Books are food for my soul! Pull up a beach chair and stick your toes in the sand as the Jersey surf rolls in and out, now open your book and let your imagination take you away.

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Unexpected by Dulaney-Glen (Book Review / Contest Giveaway)

In association with AToMR Tours, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the virtual book tour event for Unexpected by author Dulaney-Glen!








Book Review



Unexpected by Dulaney-Glen
Publisher: Independent Self Publishing
Publication Date: May 16, 2013
Format: Paperback - 340 pages / Kindle - 597 KB / Nook - 920 KB
ISBN: 1489523707
ASIN: B00CTPQ544
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance


BUY THE BOOK: Unexpected


Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the authors in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by AToMR Tours.


Book Description:

Ian wasn’t ready to meet Grace Holtsen. In no way was he prepared for her. But can you ever be ready for fate to step in? Can you ever be ready to meet the one person who will change your entire existence? Ian knew that Grace would change everything he was used to, but something about her made it worth it. For the first time somebody seemed worth the risk. Will Ian jump and let fate wait for him at the bottom? Hoping that it can somehow save him…hoping that Grace can somehow save him.

I don’t think Grace is like most girls.
Maybe that’s the thing that I can’t put my finger on.
Maybe for the first time, I’ve met a girl that’s unlike
anyone that I’ve ever known.

Grace, a single mother and owner of a Nashville recording company, met Ian Paul, a recent college grad and her new employee. The moment he entered her world, it turned upside down. She knew better than anyone that a relationship with Ian would never work. He was never supposed to fit into her life, and she was never supposed to show up in his. But what happened between them was something more than either of them ever anticipated. Grace was unprepared for how bad it would hurt when they were faced with something far more unexpected.

He stole the rest of my heart tonight. 
know that no matter what happens tomorrow, 
or days from now, I’ll never want it back.
I could never give it to someone else.



Book Excerpt:


It’s like I’m standing outside of myself and I’m looking around a room that’s destroyed. The curtains are pulled from the windows. The mattress thrown from the bed. The room smells of liquor and the evidence is in the broken glass spread across the floor. It’s strange to be able to see myself. But there I am, back against the wall, knees pulled into my chest, head leaning back, cut knuckles, and bloodshot eyes. I look broken but all I feel is numb. I’ve been sitting in silence for two days. The quiet hurts but it’s better than the loudness of the truth. I can’t face it right now. I can’t deal with the reality. I don’t know what to do. I know I love her. But is love enough? I brush the broken glass away as I pick up the picture of Grace and I and I trace the outline of her face with my shaky hand. We looked happy. But this was before I knew. I knew I loved her already but this was before I knew the truth. The truth that has left me here watching myself break. No. Not break. It’s more like I’m watching myself shatter. The tears escape before I have the chance to fight them. Can’t I just go back, I plea. Can’t I just go back to two days ago when I didn’t know the truth? Two days ago when we were happy. When I could look at Grace and not question everything. Is it too much to ask just to go back?


My Book Review:

Every once in a while a contemporary romance novel comes along that takes the reader on an emotional and satisfying journey, and that is exactly what authors/sisters Dulaney-Glen have done in their debut novel Unexpected.

Set in the country music capital of Nashville, and told in the first person narrative with alternating points of view by Grace Holtsen and Ian Paul, the reader follows along on their journey of friendship and "unexpected" love. Theirs is a love story of two down-to-earth people who face day-to-day ups and downs that comes with the development of an unlikely romantic relationship. It's an emotional story that draws the reader into Grace and Ian's world, you can't help but relate and feel for them as their relationship builds, and they struggle with the fears, misgivings, holding back, learning to trust, and giving into the love that they have for each other.

The story has a great mixture of emotion and humor that makes it easy to get caught up in Grace and Ian's story. Just as their relationship seems to take off and blossom, the authors throw in some unexpected twists and turns that changes everything, keeping the reader hanging on and turning the pages. The reader will fall in love with Grace and Ian, and I would be remiss if I didn't mention the wonderful supporting cast: Grace's lovable twelve year old son Milo and sassy best friend / nanny Nina, and Ian's best friend Andrew, whose quirky antics and humorous dialogue make the story that much more endearing and entertaining.

Unexpected has everything that a romance fan enjoys: a love story that is built upon friendship, romance and humor, and the ability to overcome hardships with emotion and hope. This is a thoroughly enjoyable story, kudos to the authors on their wonderful debut novel.


RATING: 4 STARS ****





Unexpected - Book Trailer




About The Author




K. Dulaney & J. Glen, sisters & authors.

K. Dulaney was born, raised, and still resides in the Mountains of North Carolina. She is the proud mother to an amazing little boy, and happily married to her high school sweetheart. Dulaney attended Southern Universities and obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Masters in Family Studies. Her passion for reading and books began at very early age, and Dulaney dreamed of one day writing stories of her own. Partnering with her sister, J. Glen, they began a journey that has exceeded their expectations and proven that through hard work and determination, that dream can be a reality.

J. Glen is a North Carolina native currently residing in a small mountainous town. She attended an East Coast university and obtained a degree in Communication and Journalism. With an interest in writing at a young age, Glen had one idea of the perfect career and now, along with the help of her sister, she’s embarking on a journey to achieve just that.


AUTHORS WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
GOODREADS
Unexpected by Dulaney-Glen ~ Virtual Book Tour Page: AToMR Tours



Virtual Book Tour Contest Giveaway




Author Dulaney-Glen are giving away the following goodies on their virtual book tour:

(2) Print copies – US Only
(2) eBook copies gifted from Amazon or Barnes and Noble
(1) $25 Amazon Gift Card
(2) swag giveaways – US Only

 a Rafflecopter giveaway



2 comments:

  1. Thank you for participating in the tour!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the opportunity to host the virtual book tour event.

      Delete