We have a great post for you
today. Distractions, a
contemporary romance with a hint of suspense, is the debut book for author, J.L.
Brooks. You can check out the blurb, an excerpt, the 4 star review, and
a little info about the author herself. Then enter to win a truly unique
giveaway! J.L. Brooks is giving one lucky winner, a stunning silver pendant
that was the inspiration for her book Distractions. See the Rafflecopter
for more details, and numerous chances to enter!
*The giveaway is limited to the
US*
Blurb
“We are all pawns in someone else’s game.”
No one knows this better than Violet Phillips. When her beloved mentor goes missing, she suspects murder, which sends her spiraling out of control and away from the stable life she has built for herself. Soon, her past will begin seeping out with a vengeance.
“I will teach you how this game is played.”
Self-destruction threatens to consume Violet when a handsome neighbor that has been watching her from afar intervenes on her behalf. Shepard Leone may be six years younger, but it does not stop him from seducing her ears as well as her heart.
“Fascinating how much life can change in twenty-four hours.”
When Violet is forced to go down a dark road into a past where she must confront the demons that nearly destroyed her, will she be unable to deviate? Struggling with the loss of her missing friend, Shepard will find a way in and reawaken desires that she thought were forever lost. But Violet never forgets that if you are not careful, distractions will be your undoing.
No one knows this better than Violet Phillips. When her beloved mentor goes missing, she suspects murder, which sends her spiraling out of control and away from the stable life she has built for herself. Soon, her past will begin seeping out with a vengeance.
“I will teach you how this game is played.”
Self-destruction threatens to consume Violet when a handsome neighbor that has been watching her from afar intervenes on her behalf. Shepard Leone may be six years younger, but it does not stop him from seducing her ears as well as her heart.
“Fascinating how much life can change in twenty-four hours.”
When Violet is forced to go down a dark road into a past where she must confront the demons that nearly destroyed her, will she be unable to deviate? Struggling with the loss of her missing friend, Shepard will find a way in and reawaken desires that she thought were forever lost. But Violet never forgets that if you are not careful, distractions will be your undoing.
Elizabeth's Review
There is no doubting the beauty and sheer
natural ability of J.L. Brooks' writing.
DISTRACTIONS has a sophistication and flow to the prose which leave me
absolutely stunned over this debut author!
The author takes us through various periods
of Violet Phillips' life, and when we first meet her, a good friend and teacher
has gone missing. This event leads to the beginning of a downfall for
Violet. However, her young, handsome
neighbor, Shepard Leone, comes to her rescue...in more ways than one. When next we see Violet, time has passed, she
has re-established herself in a new career, and the past bubbles up, trying to
consume her. We're introduced to
Violet's sister and her ex-boyfriend, as well as her back-story. The one
constant seems to be Shepard. He seems to find a way in when Violet needs him,
and he brings her back to life.
I want to get my quibble with this book out
of the way first. I mentioned the sophistication, beauty and natural ability of
J.L. Brooks' writing, and, because there was such sophistication and obvious
talent, it make the one thing I have a very hard time overlooking stand out all
the more. The need for contractions in
dialog, in order to make conversation flow and feel authentic, cannot be
overstated in my opinion. I think I understand why it happens. But, regardless, people, real people, speak
in contractions. When dialog isn't written that way, it comes off as stilted
and odd. On rare occasions it can be overlooked,
but, when the rest of the writing is so eloquent...the lack sticks out like a
big, red target.
Now that I have that out of the way, let me
say that I don't know that I have ever been quite so impressed with the ability
of a debut author before!! I cannot overstate, despite my quibble above, the
remarkable talent that is J.L. Brooks. I'm still in awe of her gift with the
written word. Honestly, in my opinion,
that is the true star of this book! This author will wrap you in the most
luxurious and well-formed prose. And, yet, for all that, there is authenticity
and reality here, as well, in her descriptions and the internal thoughts of the
characters. Wow. I cannot imagine where J.L. Brooks will venture next, but I
demand to come along for the ride!
Violet was an interesting, complex character
that came off just slightly cold to me. I had just a little bit of trouble
working up sympathy for her. But, she did keep me glued to the page!
Violet's ex-boyfriend I found thoroughly
compelling, thuggish and really sexy ;-) Mmmm, Mmmm. I'll take one of him, please!
Shepard. Shepard, Shepard, Shepard. What a
lovely, loving, sexy, sweet, caring, nurturing, beautiful soul. What. A. Man.
Final thoughts? Wow. I cannot imagine where
J.L. Brooks will venture next, but I demand to come along for the ride! If
you're a lover of words and authors who use them remarkably well, treat
yourself to DISTRACTIONS by J.L. Brooks!!
Excerpt
“I missed you, too.” My teeth grazed his stubbly chin affectionately. I
did miss him. The way his blue eyes stared intensely at all times, how his
subtle touches immediately calmed my harried nerves, and how he always knew
what to do. The discomfort of being pressed into the stairs was a sheer
annoyance compared to the buoyancy I felt inside.
About
J.L. Brooks
JL Brooks lives with her active family along
the Ohio River at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. A former
columnist turned novelist, she spends most of her time engaged in women’s
health issues and education. Believing everyone has a story to tell, chances
are she will encourage you to tell yours.
Check out J.L. Brooks:
authorjlbrooks@gmail.com
