The Summer Diary
Author: Elyse Douglas
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Book Description:
After her best friend and husband are killed in an airplane crash, a young woman finds her best friend’s diary and learns that she was secretly in love with another man, a soldier. Determined to find the secret lover, Keri sets off on a journey and discovers the key to her destiny.
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Excerpt
Seconds later, the tension returned. She saw Big Pete, and a tall younger man emerge from around the back of the house and start toward her. His dogs, Brownie and Tippie Toe, were right behind. She steadied herself with effort, and combed back her hair with stiff fingers.
Under the bold yellow sunshine, Ryan seemed to approach in slow motion, in easy unhurried strides. The playful wind scattered his long, sandy-blond hair, and he pushed a hand through it and removed his sunglasses, squinting her a look as he slowly closed the distance. He wore a sleeveless blue T-shirt, denim cut-off shorts and faded black Keds sneakers. He had considerable breadth of shoulder, a wide chest and gleaming muscled arms that suggested an athlete in the prime of his career.
This was not the same man Keri had seen in the photograph at Sally’s house. There was a force about this fully present Ryan—an elegant masculinity that completely pushed Keri off balance. This big tanned man standing before her had impact, he captivated, impressed; he aroused intrepid desires. Keri felt a warm animal response. There were little tremors in her legs, her chest, her fingers.
Ryan stopped, standing five feet away from her, staring, waiting. He had a noble hero face, all sharp lines, a sharp jaw, a strong muscular neck.
Keri’s thoughts stalled. She saw his intense sea-gray eyes probing her, checking her out. His expression was a blank page.
Big Pete spoke up. “Keri, this is Ryan. Ryan… Keri.”
Keri had the urge to leave. She had the urge to run. She’d never felt so ill at ease. Her façade of indifference melted away whenever she looked at Ryan. He was a magnetic wonder, whose reserve and mystery further amplified his attraction.
About the Author
Elyse Douglas is the pen name for the married writing team Elyse Parmentier and Douglas Pennington. Elyse grew up near the sea, roaming the beaches, reading and writing stories and poetry, receiving a Degree in English Literature. She has enjoyed careers as an English teacher, an actress and a speech-language pathologist. She and her husband, Douglas Pennington, have completed five novels: The Other Side of Summer, Christmas for Juliet, Wanting Rita, Christmas Ever After, The Christmas Town and The Christmas Diary.
Douglas grew up in a family where music and astrology were second and third languages. He attended the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music and played the piano professionally for many years. His two detective books include Death is Lookin' for ELVIS and Death is a TAPDANCER. His great, great grandfather lived to be 132 years old, and was the oldest man in the world when he died in 1928.
Seconds later, the tension returned. She saw Big Pete, and a tall younger man emerge from around the back of the house and start toward her. His dogs, Brownie and Tippie Toe, were right behind. She steadied herself with effort, and combed back her hair with stiff fingers.
Under the bold yellow sunshine, Ryan seemed to approach in slow motion, in easy unhurried strides. The playful wind scattered his long, sandy-blond hair, and he pushed a hand through it and removed his sunglasses, squinting her a look as he slowly closed the distance. He wore a sleeveless blue T-shirt, denim cut-off shorts and faded black Keds sneakers. He had considerable breadth of shoulder, a wide chest and gleaming muscled arms that suggested an athlete in the prime of his career.
This was not the same man Keri had seen in the photograph at Sally’s house. There was a force about this fully present Ryan—an elegant masculinity that completely pushed Keri off balance. This big tanned man standing before her had impact, he captivated, impressed; he aroused intrepid desires. Keri felt a warm animal response. There were little tremors in her legs, her chest, her fingers.
Ryan stopped, standing five feet away from her, staring, waiting. He had a noble hero face, all sharp lines, a sharp jaw, a strong muscular neck.
Keri’s thoughts stalled. She saw his intense sea-gray eyes probing her, checking her out. His expression was a blank page.
Big Pete spoke up. “Keri, this is Ryan. Ryan… Keri.”
Keri had the urge to leave. She had the urge to run. She’d never felt so ill at ease. Her façade of indifference melted away whenever she looked at Ryan. He was a magnetic wonder, whose reserve and mystery further amplified his attraction.
Elyse Douglas is the pen name for the married writing team Elyse Parmentier and Douglas Pennington. Elyse grew up near the sea, roaming the beaches, reading and writing stories and poetry, receiving a Degree in English Literature. She has enjoyed careers as an English teacher, an actress and a speech-language pathologist. She and her husband, Douglas Pennington, have completed five novels: The Other Side of Summer, Christmas for Juliet, Wanting Rita, Christmas Ever After, The Christmas Town and The Christmas Diary.
Douglas grew up in a family where music and astrology were second and third languages. He attended the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music and played the piano professionally for many years. His two detective books include Death is Lookin' for ELVIS and Death is a TAPDANCER. His great, great grandfather lived to be 132 years old, and was the oldest man in the world when he died in 1928.
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Many thanks for posting THE SUMMER DIARY!
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteDo you read your reviews? Do you respond to them, good or bad? Do you have any advice on how to deal with the bad?
ReplyDeleteHello Mai T: I do read reviews. Some I learn from. Some reveal aspects of a book I hadn't even thought about. Some are, yes, negative. I have received reviews where the reader simply hated the book. That's not easy to take but, as a writer teacher of mine once said, "As a writer, love what you do, be courageous and stick your chin out. Somebody will probably take a swing at you. So be it, our job is to write." Or as my husband who trades in the stock market often says "The market's never wrong--traders are." In a sense, it's the same for readers. They're not wrong. Often an expectation was not met. They wanted an experience they didn't get--or they wanted to be transported by the book and it didn't happen. It doesn't make them wrong. That's how they honestly felt.
ReplyDeleteFinally, it one writes or does almost anything in this world, somebody is not going to like it. It's okay. Try to learn from all the reviews if you can and if you can't, then just get away from the writing for awhile--go for a martini or a fun night out with friends or your important other. Wake up the next day and get back to your writing. What's the alternative? To stop? No! Never! Stick your chin out! Haha. Have fun, enjoy the process and keep the books coming. (A bit long winded, yes, but I hope it helps) All the best with your writing, It's time for me to stick my chin out! -- Elyse
Great post..thanks for sharing the excerpt! I'm looking forward to reading this one :)
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to reading the book.
ReplyDeleteFascinating book!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the post and am looking froward to learning more about you and your book! Thank you for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed learning about the book. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteAwesome cover! Sounds like a great book! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI love reading about the authors, thank you
ReplyDeleteGreat excerpt! Sounds like an interesting book!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful cover.
ReplyDeletethank you so much for the excerpt. It does sound like an awesome book and totally love the cover
ReplyDeleteIt's an intriguing excerpt!
ReplyDelete--Trix
I can't imagine writing with my husband. We might agree on an idea, after a lot of arguing, but our writing style is totally different. I'm impressed that the two of you can write together. Best of luck with your book.
ReplyDeletethanks for the chance
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading the excerpt. This book sounds like such an interesting read. Looking forward to reading it!
ReplyDelete