Sheila's Books Read

Sheila's bookshelf: read

The Best Intentions
Scotland's Melody
The Secret Society of Salzburg
Secret of the Sonnets
20-40-60-Minute Dinners: Meals to Match the Time You Have
Through the Wilderness: My Journey of Redemption and Healing in the American Wild
Secret Santa Claus Club: A Tool to Help Parents Unwrap the Secret of Santa
Mr. Pudgins
Revenge Never Rests
The Best Mistake
Meriden Park
More Inspirational Stories for Young Women
The Great Tree: A Christmas Fable
To Capture His Heart
The Call of the Sea
Esperance
Livvy and the Enchanted Woodland
Come, Gentle Night
The Bad Boy Theory
Guide To Smart Wedding Planning: What You want to know and everything you haven't thought of yet.


Sheila's favorite books »
Showing posts with label A.R. Talley. Show all posts
Showing posts with label A.R. Talley. Show all posts

Saturday, February 28, 2015

Jeremy's Promise by A.R. Talley-Blog Tour Review and Giveaway

Jeremy's Promise (1) 

Jeremy's PromiseProduct Details

  • Title: Jeremy's Promise
  •  Author: A.R. Talley
  • Hardcover: 308 pages
  • Publisher: AuthorHouse (October 28, 2013)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1491818123
  • FTC,FYI: Received  a review e-copy in exchange for an honest review.






 Book Description: 
"Are you okay?" he asked. Before I could reassure him once more that I was fine, the stewardess started the safety demonstration. I directed my attention to her, happy for the diversion. Jeremy and I had spent most of the day before in small talk and sightseeing, intentionally avoiding the issues we faced. He was so relieved that I was staying with him that he made a Herculean effort not to upset me. And later, I had to admit, that night had been sweet and intimate. But sitting on the plane, I couldn't forget David's kiss or his haunting blue eyes. I couldn't forget the look of devastation on his face when he said goodbye at the elevator. "Go home, Annie," he had said. And I was. I was going home, hoping that Jeremy and I could rebuild what I had destroyed. I needed to reach out to Jeremy, reassure him. I needed him to know I still loved him and was committed to our marriage. When the stewardess finished talking, I turned to him and gently laid my hand on his cheek. "Thank you," I said just above a whisper. He looked back in surprise. "Thank you . . . for what?" "For coming to get me." Instantly his eyes filled with tears.
 
The trip that was meant to save Annie and Jeremy’s marriage brought it to near ruin. Now Annie has returned home, frightened and confused. Jeremy, too, is frightened—and angry. What will it take to save their marriage? It’s clear. Jeremy needs to forgive—Annie needs to forget. A promise is made. A tragedy occurs. A second honeymoon is disrupted. A chance encounter brings David Andrews back into Annie’s life. Annie is determined to remain faithful. She’s made a promise she intends to keep—Jeremy’s Promise. 

EXCERPT from Jeremy's Promise
EXCERPT #1


“Okay, Jeremy,” Terry said, “Tell her.”

                “What?” Jeremy asked, bewildered.

                “Tell her how you feel about this other man in her life.”

                Jeremy was silent for a long moment. I didn’t know why he hadn’t launched immediately into a tirade about David Andrews. All I did know was I didn’t want to hear it.

                “Well,” Jeremy said, more subdued, “I think she knows—that anyway.”
                “No, Jeremy, you have to tell her.”

                More silence.

                “Annie, look at him,” Terry said. I shook my head. I couldn’t look at him. “Annie,” Terry said with measured patience, “Look at him.”

                I wiped the back of my hand across each cheek and slowly raised my head. I looked across at Jeremy. His face was red and silent tears ran down his cheek.

                “Tell her,” Terry said, gently prodding.

                “I’d rather die than have you be with him,” he said, his voice so strained I had to hold my breath to hear him. “Thinking of you—with him—it’s like having a thousand shards of glass lacerate my heart. It’s bleeding me to death.” His lip quivered. 

My Thoughts:
This was a hard book to read. Annie is struggling with her husband's death and having to rehash the past as she reads through Jeremy's journals. I loved the first book in the series, David's Song. My problem is that I really loved David in the book. 

This book will take you on an emotional ride. If you've ever had marriage problems or been divorced, you'll be able to relate to the struggles that Annie and Jeremy went through. I guess you have to wonder is...should Annie have went with her heart or her head? What was the right thing to do in the long run? There is a lot of pain that many of the characters went through and we feel it right along with them.

I was surprised when Annie goes on a cruise and meets up with none other than David again. Their relationship continues, even though David is engaged to be married to someone else. A lot happens on the cruise, but they don't get back together. The epilogue though has a surprise at the end, which will lead into the third book of the trilogy called Annie's Choice. I can't wait to read this third book. 

Though this book or the trilogy in general is not like your typical sweet romance, it is full of emotion and angst, but you truly get to know the characters. I liked reading Jeremy's Promise and I know anyone who likes a good story will love reading this too.

Praise for Jeremy's Promise

 A.R. Talley, gives you a believable look at the struggle of one couple to reconnect and heal their marriage, with dialog which sweeps you into the moment as if you were there with them, experiencing both their pain and recovery. Kudos to the author who has once again produced a book I couldn't put down, as well as one I felt compelled to read multiple times. ~Donna Dech

 Jeremy's Promise second book in a trilogy by A.R. Talley is an awesome, emotional, romantic, highly recommended, well written story with captivating and engaging characters. ~Debbie Ballard

This is not a book I would have picked by myself! I loved it from start to finish! Eagerly waiting for the third book in the trilogy to come out!! I highly recommend this book! ~Goodreads
add to goodreads
AprilAuthor A.R. Talley A. R. Talley lives in Ohio with her husband Doug and the last of her seven children (the rest have flown the coup.) She loves to cook, read, write, watch movies, play piano, and laugh. Her second favorite vacation involves the British Isles and a small café in Scotland.
25_Amazon_Paypal $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 3/19/15 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, April 26, 2013

David's Song by A.R. Talley-Blog Tour Review and Giveaway

davids tour
 

Book Description: David's Song

Taken from the book cover: Annie only ever really loved two men in her life. One broke her heart, the other married her. Four children and fifteen years later, Annie’s marriage is in jeopardy. Money is tight and her husband questions the very foundation of their relationship. When Annie is Munexpectedly given the opportunity to see the young man who broke her heart — a man who is now a megastar in the music industry — Annie is faced with choices. Choices that will determine what is of more value — a second chance at lost love and unfulfilled dreams or commitment, trust, and love built on years of experience. A psychologically subtle, yet compelling tale about how the instinct and need for love overcomes self-doubt and personal inadequacy. 

Excerpt from David's Song  

“It’s an amazing city,” he said when he saw me look out the window.  I didn’t reply.   “You’re uncomfortable,” he added.  “Why don’t you come and sit down.  We have some hors d’oeurves.”
I turned and looked at him. “What do you want from me tonight?”
          He paused before speaking.  “I hoped we could catch up some and maybe clear the air a little. It’s been a long time,” he said, as if I didn’t know it had been fifteen years.
          I walked over and joined him at the table, unceremoniously dropping into the chair.  He sat down across from me.
          “Okay, go ahead, clear,” I said.
          “I don’t remember you being quite so hostile,” he said with a twinkle.
          “Can’t say that I remember feeling so defensive.”
          “How about if we just talk, enjoy a nice meal, and then I will sufficiently grovel at your feet.”
          “Groveling’s good.  Why don’t we just get it over with now?”  Then I could leave, be done with this nonsense and enjoy the rest of my vacation.  He took a deep breath and laughed lightly.
          “Annie, please, I’m eating humble pie here tonight.  Can we do it my way?” 
          I looked at him across the table without smiling.  I didn’t want to give in no matter how sweetly and sincerely he asked.  I didn’t want to make anything easy for him.
          “I see.  You’re used to getting your own way now, huh?”
          He grinned. “Maybe so.”
          “Why spoil a good dinner?  Let’s go straight to dessert right now,” I said.  “Groveling sounds like a delicious treat.”
          “My way?” he asked again, trying to be charming.
          “If you insist,” I replied, grudgingly.
          He offered me the plate of stuffed mushrooms.  I declined.
          “So how do you like teaching school?” he asked.
.         “I like it well enough.”
          “As I recall, you seemed to think it would suit you well.  Does it?”
          “It’s a job.  I like teaching, but you know every year I get a new group of kids, and I get really attached to them and when June comes around they all . . . leave me.”
          He choked a little on his mushroom.  “Couldn’t let that little dig go, could you?”
          This time I smiled back at him and said, “Whatever do you mean?”  There was no way on earth I was going to let him take me off the defensive.  Not with his charming talk or his smile or even those cursed blue eyes.  This was closure.  Wasn’t that what Carolyn said?   And maybe a little bit of payback, too.
          “So how do you like performing?” I asked in the same condescending tone he had used.
          “I like it well enough,” he said in echo to my earlier response.  I knew he was trying to return my indifference, but he couldn’t hide the smile when he said it.
          “As I recall, you seemed to think it would suit you well,” I said.  “Does it?”
          At this he laughed. “Okay, okay, I surrender.  This is like dancing with a cobra,” he added under his breath.  “I like performing most of the time.  But there are certainly days when I think I should have chosen something different.  I could be some obscure professor at a university teaching music.”
          “Well, that’s not all it’s cracked up to be either.”
          He chuckled.  “This from the girl who wanted to be a teacher.”
          “Not exactly. More from the wife of an academic.  Jeremy teaches at a small college in Ohio.  It has its challenges, believe me, long hours and little pay.  Nothing nearly as fine as this,” I said, glancing around the room.   He chuckled again and leaned toward me in his chair.
          “It’s a prison,” he said quietly.

My Review
 I really liked the novel David's Song.It is a great love story. It is about promises and the reality of love. This story makes you think about what truly makes a good marriage and how a great foundation for a marriage is built. This story flowed so well and the characters were all very likable. I loved main character Annie. She was so normal and true to life.I also couldn't help but like both of the men in Annie's life, David and Jeremy. 

All of us will be tested in life in many ways. This novel shows how working and keeping a marriage strong can be one of those major tests in life. I recommend this book to all women: single or married. This well written novel will not only entertain readers, but give them a lot to think about in their own lives.
 

   
Meet: Author A.R. Talley

April R Talley was born and raised in the Rubber City, Akron, Ohio in 1959. She is the youngest of six children. She attended Brigham Young University for a time, but withdrew to work fulltime for Osmond Productions in Orem, Utah as a member of The Osmond production staff. After a brief stint working in television, she returned to Akron to finish her education. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Mass Media Communications in 1981. April later worked as vice president and part owner of a dance and sportswear boutique. Married in 1982, she is the proud mother of seven children and is deeply involved in volunteer work for her church. April spends her time working on future projects, caring for home and family, and traveling. David’s Song is her debut novel and the first of a trilogy.

Find April at these places:
   

Praise from reviews on Goodreads.com "Not just your typical romance novel" - Tracy Williams "David's Song is great read that leaves you thinking about the story and pondering your own relationships". - Anna Pavkov "Sucked me in from the 1st page" - Jill Walker "Loved this book . . . could not put it down!" - Dana Vieira  

 Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 5/15/13    

a Rafflecopter giveaway  


Monday, April 22, 2013

Book Blast and $50 Giveaway for David's Song by A.R. Talley

davids tour
 

Annie only ever really loved two men in her life. One broke her heart, the other married her. Four children and fifteen years later, Annie’s marriage is in jeopardy. Money is tight and her husband questions the very foundation of their relationship. When Annie is unexpectedly given the opportunity to see the young man who broke her heart — a man who is now a megastar in the music industry — Annie is faced with choices. Choices that will determine what is of more value — a second chance at lost love and unfulfilled dreams or commitment, trust, and love built on years of experience. A psychologically subtle, yet compelling tale about how the instinct and need for love overcomes self-doubt and personal inadequacy.  
   
Author A.R. Talley
April R Talley was born and raised in the Rubber City, Akron, Ohio in 1959. She is the youngest of six children. She attended Brigham Young University for a time, but withdrew to work fulltime for Osmond Productions in Orem, Utah as a member of The Osmond production staff. After a brief stint working in television, she returned to Akron to finish her education. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Mass Media Communications in 1981. April later worked as vice president and part owner of a dance and sportswear boutique. Married in 1982, she is the proud mother of seven children and is deeply involved in volunteer work for her church. April spends her time working on future projects, caring for home and family, and traveling. David’s Song is her debut novel and the first of a trilogy.


 Praise from reviews on Goodreads.com "Not just your typical romance novel" - Tracy Williams "David's Song is great read that leaves you thinking about the story and pondering your own relationships". - Anna Pavkov "Sucked me in from the 1st page" - Jill Walker "Loved this book . . . could not put it down!" - Dana Vieira      

Book Blast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 5/12/13   a Rafflecopter giveaway