Virtual Book Tour and Giveaway: When Lions Roar by Karen Leigh Gruber

Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for When Lions Roar by Karen Leigh Gruber. This book tour was organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. On my stop, I have an excerpt as well as a great guest post from the author. There's also the tour wide giveaway for a chance to win a $50 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card. Be sure to follow the rest of the tour for more content. Enjoy!

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Title: When Lions Roar
Author: Karen Leigh Gruber
Publisher: Silk Dragon Press
Publication Date: July 24th 2020
Print Length: 232 pages
Genre: Women's Fiction

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Two women from different lands, each struggling to survive; a child’s mysterious disappearance will alter both their lives forever…

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?

Goodreads * Amazon

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EXCERPT:

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.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Karen Gruber is an international #1 best-selling contributing author, inspirational speaker, and a Leadership Development Coach for women and moms. She specializes in inspiring moms to realize their potential as mothers, women, and leaders. Karen has had extensive specialized training in parenting, feminine spirituality, and leadership. Over the past 15 years she has provided innovative leadership coaching for moms and has dramatically transformed her own life.

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 well-being 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 * Amazon * Facebook * Instagram

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GUEST POST:

My Top 10 Favorite Books
by Karen Leigh Gruber

Gone with the Wind – Margaret Mitchell

Gone with the Wind is the first book I read that I remember leaving an impression on me. I read this book when I was 12 while on a family vacation. I love the richness of the descriptions, desperately wanting to fall in love myself, and the experience desperation and devastation of war through her eyes. It makes me feel such a wide range of emotions that stays with me years later.

Feminine Genius – LiYana Silver

Feminine Genius is the first book I ever read that truly honors all parts of me, everything I considered good and bad. It pulls back the curtain and sheds light on my actions and beliefs that are destructive to me. This book helps cultivate the seed within me on my own journey to heal, fully embrace and celebrate all of me.

Circe – Madeline Miller

Circe captured my imagination from the first pages, with a character I was unfamiliar with in Greek Mythology. It is a thrilling read to follow this lesser known goddess on her life passage. The storytelling is masterfully crafted and kept me wanting more-it does not disappoint. This book shows me what’s possible when an author unleashes her creativity.

The Power of One – Bryce Courtenay

Despite being difficult to read in parts due to the cruelty depicted, I loved this book. The resilience of the main character and the obstacles he overcomes makes The Power of One a book of grit, strength of the human spirit, and hope. The writing is enthralling and rich with symbolism.

The Sheltering Sky – Paul Bowles

The Sheltering Sky is a fascinating book for me. I don’t believe I have ever read anything quite like it. It is a dark read as it takes me on a journey of humans and their limits. The characters are not necessarily likeable and the thought I had when I finished the book was “disturbing”, but the writing is extraordinary and stays with me long after the final page has been turned.

Main Street – Sinclair Lewis

I am fascinated with Main Street, as it tells a story of a woman with big ideas and thoughts. Through marriage she is brought to a small town where her ideas and ways of being are not welcome. It is the epitome of the inequalities women have faced for centuries. Even though it takes place in the early 1900’s, I can still relate to the main character’s struggles and challenges today. The writing is lyrical and paints a vivid picture.

Wide Sargasso Sea – Jean Rhys

A prequel to Charlotte Bronte’s Jayne Eyre, Wide Sargasso Sea takes you on a journey of the life of the madwoman from the attic. This haunting character is ingeniously brought to life and her descension into madness is palpable with the masterfully crafted writing.

A Million Little Pieces – James Frey

Although this work received a lot of criticism shortly after being selected for Oprah’s Book Club, I still think the writing of the author’s experience of alcoholism and drug addiction is captivating. He gives insight into a world I am unfamiliar with and is definitely a page turner. The author’s vulnerability in telling his story is eye-opening and inspiring.

A House for Mr. Biswas – V.S. Naipaul

Another book with the human spirit as its core theme, I love the way this author depicts a man’s immense struggle for independence. With dogged determination and encountering seemingly insurmountable obstacles time and time again, A House for Mr. Biswas is powerfully and cleverly written.

Angle of Repose – Wallace Stegner

Angle of Repose is one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read. The writing is so potent and immersive. The storyline is of great interest and he created characters you cheer for and hope for, even when they are in opposition. A testament to the courageous, heartiness, and ingenuity of the American pioneers and the American spirit.

When Lions Roar – Karen Leigh Gruber

A thrilling story of hope and determination. This author thoughtfully weaves two parallel storylines of despair and ultimate triumph in a unique fashion. The deep and sometimes unsettling descriptions stay with the reader even after the book has been put down. When Lions Roar is a woman’s story of struggle and reclamation that will resonate with and inspire many women today.

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Reflecting on my favorite books, it is no wonder that When Lions Roar became the novel it is.

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GIVEAWAY:

One randomly chosen winner via Rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card. To increase your chance of winning, leave a comment at a different stop on the tour each day. Good luck!

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