.” I feel this really sums up my journey in one sentence. Coming from a place of self-loathing to a place of deep self-love is profound. I love how that quote that sums it up for me.
Who is your favorite author and why?
I have had read far too many books to have a favorite author. Currently, the author that I resonate most closely with is Delia Owens. I absolutely love Where the Crawdads Sing and even though I don’t know her personally, I could really feel the author present within her writing. Getting to catch glimpses of and getting to know the author through her writing was an extraordinary experience while reading that book. Months later I happened to look at her website and she's got this huge history, background, and education of living in Africa. It was like, “Oh my gosh, no wonder I'm so in love with this woman.” I hope readers connect to me through When Lions Roar like I connected to her.
What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?
Not censoring yourself, allowing whatever your inner knowing, your soul, your voice, whatever it is that's coming up from within you to spill out onto the page. Don't try to make it right. Don't try to make it good. Don't try to make it something that it's not. Allowing yourself to pour out on the paper is in my opinion, the most important element of good writing.
Where did you get the idea for this book?
When Lions Roar came to me through a series of writing and journal journaling exercises. I did a lot of guided questions and the book came to me. The idea really came forth through a lot of visualization, a lot of curiosity, and much writing with no purpose in mind.
Maggie has become unrecognizable to herself, succumbing to the predictability of being a mother and wife. Every day she reminds her daughter to brush her teeth, has the same conversation with her husband about what’s for dinner. Maggie struggles to cope with the disenchantment of the monotonous tedium that has become her life. Despite her boredom, when her husband David is called on assignment to South Africa, Maggie resents having to rearrange her life just because David has decided they all need to traipse halfway across the globe.
While on safari, Maggie awakens one morning to a mother’s worst nightmare; their daughter Hannah has gone missing. Just when things can’t get any worse, Maggie is confronted with the harsh truth of her emotionally abusive marriage and what she has allowed her life to become.
When Lions Roar is set against the backdrop of the exotic and intriguing landscape of South Africa, when the country is reeling from the aftershocks of apartheid. Will Maggie find the strength and courage to abandon the fragile ties of her marriage and confront her self-destruction in time to save the life of her daughter?
As we enjoyed our breakfast, my mind tended to wander. That morning, as I looked at my divine daughter, a million thoughts came rushing in. She is so kind, so smart, and so emotionally in tune, this young girl. As I watched her interact with the world and the people within it, I was touched by how compassionate and thoughtful she is. She was so respectful and engaging of the people around her, whether it’s a peer, a person of authority, and especially now, the personnel catering to our every need here in our little hotel bubble. Between the culture, the language, and the accents, there were challenges in communication. Hannah had a smile for everyone, and they, in turn, lit up when she spoke to them. Her demeanor truly reflected that a stranger was just someone she hadn’t met yet, and everyone we encountered responded in kind. I couldn’t help but be so proud of her. I thought back to all the moms I knew who insisted they could never travel that far away with their kids, which made me sad for them because I didn’t think I could ever travel that far away without her. She was such a wonderful travel companion.
Getting to experience the world through her eyes was a true gift.
Sharing her life with her husband Jim and daughter Jaymie, presenting her message to other women, and traveling the world bring her the greatest joy.
She is the founder of The Inspired Mama, a company located in gorgeous Denver, Colorado that focuses on the inspiration, leadership, and wellbeing of women and moms.
When Lions Roar is Karen’s debut fictional work. She is freakish about Christmas lights and loves to play Baccarat.
Website: https://theinspiredmama.com/
Facebook: https://www.amazon.com/When-Lions-Karen-Leigh-Gruber/dp/1734976004
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inspiredmama/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/When-Lions-Karen-Leigh-Gruber/dp/1734976004
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Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking time to share your book with us and it's always a pleasure in our family to learn about a new one.
ReplyDeleteThank you James--I truly hope you enjoy When Lions Roar. Although I presumed it would most appeal to a female audience--I've had a lot of positive feedback from men who have read it as well. I'd love to know what you think if you get the chance to read it :)
DeleteGood morning! Thank you so much for hosting When Lions Roar today, I am honored to be here.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great read.
ReplyDeleteHi Rita, thanks for commenting--I hope you have the opportunity to enjoy the book.
DeleteGreat cover!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Victoria, I love it too!!!
DeleteGreat excerpt and giveaway. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Cali, I hope the excerpt entices you to read When Lions Roar. Best of luck with the giveaway!! -Karen
DeleteThis sounds like a great read.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your author interview with us, I have enjoyed reading about you and your work.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing! Sounds great!
ReplyDelete