I'm excited to be a part of the virtual tour for "The Sun Will Rise", by Sarah Hill. This phenomenal book is out on Friday, and I can't wait for the world to experience this story!
Today I'll be interviewing Kolby, the male lead in this powerful story. But before we get to the interview, let me share the blurb and my review.
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The Blurb:
Jordan and Kolby Simon have a beautiful life filled with love, laughter, and friends. The only thing missing is children. All Jordan wants is to have a child. To make her husband a father and to watch his face light up as he holds their baby for the first time. But while their friends have children, nothing ever changes for Jordan and Kolby.
Desperate for results, they seek help from a specialist and begin fertility treatments. But as the negatives continue to show up on her pregnancy tests, Jordan struggles to keep a brave face while inside, her heart is crumbling. The one constant in her life is Kolby. With his constant love and reassurance, Jordan has no choice but to believe that someday, it will be their turn.
Time is not on their side, though. With each passing year, Jordan’s hope for a child diminishes, leaving her to wonder if she’s strong enough to navigate a life with such bitter disappointment and merciless grief. She has to decide if she believes as Kolby does: that they control their happiness, and that--no matter how rough the storm or how dark the night--the sun will indeed rise.
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My Review:
This story is an emotional ride, there's no doubt about that! This is a standalone book and follows our main character, Jordan, and her husband, Kolby, as they battle infertility along with the other highs and lows of life. The author navigates the the varied emotions that come with infertility with sensitivity, compassion, and a vulnerability that instantly drew me in.
There are so many powerful scenes in this story, and whether you struggle with infertility or not, this book will leave a mark on you. There was laugher, and there were tears. There was heart-breaking despair, and overpowering love. I couldn't put it down. This book will stay with you long after you finish it!
Sarah Hill is definitely an author to watch! Her writing is beautiful, and she knows how to tell an emotional story without ever feeling heavy-handed. While this type of story isn't my usual genre, the author drew me in with her masterful storytelling.
I can't wait to read what Sarah writes next!
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The Interview:
Kolby is one of my favorite parts of the book, so I leapt at the chance to get to interview him. Kolby, thank you for taking the time to stop by and answer some of my burning questions! Why don’t you start by introducing yourself?
Thank you for inviting me, it was unexpected. As you know, I’m Kolby Simon, married to the beautiful Jordan Simon who is not only the star of this book but the center of my heart. Nobody’s life is perfect, but in my eyes Jordan and I live one pretty close to it. We work hard and we make sure we enjoy life, whether it be camping and exploring or just relaxing by the fire. I live by the rule that happiness can be found anywhere if you ignore the crazy going on and concentrate on what is right in front of you.
Have you always lived in Idaho?
I was born and raised here, with the exception of the small camping stint my parents took us on when we lived in a trailer out by Lake Mead near Las Vegas. Maybe that’s why I love camping so much.
What is a special talent or skill you have?
I don’t know that I have any special talents or skills. I know my way around a car motor, so I guess that’s handy and I know how to love hard.
What is your favorite holiday, and why?
Halloween. I’m a big overgrown kid. If I get the chance to dress up and act five, I’m taking that chance!
What is your favorite color?
Most days it’s Charcoal Gray, but other days it’s Navy Blue.
What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Huckleberry, baby! If you haven’t tried it, you should! In fact, I’ll take you to get some.
Um, YES! Thank you for the kind offer! Ok, do you prefer tacos or pizza?
I would eat tacos every single night if I could.
Pie or cake?
I’m a cake guy, specifically yellow cake with chocolate frosting. Jordan surprised me on our wedding day and had our cake made with yellow batter and chocolate frosting. The most beautiful wedding cake I’ve ever seen.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I never really thought about it like other people do. I know we are supposed to all have these great dreams, but all I ever wanted was to be happy.
What do you do for work?
I’m a delivery driver. I deliver anything having to do with cars, from motors and doors to brake lights and bumpers.
Who is your hero?
I have two. My wife because she made me realize love exists in more than just books. My little sister, because she’s believed in me longer than anyone alive and I’m thankful she pounded that belief into me.
I know you love camping. Have you always enjoyed it? Can you tell us anything about your first camping trip?
My first trip, which some may not consider a real trip since we lived there for months, was at Lake Mead. My parents pulled a tiny Shasta trailer into the KOA and we ended up staying. We didn’t have much growing up but I think that brought us closer.
What are three things on your bucket list?
I want to travel to my heart's content, that’s really it. It’s a big one though, so it has to count for at least three, right?
You have a pretty optimistic nature. Have you always been that way, or is it something you worked to develop?
Optimism has always been a part of me. When you grow up with next to nothing and the world is already stacking its bets against you, you learn to look for the positive in everything around you. I’ve found I feel better when I’m laughing and smiling than when I’m not.
I absolutely love you and Jordan as a couple! How did you meet?
It was fate. I was hanging out with my best friend, Figgy. I mean Adam, when he got an SOS call from his wife to come pick her up. She was out on the town with some friends and one of those friends happened to be Jordan who can’t walk in heels to save her life! She was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen and I wanted to be the man to rescue her from the curb she sat on, holding her twisted ankle
How/when did you know Jordan was the love of your life? How did you propose?
We lived about half an hour apart when we were dating. Jordan came over every Tuesday to make me dinner. She knew I loved pasta, and that I hated vegetables. So she made chicken pasta and threw in some steamed broccoli to prove a point. I knew then that a woman who wasn’t going to conform to what made me happy was the woman I wanted for the rest of my life. And the pasta was pretty amazing too. As for the proposal, you’ll have to read the book to find out. It’s one I’m proud of.
What are three words you would use to describe yourself?
I would say loyal, honest, hard-working
What are three words you would use to describe Jordan?
Strong, empathetic, thoughtful
How do you feel about your story being told?
It’s what Jordan needed and it helped her. So, my hope is that it helps other women, and even men realize they aren’t alone.
Is there anything you would say to others who are also struggling with infertility?
I know it hurts, it makes you feel like a failure, even I felt like I’d failed Jordan. You haven’t failed, it’s something that happens and it sucks. Keep your head held high and enjoy the things you have been given, it helps when you make an effort to focus on what is going right in life. Think about it, a child isn’t going to determine whether or not you’re happy. Lots of men and women out there have children and they aren’t happy. We determine how happy we’re going to be by the way we deal with things.
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Kolby, thank you so much for stopping by!
Ok readers, are you just in love with him? You can get more of Kolby and his awesome wife Jordan in "The Sun Will Rise", which comes out April 29!
Here's the link to preorder on Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09XC6RVBD
To learn more about Sarah and her books, check out her website: https://sarahrylie.wixsite.com/author
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