Loving the Missing Link
Paperback: 190 Pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Published: July 8, 2013
Published: July 8, 2013
ISBN-10: 1480106240
ISBN-13: 978-1480106246
Loving the Missing Link is a fabulous tale about love, success, hope and music. During the 1970's. Young Cheryl Simpson feels trapped in her small Missouri town. As her mother tries to help her find a way up and out, Cheryl begins to feel that it is all an impossible dream. She sees herself living a boring and dismal life for the rest of her days. Just at the moment when she is about to give up on happiness, she gets the opportunity to join her high school band. The band promises a connection with the world outside her town, but Cheryl does not see any future for herself in music. It is just a tool to get where she wants to go. However, Cheryl’s mother arranges for Cheryl to take private lessons with an accomplished musician, who helps her realize the beauty and awesome power of music.
Still, Cheryl feels that small-town inferiority and finds it too hard to believe that she could ever be anyone special out in the “real” world. On the eve of a music contest that could help her earn a music scholarship, Cheryl begins to panic. Scared and feeling alone, Cheryl runs off with her high school sweetheart and gets married, leaving the band behind.
During the next years, Cheryl and her husband make a life for themselves. Cheryl meets friends along the way who help guide her to becoming the woman she wants to be. She becomes interested in the arts again. All the while, Cheryl and husband Jerry face the challenges of homelessness, miscarriage and an extra-marital affair before an unexpected disaster brings Cheryl’s life crashing to the ground. Cheryl survives, with the help of her extraordinary friends and her life-long love for music.
About the author
Julia Asel Thomas writes stories with vivid descriptions, authentic dialogue and revealing narration. Her debut book, Loving the Missing Link, presents the engrossing and moving story of a young, small town girl who grows up, lives and loves while trying to find a balance between despair and hope.
Like the protagonist in her debut book, Loving the Missing Link, Julia Asel Thomas knows small town life. However, Julia’s experiences were quite different than Cheryl’s. Julia is the middle child of seven children and the daughter of a church organist and a business manager. Growing up in the small town of Hamilton, Missouri, Julia’s family enjoyed a reputation as a bright and interesting family. Julia thrived on the quiet and carefree life she lived in that gentle place.
When Julia was in high school, she earned a scholarship for a trip to Cali, Colombia as a foreign exchange student. The experience, although it only lasted a few brief months, had a profound influence on the rest of her life. After her time abroad, Julia realized in a very real way that, although customs may differ from culture to culture, the substance of human emotions is constant. We all need love. We all need to feel secure. We all have happy moments and sad moments. Back from Colombia, Julia become ever more interested in capturing these human emotions through music and writing.
After high school, Julia took a break before going on to college. During this time, she married her husband, Will. Will joined the Air Force, and Julia accompanied him to bases around the country, taking college classes in each town where they resided. Their two children were born in Las Vegas, Nevada, while Will was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base. Married in 1976, Julia and Will are thrilled to celebrate each new anniversary and look forward to staying together for life.
Julia began writing fiction at the age of ten, when her 5th grade teacher gave her the assignment to write about “My Worst Day.” Julia took the opportunity to concoct every possible disaster a young child could face during the course of a normal day. The teacher loved her work and asked her to read it to the class. From then on, Julia wanted nothing more than to be a writer.
In 2007, Julia began earning her living by writing articles, press releases and website content for a number of clients. As she settled into a routine of working every day on her writing, the old urge to write fiction resurfaced. In 2012, Julia started with a story she had written in 1985 and continued it to create the story in Loving the Missing Link.
After Julia’s husband, Will retired from the Air Force, they moved back to Missouri and now live in Kansas City, Missouri. Find out more about this author by visiting her online.
Connect with Julia
Purchase Loving the Missing Link
Giveaway Time!
Tour Stops
Stop by for an interview and book giveaway!
http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/
Wednesday September 11 @ CMash Reads
Get in on the giveaway for Loving the Missing Link and hear from Julia Asel Thomas with her guest post "Life Long Learning and Self-Education"
http://cmashlovestoread.com/
Thursday, September 12 @ My Fiction Nook
Giveaway and guest post by Julia Asel Thomas today! She shares her debut work with Loving The Missing Link and speaks candidly offering insight in her guest post “Establishing a Writing Routine”.
http://www.myfictionnook.com/
Friday, September 13 @ Steph the Bookworm
Don't miss your chance to win a copy of Loving the Missing Link and hear what Stephanie has to say after reading this first published work by Julia Asel Thomas.
http://www.stephthebookworm.com/
Monday, September 16 @ All Things Audry
Get in on the giveaway of Loving the Missing Link and enjoy a guest post by author, Julia Asel Thomas with the fun topic of “Life Experiences in Fiction”
http://allthingsaudry.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, September 18 @ Selling Books
Don't miss today's author interview with Julia Asel Thomas and find out more about her debut book Loving the Missing Link!
http://www.sellingbooks.com/
Thursday, September 19 @ Thoughts in Progress
Today is your day to hear what Julia Asel Thomas has to say in her guest post about "Journal Writing to Enhance Your Fiction" and an added bonus - get in on the giveaway of Julia's new book Loving the Missing Link (#LMLThomas)!
http://masoncanyon.blogspot.com/
Friday, September 20 @ The Book Bag
The Spotlight at The Book Bag is none other than Julia Asel Thomas and her New Adult Novel, Loving the Missing Link (#LMLThomas); check out this great blog stop and get in on the giveaway!
http://susan-thebookbag.blogspot.com/
Monday, September 23@ Bring on Lemons
Giveaway and guest blog stop for Julia Asel Thomas, author of Loving the Missing Link - Julia visits the lemons to lemonade blog and shares her wish for music education titled: "Channeling the Spirit of Professor Harold Hill". Don't miss this stop and giveaway opportunity!
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, September 24 @ Words from the Heart
Join author, Julia Asel Thomas as she discusses "The Pros and Cons of Teen Marriage" and offers a giveaway and some insight into Loving the Missing Link. Find out more about Julia and her first published book!
http://contemplativeed.blogspot.com
Wednesday, September 25 @ Words by Webb
Hear from Jodi Webb as she reviews Loving the Missing Link by Julia Asel Thomas - don't miss this great giveaway and insight!
http://jodiwebb.com/
Thursday, September 26 @ I’d So Rather Be Reading
Join Julia Asel Thomas, Author of Loving the Missing Link as she blogs about "Choosing Your Words Carefully: a guide to finding the best verbs for your purpose" and don't miss this giveaway of her newly published work!
http://www.idsoratherbereading.com/
Tuesday, October 1 @ Mom-E-Centric
Julia Asel Thomas, Author of Loving the Missing Link offers a giveaway opportunity and shares her insight on “Finding Realistic Hope” this is something we can all benefit from; don’t miss this tour stop!
http://momecentric.com/
Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways!
Thank you Susan for being part of this WOW! tour and thank you Julia for being brave enough to publish your book - it was a great read and it's such a pleasure knowing both of you lovely ladies.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to everyone in the giveaway and have a lovely weekend!
You're all special!
Hugs,
~Crystal
Thanks for stopping by, Crystal! I hope you have a nice relaxing weekend.
DeleteThanks, Susan, for featuring Loving the Missing Link on your blog! Best wishes on the success of your blog!
ReplyDelete1€
Crystal, you are so kind, and an exceptional friend. Thanks for setting up this blog stop!
Love the review, makes me want to read ASAP!! Thanks for the giveaway. Much success and don't ever stop writing. You have a god given talent.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the review of the Loving the Missing Link by Julia Arel Thomas and would love to find our how Cheryl with music, life and her marriage survive. As an ex Air Force wife, I would imagine that you have a lot of interesting information to add to your books. Keep on writing Looking forward to reading Loving the Missing Link
ReplyDeleteGreat review! It sounds like an amazing book, and I love that is set in the 70's. Having grown up during that time it would make for an interesting read.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you all enjoyed the review!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous: Thanks for your encouraging comments. I hope you do get the chance to read the book. Good luck on the giveaway!
Dorothy: You have me considering the idea of writing a story featuring an Air Force wife. Even though Loving the Missing Link is not about that, I think you will enjoy it. Here's hoping you win the giveaway so you can read it!
Anita: I grew up in the 70's too. While I wrote it, I always kept in mind that 70's trends affected people who lived then, but that everyone had different experiences during that time, and stereotypes of 70's people and behavior do not always ring true. Thanks for your comments, and I hope you do get a chance to read my book!
Interesting premise
ReplyDeleteInteresting story! I would like to read more since it seems to fit into the 1970's as well :)
ReplyDelete