March 20, 2015

Like a Love Song Receives a Romantic Times *Top Pick* 4.5 star Review

Like a Love Song received a glowing "Top Pick"  4 1/2 star review from Romantic Times!
What's really gratifying: this reviewer really "heard" the heart of this story.

“Eide writes a touching story about two unlikely heroes who sacrifice themselves to love those who are not loved by others. Sue is a haunted character whose past has an unforgiving grip on her. Joe finds himself once again facing the lies of his past that left him desperate and alone. Readers will genuinely love both of these characters and be heartbroken at what they go through. This emotional book touches on very tender subjects in a tactful, graceful way that allows readers to understand what is happening without being overwhelmed by it. Eide is a phenomenal writer who once again displays her wisdom in the way she tells the story.”

~Sarah Frobisher, Romantic Times

What a wonderful, thoughtful review, and what an honor to receive RT's highest rating.

Like a Love Song releases April 30, 2015 and is available for pre-order (eBook now, paperback soon) here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TX2AQCI

March 2, 2015

SNEAK PEEK: Like A Love Song (& Pre-Order!)

Counting down the days until Like a Love Song releases, but the pre-order link on Amazon is LIVE! Here's a little teaser from midway through this romantic relational drama to get your reader-juices going:

 * * * * * * * *

Joe was already at her side. “You okay, Sue?”

His nearness and the warmth coming from him set off a burst of panic in her. She swallowed hard and forced her voice steady. “I’m fine.”

“Did you want me?”

She inhaled to suppress the weird flutter in her chest. Want you? What have you been smokin’? Where’d you get an idea like that?

Oh yeah, Chaz. Fundraiser. “Yes, I almost forgot.” She explained the problem with Chaz and the dismantled sale items, and her need for things to be in working order as soon as possible.

Joe wore a pained look. “Wow. I’m really sorry for not paying closer attention to the boy. Yeah, I’ll fix it, right away.”

“And I don’t know how, but could you keep him busy? So he doesn’t find anything else to take apart? At least until we get through the fundraiser.”

Joe didn’t answer. Instead, the crease in his brow softened, and his eyes wore a strange expression. Like his wheels were turning. “Sure,” he said slowly. “There’s just one thing.” His eyes locked with hers. “A condition.”

Sue stiffened. That did not sound good. “Which is?”

Joe rubbed his chin. “I’ll keep Chaz busy if you agree to take a day off. Away from the ranch. You don’t have to plan anything. I’ll take care of it.”

Sue’s brows gathered. “You’ll take care of it? What is that supposed to mean?”

He didn’t answer.

Her voice rose. “You want me to do something with you?”

Joe nodded.

“Like a date?”

“No, no. Just ... a little outing. Just for fun. When was the last time you took a day off?”

“Last week. Three times. You were there for two of them, remember? I’ve left the ranch more times in the last two weeks than I have in the last two years.”

He shook his head. “Physical therapy doesn't count. It has to be fun.”

“Hey, I have fun.”

“You?” Joe belted out in a laugh. “Name the last fun thing you did.”

Her headache spiked. “Well, it’s not like I can just--”

“I know, when you’re not running yourself into the ground, you’re all fun, all the time.” His eyes narrowed. “Name one fun thing you've done in the last year.”

Sue huffed. “This is lame.”

Joe nodded. “A one-day outing with me along to make sure you have fun, or no deal.”

She let out another huff that could probably be heard all over the compound. “You’d hold a poor neurotic kid over my head for a date?”

“It’s not a date. Just ... a friendly little outing. And like I said, I’ll plan it. All you have to do is go along for the ride and relax.”

She let out an exasperated sigh. “This is not exactly the best time for me to be taking a day off. I've got the fundraiser to pull off, the kids, the temps ...” Not to mention hanging onto my sanity, keeping everything together, trying to figure out your twisted game ...

“After the fundraiser then.” Joe crossed his python arms and waited.

There had to be a whole warehouse of laws somewhere against being forced into spending time with a guy who looked like he could shred a semi with his bare hands. Hands she needed now or there wouldn't be much of a fundraiser. “Two hours tops. After the fundraiser. And Chaz is your shadow from now on.”

He crammed his hands in his pockets. “Half a day.”

A growl escaped her clenched teeth. “Fine.”

Joe smiled. “Deal.”

Sue headed for the main house. What in the world had she just agreed to?


***************
When she finally surrenders her heart, will it be too late?
Susan Quinn, a social worker turned surrogate mom to foster teens, fights to save the group home she’s worked hard to build. But now, she faces a dwindling staff, foreclosure, and old heartaches that won't stay buried. Her only hope lies with the last person she’d ever turn to—a brawny handyman with a guitar, a questionable past, and a God he keeps calling Father.

Like a Love Song is a romantic drama set in Oregon’s high desert about a fiercely loyal woman, some cast-off kids, and the courage it takes to believe in a love that never fails.

March 18 Update: Like a Love Song just received a Romantic Times 4-1/2 star "Top Pick" review. What an honor!




Coming soon from www.AshberryLane.com

ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE MYSELF. . . .

RANDOM FACTS ABOUT ME:

I've published five novels and 2 novellas (more about those on my website.) I've been writing all my life, but decided in 2007 to get serious about being published.

I love action movies and Jane Austen. (she’s dead, I know. I found that out when I tried to get her to endorse my novel)

They let me play Bass guitar and sing in a worship band.

I can produce 4 dozen homemade cinnamon rolls in a flash for a crowd of drooling young adults. Or publishing house editors.

I used to have a Harley. Now we have seven grandkiddos. Decent trade, really.

I am a proud Grammy. Don't even think about taking candy from my babies.

I hate shopping (Yes, I'm aware that I'm a girl)

MY ROOTS:
I've lived in Oregon all my life, spent time in Eugene (Go DUCKS!), Springfield, Reedsport, and Smith River. Which is not really a town, but a river, about 70 miles long, a tributary of the Umpqua River in southwest Oregon.

Although it's not a town, it is a community with a strong sense of pioneer history. It's cool to say you've lived there, especially if you lived there during the days when you had to take a boat to school. No joke! The old farmhouse my grandfather and my mother grew up in still stands, nestled into a narrow, pasture carpeted valley, complete with a swimmin' hole and its own 'crick'. It may turn up in one of my novels.

There's a rumor that my ancestors had a connection with the Mafia back in Sicily. I used to fantasize as a kid about a big black limo with tinted windows pulling up and whisking me away from school. Ahhh. So THAT'S why I'm having so much trouble conjugating my dangling participles now.

NOT RANDOM: I am challenged by the truth and amazed by the grace of God. And it's either in spite of or because of that grace that I hold a PhD in Learning Stuff the Hard Way.