17-year-old Kate has lived her whole life in abject poverty, with an alcoholic father and drug-addicted mother, who severely abuses Kate. At school, her second-hand clothing marks her as a target. Her refusal to stand up for herself makes her the recipient of her classmates taunts and bullying. That is, until Henry returns.
Henry Jamison moved away six years earlier, just as he and Kate had begun to develop feelings for one another. He returns to find the bright, funny, outgoing girl he had known now timidly hiding in corners, barely speaking to anyone around her, suspicious of even him.
Kate can't figure out what game Henry is playing with her - for surely it is a game. What else would the gorgeous, popular boy from her past want with her?
Kate finally decides to trust Henry's intentions, opening her heart to him. Just when it seems he might be genuine in his friendship, tragedy strikes, threatening everything Kate has worked so hard to gain. Can Henry help her to overcome this new devastation, or will it tear them apart forever?
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What do you think readers will find most notable about this book?
Cindy C Bennett
I think readers will feel a lot of compassion for Kate, and for the things she's been subjected to in her life. I think there are far too many kids who actually live in circumstances similar to hers, whether at home or at school, so maybe they will read her story and believe that they also can rise above their tribulations. I also think people will appreciate that the book, while dealing with some heavy issues, does so in a manner that makes the book appropriate for all ages.
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Did researching and writing this book teach you anything or influence your thinking in any way?
Cindy C Bennett
I guess that writing this book made me really look back and re-examine how I have treated people who I've maybe thought of as different, or who were being mistreated by others. Did I stand up for them? Have I been cruel to someone whose home circumstances may have been nearly unbearable, and they were simply trying to just survive day-to-day? I hope I haven't, and if I have, I am more than sorry for it.
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What would you most like readers to tell others about this book?
Cindy C Bennett
I would like them to go away from reading it with more compassion and caring for those around them, so I'd like them to tell others about this book that they read that helped them to be kinder. I also want them to tell others about how great Henry is, and that it is a love story they won't soon forget. One can dream, anyway, right?
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Can you suggest one question readers might find interesting to discuss, concerning you, your writing in general, or this book?
Cindy C Bennett
How many people have I known in my life, who have had a specific appearance or attitude, who might have had a background similar to that of Kate? Or of Henry? Which one of them am I more like?
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How can readers help you promote this book?
Cindy C Bennett
For me personally, the best recommendation for a book is for someone to tell me they liked - or, even better, loved - it. So my wish would be for readers to like it, and then tell others about it, either personally, or by leaving a review on one of the sites where it is for sale. Conversely, if they don't like it, I'd like them to do the same. We all want good reviews, but I also want honest reviews - even if they're bad.
About You: Cindy C Bennett
Cindy C Bennett lives in the shadows of the majestic Rocky Mountains near Salt Lake City. She has spent several years doing volunteer work with teen girls, whom she finds to be fascinating creatures - hence, her writing stories for and about them. When not reading or writing, she loves to spend time with her family which includes a husband, two sons, two daughters and three dogs. She does her best creating while cruising down the highway on her Harley Davidson Fatboy. GEEK GIRL is her first published novel. HEART ON A CHAIN is her newest novel.
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Why do you write?
Cindy C Bennett
I write purely for the love of it. I am constantly making up stories in my head, and observing others around me, and writing their stories in my head. I've always dreamed of being a writer, but fear of failure held me back. Then I began writing a story for my daughters, and when I was finished, realized I had a book. Now, like an addict, I can't stop.
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What is your greatest strength as a writer?
Cindy C Bennett
Characters. I like to develop my characters fully, warts and all. I also want their storylines to be realistic, and their love for one another to ring true. I need for there to be a reason for them to fall in love before they do.
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What quality do you most value in yourself?
Cindy C Bennett
Compassion. I have a great deal of compassion for people, whether I know them or not. I'm hooked on shows such as Lockup, because I wonder what happened in these peoples lives to turn them into criminals, where in their life did things turn for them, making them think either there was no other option, or that it was okay for them to commit the crime. I feel bad that their life is now so sad. Or Hoarders. There has to be a reason, something they need to fulfill, something missing in their lives, to cause them to be so attached to their things - many times at the cost of their relationships. I think if we all had more compassion for others, the world would be a kinder place.
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In addition to writing, what else are you passionate about?
Cindy C Bennett
My children, of course, and my amazing husband. My whole extended family, really, including the dogs. My friends mean a great deal to me, including all of my new author friends, and readers who I've gotten to know through this whole writing process. I love riding my Harley Davidson Fatboy, because it's a great creative place for me to be alone, in the quiet, while I think up stories or scenes for my stories. I enjoy travelling, and spending time away from home with my family. I'm passionate about treating others as you'd like to be treated yourself (yes, the Golden Rule is one of my favorites). I'm also passionate about my laptop, probably my most prized possession.
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What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life?
Cindy C Bennett
Besides the obvious (my children), it would have to be realizing my dream of becoming a published author. I'll never forget the first email, "fan" mail, I suppose. What an amazing feeling to have finally accomplished what I had only hoped for for so long.
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Is there any new or established author whom you feel deserves more attention, and what is it that strikes you about his or her work?
Cindy C Bennett
There are so many fabulous indie authors I have discovered. I'm ashamed to admit I didn't even know there were so many great, self-published books out there until I was suddenly in the thick of them. On my blog, I have a list of the indie authors I've read and who I highly recommend, so short of relisting them here, go to my blog to see who I've been reading.
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