Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: The Aire I Breathe by Karen Baney

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?

 

Click here to get your copy!

I enjoy Christian Romance books. I have been enjoying books by Karen Baney recently. I had the opportunity to read The Air I Breathe, which is Book 1 in the Steadfast Love Series. 

Kelly Sutton has just made a major move to Arizona to be closer to her daughter's father. She has been overwhelmed and Panic Attacks have started for her. She doesn't know many in the new town, but her daughter's Dad sends over his Roommate to help Kelly come through her panic attack. Matt Dixon and Kelly become fast friends. Matt is a Hardworking man, Financial Analyst by dad and Seminary Student by Night. He dreams of becoming a Youth Pastor and is currently doing an Internship at a local Church. Will Matt and Kelly have a relationship? Will Matt continue on and become a Youth Pastor? 

The storyline of this book captured my attention from the very first chapter. I really LOVE how Kelly moves so her daughter can be closer to her Dad. Kelly also wanted to leave her past behind and start anew. Matt is a GREAT character and friend for Kelly. I enjoyed the fact that Matt has care and concern for Kelly, knowing she is in a new town. The friendship was so precious, especially as they are able to talk about their pasts, which helps the friendship move forward. I LOVE they both rely on God and Faith to help them. The book is about Faith, LOVE and Second Chances. FANTASIC BOOK!

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.

 

 

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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:

1. I wanted to represent this experience through her character.
2. 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.

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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

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

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: The Aire I Breathe by Karen Baney

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