by: Marie Meyer
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Release Date: March 7, 2017
Publisher: Forever Yours
Sometimes getting lost is the only way to find your way home...
I'm grateful for many things-my work, my apartment, my amazing friends. But after that night years ago, I'm left with an aching weight I can't escape. And it's keeping me from living and loving the way I desperately want. So when a ruggedly handsome cop pulls me over, I'm shocked by what just the sight of him does to me-stirring up feelings I didn't think were possible again.
Cayden Sinclair is undoubtedly one of the good guys. A former Marine who's so sexy I can't seem to keep my hands to myself. But there are things I'm not ready to share, things that could change everything between us. Cayden deserves to have the life he's always wanted-which means walking away from him. But I don't know if I'll ever find the strength to let him go…
Hi Marie. Welcome to Read Your Writes Book Reviews. How are you?
I’m great! Thanks for having me on Read Your Writes Book Reviews, it’s an honor to be featured on your blog!
You are very welcome. You are a New Adult author. What inspires you to write in that genre?
I love New Adult stories, whether I’m writing them, or reading them. There’s something new and exciting about writing (or reading) about characters who are spreading their wings, living independently for the first time in their lives, starting careers, or becoming involved in relationships that are more mature. Characters in their twenties have so much going on and it’s fun to explore how they transition from being young adults into becoming grown-ups.
Congratulations on your new release, Long Road Home. I’m honestly not a big New Adult fan, but something about this book called to me and from beginning to end it was amazing.
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed reading LRH!
Can you tell readers about Ren Daniels and Cayden Sinclair?
Ren Daniels is a fiercely independent woman. She’s a career oriented labor and delivery nurse who loves her job, her family, and her friends. She can’t get enough of the city life—she’s a city girl, through and through. Ren hates bugs, can’t cook, and is an uber Harry Potter fangirl. But, despite Ren’s self-assuredness, she bares deep scars from a life-altering trauma. Even after years of therapy, Ren still struggles to put her past behind her. She’d be the first to tell you that it’s a slow process, but she’s a fighter. Ren refuses to give in to the hurt and sadness of her past. She has a remarkable zest for life. She loves with every fiber of her being.
Cayden is a lot like Ren in the sense that he loves his job. He’s career oriented, almost to a fault (having put his life on hold in order to advance his career). He loved being a Marine and now he takes pride and finds so much joy in being a police officer. Cayden takes his role, “to serve and protect” literally—that it’s his job to keep everyone safe, especially his loved ones. Cayden loves his family and hopes to be a family man one day. He’s the outdoorsy type, loves hiking, camping, fishing, and geocaching. Cayden also knows his way around the kitchen (which suits Ren just fine)! But, my most favorite thing about Cayden is his terrible pick-up lines—they are the worst!
I didn’t think he was being serious with those lines. I just thought he was trying to get a laugh out of Ren. What do you love about Ren and Cayden?
I love how Ren and Cayden complement each other, and by doing so, they both grow as individuals. The theme I tried to convey in this novel comes from the Swedish proverb, “Shared joy is double joy; Shared sorrow is half sorrow.” I love how Ren and Cayden’s relationship embodies this proverb.
This book had me crying. I knew I was going to cry, so I thought I prepared myself, but I didn’t. Was it emotional for you to write?
There are a couple of scenes that are very emotional. From the inception of this novel, I was working from a very detailed outline. This was the first book that I wrote from an outline (I’m a pantser at heart). In working from the outline, I knew all along what was coming down the line, and that I had to prime my characters for these scenes. From a writer’s perspective, knowing what was coming kind of took the “gut wrench” out of the scenes. But, I’m glad Ren and Cayden’s emotional scenes elicited tears! When I can get my readers to cry, I know I’ve done my job! I love a book that makes me tear up!
Did you encounter any surprises in writing this story?
Even though I was working from an outline, there were some surprises. I love it when a story grows organically and ends up surprising me! The whole camping scene was never in my original outline, and I love that Ren and Cayden were able to spend that time together. During this time, they learned a lot about each other and about the bitterness and sweetness of life (Gotta love s’mores!).
The camping scenes were good. One in particular definitely had me pondering. Grape jelly on a hot dog? What’s up with that?
Hot dogs and grape jelly, yum! Really, it’s not as bad as it sounds! Cayden even says so!
Yes, but that was a small bite. I don’t think he plans on actually eating it again.
This scene is an homage to my late grandfather. He passed away shortly after my high school graduation, and even though that was years ago, I think about him all the time. My grandpa and I were very close. He used to put grape jelly on his hot dogs and it’s because of him that I do too! Cayden’s reaction to Ren squeezing jelly on her hot dog was about the same as my husband’s, the first time he saw me do it! Although, Cayden at least tried it, I have yet to convince my husband of the merits of jelly covered hot dogs. (wink)
That’s a nice memory to share with your grandfather. Can you tell me about your favorite scene from the book?
Oh goodness, it’s so hard to choose!
I know. That’s why the book is so good.
I really love the camping scenes, especially when an unwelcomed guest interrupts Ren and Cayden’s morning! But, my most favorite scene has to be Ren and Cayden’s first date. I love their banter, their chemistry, the building sexual tension between them, and their inner monologues as they try to figure each other out.
What’s something you would like for people to take away from reading Long Road Home?
Like I mentioned earlier, the Swedish proverb, “Shared joy is double joy; shared sorrow is half sorrow.” Ren and Cayden have grown accustomed to navigating life alone, carrying their sorrows and burdens by themselves—taking the long road and never quite finding home. Lost. But, when they find each other, their burdens are lightened—they find home in each other.
Seriously! You’re making my eyes tear up again!! Marie, thank you so much for stopping by today and answering some of my questions.
Thank you for having me! I’m so thrilled to be here today!
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