Bookworm Mama: Season of Hope (Giveaway) - Book Spotlight & Excerpt

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I began writing as a hobby while raising my two children. In 2015, I dusted off my stories and my dreams to see if I could turn my hobby into a career. My first story, Season of Hope, was inspired by summer vacations which always included a trip to Franklin, North Carolina, to visit family and explore The Smoky Mountains. When I'm not writing, I enjoy spending time with family. I love most any activity that involves being outdoors, especially camping, hiking and spontaneous excursions to splash in the ocean. I currently live along the Emerald Coast of Florida with my cat Selah and her delightful offspring, Colby, Jack and Tuesday.

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ABOUT THE BOOK

When Amanda Jarvis prays that a special friend will move into the vacant house near her isolated mountain home, she isn't upset when God sends a boy instead of a girl. But Amanda's not the only one receiving unexpected answers to her prayers. After fleeing with his mother from an abusive father, Tyler Armstrong finds much-needed love and acceptance with Amanda's family over the next ten years.

As high school graduation nears, Tyler is shocked when one carefree afternoon with Amanda churns up an inner turmoil he would have never imagined; he's crushing on his best friend. And for the first time in his life he's hiding a secret from Amanda. Convinced the timing is all wrong, Tyler pushes his feelings aside as he and Amanda prepare for the future. He will soon begin training to pursue his dream of becoming a Navy SEAL, while Amanda makes plans to spend the summer in Manhattan with her aunt and then return home to the community college.

When Amanda's summer job catapults her into a modeling career, she readily accepts the much-needed distraction. Tyler's impending deployment is turning her world upside down. Along with the fact that she's falling for her best friend. And, for the first time in her relationship with Tyler, she's hiding a secret, too.

Phoebe Garrison, Amanda's controlling aunt, is thrilled when she is given the power to act on behalf of her underage niece. Bored with her Fortune 500 advertising agency, becoming Amanda's manager is just what she's been looking for to rekindle her aspirations. But as Tyler becomes aware of Phoebe's obsession to push Amanda into supermodel status, tensions rise. As the three of them become entangled in a mass of concealed ambition and desire, each will make decisions that will send ripples of turbulence across their futures.

Book Excerpt

Pulling the headphones from her ears, her voice disrupted the stillness of the room. “Mom, can we talk?”

Catherine lowered her book, positioning the strand of red ribbon to hold her place before closing it shut. “Of course. What would you like to talk about?”

“This…this, meeting.” Amanda fidgeted with the headphones she was holding in her hand. “May I speak candidly?”

“Always. What’s on your mind?”

She blurted, “I would just like to address the elephant in the room here.”

Surprised by the outburst, Catherine lowered her chin with a confused look on her face. “I wasn’t aware of any elephant in the room.”

Amanda tilted her head and let out a deep sigh. “Mom, I know Aunt Phoebe doesn’t like Dad, that she doesn’t approve of your marriage. I know I agreed to this, but I’m having some serious second thoughts. Not that it matters now, I guess. But I just can’t imagine anyone not liking Dad. I like to think that I’m a lot like him in some ways. So, if she doesn’t like him, she’s not going to like me.”

“Oh, Amanda,” her mother reassured her, “Phoebe is going to love you.”

Judging from the expression on Amanda’s face, she wasn’t convinced. “Why now? Why would she start to care after all these years?”

Her mother’s gaze wandered across the room, contemplating the question. “I’m not sure, Amanda.” Shaking her head, her eyes shifted back to face her daughter’s expectant stare. “Age has a funny way of changing your priorities. Maybe that’s it. And I know it was a sacrifice for you to make this trip, with Tyler leaving in just a few months. I know how much you treasure these weekends. So, thank you."

Amanda relinquished her opposing attitude. “She is your sister. I want to like her.”

A look of confidence filled her mother’s eyes. “I think you will. Phoebe is…there are so many words I could use to describe her. Well, let’s just say that she is larger than life. You’ll find out soon enough.”

They turned at the sound of someone wrestling with the keyless entry. A muffled groan came from the other side of the door. “Looks like it’s soon enough.” Catherine hurried across the room to help her sister as she burst through the doorway. “Trouble with your key card, Pheebes?”

“I can never get the knack for these things,” she laughed, giving her little sister a hug.

Amanda stood, nervous and wide-eyed. The thirty seconds it took for the two sisters to exchange hugs and go on about how great they both looked gave her a chance to make a quick assessment. She had seen a few pictures but nothing compared to seeing Phoebe in person.

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