Beyond Believing by D.D. Marx - Review/Interview and Giveaway

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review

Beyond Believing by D.D. Marx

ISBN: 9781629038148

Hardback

Book Description:

When Olivia gets news of her best friend Dan’s fatal car accident, her life is shattered. Consumed with grief and struggling to find any meaning or purpose to life, she trudges along with a gaping void in her heart. Finally, when her frustration reaches its peak, Olivia decides to put her trust in the depth of friendship the two of them shared. That trust finally allows him to breakthrough to her, and Dan begins to guide Olivia through the twists and turns of her life, leading to something new and entirely unexpected.

When Olivia exposes a gigantic internal scandal at work, her career implodes. With no job and nowhere to turn, she escapes to Palm Springs for the sympathy and care of her beloved cousin, Garrett. However, with only weeks left before the opening of his newest store, “Gin and Tonic,” Garrett isn’t quite the comfort Olivia had expected. She yet again tries to find her way, and in the process meets someone who begins to fill that void in her heart. She’s never before experienced a love like this; it heals her soul and rekindles her spirit – and just may have been the design of her dearly departed friend all along.

Beyond Believing is a sweet, funny, and romantic story that touches the heart, serves up delicious twists and turns, and shows the reader that there’s no such thing as “coincidence.” Author D.D. Marx regards this book as her “love letter to friendship,” written in memory of her best friend, Dan.

Review:

This was the first book that I have read by this author and it was enjoyable. It is a story about love and friendship. The character development was very good as the author created some strong characters who could be someone you know. This is one of those books that you could not put down as you did not want to stop reading about your friends. There are some sad parts to this book as well but they have to be there to tell the story. But do not fret there is also some humor to this story. I think this would be a good quick beach read. A bit of trivia about this book is that it was written in memory of the author’s best friend Dan and she calls this book a “love letter to friendship”. If you like romance or chick-lit then you will enjoy this book. This book is a part of a trilogy so I can’t wait to read the next book to see what happens. 

Author Bio:

D.D. Marx is a contemporary romantic fiction writer and blogger, as well as a lover of all things social. She is a graduate of the University of Dayton, as well as the Second City program in Chicago, where she currently resides. A proud aunt and self-described hopeless romantic, Marx has always has a knack for humorous and engaging storytelling. Her pen name is a dedication to her beloved friend Dan, who continues to guide and inspire her in her daily life.

Connect with D.D.: Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest

Interview:

1. Who or what inspired you to start writing?

I was in search of a major change in my life due to some unforeseen events in my career. I watched a movie called “The Legend of Bagger Vance” which really resonated with me. It talks about how we are all born with an “authentic swing” but the world breaks it down and we lose our way. It’s a metaphor for staying true to who you are and why you are here in this life to do and story-telling has always been a passion, so I finally sat down and started writing. 

2. What do you do to help you get over writer's block?

I actually leverage some tools and games I learned in my Improvisation Training at Second City. There is a process called “branching” where you open a book, to any page and write down the first word you see. From there you write down three words that remind you of that word. For example: if you see the word “School”, three words that remind you of school could be students, tests, friends…and you continue to branch on each of those words.  It’s a great brainstorming exercise that helps you clear your mind and think totally outside the box.

3. Do you have scheduled writing time or a certain amount of words you write each day?

No, I actually write in spurts. I will write for days straight then take a few weeks off.  You really have to be in the right mind send for it to just flow otherwise it feels like work.

4. Where do you get your ideas for your books?

The current series is loosely based on my life and experiences so it was very easy to write. I always keep a notebook with me. I travel quite a bit so love to people watch and imagine their story to create characters. I also document funny moments that happen around me to incorporate into future story lines. I saw a shirt recently that said “Be Nice or you might be a character in my next book”.

5. When you are not writing what do you like to do?

I absolutely LOVE to travel, it is my biggest passion and take several mini-trips a year.  I wish I could pick up and travel the world and write along the way. Maybe someday!

6. What one piece of advice would you like to give to aspiring writers?

Throughout this process I have met so many people that are in such different stages of their writing process.  My biggest piece of advice is to just GO FOR IT! Write it down, share it, put it out there and follow your heart.  There is a great quote from Jim Carey at a recent commencement speech.  He said, “If you can fail at what you don’t want, why don’t you go after what you DO want!” Powerful message.

7. Who is your favorite author or book that you would like to recommend to your readers?

My favorite book of all time is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.  It is about a boy on a journey who stops at nothing until he finds it.  Again another metaphor for removing all the noise and distraction around you that is preventing you from pursuing your dreams.

8. If you could meet any famous person dead or alive who would it be and why?

Jesus because I have A LOT of questions – haha!

9. If you could visit anywhere in the world where would you like to visit?Australia is definitely on my bucket list 

10. 5 interesting facts about yourself

·         I am afraid of heights

·         I could eat Mexican Food for every meal for the rest of my life

·         I don’t have my own kids but have 4 Godchildren that I adore

·         I am a huge animal lover

·         I am obsessed with celebrity gossip and need to get a life!

Where to buy the book:
Author's Website
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
​

Giveaway:​

​Prizes: ​ Win one of 3 Swag Bags. Each bag contains: a print copy of Beyond Believing, a necklace (like on book cover), a pen and a compact mirror (Open to USA & Canada) Ends May 23 (I have included a pic of the prize swag bag)

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April 27 - StoreyBook Reviews - review / giveaway
April 27 - The Autistic Gamer - review
April 27 - Coffee, Books & Art - book spotlight / giveaway
April 28 - Readers' Muse - review / author interview
April 28 - Elizabeth McKenna Romance Author - book spotlight 
April 29 - Souls Readers - guest post / giveaway / book spotlight 
April 29 - Griperang's Bookmarks - review / author interview / giveaway
April 30 - The Things We Read - review
May 1 - Book Loving Hippo - review / giveaway / author interview
May 4 - Girl With Camera - review / giveaway
May 4 - Sarah Rehmatullah - review
May 5 - Christa Reads and Writes - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
May 5 - Geeks in High School - book spotlight / author interview
May 6 - Romance Novels for the Beach - review
May 7 - Rockin’ Book Reviews -  review / giveaway / author interview
May 8 - Bound for Escape - review / giveaway
May 11 - 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! -  review / giveaway
May 12 - A Blue Million Books - book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
May 12 - Allthingsbookie - review 
May 13 - Deal Sharing Aunt - review
May 13 – Walking with Nora - review / giveaway
May 14 - Library of Clean Reads - review
May 15 - The Phantom Paragrapher - review
May 15 - Did YOU Hear About the Morgans? - review
May 15 - Seaside Book Nook - review / giveaway
May 15 - Jessica Cassidy - review / author interview / giveaway