June 2014 Book of the Month & Giveaway
August 11, 2014 04:14 PM Posted by juliannadouglas
Before becoming a writer, I was a reader. Even though I'm very busy with writing now, I still carve out time for reading every day. I've been an avid reader for most of my life, which is probably why I started my own book review site six years ago. When I find a wonderful book that I enjoy, I just love to spread the word about it. I'm always eager to promote my fellow authors who, in my estimation, are doing an excellent job. That's why I've decided to start my own little version of the Book of the Month club here on my blog. Each month, I'm going to choose the best book I read during the previous month, highlight it with a review, and give away a copy to one lucky reader. I've fallen a bit behind on writing, editing, and posting my reviews over the past couple of months, so the first entry in my Book of the Month club is from my June reading and therefore a bit tardy. In future, I hope to stay a little more up to date on this column, but my June pick was simply so awesome, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to pass along the recommendation.
Many of my readers may have already heard of this book. Since it's release in November 2011, it has definitely enjoyed a great deal of popularity among romance enthusiasts. Now I can count myself among its already large number of fans. I didn't even realize this until after reading it, but according to some reviews I read, the book was originally conceived as Twilight fan fiction. However, I can tell you that aside from one element of the story, which did immediately bring Twilight to mind, it's really nothing at all like the book which reportedly inspired it. It has some sweet, tender moments, but at the same time can be very raw and gritty with a healthy helping of sex, strong language, and violence. The hero was a gentle beta (my favorite kind;-)) who I absolutely adored and who was also the most unusual romance hero I believe I've ever read. The heroine was kind, caring, and intelligent with the heart of a lion and a smile that could light up a entire room, or in this case, one young man's dark corner of the world. The secondary characters were powerhouses as well, and I can't wait to read more about them in the follow-up volumes. The plot kept me on the edge of my seat too. It was a truly beautiful love story. That's why I'm naming Debra Anastasia's Poughkeepsie as my first Book of the Month. If you haven't read this book yet, you owe it to yourself to give it a try. Keep reading to learn how you can win a copy for your own library.
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Cover Blurb He counts her smiles every day and night at the train station. And morning and evening, the beautiful commuter acknowledges him—just like she does everyone else on the platform. But Blake Hartt is not like the others . . . he’s homeless. Memories of a broken childhood have robbed him of peace and twisted delusions into his soul. He stays secluded from the sun, sure the world would run from him in the harsh light of day. |
Each day, Livia McHugh smiles politely and acknowledges her fellow commuters as she waits for the train to the city. She dismisses this kindness as nothing special, just like her. She’s the same as a million other girls—certainly no one to be cherished. But special or not, she smiles every day, never imagining that someone would rely on the simple gesture as if it were air to breathe.
When the moment comes that Livia must do more than smile, without hesitation she steps into the fray to defend the homeless man. And she's surprised to discover an inexplicable connection with her new friend. After danger subsides, their smiles become conversation. Their words usher in a friendship, which awakens something in each of them. But it’s not long before their bond must prove its strength. Entanglements from the past challenge both their love and their lives.
Blake’s heart beats for Livia’s, even if her hands have to keep its rhythm. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love never fails. Love never fails, right?
In an interwoven tale of unlikely loves and relationships forged by fire, Debra Anastasia takes readers into the darkest corners of human existence, only to show them the radiant power of pure adoration and true sacrifice. Complicated families and confused souls find their way to light in this novel, which manages to be racy, profane, funny, and reverent all at once.
Read my review of Poughkeepsie.
Giveaway
If you would like to win a copy of Poughkeepsie to see how wonderful it is for yourself, just enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below. One lucky winner will receive an eBook copy of the book. I will gift it to the winner via the eBook retailer of their choice (Amazon, B & N, or AllRomance eBooks). Good luck!
Note: Debra Anastasia has generously agreed to do an interview with me, which I hope to get posted later this week. Because of this, I've extended the giveaway of Poughkeepsie for one more week.
Categories: Book of the Month, Giveaways
Tags: Debra Anastasia, Poughkeepsie
