Sunday, May 3, 2015

GUEST POST FOR - THE TRUTH ABOUT HOPE - BY KATE JAMES

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

The Truth About Hope
by Kate James
Adult Contemporary Romance
May 1st 2015 by Harlequin Heartwarming


Who is Hope Wilson?

Is she the girl her former hometown thinks she is? Or the girl Luke Carter once loved—and maybe still does?

When Hope returns to Canyon Creek, Texas, to honor her
father’s last wishes, there’s only one person on her mind: her high school sweetheart, Luke. The boy she lied to when she had to leave Canyon Creek as a teen, finding it easier to hide what she really felt than deal with the grief of loss. Her father’s fortune could make a big difference to Canyon Creek—but Hope finds that the townspeople have a long memory about his misdeeds. With a plan to make amends on his behalf, Hope learns the truth about herself. And the truth about love.


Canyon Creek, Part 2

During one of our stays with our friends in Texas, we visited a breathtaking promontory close to their home. I’ve fictionalized it for The Truth About Hope. It is an important setting in the story as the event that precipitates the circumstances related to her departure and her reconnection with her high-school sweetheart, Luke, occur there. Here is the second excerpt from those fateful scenes:

After Hope’s Return to Canyon Creek More than a Decade Later

Luke didn’t know what had compelled him to go for his Saturday-morning run along Yardley Drive and up to Promontory Park. As he turned onto the gravel path from the sidewalk, he came to an abrupt halt. Sitting on the bench with her back to him was Hope. There was no mistaking that long, mahogany hair, even in a ponytail and under a ball cap. Next to her feet was a large mostly black dog, lying on his side.
 Just seeing her now, her back so straight and proud, and yet looking so forlorn and alone in the quiet park made him want to…talk to her. Touch her.
He yanked his T-shirt out of the waistband of his shorts and used the bottom to wipe the sweat from his forehead. Tucking it back in, he approached Hope at a jog. “Nice morning,” he greeted her.
She and her dog both raised their heads and gazed up at him. “Hi, Luke,” she said hesitantly.
He squatted down in front of the dog, held a hand out to him, then rubbed behind his ears. “What’s his name?”
“Einstein.”
“Hey, big fella.” He spoke quietly to the dog as he continued to rub his ears, eliciting soft moans. Finally, he rose. “Am I interrupting?”
“Ah, no. We were just taking a rest before we start back.” She laid a hand on Einstein’s head. “He doesn’t have as much stamina as he used to.”
Luke nodded. It was obvious the dog was elderly. “Mind if I join you?”
“Um...no. Not at all.”
He sat down next to her and rested his elbows on his knees. They sat side by side, staring off toward Stillhouse Hollow Lake.
“How does it feel to be back after all these years?” he asked.
He heard her sigh. “Strange.” She paused. “I never thought I’d come back. Now that I have, part of me wishes I’d never left.”
Luke noticed the remnants of her Texas twang but he also detected regret in her voice. He turned his head toward her. Even in profile, and sad as she appeared to be, she was gorgeous. She was twelve years older now—and sexy as all get out. He felt his heart kick. He wanted to ask her why she’d rejected him, but as strong as his need to know was, he wanted to preserve the current atmosphere.

I remember vividly the spot where my husband and I stood on a brilliant May morning, and I knew I’d have to write that setting in a book at some point. The Truth About Hope gave me the perfect opportunity! I hope you enjoy this wonderful slice of Texas!


Kate James spent much of her childhood abroad before attending university in Canada. She built a successful business career, but her passion has always been literature. As a result Kate turned her energy to her love of the written word. Her writing has been recognized with a number of awards, including first place honors for Silver Linings in both the First Coast Romance Writers' Published Beacon Contest and ACRA's Heart of Excellence Readers’ Choice Award. Her November Harlequin Heartwarming release, A Child's Christmas, received first-place honors from Southern Magic, the Birmingham Chapter of the Romance Writers of America, for the 2015 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence!

Kate married her husband, Ken, in an elegant, ocean-front wedding on a tropical island. When they are not traveling, they split their time between their properties in southern and central Ontario in Canada, with their beloved black Labs, Harley and Logan.

Kate’s next novel is the first book in her K-9 Squad Trilogy, and is scheduled for release on October 1, 2015.


Follow the Tour:

 April 24th - Launch
April 26th - Word Wranglers & Write & Rewrite
April 27th - Underneath the Covers
April 29th - Zerina Blossom's Books
April 30th - I Am A Reader
May 8th - Grand Finale

Tour Giveaway

$30 Amazon Gift Card (INT)
5 Print Copies of The Truth About Hope (US/CAN Only)
1 ebook of The Truth About Hope (INT)
Ends May 15th

 a Rafflecopter giveaway


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18 comments:

  1. Nancy JonesMay 3, 2015 at 8:58 AM

    This sounds like a great read. No, I haven't keep in touch with my high school sweetheart.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownMay 3, 2015 at 2:49 PM

      Thank you, Nancy. If you get a chance to read THE TRUTH ABOUT HOPE, I would love to get your feedback.

      As for not staying in touch with your high-school sweetheart, that seems to be the case with most people commenting.

      Have a great evening!

      Delete
    2. UnknownMay 4, 2015 at 9:08 PM

      It does sound good! I cannot wait to start it :) I married my High School Sweetheart :). 22 years and going strong

      Delete
  2. KindlemomMay 3, 2015 at 10:15 AM

    This really does sound like the perfect summer read!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownMay 3, 2015 at 2:50 PM

      Thank you for saying that! I hope you have a chance to read it.

      Good luck with the giveaway.

      Delete
    2. UnknownMay 4, 2015 at 9:09 PM

      I totally agree Ali! Thanks for all the responses Kate James! I am honored you stopped by :)

      Delete
  3. RobbieMay 3, 2015 at 12:21 PM

    No I have not kept up with my high school sweetheart.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownMay 3, 2015 at 2:51 PM

      That has been the most common response, Robbie. I hope you found your happy ever after!

      Best wishes with the giveaway.

      Delete
    2. UnknownMay 4, 2015 at 9:10 PM

      If you didn't marry your high school sweetheart, I think not keeping in touch is a good idea :)

      Delete
  4. Viv V.May 3, 2015 at 3:47 PM

    Sounds like a really good book! And, no, I did not keep in touch with my high school sweetheart. He wouldn't recognize me after all these years! lol

    ReplyDelete
  5. Viv V.May 3, 2015 at 3:47 PM

    Sounds like a really good book! And, no, I did not keep in touch with my high school sweetheart. He wouldn't recognize me after all these years! lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownMay 3, 2015 at 4:03 PM

      Vivian, it's nice to see you here, too!

      Not keeping in touch with a high school sweetheart is the most common response. Hopefully, you've found your HEA!

      Happy reading.

      Delete
    2. UnknownMay 4, 2015 at 9:11 PM

      Vivian, I don't think any of my high school friends would recognize me either...hehehe! Thanks for stopping by :)

      Delete
  6. johnthuku0May 3, 2015 at 5:41 PM

    This sounds like a great read. The excerpt was very interesting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownMay 3, 2015 at 7:06 PM

      Thank you very much, John! I am glad you liked it.

      Good luck with the giveaway.

      Delete
    2. UnknownMay 4, 2015 at 9:11 PM

      It does! I cannot wait to read it :). I will put a review up as soon as it's done :)

      Delete
  7. UnknownMay 7, 2015 at 9:46 PM

    No, I have not kept in touch with my high school sweetheart.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownMay 7, 2015 at 9:57 PM

      That's okay! Most people haven't. My high school sweetheart was not in HS only I was :). But I married him

      Delete

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