BLURB
Augusta Thompson has lost everything—her parents,
her husband, her home…and now, her only child. Then, a legal notice arrives asking
her to travel across the country to claim an inheritance from an unknown relative—a
grandmother she never knew she had. There’s only one catch: she must share her
grandmother’s beautiful old home with handsome Olympic contender Charles “Web”
Webster—the only other person named in the inheritance—for one year.
Web finds it difficult to believe Augusta never knew
about her family in Maine, the family Augusta’s mother turned her back on. As time goes by, he realizes Augusta was mentally
and emotionally abused by her ex-husband, and her heart and soul are wounded.
Can Augusta learn to trust in others once more and
make a new life for herself? Can Web’s
love for Augusta heal her broken heart and allow them a future together? Will
the conditions of the inheritance prove to be a help or hindrance for these KISSING COUSINS?
EXCERPT
Augusta Thompson kept her most
treasured belongings in the trunk of her car. Her scrapbooks and boxes of
photos; a string of pearls once belonging to her mother, and a macaroni
necklace made by her daughter; a blanket she’d crocheted when pregnant and had
wrapped around baby Hope. A few precious books by her favorite authors; Nora
Roberts, when she wanted to read about true love—however fictional, and Janet
Evanovich when she needed to be reminded there was humor in the world. A small
collection of Junie B. Jones books she and Hope had read, and laughed over,
together.
What took up most of the trunk
space in her fifteen-year-old Dodge Neon were skeins of yarn, pattern books,
notebooks holding more patterns and ideas, and a variety of knitting needles
and crochet hooks.
Logically, keeping her most
prized possessions in a vehicle might not be the best idea, but Augusta, better
known as Gus, had lost much to someone she was supposed to be able to trust and
in places supposedly safe. Plus, her car had become her home. It was old enough,
with various dings and dents, that no one would deem it worthy of stealing.
Today Gus packed the last few
items as she wondered how long it would take her to drive from Portland, Oregon
to Portland, Maine. One saw the end of what she loved best and held most dear,
the other, hopefully, would help her find a way to go on living.
Armed with numerous maps to help her find her
way across the country, she placed the last item in the trunk. A small ornately
carved box holding the ashes of her beloved eight-year-old daughter, Hope.
BUY LINKS Barnes and Noble Nook Smashwords
Diana, I really like your story concept. What family hasn't had a disgruntled member who has kept their children from experiencing part of the family? Sometimes that's a good thing, and sometimes it just deprives good people from knowing each other. I wish you every success with your new release of Kissing Cousins.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteDiana, such a great story line. True to life happenings, abuse, the loss of a child....financial losses. I'm sure this will be a must read. I also enjoy Nora Roberts books. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! I am truly humbled to be mentioned in the same breath as Nora Roberts. I wanted to grow up to be like her. ;)
DeleteDiana, sorry it took me so long to get here! Just wanted to congratulate you on your book and tell you how much I enjoyed reading and editing it. It was very true to life, and though I've never been to Maine, you made me see it through your characters' eyes, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS!
Cheryl
Thanks so much, Cheryl!
DeleteWelcome Diana, and what a story you are sharing with everyone. I wish you the best and look forward to taking the journey with Gus and Web. Doris McCraw/Angela Raines
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy the journey.
DeleteWelcome, Diana, and congratulatins on your first release! Augusta is certainly going to make for an interesting redemption. Good luck
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm thrilled!
DeleteHello, Diana--welcome to PRP and this great bunch of authors. Your story sounds very emotional, containing events that happen to people in real life. This will make the story meaningful to readers. I wish you success with this release and your future as an author. Celia Yeary
ReplyDeleteI'm honored to be part of this wonderful group.
DeleteWelcome, welcome, Diana!!! Since I've known this lady for a number of years :-) I can attest to her creativity!! She will be an asset to PRP/Fire Star Press.....
ReplyDeleteA big thank you to you, Gail, for encouraging me to contact PRP and always inspiring. :)
DeleteDiana, Welcome! You're story sounds like a great read. Wishing you all the best with the new release!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I feel lucky to be part of this group.
DeleteDiana, what a terrific debut story! Congratulations and best wishes for much success.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I hope you enjoy the story.
DeleteCongrats, Diana! Your novel sounds fantastic!! Best wishes!
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate all the good wishes!
DeleteHi Diana! Congrats on your debut! I can't wait to read this, it looks great!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy the story as much as I enjoyed bringing it to everyone.
DeleteDiana, welcome to PRP and congratulations on your release of Kissing Cousins. Great concept and boy is there a lot of baggage to deal with. I write historical romances usually with a lesson to be learned or to raise an issue of importance so this story sounds like my cup of tea. I live in NYS, but I love Maine and go there every other yr., so I'll really look forward to this delightful read. I joined PRP last year and have been on a roll ever since. You will love being part of PRP as everyone is more than helpful and encouraging. And they are one bunch of very talented authors. Wishing you much success.
ReplyDeleteI feel so fortunate to be part of this wonderful group. I'm a bit jealous you get to go to Maine so often. It's my birth state, but I live in Oregon so trips there aren't as often as I wish. Thank you!
DeleteCongratulations to Sara Barnard for winning a free copy of KISSING COUSINS!! Thank you to all of you for checking out my debut novel and leaving me a message. I appreciate all your warm wishes. This has been a dream come true for me, 30 years in the making. I hope you all enjoy my story!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful book! I can relate to some of the characters in the story and even though it was fiction, it made me reflect upon my own life and what I will do to make it better. Thank you Diana!
ReplyDelete