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Hidden Family Secrets Start Unfolding
Nothing’s As It Seems follows a woman who has never found “the one” but discovers that other forces are at play in her life and that nothing is as it seems. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration has been my own life. Chastity is based on my experiences. That said, I am a hopeless romantic to the core, dreaming of forever with a man when I can look him in the eyes and say, “I do” again and again. I learned long ago that it’s worth waiting and fighting for all good things. I wanted readers to see a character who has everything thrown at her—lack of success, inability to have children, loss of the things most cherished—but then decides to fight, sticking to her truth and values. She may come out bruised in the process, but she has toughened up because of her experiences, a true survivor.
Dr. Chastity Ann Morgan is an interesting and well-developed character. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
One driving ideal is Chastity’s sense of humor since she can roll with the punches and laugh about all these crazy men who come into her life. The other driving ideal is her tenacity to fight hard enough to overcome any obstacle thrown her way and never let anyone tell her that her ideas and beliefs are crazy and ridiculous because those concepts make people so unique and special.
What were significant themes for you to explore in this book?
Fate and destiny. As a single woman, I talk a great deal to my friends about a new man as destined or fated for me. Can you fall in love and be destined for someone else? Do soul mates exist? It’s a major driving theme in Nothing’s As It Seems when hidden family secrets start unfolding.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I am working on the third and final novel to close this series and hope to release it before the end of the year. Readers can look forward to much revealing but should expect many twists along the way.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
To top it off, a secret journal surfaces, which reveals things from the past. How it’s supposed to fit into Chase’s life only adds to her growing confusion as a cryptic past seeps into her future. Can Daphne, her ten-year-old psychic neighbor, provide direction when the little girl comes up with her convoluted myriad of clues? Only time will tell if the current events will assist or hinder Chastity’s destiny, especially when she has to decide if blind trust in love will lead to a day of reckoning. Find out as you read along in Nothing’s As It Seems, the second novel in the Chastity Series.
Nothing’s As It Seems
Nothing’s As It Seems by Holly Brandon lives up to its title in the best possible way. Chastity Morgan, also called Chase, is a romantic with the desire for marriage and a happily ever after. When Chase finds herself in her 30s after multiple failed relationships, she’s beginning to think that she’s never found “the one.” She fights the pressure of her family and their traditional views on the need to find a husband. Instead, Chase focuses on her independence and being happy without a man. She learns from her family, friends, and personal experiences that life is all about the journey, and love is about mutual respect and commitment.
Chase soon discovers other forces are at play, including Daphne’s psychic abilities and a questionable series of events that occur unexpectedly. She soon learns that the destiny she’s been chasing and the life she’s been looking for were in front of her all along, and essentially, nothing is quite as it seems.
I found the book to be fun, with quirky, likable characters and excellent development throughout the story. There is a significant dynamic between Chase and her cousin Roxie, with rich inspiration and empathy. I really enjoyed her family’s relationship, creating a sense of nostalgia throughout the book. It’s an enjoyable, creative story filled with original ideas that give the story more depth and thought-provoking ideas than I expected. I love how the dialogue between the characters shapes their relationships, and there is a good dose of humor driven by fate, the setting, and the characters. Chase’s journey is a must-read that I highly recommend.
Nothing’s As It Seems by Holly Brandon is a light, fun, and fast-paced book with loveable characters and an enjoyable plot. I recommend this entertaining tale that blends love, friendship, family, and a drive for more out of life.
Pages 539 | ASIN: B09R4GFSPN
