| 12-year-old best friends, Ginnie West and Tillie Taylor, navigate changes in their family. Tillie’s long-absent birth father reappears and she has to juggle two dads while Ginnie’s mischievous Uncle Jake escalates their prank war. Meanwhile, Tillie desperately wants a horse of her own while Ginnie is determined to follow her late mother’s equestrian legacy as a trick rider, something her dad has forbidden. Can Ginnie shape her own destiny and persuade her dad to support her ambitions? Get ready for a heartwarming adventure filled with friendship, family, and the power of chasing your dreams! Genre: Contemporary Upper Middle -Grade Release date: November 22, 2024 Click here to get your copy! |  |
Interview with Monique and G.L.
Monique's answers are in Blue and G.L.'s answers are in Green.
#1. How long did it take to finish writing this book?
About 9 years too long. But life happens that way sometimes. I invited a good friend, G.L., to help me write the rest of the series. We’ve also written the next 2 books in the series. In addition, he has written and drawn the illustrations for 2 picture books. We both have separate books we are writing and I have stories in two anthologies that are coming out this year. - (Monique)
About 9 years too long. But life happens that way sometimes. I invited a good friend, G.L., to help me write the rest of the series. We’ve also written the next 2 books in the series. In addition, he has written and drawn the illustrations for 2 picture books. We both have separate books we are writing and I have stories in two anthologies that are coming out this year. - (Monique)
#2. What drew you to write in this particular genre?
It depends on which genre you are asking about. The reason I write middle grade/upper middle grade is I think the tween/early teen years are fascinating. So much is going on during these formative years and kids are amazing. When you take the time to talk with them and learn about what they think is important, you may remember when life had so many possibilities.
I also write contemporary, “real-life with humor” because there is a lot to love about life. The resilience of human beings and what they are capable of doing, being, and achieving when allowed to explore the world and their dreams is astonishing. And if you can do it with a friend and a sense of humor, most people are capable of amazing feats.
Both of these genres work well in our Ginnie West series. Chase Your Dreams West is also technically a family drama. Something G.L. and I both like to write. - (Monique)
It depends on which genre you are asking about. The reason I write middle grade/upper middle grade is I think the tween/early teen years are fascinating. So much is going on during these formative years and kids are amazing. When you take the time to talk with them and learn about what they think is important, you may remember when life had so many possibilities.
I also write contemporary, “real-life with humor” because there is a lot to love about life. The resilience of human beings and what they are capable of doing, being, and achieving when allowed to explore the world and their dreams is astonishing. And if you can do it with a friend and a sense of humor, most people are capable of amazing feats.
Both of these genres work well in our Ginnie West series. Chase Your Dreams West is also technically a family drama. Something G.L. and I both like to write. - (Monique)
#3. Do you have favorite character(s) in this book?
Truthfully, I love them all. I am partial to Queenie West, Ginnie’s mom, because she is the only character inspired by a real person–someone who is near and dear to me and championed me when I needed a friend. She passed away years ago, but even so, her friendship inspires me and like Queenie, death doesn’t get in the way of loving her friends and family.
I’m also partial to Aunt Roni. Because she’s sincere, kind, classy, and compassionate. She’s not afraid to admit when she’s wrong nor is she afraid to do what is right–even when the right thing is hard. She wants to be a part of Ginnie and Toran’s life–and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to mend the fences between the Strattons and the Wests. - (Monique)
CD, Breaker, and Mrs. Parker. I created them. The other characters were in place and I had to learn to deal with them. Kind of like becoming an in-law, but glad you don’t live there. - (G.L.)
Truthfully, I love them all. I am partial to Queenie West, Ginnie’s mom, because she is the only character inspired by a real person–someone who is near and dear to me and championed me when I needed a friend. She passed away years ago, but even so, her friendship inspires me and like Queenie, death doesn’t get in the way of loving her friends and family.
I’m also partial to Aunt Roni. Because she’s sincere, kind, classy, and compassionate. She’s not afraid to admit when she’s wrong nor is she afraid to do what is right–even when the right thing is hard. She wants to be a part of Ginnie and Toran’s life–and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to mend the fences between the Strattons and the Wests. - (Monique)
CD, Breaker, and Mrs. Parker. I created them. The other characters were in place and I had to learn to deal with them. Kind of like becoming an in-law, but glad you don’t live there. - (G.L.)
#4. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
People make mistakes and when they are sincere about making amends, forgiveness blesses everybody involved. Forgiveness is about replacing hurt and bad feelings with peace and healing. Sometimes you need to forgive people who have hurt you so you can go on with your life in a meaningful way… with or without allowing those people back into your life. - (Monique)
The West’s are a microcosm of the world right now and the extraordinary steps needed to survive…and flourish. If they inspire others to do whatever it takes to make their lives meaningful and to touch others, everyone wins. - (G.L.)
People make mistakes and when they are sincere about making amends, forgiveness blesses everybody involved. Forgiveness is about replacing hurt and bad feelings with peace and healing. Sometimes you need to forgive people who have hurt you so you can go on with your life in a meaningful way… with or without allowing those people back into your life. - (Monique)
The West’s are a microcosm of the world right now and the extraordinary steps needed to survive…and flourish. If they inspire others to do whatever it takes to make their lives meaningful and to touch others, everyone wins. - (G.L.)
#5. How did you name your characters?
They named themselves. - (G.L.)
They named themselves. - (G.L.)
#6. Tell us something funny, sad, embarrassing, whatever, that happened involving this book.
The many times that we authors said: I don’t know where that came from, then we knew that our creations had taken the “wheel”. - (G.L.)
The many times that we authors said: I don’t know where that came from, then we knew that our creations had taken the “wheel”. - (G.L.)
#7. What one piece of advice would you like to give readers?
Take the time to make and be a good friend. Good friends make life an amazing experience. Don’t waste time with people who make you question your standards and beliefs or make you doubt what you know is true. Good friends lift each other up. Even if you only have one or two good friends, you are truly blessed. - (Monique)
Take the time to make and be a good friend. Good friends make life an amazing experience. Don’t waste time with people who make you question your standards and beliefs or make you doubt what you know is true. Good friends lift each other up. Even if you only have one or two good friends, you are truly blessed. - (Monique)
#8. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
Near the front porch of my Grandfather’s house was the only source of drinking water, a red cast iron hand pump and a ceramic pitcher next to a sign: “Always leave enough for the next one to prime the pump.” Through the years I’ve come to appreciate the eternal implications of that request. - (G.L.)
Near the front porch of my Grandfather’s house was the only source of drinking water, a red cast iron hand pump and a ceramic pitcher next to a sign: “Always leave enough for the next one to prime the pump.” Through the years I’ve come to appreciate the eternal implications of that request. - (G.L.)
Free Story
As a FREE thank you gift for having us, you and your readers are welcome to download a short story
that we wrote to introduce you to Ginnie and her family, which happens before Book 1 in our series.
that we wrote to introduce you to Ginnie and her family, which happens before Book 1 in our series.
Ginnie & Toran’s Great Escape:
More from Monique
Chase Your Dreams West: A Ginnie West Adventure took me too long to finish. I was working on it when one of my sons was killed in a car accident. I paused writing for a few years as our family adjusted to losing Ryan.
An author friend invited me to a writer’s retreat a few years ago, knowing I was stuck and that week unlocked a lot of things for me. Including deciding to change where I placed what is now the first four chapters. I wrote them two books ago thinking they would make a great denouement, but after my son’s death, I realized they would make a better beginning.
This book is a little different from the first four as Ginnie explores horsemanship training with her mare, Calliope–with her dad’s blessing, and perhaps is given a little help from her mom. Ginnie is given back one of her mom’s journals and gets to know the mom she doesn’t really remember and her dad didn’t really talk about… until recently.
An author friend invited me to a writer’s retreat a few years ago, knowing I was stuck and that week unlocked a lot of things for me. Including deciding to change where I placed what is now the first four chapters. I wrote them two books ago thinking they would make a great denouement, but after my son’s death, I realized they would make a better beginning.
This book is a little different from the first four as Ginnie explores horsemanship training with her mare, Calliope–with her dad’s blessing, and perhaps is given a little help from her mom. Ginnie is given back one of her mom’s journals and gets to know the mom she doesn’t really remember and her dad didn’t really talk about… until recently.
 Monique Bucheger | Monique is a bestselling author, a certified Farland Fiction Coach, and an empowerment speaker, dedicated to championing the underdog, in both her writing and real-life adventures. Having a heart for families in crisis, Monique creates stories that capture the essence of real-life challenges and triumphs, with a touch of humor. Monique’s upper middle-grade series, ‘The Ginnie West Adventures,’ delves into sensitive and weighty themes such as parental loss, abandonment, and overcoming abuse. She delivers stories not only for tween readers, but for those young at heart. Drawing from her experiences nurturing a dozen of her own children and fostering over a hundred more, Monique’s experiences shape her books, creating novels in a number of genres, including a historical family saga, contemporary family dramas, a fun picture book, and a middle grade series weaving whimsy and heart into her tales. |
 G.L. Rasmussen | A country boy by birth and by choice, Gary spent his youth working on the family farm, for local farmers and ranchers, on horseback or playing sports. Offered scholarships in Agriculture and Advertising Design, he opted for the bright lights and big city. Eight years in the advertising field convinced him that wasn’t where he wanted to be. Gary freelanced in design and illustration, converted his love of writing for advertising to a newspaper column about the country lifestyle. He has also worked as a ranch manager, cowboy, rancher, and horse trainer. An avid painter and author, Gary shares his talents through mentoring others, is a past president of the Western Art Guild and Idaho Writers League and is an active member of Western Writers of America. Gary and his wife, Margie are the parents of four children and ten grandchildren and have traveled extensively throughout Europe, Great Britain and the United States. |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, Monique is giving away the grand prize of
a $50 Amazon gift card and an eBook copy of the book!!
a $50 Amazon gift card and an eBook copy of the book!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
Blog Stops
Artistic Nobody, November 18
Life on Chickadee Lane, November 19
Simple Harvest Reads, November 20 (Author Interview)
Guild Master, November 21 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 21
Fiction Book Lover, November 22 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, November 23
Stories By Gina, November 24 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 24
Locks, Hooks and Books, November 25
Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 26 (Author Interview)
Library lady’s Kid Lit, November 27
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, November 28 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 29
For the Love of Literature, November 30 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, December 1
Life on Chickadee Lane, November 19
Simple Harvest Reads, November 20 (Author Interview)
Guild Master, November 21 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 21
Fiction Book Lover, November 22 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, November 23
Stories By Gina, November 24 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 24
Locks, Hooks and Books, November 25
Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 26 (Author Interview)
Library lady’s Kid Lit, November 27
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, November 28 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 29
For the Love of Literature, November 30 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, December 1
RSS Feed
