Saturday, March 21, 2009

My first book signing--and an excerpt from Journey To Forgiveness

Hey Fellow bloggers,

Today was my first book signing held at Pappy's restaurant in South Fulton, Tennessee. The casual atmosphere lent itself to mingling and introductions. Three friends I had not seen in 10 years showed up. What a surprise! We enjoyed catching up on each others' lives. Through the grapevine they'd heard about my big day and came not only to give moral support, but to buy books. Yaaay!

When the signing was over, Pappy's held a drawing for a free copy of JOURNEY TO FORGIVENESS. Wendy Armbruster was the lucky winner. Congratulations, Wendy. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
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Here is the blurb and an excerpt from JOURNEY TO FORGIVENESS.

Blurb:

When JENNY HINSON'S abusive father deserts the family, the responsibility of the family's Tennessee farm falls to JENNY and her mother. Four years later, in 1938, boll weevils infest the cotton crop, plunging the Hinsons into dire financial straits. JENNY is forced to take the train north to find work.

Electricity has yet to reach rural Chicory Valley. But, not only is the young woman introduced to it in its tapped form in Chicago, but also encounters a few jolts along the way when she challenges the infuriating, but charming AUSTIN GRANT over a luggage mishap. Sparks fly outside the Kankakee train station when JENNY discovers her missing vanity case under AUSTIN'S arm. She immediately labels him a thief. And after AUSTIN coaxes money from her aunt's congregation, JENNY determines to find enough evidence to expose him and his nefarious deeds.

Why did AUSTIN pull money from the mission strongbox and stuff a sizable roll into his pocket? Wasn't this just the proof JENNY needed? Then why was she reluctant to report the theft? And why did her heart race at every encounter with the notorious AUSTIN? JENNY'S personal convictions would never allow a relationship where trust was blatantly missing.

Can JENNY muster enough courage to ask AUSTIN the tough questions that will ultimately make or break their relationship? Can she forgive her father's brutality? Find out as you follow JENNY'S struggles in...JOURNEY TO FORGIVENESS.

Excerpt:

"Well, this is a pleasant surprise." Jenny looked up to lock eyes with the thief she had encountered in Kankakee. His blue eyes danced with mischief. "I never did get your name."

To avoid drawing attention, she hissed just above a whisper, "Get away from me!"

"Sorry we got off to a bad start. Do you think we could begin again?" He chuckled.

"Over my dead body!" Jenny spat, and glanced toward the ladies' room. Where was her aunt when she needed her?

"I wouldn't want that. You are much too cute." His eyes narrowed. "You don't really believe I wanted that vanity case?"

His brows arched when she didn't respond. "How long will you be in Chicago?"

A "drop dead" glare, but still no response.

"Are you ready?" A stout middle-aged man nodded at the man near her table.

"Be right with you." Jenny's unwelcome guest replied before turning back to her. "Who knows, we might just meet again," he crooned. "I've heard that good things come in threes." He winked, then turned to swagger out the door.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

HI Laurean,

I met you at the new Sweet Romance Yahoo group and had to check out your site. Congrats on the book signing and this sounds like a well-written story. Best wishes for helping the abused ad battered.

Dixie

Laurean Brooks said...

Thank you, Dixie.

It was emotionally hard to write.

Ashley Ludwig said...

Congratulations, Laurean!

What a wonderful thing about your signing - glad it was such a success! Your honesty and voice make this a compelling read.

Many sales, my friend.

~Ashley

Laurean Brooks said...

Thank you, Ashley. You are too kind. You are soooo talented.