Vlog Post with Rachel Coker ~ JeanBookNerd

Photo Content from Rachel Coker

Rachel Coker resides in Virginia with her parents and two sisters. She has a passion for great books, and has been surrounded by them all her life. Her gift for writing became apparent at the age of eleven, at which time her parents signed her up for a year of lessons with a professional writing coach. Rachel also has a deep love for classical music and old black-and-white movies. When she is not writing or playing the piano, Rachel enjoys spending time with her family and friends and serving her Lord and Savior.

SETTINGS BY RACHEL COKER
Scarlett’s Farmhouse: The Blaines aren’t rich by any stretch of the imagination, and their house definitely reflects that. They live in this small country farmhouse in Georgia, with a long driveway and lots of trees. In my head, I imagine peeling paint, a worn-in front porch swing, and several bedroom windows looking out over the front lawn. I think this is pretty dead-on perfect.

CHARACTERS - DREAM CAST

Scarlett Blaine, played by… Madeline Carroll
Frank Leggett, played by… Lucas Till
Cliff Blaine, played by… Seth Robert Dusky
Grandpop Barley, played by…. Ian McKellen
Juli Blaine, played by… Carlie Casey
Dotty Greene, played by… Reese Witherspoon

Scarlett Blaine's life in 1960s Georgia isn't always easy, especially given her parents' financial struggles and the fights surrounding her sister Juli's hippie lifestyle. Then there's her brother, Cliff. While Scarlett loves him more than anything, there's no denying his unique behavior leaves Cliff misunderstood and left out. So when he wishes for a rocket to Jupiter, Scarlett agrees to make it happen, no matter how crazy the idea might be. Raising the rocket money means baking pies, and the farmer's son, Frank, agrees to provide the peaches if Scarlett will help him talk to Juli. The problem is, Scarlett really enjoys her time with Frank, and finds herself wondering if, someday, they could be more than friends. Just as she thinks everything might be going her way, Cliff suffers an accident that not only affects the rocket plans, but shakes Scarlett's view of God. As the summer comes to an end, Scarlett must find a way to regain what she's lost, but also fulfill a promise to launch her brother's dream.

Chasing Jupiter by Rachel Coker is the uplifting story of Scarlett Blaine. Living in Georgia in the 1960s, her life is filled with uncertainty with her parents and siblings. Her parents are stressed with their finances and her relationship with her sister Juli is fading away. Her brother Cliff’s unique behavior has been seen as an outcast so when he requests a rocket to Jupiter, Scarlett does not shoot it down and agrees to make it happen. As crazy as it sounds, Scarlett goes through the impossible raising money for Cliff’s rocket. Even the farmer’s son, Frank, agrees to offer help just as long as Scarlett helps him talk to Juli. But the more time Scarlett spends with Frank, she begins wondering if they could ever be more than just friends. All things seem to be going well until Cliff suffers an accident. Scarlett’s view of God has drastically changed and now must find a way to redeem what she has lost while continuing to finish what she has promised her brother.

I was thoroughly entertained with her debut novel, Interrupted. She continues to enthrall her readers with Chasing Jupiter as it delivered a wide range of emotions. In particular, Scarlett really knows emotions as she’s able to communicate with her brother Cliff in a way that she can understand his flukes unlike the others in his life. Her love for her brother is unconditional and that makes her character so lovable. Although it may seem like it is too much pressure from carrying so much responsibility within her family, she’s able to keep her head straight and focused. Even when tragedy strikes and throws her off, she’s able to reassess life and get her composure back together.

Author Rachel’s writing style is remarkable and manages to capture all of the emotions that Scarlett goes through in her young life. The texts are richly descriptive that readers are given a full view of the importance of fulfilling Frank’s wish for a rocket to Jupiter. The twist that is revealed is like getting the rug pulled off right under your feet. Chasing Jupiter is powerful story about accepting, detriment, heartbreaks, and hope. It is the story about the importance of family and the up and downs it goes through.

You can purchase Chasing Jupiter at the following Retailers: