Love is.... Back when I was a kid, my grandmother had two books titled Love Is... These books featured the Charlie Brown characters and funny sayings. The one I remember the most is about Love Is a Warm, Wet puppy nose. When the world is falling apart, such as it is these days, we need to bathe ourselves in love. Romance novels are guaranteed a happy ending, a happily ever after. They bring the main characters (of any gender, time period or age) together. No matter what that couple faced- evil mistresses, ex-wives or post-apocalyptic zombies- they find happiness. Today, Laurel Houck's latest book releases. It is a tale of first love but also shows just how much love means to each of us. The love of a parent, the love and loss of a loved one, and the surprise of a stranger's love.... all important to our lives. Love is a River will keep you reading all night as you wonder about Jack's motives. Just who is he and what does he want?? Grab a copy today! Blurb: Love dies with Abby’s father. The return of her mother after a twelve-year absence brings more grief. And the move to a dilapidated house along the Youghiogheny River bike trail is an exile. When blond, blue-eyed Jack rides into Abby’s life, it’s like the sun has been restored to her world. Bit by bit, hints of a darker side to his personality appear. She struggles to deny them, even while her best friend, Morton, grows increasingly mistrustful of the handsome stranger. Abby uncovers a mystery from the Civil War era in a nearby cemetery, which brings her only moments of peace. Cool caresses and the whispered call, “Abigail…“ send her digging into the past. But as Jack’s motives become ever more unclear, the love Abby hoped for seems impossible. And leads her to a life or death choice. Will love be her salvation … or her demise? EXCERPT: “What the hell?” At the sound of Jack’s voice, Abby darted behind a tree and stood very still, back pressed into the rough bark, waiting for an opportunity to escape. She chanced a glance behind her. Silas hovered in the air, his hair blowing straight back from his face. Resignation and anger moved through his eyes as he raised both hands and dove for Jack. Jack’s eyes widened. He covered his head with both hands, submission and protection in one gesture. When nothing happened, he slowly dropped his arms. “I don’t know what you are. Maybe I’ve lost my mind. But nothing can hurt me any more than I’ve already been hurt. All the power of this world or any other can’t stop me.” He took a swing, his fist going straight through Silas. “If I can’t hurt you, I'm betting you can’t hurt me, either. I have a mission. And I will not fail.” Mournful, as if an orchestra of violins were playing in a minor key, Silas moaned. “Keep yer filthy hands off her. She don’t belong to you.” Jack laughed. “Either I’m hallucinating, or you’re a pathetic ghost. She can be all yours as soon as I send her your way.” Silas flew into Jack but made no physical contact with him. He returned to Abby and gazed into her eyes. “I’m guessin’ I kin touch only you—because we got one heart. I failed you again, Abigail.” With a caress to her cheek, he disappeared into the mist. Available in Ebook and Print About the Author: Laurel has been writing since the age of six, when Crawls the Caterpillar inched across her lined notebook paper propelled by a fat yellow pencil. She has published magazine and newspaper articles as well as blog posts with AllthewayYA, seapc.org, and on her website. Her portfolio includes multiple children’s stories from picture books, to Middle Grade, to Young Adult. The Girl With Chameleon Eyes debuted with Inkspell Publishing in March of 2018. In addition to writing, her passion is for travel to exotic locations around the globe. The people she meets, the places she visits, and the quirky way she looks at life all inspire her work. She loves complex characters and intricate plots that mesh into multifaceted books, melding romance, mystery, adventure, and history. Laurel was a chosen participant at Better Books, a craft-based workshop near San Francisco. She is active in the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and has been a presenter at their Fall SCBWI Conference In Pittsburgh. When she’s not deep into a writing project, Laurel is a medical missions’ nurse, traveling for Southeast Asia Prayer Center, Hope in Haiti, Caring Hearts, and Convoy of Hope. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband and their fur baby, Mable. All of that, plus she’s the world’s biggest fan of chocolate milkshakes and hugs. Website: www.laurelhouckpages.com Facebook: Laurel Houck Twitter: @LaurelHouck Instagram: laurelscottage Comments are closed.
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Melissa KeirGator Girl Extraordinaire Archives
October 2023
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