13 February 2019

After the Rain | Book Review, Excerpt + Giveaway

ABOUT THE BOOK


Debra Hart is moving on. Maybe. Hopefully. One day.

As a radio show host, Debra spends her mornings as Miss Lonely Heart on air, empathizing with all the broken hearts in the Denver metro area. She spends her evenings watching old musicals and trying not to think about the guy who broke up with her and subsequently fell in love with one of her best friends. Alone in a new city, Debra questions where she belongs and who she is now.

When she stumbles into the indie music scene, Debra meets singer Ben Price. Rock star appeal, with a day job as a worship pastor, Ben is everything Debra wants to avoid. But he’s determined to be her friend, and it so happens she could really use one. Because try as she might, nothing seems to erase the anger and betrayal she feels.

It’s time for a new dream. But how does she start over when she doesn’t even know what she wants anymore?

Publisher: Bling! Romance
Release Date: January 15, 2019


OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES


MY REVIEW

After the Rain perfectly continues Debra Hart’s story from The Last Summer, allowing readers to see her in a different light. Hers is an emotional story, for sure—and one I’m ecstatic that Brandy Bruce decided to share because I loved it.

Debra is trying to move on from the hurt and heartbreak of losing not only love, but friendships, too, yet starting over is no easy task. Understandably, her faith is a little shaky, and she has feelings aplenty of anger, bitterness, doubt, loneliness, and uncertainty of who she is, where she belongs, and what she should dare to dream next. Then, she meets Ben Price—and though Debra’s wary, his determination helps to push her along the path toward the healing and growth (and romance!) she needs.

I’m so glad that there’s more to Debra’s story. Though I absolutely loved The Last Summer, I still hoped for a better outcome for her. Luckily, Bruce writes it well, not disappointing in the least, and delivers a story easy to recommend. Definitely read this book (and The Last Summer, too, of course).

★★★★★

Thanks to Singing Librarian Book Tours, I received a complimentary copy of After the Rain and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brandy Bruce is a mom to three kids, a wife, a writer, a book editor, and someone who really loves dessert. She and her family make their home in the beautiful state of Virginia.


EXCERPT

Deb, I miss you. I think about you. Just wanted to say it again.

I read the text from Lillian—Lily—Spencer as the elevator doors opened. Then I tucked the phone into my small purse. I walked toward the exit of the condominium building I called home now, catching a glimpse of myself in one of the mirrors on the wall.

This woman—with short hair, ringlets barely brushing my shoulders. Dark colors, chocolate-colored eyeliner—nervous about a simple thing like going to a coffee bar. I didn’t recognize her.

I stopped mid-hallway and leaned against the wall, my heart hurting.

I’m starting all over.

No.


I closed my eyes. I’d cried all the tears already. None were left. But the pain didn’t stop. A reminder of how much I’d loved Luke Andersen. How ready I’d been to link my story to his for forever.

But he’d chosen my friend Sara.

Quiet, lady-like, sophisticated, predictable Sara.

“Debra?”

My eyes opened. Cassidy and Jake, my neighbors, stood in the hallway, looking worried. I must have seemed ill. With one hand, Jake carried a baby car seat, inside it their five-month-old daughter, Gilly, slept soundly.

I pushed myself off the wall. “I’m okay,” I said without eye contact. I walked straight out of the building, to my car, and drove downtown.


GIVEAWAY


Giveaway includes the following:

Print copy (or e-copy, if wanted)
Umbrella
After the Rain guitar-pick necklace
DVD of Grease
Beatles quote mug
Coffee warmer
Earbuds
After the Rain bookmark
Notepad
Candy
Giveaway is subject to policies here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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