
Character Study- Renée
A blogging friend of mine, Diana Peach, likes to do an introduction to her characters before the release of her books, so I thought I’d do one today for my new release, Letting Go.

Renée Thomas is the most serious and oldest at twenty-one. Her sister, Izzy- Elizabeth Mae Thomas- is two and a half years younger. She’s the moody, intense one of the family. Last, but not least, is their brother Benjamin. At nearly twelve years younger than Renée, Ben is the baby they love to spoil.
As children, Renée and Izzy did everything together, climbing trees, biking, sharing clothes, and secrets. But the night of Renée’s high school graduation and Izzy’s sixteenth birthday, that changed.
Renée is betrayed by her long-time boyfriend, Simon, her sister suddenly hates her guts, and she witnesses her father’s suicide.
Unable to handle the terrible chain of events, Renée leaves town, heading to California and her accepted application to UC Berkeley.
Two years later it’s Renée’s mom who is gone and she is forced to return to face her demons.
Two years later
The town looks the same as when I left for college. The Welcome to Smuggler’s Cove, pop. 7562, sign bows with the weight of the old town’s worries on its aged wooden frame. God, I’m glad I escaped.
My second-hand SUV chugs up the hill and over the bridge. Chinook, the river named after the salmon who travel hundreds of miles to spawn in its muddy brown water, gurgles over the rocks far below. Giant rubber tubes in a rainbow of colors filled with laughing teens dot the surface. I’d joined them many times to get away from the oppression at home.

Home.
It’s been nearly two years since I left and would’ve been longer if I had my choice. Hard on the heels of guilt come the ever-ready tears. Fact is, while I soaked up the west coast sunshine and campus life, my little sister had taken over the reins of the house, getting my brother to school, paying the bills, and caring for Mom.
This is the story of two sisters torn apart by unspeakable horror and brought together by tragedy. Can family ties overcome the pain of betrayal?
Letting Go: The Defiant Sisters- Book 1
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B3R41NWF
International: https://books2read.com/Letting-Go-Defiant-Sisters
TBR: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61269995-letting-go–the-defiant-sisters-book-1
A coming-of-age novel about the pain of misconceptions and learning from them.
When life gives you lemons…
Izzy
Mom is barely in the grave and the prodigal child is here to pick the bones clean.
I don’t want her here. My sister’s defection is a wound that won’t heal and her return simply rubs at the scabs covering my heart.
I’ve managed just fine without her. She can go back to her fancy college and forget about us- that’s what she does best anyway.
If only I didn’t need her help. Or miss her so much.
Renée
The day my dad committed suicide I ran. I’ve been running ever since.
Going home is supposed to be the answer. Instead, it makes me question every thoughtless decision I’ve made.
My sister hates me. My little brother barely knows me. And Simon… is engaged.
None of it matters- or so I tell myself. I’m here to make amends and face a past haunted by regret.
As long as I can convince myself to stay.
Letting Go is a young adult romance dealing with tragedy, restitution, and love in all its aspects. The story relates to sensitive topics that may be triggering for some readers.
Reader’s Favorite Review!

Jacquie Biggar’s Letting Go deals with family tragedy, love, and restoration. Regretting her decision to run away from her past, Renee is back home to face the past and the ramifications of her decision. The narrative is told from the points of view of Izzy, Renee, and Simon, and provides readers with the innermost thoughts of the main protagonists. The author brings us into the hearts and minds of the characters as they shed their youthful innocence and become more aware adults, which makes Letting Go an intimate and emotional read. This is a story that will tug at every reader’s heart.
Enter for a $25 Amazon gift card!
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d04251235142/
a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for sharing my new release, Michael!
LikeLike
Congratulations, Jacquie! I just had read about on Jacqui Murray’s blog. As i can see the promotion is impacting the world. Best wishes, Michael
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for the heads-up about Jacqui’s post, appreciated!
LikeLike
Huge congratulations, Jacquie! Wishing you every success. This one’s on my list, and I look forward to reading it. Have a wonderful weekend, hugs 💕🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m thrilled it took your interest, Harmony, thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations, Jacquie! I’m looking forward to reading it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Jill!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Super excited, Jacquie! Congratulations!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Staci! This is the fun part 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Huge Congrats! I can’t wait to get started on the book, Jacquie. I’m sure I’ll be diving in this afternoon. And I enjoyed the sneak peek into the characters. That’s often a great hook, so I’m glad you’re giving it a try (and thanks for the shout-out, though that wasn’t necessary). Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the glow.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Diana. It’s also my youngest brother’s birthday today, so it’s a double celebration!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Birthday to the bro. (And I’m already halfway done with the book. I LOVE the characters!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, wow, thank you! Mikey is twelve years younger than me (like Benjamin and Renée) so I tend to treat him as my kid, which I’m sure he appreciates, lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations, Jacquie! I added your book on Goodreads and look forward to reading it. I know I am in for a treat! Best wishes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jan!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Woo Hoo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol, that’s what I said 🙂
LikeLike
Congrats! Wishing you much success, Jacquie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Tessa. The excitement never gets old, lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
Trailing streamer of joy and happiness in honor of your exciting news!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
AW, thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations Jacquie!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sophie. I’m diving into the new adult pond, lol
LikeLike
Congratulations on your new release, Jacquie! Great title! I could feel the emotions already. I’ll check out your book in a moment. Have a wonderful weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, my friend. How is the move going?
LikeLiked by 1 person
We withdrew three offers for different reasons ,and decided to sell first. We had the first open house last Sunday then had viewing by appoointments three days during the week. We’ll have another open house in the coming Sunday. Probably people don’t want to close escrow in 30 dys and move during the holidays. We’ll stay put and plan to stay for the winter. We could use a break before the next major task of driving through Mount Shasta! We were in a hurry and some of the things weren’t packed correctly. Several boxes collapsed on top of each other already.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, a winter move wouldn’t be fun. Did you have some damage?
LikeLike
No, we stored most of our things in a storage unit and some on the garage. We have a few daily things in the garage when there’s an open house or request for showing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations on the new release. I do like that cover.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sherry- me too!
LikeLike
Happy book birthday, Jacquie! I’ve got my copy and am looking forward to diving into the story.
Wishing you much success with your latest!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your ongoing support, Mae- you’re the best!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤗
LikeLike
Hey, Jacquie. Congratulations. I love the cover and the trailer is fantastic. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Marsha. The cover was created by fellow blogger Teagan Geneviene, and the book trailer by me 🙂
LikeLike
My Stars and garters, Jacquie! I guess there is nothing you can’t do and do it well. Impressive trailer. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
iMovie made the process easy, Marsha, but thank you 🙂
LikeLike
Good book for Fall reading.
Thanks for the contest.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good luck!
LikeLike
Can’t wait to read this…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m hoping to start your new release soon, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oooh, that would be fun if we read each other’s books together.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations on your new release and review from Readers Favorite. The video is awesome, Jacquie. Sounds like your book is off to a great start.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Mary. It’s nerve-wracking, lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats on your new book release, Jacquie! Best wishes for its success!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Terri! How was your summer road trip?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Long and hot, LOL! I’m glad we did it but the heat in SoCal and Arizona was over the top.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, that would do me in, lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
It sounds really good! Like something I would enjoy reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Lisa. I hope you give it a try 🙂
LikeLike
Yay congratulations, Jacquie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Saania!
LikeLike
A big congrats on the new release, Jacquie – welcome to YA!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Teri. It was fun to write 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I finished reading last night. Congratulations, you’ve got another winner on your hands;)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sandra! I’m so relieved it’s done, lol. Now, on to the next one!
LikeLike
Congratulations, Jacquie! All the best to you with this new book 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Christy. It’s a departure from my normal genre, which was a fun challenge 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations, Jacquie! – it looks wonderful, and beautiful cover and images. Toni x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Toni. Teagan Geneviene did a wonderful job on this cover!
LikeLiked by 1 person