Author Spotlight: Kay Bratt
September 18, 2012 by Samantha
Filed under Chick Lit Authors, Updates
Author Name: Kay Bratt
Website: http://kaybratt.com/
Bio: Kay Bratt is a child advocate and author, residing near the base of Wacau Mountain, in the rolling hills of Georgia with her husband, daughter, dog, and cat. In addition to coordinating small projects for the children of China, Kay is an active volunteer for An Orphans Wish (AOW). Kay lived in China for over four years and because of her experiences working with orphans, she strives to be the voice for children who cannot speak for themselves. Kay kicked off her career as an author with her best selling memoir titled Silent Tears; A Journey of Hope in a Chinese Orphanage. Since that time she has been writing material to entertain readers while raising awareness of world issues. Kay is the author of The Bridge, Mei Li and The Wise Laoshi, and an upcoming novel titled A Thread Unbroken.
See my 4 star review for Chasing China!
Visit Kay’s CLP Blog Tours page!
Bio retrieved from CLP Blog Tours
Chasing China by Kay Bratt
February 29, 2012 by Samantha
Filed under Chick Lit Review
Kay Bratt is on tour with CLP Blog Tours and Chasing China
Mia is a young college student who sets off on a journey to find out more about her birth family – in China. She was told that she was left at a train station when she was just a baby, and lived in an orphanage until she was adopted by her American family. But the time has come for Mia to see China, the orphanage where she once lived, and try to find out more about the Chinese culture. Mia is shocked when she sees firsthand what the orphans go through – no love, strict schedules, and the bare minimum when it comes to toys, food, and clothes. More than just the orphanages, Mia learns from her new friend Jax about how children are kidnapped from their homes and forced to beg and steal on the streets. As Mia tries to learn more about her past, she realizes how lucky she was to be adopted by her family, and feels a growing compassion for those in China that she meets. But will Mia accomplish what she really set out to find – her birth family?
Chasing China by Kay Bratt was such an emotional story. I love how much you learn from reading, and this is definitely a book that educated me on a topic I had never previously heard of. From the orphanages to the kidnappings to the government officials covering up certain situations – this made for quite the read. Bratt weaves Mia’s journey with a delicate hand but a strong voice. Mia is so brave and such a beautiful heroine. I loved the romance angle as well, except there were a few times where I thought Jax’s dialogue was a bit peculiar. To my ears he sounded much older than his age. There were a few editing mistakes that I caught along the way as well, but nothing to really deter me from the plot. Overall, I thought this was a really great book that I think people should read, for the story and for the educational experience you can get. I look forward to reading more from Kay Bratt.
[Rating: 4]
**Everyone who leaves a comment on Kay’s tour page will be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card! If you purchase your copy of Chasing China before March 5 and send your receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, you will get five bonus entries!**
Novel Spotlight: Chasing China by Kay Bratt
February 18, 2012 by Samantha
Filed under Chick Lit Plus, Updates
Book Synopsis:“What’s her name?” Mia asked the director as she moved closer to the child.
“Xinxin. It means heart to heart; she was named this because she has a defective heart.” The director gave the information in a mechanical, unemotional response.
Mia moved around an ayi who was wiping down the bamboo crib mats with a sponge and bucket of strong solution. She went to the baby girl but when she held her arms out to pick up the child, her gesture was met with a confused expression. Mia talked to her in a soft voice that made the small girl raise her eyebrows even higher, causing Mia to chuckle. The expression was adorable but also comical as the eyebrows were raised to heights that seemed impossible for such a tiny face. Mia picked her up and in spite of the child’s inability to mold to Mia’s body as most babies would, she seemed content to be held.
The child gazed silently into Mia’s eyes and everything around them faded away for a moment. All of these months leading up to this trip, Mia was sure she wouldn’t get emotional—she prided herself on her ability to hide what she was feeling, even from her parents who watched her so closely for signs of discontent. But holding the baby girl close to her heart finally opened the door to the room in her mind where she stored all of her hurt feelings of being abandoned. She fought back tears as she rocked the baby back and forth in her arms.
This was me so many years ago! Why? Why didn’t my mother want me? Mia turned her back to hide her face from the others as she struggled to bring her feelings under control. The director and her entourage were concerned but Xiao Jo waved them away to give Mia a moment to compose herself.
How could this tragedy happen to so many children around the world? Mia was overwhelmed with the truth of the situation— that most of these children would go through life without knowing who gave them birth, whether or not they had siblings, what their medical histories were, or even where their hometown was. It just wasn’t fair—everyone should know who and where they came from! As the baby began to fidget, Mia swallowed the lump in her throat and straightened her shoulders. She pulled herself together and replaced her anguish with a stoic expression, just in time to face the director as she beckoned for her to join them in the hall.
Mia kissed the infant on her sweaty forehead and whispered to her, “I’m a witness to your life and you will be loved one day. Don’t lose hope, baby girl.” She lowered the child to her bed and walked away, leaving her with her fascination of her own fingers, the only comfort that couldn’t be taken away.
Book Giveaway:On Tour: Chasing China by Kay Bratt
February 10, 2012 by Samantha
Filed under CLP Blog Tours
Kay will be on tour February 13- March 5 with her novel Chasing China
Mia is beautiful, talented and has the world at her fingertips. But what makes her different than the average college student who juggles a heavy workload and a rat of a boyfriend? Many years ago she was born to an unknown family in China but soon discarded to fend for herself in a busy train station. Fate stepped in when Mia was taken to the local orphanage and adopted at the age of four by her American family. Life has been good for her, or at least as much as she has allowed it to be while pushing her deep feelings of abandonment to the back of her mind. Finally she has decided that in order to move forward, she must confront her past. Mia takes a journey to the mysterious land of her birth and embarks on a mission to find answers. As she follows the invisible red thread back through her motherland, she is enamored by the history and culture of her heritage–strengthening her resolve to get to the truth, even as Chinese officials struggle to keep it buried. With her unwavering spirit of determination, Mia battles the forces stacked against her and faces mystery, danger, a dash of romance, and finally a conclusion that will change her life.
Please visit CLP Blog Tours for all the tour stops. **Everyone who leaves a comment on Kay’s tour page will be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card! If you purchase your copy of Chasing China before March 5 and send your receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, you will get five bonus entries!**
Author Bio:
Kay Bratt is a child advocate and author, residing near the base of Wacau Mountain, in the rolling hills of Georgia with her husband, daughter, dog, and cat. In addition to coordinating small projects for the children of China, Kay is an active volunteer for An Orphans Wish (AOW). Kay lived in China for over four years and because of her experiences working with orphans, she strives to be the voice for children who cannot speak for themselves. Kay kicked off her career as an author with her best selling memoir titled Silent Tears; A Journey of Hope in a Chinese Orphanage. Since that time she has been writing material to entertain readers while raising awareness of world issues. Kay is the author of The Bridge, Mei Li and The Wise Laoshi, and an upcoming novel titled A Thread Unbroken.
Connect with Kay!
Website: http://kaybratt.com/
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kay-Bratt/112957968144
Twitter: twitter.com/kaybratt
Future Tour: Chasing China by Kay Bratt
December 31, 2011 by Samantha
Filed under CLP Blog Tours
Kay will be on tour February 13-March 5 with her novel Chasing China
Mia is beautiful, talented and has the world at her fingertips. But what makes her different than the average college student who juggles a heavy workload and a rat of a boyfriend? Many years ago she was born to an unknown family in China but soon discarded to fend for herself in a busy train station. Fate stepped in when Mia was taken to the local orphanage and adopted at the age of four by her American family. Life has been good for her, or at least as much as she has allowed it to be while pushing her deep feelings of abandonment to the back of her mind. Finally she has decided that in order to move forward, she must confront her past. Mia takes a journey to the mysterious land of her birth and embarks on a mission to find answers. As she follows the invisible red thread back through her motherland, she is enamored by the history and culture of her heritage–strengthening her resolve to get to the truth, even as Chinese officials struggle to keep it buried. With her unwavering spirit of determination, Mia battles the forces stacked against her and faces mystery, danger, a dash of romance, and finally a conclusion that will change her life.
Please visit CLP Blog Tours for the full tour schedule. **Anyone who purchases their copy of Chasing China between December 31-March 5 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five entries in a drawing to win a $10 Amazon gift card!!**
In My Mailbox: Week of December 11
December 12, 2011 by Samantha
Filed under Chick Lit Plus, In My Mailbox, Updates
In My Mailbox: Week of December 11
Title: Chasing China
Author: Kay Bratt
Received: Via CLP Blog Tours
Synopsis: After an episode of prejudice rocks her usually secure world, Mia hops a plane back to the country of her birth to search for details about her birth parents, and confront the feelings of abandonment she has kept buried throughout her life. What begins as a simple tour of the Chinese orphanage where she spent her first few years quickly becomes complicated as Mia fights to untangle the web of lies that is her finding details. As she follows the red thread back through her motherland, she is enamored by the history and culture of her heritage—strengthening her resolve to find the truth, even as Chinese officials struggle to keep it buried. With her unwavering spirit of determination, Mia battles the forces stacked against her and faces mystery, danger, a dash of romance, and finally a conclusion that will change her life.
Title: Liar’s Guide to True Love
Author: Wendy Chen
Received: From Wendy Chen
Synopsis: Wedding planner Cassandra Hanley is in the business of making other people’s dreams come true. But for some reason, whenever she meets a potential mate of her own, she finds herself telling little (and not so little) white lies. She’s not trying to sabotage her relationships on purpose: as a people pleaser, she just naturally tells men what she thinks they want to hear.
When Cassandra meets Nick, she’s determined to be herself this time—until she learns he abhors weddings. So she recasts herself as an advertising exec, and now she’s scrambling to cover up the lie…with more lies.
Into the tangled web wanders Cassandra’s college sweetheart, Kevin. Kevin, the one man who knows the real Cassandra, and loves her anyway. Could he have been The One all along?
Torn between the past and the present, Cassandra is about to learn that you can’t plan the perfect life the way you can plan the perfect wedding.
Title: So Damn Lucky
Author: Deborah Coonts
Received: From Leyane/FSB Associates
Synopsis: Lucky O’Toole—Head of Customer Relations at The Babylon, premier mega-resort on the Vegas Strip—thinks it’s just another night in Las Vegas. But then a magician pulls a disappearing act, right under Lucky’s nose. Is it a stunt? Or something worse?
While Lucky chases leads, someone is trying to put her off the scent. As if this wasn’t enough to ruin her day, Lucky’s relationship with The Big Boss is coming to a head—past hurts can no longer be denied. Of course, she is already on shaky emotional ground: Teddie, her live-in, has been touring with a young and lovely pop star. Paxton Dane, former coworker and would-be suitor, is still circling, hoping to find a chink in the armor of Lucky’s resolve. And then, there’s this French chef, who is proving to be too hot to handle….
Las Vegas expert Deborah Coonts thrills again with this third installment in her dazzling series focused on casino “fixer” Lucky O’Toole.
Blog Tour Sign Up: Chasing China by Kay Bratt
November 29, 2011 by Samantha
Filed under CLP Blog Tours
Kay will be on tour in February/March with her women’s fiction novel Chasing China. Books will be available as a print copy or eBook- worldwide. Use the sign up form below if you would like to be included. Kay will also be available for guest posts and interviews. I will contact everyone chosen to participate. Thank you!
After an episode of prejudice rocks her usually secure world, Mia hops a plane back to the country of her birth to search for details about her birth parents, and confront the feelings of abandonment she has kept buried throughout her life. What begins as a simple tour of the Chinese orphanage where she spent her first few years quickly becomes complicated as Mia fights to untangle the web of lies that is her finding details. As she follows the red thread back through her motherland, she is enamored by the history and culture of her heritage—strengthening her resolve to find the truth, even as Chinese officials struggle to keep it buried. With her unwavering spirit of determination, Mia battles the forces stacked against her and faces mystery, danger, a dash of romance, and finally a conclusion that will change her life.
**Kay’s blog tour is now full. Thank you to everyone who signed up!**
