The Indie Bookshelf: Running on Empty Blog Tour

Welcome to the blog tour stop for Running on Empty by L. B. Simmons

on The Indie Bookshelf! Be sure to scroll down for my "Off The Wall"
Q & A with L. B. Simmons and enter our giveaway for a chance to win

a signed copy of Running on Empty!

Reviewed by Angela McLaurin

5 Brilliant Stars

Synopsis from Goodreads:

I had the perfect life.
Beautiful and loving husband.

Three gorgeous little girls.
Successful career.

The only thing missing was the white picket fence.

I really wanted that fence.

Three years ago, I lost that life. I lost my husband. And I lost myself. But, eventually, I found my way through the darkness. I’ve made peace with my new life. I have my girls, and that’s all that matters. They are my world. I have no illusions of ever falling in love again or getting whisked away on a white horse.

But then he came back into my life. On a freakin’ motorcycle.

There’s no way I’ll let him turn my life completely upside down. Absolutely no way.

The question is…

How long can I keep pretending that I’m happy with my life being right-side up?

My thoughts...

Brilliant, refreshing, outstanding.....I can't sing my praises loud enough for this fantastic debut novel from L. B. Simmons. Running on Empty is that kind of contemporary romance, you know the kind, where you don't need all of the detailed sex scenes to feel the passion and intensity the author is describing. It takes a writer of outstanding caliber to nail a romance plot that will make your heart swoon without turning it into something pegged as erotica. L. B. Simmons has taken her place among the few authors I know who have achieved this monumental task!

Second chances in life and love are the emotional themes of the novel. The plot was captivating and flowed effortlessly. I loved the natural conversations between the characters and reading the quirky "notes to self" that Alex made throughout the story. Alex was such a strong character. Having endured such an emotional loss, she is trying to function day to day on her own with three young girls. Her thoughts were so funny and things we can all relate to as mothers and parents but never, ever speak aloud. I cried with her, laughed with her, and fell under the same spell of Blake's charm, just as she and her girls did.

Blake is such a dreamy man...he is totally hot, thoughtful, caring, and loves her children in ways that most men couldn't even begin to understand. Get ready to meet your newest book boyfriend; he won my heart from the very beginning! L. B. truly has a gift for description and masterfully crafted her words into a story that tops my list of all-time favorites. This is a work of brilliance that you simply must experience for yourself. Hold on to your seats and get ready for the literary ride of your life! Oh, and be sure to grab some tissues, you are going to need them!

An “Off The Wall” Q & A with L. B. Simmons

L. B., we all adore your book! I have read lots of your personal and character interviews on other blogs and wanted to make this one different. This is our chance to learn some totally “Off The Wall” things about you!

1. If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you want to play the lead?

Hmmmmm, it would have to be someone really goofy and who likes to do random dancing like the robot…a lot. I kinda like the idea of Sarah Silverman. Her sarcasm and mannerisms crack me up.

2. If you were a candy bar, which would you want to be and why?

Not really a candy BAR per se, but I think of myself as a Sour Patch Kid. I’m sour at first, and then sweet.

3. Why are manhole covers round?

LOL! Ummmmm…maybe as a safety feature? Corners would hurt more if you fell down one.

4. What would we find in your refrigerator right now?

Lots of left over pizza, pickles, and some awesome beer battered onion rings from dinner last night that we brought home, knowing they won’t reheat well, but we just weren’t ready to let them go. So good.

5. What was the last movie you went to see?

Parental Guidance…unfortunately. I kept trying to sneak out and go see Mama, but since we were there with my daughter and her friends for her birthday, my husband wouldn’t let me. Can’t blame a girl for trying.

6. If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpower to be?

Excellent question. I would have to say the power to make my children go to sleep at bedtime. Or laser vision. It’s kind of a toss-up.

7. What is the most important part of a sandwich?

A good parent would say the crust right? So, let’s go with that.

8. How would you describe yourself in three words?

Loyal, Goofy, Impatient

9. What is your favorite smell?

OMG! Seriously…don’t laugh. I love the smell of gasoline. Which explains a lot about why I am the way I am. Close second and third…fresh cut grass and wood burning.

10. If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three books would you want to have with you?

How to Kill a Rock Star, Beautiful Disaster, and How to Survive on a Deserted Island for Dummies

11. What is the worst decision you ever made?

Letting my four year old watch Adventure Time.

Ok, the Adventure Time comment totally has me cracking up! We are guilty, let me say my husband is guilty, of watching that with our kids, too! Now let's switch to some serious "author" business...

12. What is the best part about being an author?

I think the best part is when you find that one story that just touches your soul and you are able to put it on paper and touch other people. I have had so many people contact me with how Running on Empty has helped them cope with a death. That is such an amazing feeling.

13. What can we expect from you in the future?

I’m currently working on Running in Place. After that, who knows. But I hope my future involves a lot of writing. I love to write and hope to continue doing it for the rest of my life.

14. Why did you start writing? Did you always want to be a writer?

The first chapter of Running on Empty came into my mind and it wanted to be written. I couldn’t stop thinking about it; so I started writing and after that the story just went from there. I would talk about it all the time. To my hubby and to my friends. The joy that I felt when writing, well…I can’t really put it into words. These characters came from my soul, the story came from my heart, and I hope that I will always be able to integrate that type of love into all my books. That’s why I write and I pray that I am able to for a very long time.

Thank you so much L. B. for stopping by The Indie Bookshelf! This was tons of fun and I am in love with your cute and quirky side!

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