What an exciting day! Today I am thrilled to welcome Diane Craver as my very first guest of the New Year! An accomplished author, Diane is sharing a blurb, excerpt and review of her book , “The Proposal” with us today. Thank you for visiting, Diane, and welcome!
BLURB for “THE PROPOSAL:
Jacqueline Andrews hopes her boyfriend Brad’s surprise is an engagement ring for her twenty-sixth birthday. Her best friend, Tyler Jordan, wants Jacqueline to be happy but not with Brad. Tyler regrets blowing off Jacqueline’s confession of love for him before he left for college. When he returns to their small town as a physician’s assistant, he falls in love with her. He needs to win her love back. Will his hot kisses sway her? Or is she going to marry Brad?
EXCERPT:
She nodded. “To show my appreciation for the great birthday gift and for you treating everyone to dinner tonight, I’ll even make extra bars just for you to eat with lots of cream cheese frosting.”
He put his fork on his empty plate. “You can show your appreciation in another way.”
“Oh really, what way is that?”
“A thank you kiss is definitely in order.”
She shifted toward him and planted a sweet kiss on his lips. Even though, Jacqueline’s quickness in responding surprised him, he wanted more and reclaimed her lips. He loved feeling her quiver at the tenderness of his kiss. She definitely wasn’t just giving a chaste kiss to her best friend. I might be getting through to Jacqueline that we should be a couple. How would Brad take it if Jacqueline broke up with him? He did feel guilty about not speaking up in the beginning to Brad, but he couldn’t say anything when Jacqueline’s happiness was more important. He never expected their feelings for each other to escalate so fast.
“You two need to get a room,” Alex said as he put his plate on the counter.
Jacqueline blushed as she moved slightly to look at her brother. “I was just thanking Tyler for everything.”
Alex chuckled. “I don’t go around kissing people to say thank you.”
“Hey, don’t tease your sister. It’s not everyday I get a kiss that tastes like candy.”
“I heard your phone. Did Brad call?” Alex asked, leaning against the counter.
She nodded. “It was good to hear his voice. I can’t wait to see him next week.”
Alex looked amused. “The competition is on. Two guys in love with my sister. May the best man win.”
LASR REVIEW:
This charming tale of second chances holds few surprises, but don’t let that put you off. Ms. Craver packs plenty of anticipation and emotional swings and round-a-bouts into this sweet romance that would give credit to a full length novel.
Discovering you’ve made a bad judgment that has your dreams crashing and burning is not an easy discovery to handle; but with the help and support of her long-time friend, and once hoped for future, Tyler Jordan, Jacqueline Andrews has some hard decisions to make and a lot of soul searching to work through.
This is not a simple story of friends to lovers to happy ever after; there is a need to forgive, understand past actions and come to terms with their consequences. Ms. Craver does not offer her readers a perfect heroine. Indeed, Jacqueline is a heroine most women can relate to. So full of future dreams she misses plenty of signals out there for her to spot is she only removed her rose coloured spectacles.
When Brad, the man she hopes to marry, fails to fulfill Jacqueline’s hopes and dreams she discovers his agenda is so far off beam from hers, her faith in her own judgment is once again sorely tested. Tyler, her friend let her down many years ago and now she’s back to square one, or is she…?
The hero, Tyler, has a mammoth task ahead of him if he’s going to persuade Jacqueline to believe in his feelings for her now. It is the way the author takes all her characters through the multi-faceted emotions in this story that make it such a charming read, and yes, I will use the word ‘cute’ to describe The Proposal.
The characters are believable, the plot may appear simple but is not, and the conclusion, though not unexpected, still creates a sigh of satisfaction at the end.
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The Proposal sells for 99 cents on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/The-Proposal-ebook/dp/B005895S4G/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1309113290&sr=1-1) and Smashwords (http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/69282 )
Thank you again, Diane!
Hi Diane and welcome! Thanks so much for visiting today! Friends, you have to read “The Proposal”!! It’s such a great romance!!! Tell me, Diane ***wink wink*** – was there any part of your personal experience that inspired this story?
Hi ladies! Diane, congrats on another release. I’m looking forward to reading it. Wishing you mega sales and fabulous reviews, my friend.
Best of luck with your new release, and congrats on the review from LASR. Well done!
Great excerpt, and lovely review from LASR. You just keep popping books out, Diane. How do you do it? 🙂
Hi Anne, Danielle, & Miss Mae,
Thanks so much for visiting and for commenting. It’s nice to have great friends like you three! I think at one time or another, each one of you have been there for me when I had a question about a publisher, writing and etc. Big hugs and also to Regina for hosting me on her wonderful blog. You’re awesome, Regina!
Sounds like a great story Diane. I always enjoy realistic characters with problems and doubts – so much more interesting! Good luck with the book.
Diane is an awesome writer. Her stories have a way of touching the heart. Stories you never forget. This sounds like another winner.
Wonderful excerpt.
Congratulations, Diane. And thank you for hosting her, Regina.
Diane-this looks like another great book.Nice review from LASR!!!!Please keep up the great work and continue to post on Regina Andrews blog.REGARDS BEN SMITH
What a thrill! Great day and you all know how excited I get — today I am over the moon!
Laurie, Ben, Anne, Angela, Miss Mae and Danielle – thanks so much for your nice comments and I’m so glad we’re all here today kicking off 2012 and celebrating the wonderful talent of Diane Craver!!!!
Here’s to a great writing year for everyone!
Diane- the cover art is fantastic ,really very vibrant colors.I t may seem like a small item but it is really important as it indicates great attention to detail. That detail may grab the attention of the readers. Thanks for the great story!! REGARDS BEN SMITH
Diane, I enjoyed this little ditty very much. I love the focus on “ordinary people” and it’s a heartwarming story and illustratates how the holidays bring out the best in us.
Smiles
Steph
Angela, Ben, & Laurie,
Thank you so much for the wonderful comments! I have enjoyed reading each comment.
I loved writing The Proposal. Btw, it’s only 99 cents! I’m a bit scattered today because my lovely daughter-in-law is in the hospital. Her water broke early this morning and she’s having contractions now. It’s a boy and will be our first grandchild. I’m going to head to the hospital this evening.
Regina,
Thanks again for posting my cover, blurb, review and excerpt – I appreciate it so much. You are such a great friend and caring person. You gave me a much needed boost. 🙂
Hi Diane,
I enjoyed your excerpt very much. It sounds like a good triangle story. Best wishes for lots of sales.
Hi Steph, you’re incredible, thanks for finding time to stop in with a comment!! And hello Gail, so great of you to stop in, you are always so caring and supportive! Thank you!!!
As my writing friends all of you who visited today have been incredible and to tell you the truth I can’t remember what it was like before I ‘knew’ you – all I know is that the sun is always out now!
Diane, thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope all is wonderful and blessed for you in 2012.
I read another one of Diane’s books. this one sounds interesting too
This sounds like a great story. I will have to add “The Proposal” to my Kindle.
Hi Tina,
Thank you! Have a great day!
Steph, Gail, and Tracy,
I appreciate the kind comments and thanks to all 3 of you for your support now and in the past!
I just got home from the hospital. I’m now a grandmother. My grandson was born at 9:52 Monday night and he’s healthy and alert. He weighs 7 lbs. 8 oz. We feel blessed and thankful with this little miracle from God. His name is Dillon Anthony.
Wow Wow and Wow!!!!!
Congratulations Diane on your precious, blessed angel Dillon Anthony!
God bless you and your family, I am overjoyed with happiness for all! Thank you for sharing with us!!!!
In His love,
Regina
Thank you, Regina! I have to get Sara and Amanda up but will post pictures later! 🙂
Can’t wait for the photos, WOW!!! As you can tell, I am slightly excited!!!
Diane-please publish the baby photos on the web.It sounds like a very interesting aspect to your writing career.Please keep posting on my friend Regina” blog.The cover art is amazing also.Anyway good luck with everything! REGARDS BEN SMITH
Hi Ben,
I have Dillon’s pictures on my blog – here’s the link: http://www.dianecraver.com/blog Thanks so much for asking! I’ll definitely keep posting here. I love Regina’s blog and her books!