BLOG TOUR: Love, Lucas by Chantele Sedgwick- Review, Interview & Giveaway

Love, Lucas by Chantele Sedgwick
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Release Date: May 5th 2015
Rate: 4 STARS! 

Synopsis: When Oakley Nelson loses her brother, Lucas, to cancer, she thinks she’ll never recover. Between her parents’ arguing and the battle she’s fighting with depression, she feels nothing inside but a hollow emptiness. When Mom suggests they spend the summer in California with Aunt Jo, Oakley isn’t sure that a change of scenery will alter anything, but she’s willing to give it a try.

In California, Oakley discovers a sort of safety and freedom in Aunt Jo’s beach house. Once they’re settled, Mom hands her a notebook full of letters addressed to her—from Lucas. As Oakley reads one each day, she realizes how much he loved her, and each letter challenges her to be better and to continue to enjoy her life. He wants her to move on.

If only it were that easy.

But then a surfer named Carson comes into her life, and Oakley is blindsided. He makes her feel again. As she lets him in, she is surprised by how much she cares for him, and things get complicated. How can she fall in love and be happy when Lucas never got the chance to do those very same things?

With her brother’s dying words as guidance, Oakley must learn to listen to and trust herself again. She soon realizes that second chances are ways to learn from the past, and you don’t always have to leave the past behind to find happiness in the future.

"I miss you when you go home for the night. I'll never tell you that to your face, since'd you'd stay as long as I want you to, but it's true. I miss you when you leave. You're the one I'm fighting for."

Love Lucas, to sum it up, is a brilliant, quick paced, emotion filled book with the power to break your heart, and somehow, piece it all together again.

The synopsis tells you everything you need to know, and so the only thing I can tell you is if you love books with ALL THE FEELS, then Love, Lucas should DEFINITELY be your next read. The characters are brilliantly developed, especially Oakley. And Lucas. And Carson. Okay, everyone. I love how their fears and problems are portrayed, how they're each struggling with something different, and how they realize that they need each other, and will always remember each other- because that's what love is.

Eternal. And Chantele Sedgwick does it SO perfectly, that even though the book was so fast paced, it had me catching my breath at so many places and tearing up my eyes at so many others.

So, GET YOUR HANDS ON THIS BOOK. NOW.

We would love to know more about you:

1. Five fun facts nobody knows about you:

 Most people don't know I play the harp,

I was in the show choir in high school (Yes, I was a choir girl), 

I have a phobia of grass, 

I line up my M&M's by color and eat them in order from Brown through the color of the rainbow, 

I'm a list maker. :)

2. What does it feel like to actually have your book out there? 

Every time I let a book out into the world I have a mini panic attack. Reviews can be brutal. But I learned a long time ago that you can't please everyone. So, happiness is one feeling and relief that another book is finished and out of my hands is another. It's a bitter-sweet feeling.

3. The cutest/ most romantic thing that has ever happened to you:

Hmmm...I'd say when the hubby proposed. Dinner, sandy beach, beautiful ring and an amazing guy. *sigh* What could be more romantic? :)

4. Tell us a little about Love, Lucas- your inspiration, your characters, your world: 

My inspiration for Love, Lucas happened really different than any of my other books. I had a thought come to me one day about a brother writing letters to his little sister. I wrote some of the letters down, which actually made it into the book, and then it all started from there. Lucas was the protective and popular older brother and his best friend was his sister. Oakley came to life after that and it all just fell into place. I've never written a book as fast as this one, but it was so easy for me to write. It flowed from beginning to end, the letters especially. It was a pleasure to be able to write their story, and I'm so happy with how it turned out. Lucas has my heart forever.

5. Do a Love, Lucas description (one adjective for each letter of the title!)
Lonely
Oceanic
Vast
Encouraging
Likeable
Understood
Calm
Adventurous
Strong

“A deeply moving tale of unimaginable loss and the redemptive power of love. Sedgwick masterfully delves into the painful details of losing a loved one, breaking your heart even as her beautiful words stitch you back together. Romance and friendship, true growth and authentic healing, this story blew me away. It takes a special book to bring tears to my eyesand make me swoon... Love, Lucas? Yeah, this book is special.” —Rachel Harris, New York Times bestselling author

“An emotional summer of love, hope, and healing! Love, Lucas is easy to adore with Sedgwick’s real relationships, sweet romance, and tale of renewal.” —Lizzy Charles, author of Effortless With You

"Chantele Sedgwick navigates the dark waters of grief with a deft hand and plenty of heart.Love, Lucas will drag readers under before bringing them back to the surface for a life-saving breath of hope." —Amy Finnegan, author of Not In the Script

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Chantele Sedgwick is a YA author, harpist, wife to one and stay-at-home mom to four. She loves happy endings, Kit Kats and judging by her book shelves, buys way too many books.

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