Read Your Writes Book Reviews: OUR LIVES IN BETWEEN (Enlightened Series, #1) by Billie Kowalewski ~ Guest Post & Giveaway

Our Lives in Between (Enlightened, #1)
by: Billie Kowalewski
Series: Enlightened
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Release Date: September 20, 2023

It had been five years since the accident that derailed Veronica’s life, which left her suffering from a strange flu-like illness ever since. Thanks to a barrier set in her mind at birth, she can’t remember her name is Harmony and that this is not her real life. She has no memory of the many lives she had lived before this one and how several of those lives had been cut short. How she must uncover the reason why those lives had ended so early, and how this moment may hold the key, or she risks losing herself and Earth forever.

As Harmony, she wants to uncover the reason why her lives keep ending so soon. As Veronica, she wonders how much longer she has to live like this? What could possibly be left for her? Little did she know, she was about to get her answers…

Lessons I Learned From Heroine: Harmony

When I sat down to write this story thirteen years ago, I decided to write bios for each one of my characters starting with Harmony. These bios ended up being the foundation, providing me with different aspects and different points of view of whatever situation they would end up in. You would be surprised by the little things you end up learning from acting out those little fictional scenarios. I am thankful to all of my characters for allowing me to be able to experience things in life from so many different angles all at once. I am especially grateful for Harmony. I was going through a tough situation at the time and being her helped me to escape it and evolve into the person I was always meant to be. She made me stronger, more confident, determined and independent. Most importantly she helped me heal and saved my life. When I come across a tough situation, I often find myself wondering what she would do. My fictional character gave me so much more than I could ever ask for, which was something I never saw coming. There have been countless times I almost quit. Slammed my laptop shut, swore up a storm and said forget it. Then her face would pop up again in my thoughts and I just couldn’t give up on her. As odd as this is gonna sound, working hard and never giving up on her is the best way to pay her back for what she has done for me. It’s what she would do if the table was turned. Like her, I would rather die trying than ever give up. I’m so proud that she is me.

My world is your world—only you can’t remember any of it. A barrier exists between what you think is real and what you know to be. It had been put in place during the transition into the world you currently know and will be removed upon your return.

In other words, this is not your real life.

My name is Harmony, and I am going to let you in on a little secret. I am a student at the biggest, most famous school ever known. And so are you! It’s called Earth.

Yep. Earth is a school. Are you shocked? If you are, it’s okay. That is the most common and expected reaction to this news. I will give you a moment to let that sink in…

Just kidding! Based on the fact you’ve chosen to read this; I am going to bet that you’re a lot like me. You’re probably fine, and not shocked by this at all. If you do, however, find this news to be at all surprising, perhaps it would be best if you stopped here. This story may not be for everyone, and I am not looking to upset anyone’s beliefs. Our extreme diversity is an important part of what makes us who we are. So, this may be where we will agree to disagree and possibly part ways. Hopefully as friends.

For everyone else, I will move on.

Yes, life is about learning, and Earth is our school. I’m sure you have heard someone on Earth say this before. I know when I am there, I hear this often. Some people know, but it’s not because they remember it is. They know because people cannot get through a single day there without learning something, somehow. On Earth, learning is unavoidable.

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Billie Kowalewski grew up in a small town along the Connecticut shoreline. She’s always had a wild imagination and spent her childhood dreaming up stories. This would often lead her to the library or whatever bookstore where she would be combing the shelves for books that closely resembled what was in her head at the time. A lot of the time she would come close and would be satisfied with what she found. However, there was always this one story she could never find. It was in 2010 that she decided to write it herself. In whatever spare time she has left, she enjoys listening to pretty much anything that rocks, like 80's hair bands, metal, etc. She also has a gift for finding the strangest movies and shows ever (according to her children) and loves spending time with her family.

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