Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Fearless Destiny by Annette Bower (Spotlight, excerpt, review, and GIVEAWAY) GFT







Fearless Destiny

by Annette Bower


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GENRE: Romantic Mainstream


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BLURB:



From the Romance Review Readers Choice nominee, Annette Bower, comes a new small town romance, Fearless Destiny.

Tiffany George, riding high on her commission as a fresco artist, returns home for some deserved rest and relaxation.

The drive is uneventful until she rescues Will Cleaver on the side of a highway. While savoring memories of a kiss and a well formed butt, her future goals do not include a romance.

Once in town, she discovers the hopes and dreams of her community hinge on the development of a new resource mine and Will Cleaver’s designed neighborhood. Her parents demand she give up art and resume her working partner role in the family business. Tiffany George is pulled by her community roots and stretched by her newly discovered independence.

Will Cleaver knows about taking charge of destiny. He models the courage she uses to become the woman she needs to be.


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EXCERPT



The words “hello there” ploughed down the silent hallway as Tiffany’s roadside linebacker advanced with a synchronized arm and leg crutch-walk.

Tiffany bit her cheek while she watched her father grab the railing on the wall. She stepped forward. “Tiffany George of George’s Family Plumbing. There’s a water break.”

His gaze traveled up from her chest to the collar of her pink coveralls and then to the top of her head, where she was sure her spikes had tumbled like dominoes. Then down to the tips of her lime-green boots. “Nice boots, real nice boots.”

Tiffany tugged at the weight of the tool bag across her body.

“A sprite of many talents, I see.” He gripped his walking aids.

“We can’t all be just a pretty face.” She could have bitten off her tongue.

He raised his eyebrows and his eyes sparkled. They weren’t black after all, but a deep brown.

“You think I’m pretty?” He sounded amused.

She took a wide stance and began an assessment of him from the tip of his dusty loafers, gray trousers, a rumpled white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows exposing firm, and tanned arms. His whiskers shadowed across his firm jaw, his full lips held neutral, his straight nose and those dark watchful eyes had deep etched laugh lines around them. “You have a certain road weariness that I’d like to capture on paper.” Reaching with her callused fingers, she touched his beard.



Amazon

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Annette Bower writes about women’s roles in families, in communities and women’s emotions at the beginning and end of love in her home office in Regina, SK. Her short stories are published in magazines and anthologies in Canada, United States, and United Kingdom.

Her women’s fiction novels with romantic elements, Woman of Substance and Moving On are published by Soul Mate Publishing.

Annette Bower’s day-to-day experiences as a nurse, administrator, town councillor, teacher’s assistant and student means that her stories are the real thing because they are about you and your neighbours. Her short stories and novels are read around the world. Her romance novels are set in Saskatchewan because she believes home is as exotic as anywhere else in the wide world she has visited.





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GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The tour dates can be found here



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My review:


3.5 out of 5 stars

Fearless Destiny by Annette Bower follows Will Cleaver as he tries to convince a town to embrace the idea of change and allow him to create a haven for both the abled and disabled. Tiffany George, whose plans for a relaxing break at home to celebrate her new project are rapidly derailed, piques Will’s interest and prompts him to look for ways to get her to notice him. Unfortunately, she doesn’t plan to be in town long, and if things don’t go right, neither will he.

There are lots of nice elements in this contemporary romance that provides a thought-provoking look at the obstacles faced by those with physical handicaps. I enjoyed Will’s positive outlook and determination to make the town accessible while sensitizing those around him to the different world occupied by the ‘abled’. I admire that Tiffany had the strength to pursue her dreams and sympathize with the conflict she felt between doing what her family wanted and following her heart. I was skeptical of the speed of the romance that develops, and although I like a capable heroine…she was kind of a superwoman, which seemed a little too good to be true. There are a lot of mysteries and conflicts that don’t necessarily get solved, and drama with the delightful doggies that causes significant angst for the heroine that I thought should have been resolved better but I enjoyed learning about Tiffany’s artistic process and meeting the characters occupying the town. Those who enjoy a sweet and gentle small town romance will probably enjoy getting to meet Tiffany and Will.

A copy of this title was provided to me for review












19 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thank you Goddess Fish for organizing Fearless Destiny's book review tour. It has been enlightening receiving different reviews for Will and Tiffany's journey.
      Yours truly,
      Annette

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    2. You are welcome!

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  2. What gave you the most trouble with this story?

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    1. Good morning Mia T,
      I wanted to make sure that I treated Will's disability with respect and portray Will as a person beyond his handicap. I have been told that I have.
      Thank you for asking.
      Yours truly,
      Annette

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    2. Interesting question, Mai! Thank you for coming by.

      I agree, Annette, you did a nice job of portraying Wlll as a well-rounded and passionate individual

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  3. Good morning Reading Addict,
    Thank you for hosting and reviewing Fearless Destiny.
    I appreciate your carefully reviewed observations. Perhaps, the answers you are seeking could be covered in a sequel.
    Yours truly,
    Annette

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for the opportunity to read your story, Annette. I wondered if part of of my confusion stems from my lack of familiarity with how many hats a person wears in a small town! I also would like to see some of the fractured relationships healed, so I hope that is addressed in a future story. I hope you have had a great tour and I thank you for taking the time to interact with my visitors!

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  4. Congrats on the tour and thanks for the chance to win :)

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    Replies
    1. Good morning Lisa,
      Thank you for joining the book review tour for Fearless Destiny.
      Good luck in the draw.
      Yours truly,
      Annette

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    2. Thanks for dropping by, Lisa!

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  5. I have enjoyed the tour. The book sounds great.

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    1. Hello Rita,
      Thank you for joining the book tour for Fearless Destiny.
      I'm glad we enticed you enough to think the book sounds great.
      Yours truly,
      Annette

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    2. I hope you have a chance to enjoy the story, Rita! Thank you for popping in!

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  6. I really enjoyed the tour for Fearless Destiny and I'm looking forward to reading it! Thanks for sharing all of the posts along the way :)

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    Replies
    1. Great to hear that you have enjoyed the tour, Victoria! I look forward to hearing what you think of it once you have a chance to read it.

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  7. I like the premise of this story. What inspires you to write about people with disabilities? Good luck to you. =)

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  8. I have enjoyed following this book tour and look forward to checking out this book!

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