WHERE DANDELIONS GROW // by Lydia Howe

I know I'm one day late posting but you will soon understand why I made an exception for this beautiful little contemporary that I've already talked about before - as well as reviewed on Goodreads!

So, I present to you ...

WHERE DANDELIONS GROW

What happens when your world falls apart and your dreams are mocked by those closest to you?

Destiny’s idyllic childhood full of laughter and cousins abruptly ended when her mom uprooted the family to move them across the country with strict instructions to never talk about Swallow Ridge again. Eleven years later Destiny moves back to her hometown, determined to find her cousins… and answers.

Plagued by generations of bitterness and manipulation, Destiny hides her life-long goal - unwilling to let anyone else trample her fragile dreams. But living in the cozy town full of dandelions teaches Destiny there’s more to life than what she’s been taught.

Is it possible Swallow Ridge not only holds the answers Destiny so intensely searches for, but also the hope?

Find the Book: Goodreads // Amazon

I happen to be one of the reviewers for this book as well -- not only blog tour participant. So I can personally vouch that this book is well worth your time! And it's like $.99! So. Here are some good points to get you started (basically stolen off my Goodreads review):

- It's about cousins! And I love cousins, you know - both my own and cousins in books! I mean, it's not actually /that/ common? We have friends and siblings and lovers and parents but not as much of cousins as there could be!

- And all the character are SO endearing and lovable :D I couldn't believe it. I WANT TO MEET THEM ALL. The main characters - the four cousins - are so lovely and their relationships/personality is just gold. And then the new friends Destiny makes - they are such beautiful humans and so supportive and EVERYONE NEEDS FRIENDS LIKE THAT.

- It's about dandelions. The dandelions are a symbol - and if you've read enough of my reviews YOU KNOW I LOVE SYMBOLISM AND HIDDEN MEANING.

- It takes place in this awesome little town. And hey, I RELATE TO LITTLE TOWNS WHERE YOU BASICALLY WALK EVERYWHERE. It's a lovely little place which I really. really. need. to go and. visit.

- It's about pursuing you dreams, and the definition of success, and relationships. Such relatable and wonderful things - I mean, you will connect to it immediately when you read it!

- It's about writers! And writing! And all you writer friends, YOU WILL LOVE IT. And you'll totally relate to what it feels like sharing your work with the world <3

- It's about a delicious bookstore called Noveltea!!! It's like the dream workplace of any writer/reader and FOR THAT ALONE YOU MUST READ THIS, JUST SO YOU CAN GO SEE HOW AMAZING THIS BOOKSTORE IS.

- It's about a reunion after years and I JUST NEEDED THAT BEAUTY because it's particularly relatable to me because I've been dreaming about such reunions for year and so on ...

- AND THE THEME THOUGH. AND THAT PHRASE THAT SUMS IT ALL UP. It's gorgeous, guys - you need this motto in your life. /take the higher road/ The messages are just plain wonderful and so true <3

- And this is just me - but I have been plotting a tale remotely similar to this and so it was really good for me to see how this author did it :D

Describe yourself.

I’m one of those quirky, random, excitable people who are fun to be around in small dosages. My days include a lot of cooking (I work at a coffee shop that serves food), books (including a hidden library), cutting grass (my lawnmower’s name is Chadwin), and writing. Traveling is something I find to be really fun, and I’ve been blessed to travel to five continents. Sparkly socks, cotton candy, skunks, ice cream with sprinkles, autumn, fuzzy bunnies, and lilacs are some of my favorite things. I’m so thankful for the life God has given me.

What's your favorite color?

Some shades of blue, and also a certain dark red.

Describe your main character in five separate words.

Loyal. Confused. Nostalgic. Writer. Searching.

In seven separate phrases tell us what your book is about.

1. About growing up and learning from past mistakes.

2. Family, friendships, and bonds that last over the years.

3. A homey college town, cozy bookstore, and coming home.

4. Learning when it’s worth it to pursue your dreams, and when it’s better to let them go.

5. Creativity and the work it takes to become an artist.

6. Taking the high road.

7. Finding answers to a decade-old question.

If you had to write another novella about another character from your book (besides the mc) who would you choose and why?

Originally I wanted to write a novella from the viewpoint of each of the four cousins - I doubt that will happen now, though. But, if I did write just one more book, I think I would choose to write it from Teal’s point of view. In fact, at one point in time, I did begin plotting the story years ago. I would choose Teal because I’ve imagined her backstory the most and find her really interesting.

Who is an author you want to write like?

Catherine Farnes books take me away and sink me right into a story. Although I don’t want to copy her style, I would like it if my books did the same thing to readers.

What did you turn to/do when you felt stuck and dry in your writing?

Whenever I feel stuck I try and immerse myself in creativity - reading good books, coloring pictures, looking up interesting words, playing games, practicing thinking like a kid, stuff like that. Then I sit down and force myself to write.

Do you remember the moment inspiration first struck and what was it like?

I was sitting at my cousin’s graduation party, listening to another cousin playing her cello, and boom, the idea came to life.

If you had the chance to send this to one author you admire for feedback who would it be?

Probably Catherine Farnes. ;)

Why did you choose to indie publish?

I’ve been both traditionally and indie published before. I chose to indie publish Where Dandelions Growbecause I wanted to get another book out there fairly fast while waiting for a couple of the books I’m currently working on to be traditionally published.

If you could go back and do one thing differently in your writing/publishing process what would it be?

Study the craft more at an earlier stage.

In one sentence tell us what writing this has taught you.

The power of setting a reasonable writing goal and sticking to it.

Lydia Howe (aka Aidyl Ewoh) is a twenty-something adventurous author who is partial to hiking in the mountains of Asia and South America, building life-size models of dinosaurs, taking road trips across Europe, visiting friends in Africa, growing up in a barn and everything in-between. She currently works in a coffee shop during the day and concocts stories by night.