Padme's Library: So the Heart Can Dance by Mary Crawford

Thursday, June 18, 2015

So the Heart Can Dance by Mary Crawford

Title: So the Heart Can Dance

Author: Mary Crawford

Series: Hidden Beauty #2

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: April 20, 2015

Summary:
For most, life is a winding road of challenges, some joyful, while others lead to heartache and despair. Tara Isamu, a dancer blessed with grace and elegance, lives a remarkable life. She sees her future as bright...but that all changes in an instant, when a single act of violence steals her innocence.

Tara’s dreams are suddenly shattered, turning her emotions inward, where she harbors a secret that has seemingly blemished her soul. She is left in darkness until a chance meeting with an old friend opens the door to healing and love. Aidan O’Brien and Tara’s relationship is borne of youthful affection and tempered in the foundry of tragedy. Together, they walk a difficult path, one that heals through understanding and acceptance.

So the Heart Can Dance is a love story, written with deep meaning for anyone who has endured life-altering misfortune that leaves behind unseen, yet very real scars. Read it as a celebration of the soul’s ability to overcome the worst of life’s challenges. It will lift, inspire and breathe hope into the most painful experiences, and teach us all...we can surely dance again.

***Please Note: Throughout 2015 the author will donate 15% of gross profits to RAINN, a national charity dedicated to stopping sexual assault and abuse.***

Although this book is the second in the Hidden Beauty series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone.

Until the Stars Fall from the Sky #1

Summary:

Jeff finally has his life back on track after deferring his dreams so he could be there for his family when they were stuck with a health crisis. As a lifeguard and a law student, he is solely focused on graduating at the top of his class and passing the bar exam so that he can help his mom and little sister.

In a blink of an eye, all of that changes when a beautiful redhead rescues a little boy right under Jeff’s nose while he’s lifeguarding and challenges everything he thought he wanted from the world.

Kiera, a former swimmer turned social worker is distraction he never expected to encounter. She is smart, outgoing, witty, and vivacious and he is drawn to her more than he could have ever imagined.

Unfortunately however, both Jeff and Kiera come with strings attached. . .

1. What is the biggest influence/interest that brought you to this genre?

I think what brought me into the genre the most was the fact that before I became a writer I was first and foremost a voracious reader. I routinely read 700 books a year. As a person with a disability, I became really discouraged that I couldn't find romance novels that had characters that remotely resembled me. If characters with disabilities were included in stories, they often were portrayed as weak, bitter or were miraculously healed by the last chapter. Unfortunately, that's not always how life works. So, my writing grew out of my desire to show people that everyone deserves a love story regardless of your body type or disability. I wanted to show the world that you can be different and strong and sexy.

2. When writing a book, what is your favorite part of the creative process(outline, plot, character names, editing, etc)?

To me, the most exciting time in the process is when I'm first coming up with a story concept and putting it on a storyboard. Trying to fit all the different puzzle pieces of the storyline together and making them into a cohesive story is complex and thrilling (and sometimes frustrating) Of course, sometimes, as an author I’ll have an idea where I want the story to go and my characters will take me in a completely different direction.

3. When reading a book, what genre do you find most interesting/intriguing?

I personally love to read romantic suspense stories. Karen Rose is one of my favorites.

4. If you could co-author with any author, past or present, who would you choose?

Judy Blume was the author that fueled my desire to read as a young teenager and I always have felt like she tapped into my inner soul as a fledgling young woman. It would be an honor to meet her, let alone have the privilege to write with her. If I had the opportunity, I would probably be so star-struck I wouldn’t be able to process a single thought.

5. Have you always wanted to write or did it come to you "later in life"?

I have always been very creative. I loved to draw and paint. I would always mentally rewrite endings to TV shows and books. Unfortunately, when I was in the 7th grade, a teacher told me that I was the worst writer that he had ever taught. I spent decades believing him. A college professor tried to convince me otherwise, but it wasn’t until I started beta reading for Linda Kage and she encouraged me to break out of my shell that I became brave enough to actually try.

Author Bio:

I have been lucky enough to live my own version of a romance novel. I married the guy who kissed me at summer camp. He told me on the night we met that he was going to marry me and be the father of my children. Eventually I stopped giggling when he said it, and we just celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary. We have two children. The oldest, is in medical school, and the youngest is still in elementary school.

Presently, I’m a stay at home mom and I am working on several novels. I volunteer my time to a variety of causes. I have also worked as a Civil Rights Attorney and diversity advocate. I spent several years working for various social service agencies before becoming an attorney.

In my spare time, I love to cook, decorate cakes and, of course, obsessively compulsively read.