Chasing Tarzan by Catherine Forster - Book Tour and Giveaway

Chasing Tarzan - Book Tour and Giveaway

8/3/2022

Chasing Tarzan
by Catherine Forster
Genre: YA Memoir

In the 1960s, a relentless school bully makes Catherine's life a living hell. She retreats inward, relying on a rich fantasy life––swinging through the jungle wrapped in Tarzan’s protective arms––and fervent prayers to a God she does not trust. She fasts until she feels faint, she ties a rough rope around her waist as penance, hoping God will see her worthy of His help.

As the second of eight children, Catherine is Mommy’s little helper, and like Mommy, Catherine is overwhelmed. The bullying and the adult responsibilities together foment her anger. She starts smacking her siblings, and becomes her younger sister’s nemesis. Spooked by who she is becoming, Catherine vows to escape for real, before she hurts someone—or herself.

Catherine finds salvation in a high school exchange program: new town, new school, new family, new persona. A passport celebrity. In New Zealand, nobody knows her history or her fears. Except for her Kiwi “mum,” who sees through Catherine’s façade and pulls her out from her inner safe-house.

Exposed, her sense of self implodes. Catherine must finally rethink who she is.

Amazon * Goodreads

"Next," Sister said, pointing her pencil at me.
We were stuck in mindless review, Sister hammering fifth-grade math back into our vacant summer heads. I was ready for sixth-grade material, but she wasn't––not yet. Stepping up to the blackboard, I grabbed a long piece of chalk, turned around, and faced her. She paused before announcing my challenge, and I could tell she was thinking up a hard one.
"Five-hundred-and-forty-six times forty-two."
I wrote the problem on the board and drew a line under it.
"Hey, Porky." Hunter hissed, for my ears only. "You'll never get it."
Pressing on, I worked the problem in my head: Two times six is twelve, carry the one. I wrote two under the six and put a notch above the four, letting Sister see before I moved on. I stayed put while she moved to the back of the room. Hunter watched her decamp, too.
"Give it up, Retard." His voice was still a whisper, but it was louder, everyone up front must have heard the offensive word: his favorite term for me.
Two times four is eight, plus one is nine.
"Piggy, I can't see the blackboard. Your fat ass is in the way."
It was time to liberate a dependable fantasy, one I could inhabit and do math. I focused on the numbers and the jungle beyond the blackboard. Blades of grass suddenly slashed my arms and legs, but I kept running, hurling through the bush, and resisting the impulse to look back. The barrage behind me was deafening. The ground shook, tripping me up, but I forged on.
Two times five is ten. Four times six is twenty-six, no twenty-four. Carry the two. Place the four under the two. No. Dammit. Four under the four.
"Give it up, Retard!"
He was gaining on me. I could smell him. A sharp object wedged deep in the ball of my foot but, I ignored the pain. Each pounding on the ground forced the offense deeper, but I didn't let it slow me down. My eyes were locked forward; there was no looking back and falling was not an option.
Four times four is sixteen, carry the one. Oops, sixteen plus two is eighteen. Four times five is twenty, plus one is twenty-one.
"Hurry up, stupid. I'm tired of looking at your fat ass."
Something was moving in the bush just ahead. A hiss pricked my ears. Standing perfectly still, I eyed the cobra. Its tongue slithering in and out of its mouth, preparing to strike––
"Can anybody see around that ass?"
Trapped between a crazed rhino and a deadly cobra, sure to be poisoned or crushed if I stayed put, I pivoted right. The cobra lurched, fangs inches from my face. The adder's head launched into the air, thanks to Tarzan's blade. The snake's headless body writhed as if trying to escape, only to be trampled by the enraged rhino. It happened so fast, I didn't feel Tarzan swing me up into the trees. Grinning, he wiped the machete on a leaf, leaving behind a gooey red smudge.
Bring down the two, four plus nine is thirteen, carry the one, eight plus one is nine, one plus one is two ...

Catherine Forster is an artist, filmmaker, and writer living in the Pacific Northwest ... at the moment. Her work and love of travel have led her to six continents, including Sub-Saharan African, the source of her childhood fantasies. She still holds a fondness for Tarzan, but when trekking in the bush, hiking mountain trails, or exploring a new city, she prefers the company of her beloved husband Kevin.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Goodreads

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Aug 3
kickoff at Silver Dagger Book Tours
Midnight Book Reader

Aug 4
❧Defining Ways❧
Bedazzled By Books

Aug 5
I'm Shelf-ish
Bookworm for Kids
Literary Gold

Aug 6
Lady Hawkeye
#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog

Aug 7
Anna del C. Dye official page
Books all things paranormal and romance

Aug 8
Book Reviews by the Reluctant Retiree
IS HISTORY THE AGREED UPON LIE? Historical Fact & Historical Fiction.

Aug 9
4covert2overt ☼ A Place In The Spotlight ☼
The Sexy Nerd 'Revue'

Aug 10
Naughty Nightie Book Blog
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Aug 11
Character Madness and Musings
Girl with Pen

Aug 12
@NatilliePainter
Inside the Insanity
The Bookshelf Fairy

Aug 13
Insane Books
Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin'

Aug 14
A Wonderful World of Words
Sylv.net

Aug 15
eBook Addicts
The Book Dragon
The Scratching Post

Aug 16
Craving Lovely Books
Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read

Aug 17
Valerie Ullmer | Romance Author
Scrupulous Dreams
Twisted Book Ramblings

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69 Comments

Beyond Comps

8/3/2022 04:43:19 am

Great cover.

Catherine Forster link

8/9/2022 11:04:24 am

Thanks so much. I worked closely with the publisher's book designer. I didn't expect to make hands-on changes––book design is an art and not my arena––but it turned out, as an artist, I did have something to offer; and it was fun.

Bernie Wallace

8/3/2022 05:39:53 am

How long did it take you to write your book?

Catherine Forster link

8/9/2022 11:10:21 am

Oh lord, that is a good question. The inspiration for the book was my daughter's struggle with bullying, and a trip to Africa. How could I not think of Tarzan while I was in the bush observing wildlife, especially elephants. As a child, I road them with Tarzan, in my imagination. I began with drawings. I played with text. Then I got series. I'd say it took six years to write, another two to publish. My first draft was a mess, several books in one, certainly not a memoir. It took me a year to write. I now think of this draft as research. I went on to write four more drafts.

Marcy Meyer

8/3/2022 07:12:26 am

Love the title and cover. This sounds like a really interesting book.

Catherine Forster link

8/9/2022 11:12:14 am

Thanks for the book cover compliment; I'm very proud of that cover. So many iterations!

xjanelx78

8/3/2022 10:22:14 am

Really nice cover and excerpt, looking forward to reading this!

Catherine forster link

8/9/2022 11:13:55 am

Thrilled you like the cover and find the synopsis intriguing. Happy to answer any questions.

Jen L

8/3/2022 10:48:14 am

Enjoyed the excerpt

Catherine forster link

8/9/2022 11:15:36 am

Not easy to write, glad you found it interesting. Another theme for the book is the mother-daughter relationship in all its complexities.

Rita Wray

8/3/2022 12:30:47 pm

I liked the excerpt.

Catherine Forster link

8/9/2022 11:17:23 am

Hey Rita, glad you liked it. Summarizing a book in a couple paragraphs is challenging, at least it was for me!

wendy hutton

8/3/2022 02:33:11 pm

sounds like an interesting book

Catherine forster link

8/9/2022 11:21:09 am

Hi Wendy, I'm delighted the summery moved you. Other themes I could not squeeze into a couple paragraphs: mother-daughter relationship, the role of imagination when children are abused, finding a positive approach to a seemingly impossible situation.

Sherry

8/3/2022 04:08:22 pm

I like the cover and the excerpt was very interesting.

Catherine Forster link

8/9/2022 11:27:11 am

Hi Sherry, thanks for the comments. The book has illustrations as well, in fact the project began as a series of drawings. Prose took over, especially after I attempted a graphic novel. Graphic novel art is not my forte. I prefer abstraction, but also like to draw, individual works, as you'll find in the book (twenty drawings). You can view them on my website.

Barbara Montag

8/3/2022 05:41:23 pm

YA Memoir - quite an interesting genre.
And I love the cover.
Thank you for sharing this with us.

Catherine Forster link

8/9/2022 11:31:51 am

Hi Barbara, yes it is. My youngest daughter loved a good YA Memoir and got a lot out of them (comfort, assurance, different options to solve problems, another way to see herself), and I hope other girls struggling with bullying and young women re-writing their own story will find solutions in the book. I also believe it could be useful to mothers raising daughters, and to teachers and potential mentors out there who are unaware of the power of their actions.

Bea LaRocca

8/3/2022 06:48:36 pm

I love the cover art and the synopsis and excerpt really resonated with me, it sounds like Catherine and I shared a somewhat similar childhood and adolescence..Chasing Tarzan sounds like an excellent read and I am looking forward to it. Thank you for sharing your bio and book details and for offering a giveaway

Catherine Forster link

8/9/2022 11:34:27 am

Hi Bea, you get around. That is exciting, I wish I was better at social media. Curious, did you grow up in a big family as well?

bn100

8/3/2022 09:57:42 pm

intriguing

Catherine Forster link

8/9/2022 11:35:46 am

Hello, glad you found the synopsis intriguing. Anything particular?

Terri Quick

8/4/2022 09:15:34 pm

Sounds like an interesting story

Catherine Forster link

8/9/2022 11:39:13 am

Hi Terri, the story took me six years to write! I never expected the journey would take so long, and have so many iterations. The project started as a series of drawings; I had no intentions of writing a book, but prose found their way in and did not stop.

Susan Smith

8/5/2022 08:46:41 pm

Sounds interesting. I like the cover and excerpt.

Catherine Forster link

8/9/2022 11:42:04 am

Hi Susan, thanks for the comments. The book is targeted to YA/NA, but my readers have said it would be of interest to any age, and for mothers raising daughters.

Debbie P

8/5/2022 11:52:20 pm

This sounds like a great story.

Catherine Forster link

8/9/2022 11:43:41 am

Hi Debbie, thanks for the comments. You also may enjoy the drawings I did for the book––initially over 200 of which 2o are included in the book. You can view them on my website. https://catforster.com/chasing-tarzan/

Calvin

8/6/2022 01:35:22 am

Quite professionally done, loving the design, and premise to your book.

Catherine Forster link

8/9/2022 11:45:20 am

Calvin, thank you very much! If you liked the design of the book you may enjoy the drawings as well. They can be viewed on my website: https://catforster.com/chasing-tarzan/

Karin

8/6/2022 02:22:49 am

Nice excerpt

Catherine Forster link

8/9/2022 11:47:30 am

Hi Karen, I appreciate you comment! It was tough picking an excerpt, glad you liked it.

Kim Kern

8/6/2022 09:04:39 am

I like the title of the book.

Catherine Forster link

8/9/2022 11:50:14 am

Hi Kim, so love your comment. I held on to this title when others were not so sure, and an editor (not to be named and not from my publisher) wanted to change it to "Tarzan And Me." So glad I didn't. I stuck with what my gut told me. That doesn't always work, but in this case it did.

Cindy Merrill

8/6/2022 04:10:42 pm

I was bullied all throughout grade school so the story introduction brings back horrific images I do not care to revisit.

Catherine Forster link

8/9/2022 11:54:10 am

Hi Cindy, I understand. the book does have an inspirational/positive outcome. I hope it will give girls suffering from bullying some answers other than withdrawal, or acting out, becoming someone they don't recognize. And for young women revisiting their own story, a realization that bullying is abuse and they are survivors.

David Basile

8/6/2022 09:46:18 pm

Real interesting

Catherine Forster link

8/9/2022 11:55:02 am

Hi David, I'm just curious, what moved you about the synopsis or excerpt?

Ann Fantom

8/7/2022 11:11:55 am

This sounds like an interesting book and I also like the cover.

Catherine Forster link

8/9/2022 11:59:56 am

Hi Ann, so glad the book roused your interest. Glad you liked the cover! I'm pleased so many people have mentioned the cover; I spent a lot of hours on it, and of course, agonized over it after it was approved. Loved it, but was there a better one ...

Stephanie Liske

8/7/2022 11:17:01 am

I like the book details.

Catherine forster link

8/9/2022 12:02:22 pm

Hi Stephanie, thanks for the comment. The synopsis took a while to write and had soooo many versions; I'm glad you found it compelling.

Wendy Jensen

8/7/2022 11:47:19 am

The book details are very interesting.

Catherine forster link

8/9/2022 12:03:19 pm

Hi Wendy, thanks for the comment. Are there any details I can expand on for you?

Debbi Wellenstein

8/8/2022 08:53:26 am

I enjoyed the excerpt. Thank you for the giveaway!

Catherine Forster link

8/9/2022 12:04:40 pm

Hi Debbi, thank you very much for the positive comment re the excerpt. It was quite a challenge to pick one. And you are welcome re the giveaway!

Carol G

8/8/2022 11:36:47 am

Although this is written as YA, and would be a good book for that age group, it would also be an eye opener for many parents, teachers, counselors as well.

Catherine Forster link

8/9/2022 12:06:58 pm

Hi Carol, I agree wholeheartedly! Yes. Yes. If the book can reach one individual who child in need, I've done my work.

Francine A

8/9/2022 06:51:01 pm

Sounds like a good book

Catherine forster link

8/11/2022 12:43:26 pm

Hi Francine and good morning. Checking the blog comments and saw your note. Thanks for the comment. this is my first blog tour, it's been pretty fascinating.

beth shepherd

8/9/2022 07:32:36 pm

This looks like a great read

Catherine Forster link

8/11/2022 12:45:06 pm

Hey Beth, thanks for the comment. Just curious, what did you find intriguing in the synopsis?

Amy F

8/11/2022 04:11:18 pm

Sounds like a great read!

Catherine Fprster link

8/14/2022 12:47:55 pm

Thanks Amy!

Thomas Gibson

8/14/2022 03:45:10 pm

Really liked the excerpt. Congrats on your tour!

Catheirne Forster link

8/17/2022 12:03:38 pm

Thanks Thomas, I'm excited that you found the excerpt a good read. And thanks for the good wishes!

Daniel M

8/16/2022 12:14:36 pm

like the cover

Catherine Forster link

8/17/2022 12:05:27 pm

Thanks Daniel, the cover was a collaborative project. I worked closely with the publisher's cover artist -- being an artist, I had a view ideas. :)

Danielle S Day

8/16/2022 09:16:04 pm

It sounds good.

Catherine Forster link

8/17/2022 12:06:30 pm

Thanks Danielle, I appreciate your view.

Christy R.

8/17/2022 11:25:40 am

The book details sound great. What were some of your favorite books as a small child?

Catherine Forster link

8/17/2022 12:10:04 pm

Hi Christy, I loved Nancy Drew, and adventure books like Treasure Island, and comic books (MAD, Archie). I never read any of Burroughs Tarzan books until I started writing the book. I watched all the movies though -- so many times!

jennifer galindo

8/17/2022 01:55:21 pm

I would love to be Jane to Tarzan. A man with that much strength is about to have a lifetime supply of sexual endurance don't you think?

Sand

8/17/2022 10:00:15 pm

Sounds like a good book!

Renata

8/17/2022 10:42:37 pm

I like the cover!

Piroska

8/18/2022 05:52:58 pm

The book sounds very intriguing. Love the cover!

getting over it link

4/27/2023 04:48:14 am

These novels are my favorite since the content is excellent and interesting.

retro bowl link

1/9/2024 03:25:03 am

It seems like "Chasing Tarzan" by Catherine Forster is a powerful memoir reflecting on her challenging experiences growing up, dealing with bullying, and finding solace in her imagination.

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Chasing Tarzan - Book Tour and Giveaway

Chasing Tarzan
by Catherine Forster
Genre: YA Memoir

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Chasing Tarzan - Book Tour and Giveaway

Chasing Tarzan by Catherine Forster Genre: YA Memoir

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Chasing Tarzan
by Catherine Forster
Genre: YA Memoir