Book Review--Bumpy Landings

Bumpy Landings by Donald J Carey. I enjoyed this book. It turned out to be the dating ups and downs of a particular young man that made me laugh and remember the days I spent dating. It was fun to get it from the guys perspective also. And the exotic location of Hawaii really helped the story. As one who has never been, I felt like I was there. This book receives a :):):). Here's a blurb, a link for purchase, and an interview with Don.

All his life, Jordan MacDonald has dreamed of taking flight and soaring above the majestic mountains of his Hawaiian home, but he doesn’t dare disobey his mother, who has absolutely forbidden him to fly. Suddenly everything changes when, spurred by the pain of a failed relationship, Jordan begins working toward the coveted pilot’s license. Just as he finds love again, Jordan’s lies start to close in around him, and he soon learns that a life full of dishonesty attracts more turbulence than he’s ever faced in the air.

Set against the exotic backdrop of the Hawaiian islands, this thrilling tale of romance and self-discovery is a perfect vacation from the average love story. Join Jordan as he tests the limits of friendship and finds out just how far his dreams can carry him. Entertaining and engaging, Bumpy Landings will take you to new heights with each turn of the page.

What made you decide to become a writer?

I've always loved reading books, but for most of my life music was my 
creative outlet. As I got older and my life situation changed, trying to 
perform with a musical group was more and more difficult. So I tried my 
hand at several other things, and writing was what fit my needs and 
abilities the best.

Who inspires you?

My wife has been so strong over the last decade, battling a serious 
illness that nearly took her from us three years ago. Yet due to her 
persistence and tenacity, she is undergoing a miraculous recovery, 
wrestling her life and health back when most everyone else had given up 
on her. That resilience is infinitely inspiring to me.

What would you like your readers to get out of your writing?

Looking at my writing, I realize that I tend to share things that are 
important to me, like philosophies, cultures, and locations. I love 
hearing that those elements have resonated with a reader. But most of 
all, I want to share an entertaining story, so knowing that I've kept a 
reader up past their bedtime is the perfect payoff for me.

Where did this idea come from?

There are a lot of little ideas that came together to make up Bumpy 
Landings. I've long been interested in flying, so I thought it would be 
fun to write a story about a student pilot. It was a cold February day 
when I decided to set the story in my warm Hawaiian hometown of Laie. 
The main character's journey of self-discovery was based on a similar 
one of my own. And when it comes to unrequited love, I have wealth of 
(long ago) experience to draw from.

Who was your favorite character to develop?

I have to say Malia. She was a fun secondary character who kind of acted 
like the glue to keep the story together, and her attitude allows her to 
say out loud the things that most of us only dare think.

Any advice for aspiring authors?

Writing is a lot of fun, but to do it right it is a lot of work, too. 
Don't be afraid to put in the time and the effort. Make friends in the 
writing community, and bravely put yourself and your words out there for 
others to see. Writing is a solitary activity, but GOOD writing requires 
the help of many people working together.

What can we expect next from you?

I'm currently trying to squeeze out enough writing time to finish Into 
the Wind, which picks up about an hour after Bumpy Landings ends. I had 
no intention of writing a sequel, but I realized that there were enough 
loose ends and unresolved situations to make for a great story. I'm 
having a wonderful time getting to know some of the original characters 
better, and introducing some fun new characters.

Where can we purchase your book?

Bumpy Landings is available at fine LDS bookstores everywhere, as well 
as Barnes&  Noble and Amazon.com. And I keep an extra copy in my car, too.

THANK YOU DON!