About the Book
Book: The Air I Breathe
Author: Karen Baney
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: August 15, 2023
Single mom, starting over Christian Contemporary Romance.
One moment of weakness changed everything.
When life throws Kelly Sutton a curve ball, she packs up everything she owns to move to Arizona to be closer to her daughter’s dad. Starting over in a new town stresses Kelly and triggers panic attacks—something she thought she was over. When a panic attack comes on and the only person she knows in town can’t help her, his roommate comes to her rescue. Will Kelly find her footing again in this new town?
Matt Dixon has too much on his plate. He works as a financial analyst during the day while he goes to seminary at night. He also juggles an internship with his church to fulfill his dream of becoming a youth pastor. When he comes to the aid of his roommate’s ex, he never expects his life to go off the rails. Will he choose love for a woman over his dream?
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About the Author
Karen Baney is passionate about writing stories full of flawed characters. She enjoys weaving together stories of second chances, redemption, and overcoming personal trials. As a transplant to Arizona in the late 1990s, she loves researching the state’s history and finding ways to seamlessly incorporate real history and real settings into her novels. In addition to writing and speaking, Karen works as a Software Development Manager for a Christian ministry.
Her faith plays an important role both in her life and in her writing. Karen and her husband, Jim, make their home in Gilbert, Arizona, with their two dogs, Bella and Daisy. Both Jim and Karen are active at Rock Point Church in Queen Creek, Arizona.
More from Karen
Inspiration Behind the Novel
The female main character in The Air I Breathe, Kelly Sutton, suffers from panic attacks. The inspiration behind this came from a real-life encounter. Around twelve years ago, my coworker and I took a break to walk around the office building we worked in. We saw a young woman leave the building. To our shock, we watched as she kneeled on the concrete sidewalk and bent over.
Concerned about her well-being, we rushed over to her and asked if she was alright. She said she was having a panic attack. I’ll never forget the sound of her wheezing.
I asked what we could do to help her and if we should call 911. She begged us not to call, so I knelt beside her, rubbed her back, and silently prayed over her. After ten minutes or so, she recovered enough to go back inside the office building. She told us that when people call 911, it embarrassed her. She knew how to cope with the panic attacks, but others didn’t understand and overreacted, making things worse for her. She thanked us for stopping and for listening to her.
Though we never crossed paths again, that encounter stuck with me. When I sat down to write Kelly’s story about starting over in a new city, I knew two things:
- I wanted to represent this experience through her character.
- I wanted to tie her experience with the idea that God is the air we breathe (like the popular worship song’s lyrics).
Many times, real-life provides inspiration for my characters or their trials and that was certainly true for many of the topics, besides the panic attacks, included in this novel.
My Thoughts
The Air I Breathe is written by Karen Baney. The author has beautifully written a story in which the characters deal with real life situations. Kelly Sutton finds herself starting over as a single mom. She moves to Arizona to be closer to her daughter's dad. However this triggers her underlying anxiety/panic attacks.
Matt Dixon is the room mate of Kelly's ex. He is hardworking. He also is in seminary school. He steps in and befriends her and tries to help her through her anxiety. He is patient with her. Both have some hurts and healing to do from their past.
This is a story of second chances. This is a story of how God can heal and help us forgive. The story is well written. This story touches on sensitive issues - pre-marital sex, anxiety, panic attacks, and drug abuse. The author has done a wonderful job in showing how God can provide during our darkest times.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.
Blog Stops
lakesidelivingsite, October 2
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, October 3 (Author Interview)
Life on Chickadee Lane, October 3
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 4
Locks, Hooks and Books, October 5
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 6
Texas Book-aholic, October 7
For the Love of Literature, October 8 (Author Interview)
Pause for Tales, October 8
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 9
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 10
Back Porch Reads, October 11 (Author Interview)
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 12
For Him and My Family, October 13
A Reader’s Brain, October 14 (Author Interview)
Splashes of Joy, October 15
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Karen is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 gift card with signed paperback copy of The Air I Breathe!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/2842e/the-air-i-breathe-celebration-tour-giveaway
What comes first the plot or characters?
ReplyDeleteFor me, it's usually characters first, then plot. Many times I've found the characters can throw me for a loop and have changed the plot on occassion.
DeleteThank you so much for reading and reviewing The Air I Breathe and for sharing it with your readers.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts on The Air I Breathe, I love the cover and synopsis and I am looking forward to reading this story myself
ReplyDelete