Sarah Dosher's Blog, page 5

Haven from the Storm Teaser #2

Here it is teaser #2. As always this is totally unedited and subject to change as I see fit.    Enjoy…and please let me know your thoughts.

I started to panic and could feel my stomach heave. The cold air pricked at my warm skin as the alarm in my head continued to sound.  I was tempted to run back to the safety of my room but the panic wouldn’t allow me to move.  Fortunately, I didn’t hear a single sound coming from the house.

I pulled a small flashlight from the bag I carried.  I placed my hand over the end to partially cover the beam of light so it only illuminated a small path.  Silently I crept down the hall and through the kitchen where I could see the bathroom door.  Just when I thought I would make it I heard someone breathing.  I frantically pushed the end of the flashlight against my black sweatshirt to block out the brightness.  Where was he?  I searched for him while trying not to make a sound.  My ears were filled with the hum of blood rushing through my veins.  I allowed the air to fill my lungs deeply as I tried to calm myself.  Breathing in the coldness helped replace my fear with strength I wasn’t sure would help me.

I could hear calm, slow breathing but I couldn’t see anyone in the small sliver of light coming from the kitchen window.  If he was close enough for me to hear him breathing I didn’t have time to escape.  I waited but nothing happened.  He didn’t speak or approach me.  I slowly moved the flashlight away from my stomach, shining it around the room at knee level.  If he was standing next to me I didn’t want to see his face.  I didn’t want his face to haunt my dreams again.

My vision was clouded by my own breath mixing with the frigid temperatures in this part of the house.  I walked slowly toward the bathroom.  I knew if I could get there and lock the door I could wait him out. My eyes were trained on the bathroom door eager to reach the safety it offered me when I kicked something in the floor below me.  I had to cover my mouth to smoother the scream that broke loose.  I backed away while shining the flashlight where I’d been standing.  I saw him lying in the floor.  I covered the light again as I stumbled further away.  I listened for sounds of him racing toward me.  I could already feel the impact of his weight pounding me against the wall.  But nothing came.  I closed my eyes and tried to focus on the sounds around me.  I jumped as I felt something crawl across my bare foot.  But nothing else came.

Author spotlight – Miss Me Not by Tiffany King

Miss Me Not is a beautiful story of self-discovery, forgiveness, caring, and love.

Madison Hanson’s past demons have given her a “shadow” of an existence. Like so many others who feel lost, she believes suicide may be her only way out—then she meets Dean Jackson, a popular boy from school who gives her hope, and shows her the power of love and acceptance.

With Dean’s help, Madison discovers a desire to live, and learns to embrace life and all its gifts.

 

Miss Me Not is currently on sale for $.99 on Amazon.

Haven from the Storm cover…

The time has come for all of you to see what I’ve been staring at for the past few days…that’s right the cover for Haven from the Storm.  The ridiculously talented Sarah Hansen at Okay Creations was able to reach deep into my chaotic mind and produce exactly what I’d envisioned.  I’m just wondering how to get it turned into wallpaper for my house???

I hope you all love it as much as I do…below is the full jacket for paperbacks and the ebook version…enjoy!  As always let me know what you think, either here or on my Facebook page.

Haven from the Storm by Sarah Dosher

Release March 2013

“If you’re going to make me cry, at least be there to wipe away the tears…”

Most were asleep in their beds the night Lily Grace’s entire world was ripped apart, leaving only darkness and torment in its place. The only remaining person she depended on abandoned her without a second thought…or so that’s what Lily has believed for the past four years.

Dean Haven has returned for one reason—to win Lily’s love again. He’s already broken her heart because of the demons that haunt him. Can his desire for Lily keep him from succumbing to those demons again?

Dean has no idea what awaits him when he tries to fight his way back into Lily’s life. Everything he remembers has changed, including Lily.

Is love enough when you’re forced to weather the storms life has blown your way?

MUST read authors/novels – ’12

The end of 2012 is right around the corner, seriously I can already smell 2013.  Every time I log on to Facebook or the blogs I stalk…I mean frequently read, I see posts about everyone’s favorite books of 2012.  So I’m joining the party.  This is a list of authors I read in 2012 that are beyond talented and I must share.

There are are tons of books I didn’t get a chance to read in 2012 and unfortunately some of those authors would probably be on this

Oh one last thing…So I didn’t give myself a heart attack trying to place these fabulously talented authors in some sort of rank order I’m just going to alphabetize them…each authors name is linked to their Goodreads page.

  Alice Clayton has the uncanny ability of intertwining emotions into her writing while also being one of the funniest authors I’ve ever read.  When you are in need of steamy romance and laughing until your abs ache reach for Alice Clayton’s novels….any of them, I promise

   Abbi Glines is by far one of the busiest authors I’ve ever seen.  She appears to either never sleep or write whole novels while snoozing.  She has a complete laundry list of best selling novels and I can promise you will never be disappointed because she always leaves you wanting more.  The Vincent fellas and Existence is just a single helping…

   Oh, THE Colleen Hoover…exactly what can I say about such a talented author that hasn’t already been said or that is even worthy of her.  Colleen has the ability to make you physically feel every emotion she transfers onto the page.  She released three novels in 2012 and I pray she never stops…from my mouth to God’s ear.

  CJ Roberts can invoke feelings you probably wish you never had to feel, but she will make you enjoy them during and look back with fond memories.  Her Dark Debut series was one of my favorites of the year while also playing complete games with my sense of reality.

  Christine Zolendz created genius with her Mad World series.  She brought together the three things I love about reading: alpha male hotness, paranormal, and rock stars.  She is one of the best story tellers I’ve ever read.

  So I’m not totally sure I can add anything additional to the unending string or praise for EL James.  I mean come’on who doesn’t wish they could pull a Christian Grey out of their back pocket every once in awhile.  She brought womanly desires to the forefront…even some desires a LOT of us didn’t know we had.  Who besides me had zero clue just how vanilla they actually were?

  Jennifer, Jennifer, Jennifer L. Armentrout…she broke my heart.  There I said it she!  Her Lux series is simply amazing.  She made hot, alpha male alien-ness something to dream about.  But she also completely shattered my heart with a cliffhanger that I’ve gotta wait until 2013 to recover from…can I have my heart back in one piece please?

  Jamie McGuire is praised by all indie readers and it is for great reason.  Now I’m not saying that Jamie started the alpha male craze that women everywhere are loving…but I will go as far to say she perfected it with Travis Maddox. Hotness, emotions, rage, tenderness, protectiveness…all wrapped up in a nice tattooed package.  But she also created a whole world of  swoon worthy angels with her Providence series that is too often overlooked.

  Hello paging flat Finn.  Jessica Park created a perfectly unstable world and invited us all over for a visit.  She took what could be considered a taboo topic and turned it into a love story with heartache that takes a whole family to heal.

  When you start reading J.A. Redmerski’s The Edge of Never you think you can see the storyline already planned out in your head and then she throws a couple punches at you and then completely finishes you off with a round house to the side of the head…yet your sitting there begging for more.  Now I’m not saying she’s a physically violent lady…I’m just saying her writing will have you physically clutching your chest to make sure your heart hasn’t escaped.

  J Sterling is a rare diamond among the rocky cliff.  She’s not only a fabulously talented author but she’s also a fabulously wonderful human being.  She hit a home run this year with The Perfect Game.    She leads you right into the double play but rounds third and plows through the catcher for the win.  Read the book and then you’ll understand my puns…or maybe you won’t.

  I don’t even know where to begin with the whole perfect universe that JR Ward created with her Black Dagger Brotherhood series.  I read all 10 that have been published back to back.  I just couldn’t get enough, and now I can’t wait for number 11.  JR has created a world separate from ours that you will find yourself still thinking about long after you’ve put down the last book.  You’ll just be walking down the road minding your own business and all of the sudden one of the brothers will pop into your head.  Trust me, she weaves a perfect series that you don’t want to miss.  Get busy you have until March 2013 to play catch up.

  Kate Mathias is not only a ridiculously talented author she is also the sweetest, most genuine lady you’ll ever have the pleasure of crossing paths with.  Her debut novel has one of the most original storylines you’ll ever read and you’re missing out if you don’t devour it right now.  Warning: hold on to your seats because its gonna be a bumpy ride.

  Katja Millay took me completely by surprise with her debut novel.  I did not see her coming but man it was full steam ahead…I read her book in one day.  You will feel her words in every inch of your body, I can promise you will not put down her book without feeling every single, itty bitty word she put on paper.  Yes, you will enjoy the rollercoaster ride and then get right back in line for a second ride. You don’t get an almost perfect rating from over 4,000 readers without doing it right.

  You want to read an emotional story that will wake you up at night a year later because you can’t stop thinking about it?  Well here you go my friend meet Molly McAdams!  Her writing runs the full gamut and has so many twists and turns that you feel like you’re reading an entire series in one.  Warning: do NOT read this novel while you are ailing from your monthly visit from mother nature…you’ve been warned.

  Talk about needing some air…Rebecca Donovan weaves a perfect tale of resilience in her Breathing series.  Her writing is so spot-on that the characters emotions will be YOURS.  It is now safe for you to start the series if you haven’t already because the second book has been released, you know me and I’m NOT a fan of cliffhangers and therefore the months following the first in the series were torture for me.

  “Holy rock star heaven!”  That’s what I said to myself numerous times during Olivia Cunning‘s Sinners on Tour series.  I will admit to reading Backstage Pass several times and that it’s by far my favorite risque read.  Read my friends and enjoy…but only if you’re over 18…cause I don’t want anybody’s momma coming after me…

  Shelly Crane‘s Significance series is perfect YA romance.  It is a tale of love that includes a completely swoon worthy male lead but also a strong female…yes, you heard me.  I know that doesn’t happen very often but Shelly did it!   Read it and cry when the HEA hits your sweet tooth.

  Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock you’ve heard about Sylvia Day‘s Crossfire series.  Two words for you…Gideon Cross…I don’t really think I need to say anything else about this series but I will….ummm…okay…… sorry I, uh, lost my train of thought, I was in Gideon land but I’m back now.  Sylvia took what could have been a simple steamy love story and turned it into a dramatic read that will have you guessing just where the hell she’s leading you.  Warning…warning: cliffhanger on book 2 and number 3 will not be out until mid-2013…yes, I’m sobbing too.

  Sylvian Reynard does something very special with Professor Gabriel, he actually brings culture and sophistication to a romance novel…gasp!  You’ve got your fair share of drama but there is also a good deal of refinement brought in by this Dante specialist.  If you are a fan of quotes like ME then get your highlighter ready because this will get you up and moving.

    Kellan Kyle, Kellan Kyle, Kellan Kyle…you know you’re chanting with me if you’ve already read S.C. Stephens novels…so go ahead and get your lighters in the air.  S.C. is a very talented writer that can jump from alpha hottie rock star in the Thoughtless series to a tormented high school student trying to put his life back together after a tragedy many of us are lucky to never experience in Collision Course.  Read her work and be in awe.

  So is anyone else seeing a trend with rock stars in this list…cause I am???  Samantha Towle took childhood best friends to a whole new level of greatness in The Mighty Storm.  She also tackled infidelity and came out the other side without claw marks from rabid fans like me…and that’s a huge accomplishment!

  Samantha Young has a knack for writing a strong female lead that I love.  And she also knows how to wrap the reader up in a storyline until you no longer feel your’e reading the story but  living it…however I don’t recall waking up next to Braden Carmicheal recently…hmmm?

  Hello death by book…cause that’s what you’ll get with Tarryn Fisher.  She is an outrageously talented author that will have you gasping for breathe by the end.  You also might want to secure your Kindle’s because you might get the urge to throw them across the room when you emotions reach their peak.  Shhh…come closer…can I make a confession…I haven’t read Dirty Red yet!  GASP!!!  The Opportunist is by far one of my FAVORITE books and I haven’t read the second in the Love me with Lies series…what kind of book lover am I???  Well for starters it just came out like a week ago and secondly I just can’t do it yet.  I can’t betray Oliva with Leah…yes that is how genius Tarryn is she makes me feel like I’m cheating to move on with Leah’s POV in the second book…but I will read it, ohh I promise I will, and I know she’ll make me feel all the things I’m dreading right now BUT I know I’ll love them and beg for more…

  Tom Hanks just thought he was signing up for Tracey Garvis Graves‘ island when he agreed to do Cast Away…I mean he got a volleyball named Wilson and Anna got T.J.  So seriously zero competition there!  I want to know how many islands Tracey has visited in her life because she transports you right to the beach and will have you feeling the sand between your toes…and all the other annoying places sand ends up.

  Teresa Mummert will have you hunting down the nearest trailer park just so you can be rescued by hottie rock star and his motorcycle.  White Trash Beautiful is completely different then a lot of popular reads these days, you see the bad side of life and how difficult it can be to escape it…even when you understand how badly your life sucks.  Paging Teresa…umm no pressure or anything but when is the third Honor series book gonna be done…just planning my 2013???

  Entering stage left is Tina Reber…do movie actors actually “enter stage.”  Nevermind, doesn’t matter…Tina gives you a hunky movie star and an everyday bar owner girl that fall in love and all hell breaks loose.  Fans can be such a pain in the ass, can’t they Ryan?  Oh and did I mention the hunky bodyguard???  No, well yea there’s him too protecting the goods and looking hot while doing it…

  Do NOT read any of the Chocolate Lovers series if you are anywhere you’re suppose to be professional because Tara Sivec will have you laughing uncontrollably until you pee your pants or cry…hopefully the latter.  When a book starts off with a one night stand where the girl can’t seem to get away fast enough, well you know you’ve got a different kind of romance on your hands.

  Tammara Webber created such a touching, perfect story I don’t even know where to start.  I have NEVER in all my years of reading wished for a stand alone book to suddenly morph into a series right before my eyes.  There’s nothing flashy or gimmicky to draw you into this story…just good ole fashioned talent from the author.

If you survived my list I want to say thank you!  These authors touched my heart and soul in 2012 and I can’t wait to see what they and all the other rock stars of the reading world have planned for 2013!

New page…Lucky 13 New Authors

I created a new page that lists fellow first time authors that will release in 2013.  Check it out!

Haven from the Storm Synopsis

“If you’re going to make me cry, at least be there to wipe away the tears…”

Most were asleep in their beds the night Lily Grace’s entire world was ripped apart, leaving only darkness and torment in its place. The only remaining person she depended on abandoned her without a second thought…or so that’s what Lily has believed for the past four years.

Dean Haven has returned for one reason—to win Lily’s love again. He’s already broken her heart because of the demons that haunt him. Can his desire for Lily keep him from succumbing to those demons again?

Dean has no idea what awaits him when he tries to fight his way back into Lily’s life. Everything he remembers has changed, including Lily.

Is love enough when you’re forced to weather the storms life has blown your way?

Visit Goodreads and add it to your to-be-read list:

Haven from the Storm

Merry CHRISTmas!

I hope you are all having a Christmas filled with hope, love, and joy!

I am currently working on finalizing the synopsis for Haven from the Storm and hope to post it very soon.

Stay tuned…

Merry Christmas everyone!

The Perfect Game

Review originally posted on Goodreads.com on October 19, 2012.

So here’s the short synopsis of how I feel about this book:

Ripped apart my heart and then s.l..o…w….l…..y, and I mean s.l..o…w….l…..y stitched it back together, and tied it up with a pretty little bow that had sparkles.

And now for the long winded version…

PSA for my fellow bookies…emotions will be felt while reading this book, that can’t be stopped. No matter how stone hard your heart is, you will experience emotions…and that, my friend, will be a great thing!

Kitten, AKA Cassie, was actually a female lead that I liked…and that is usually not the case for me. Yea, she had her moments but none of us are perfect. Jack…what can I say about Jack? Loved him, hated him, loved him some more, HATED him to the ends of the earth and back…and then hmmm, what do you know I feel in love with him all over again. And apparently there is a real, live Jack Carter…how’d we humans get so lucky?

You will be happy, with all those perfect new love butterflies in your tummy while reading this book…but you will also curse every man you’ve ever known and trusted in your life because J Sterling does such a great job of making you feel the characters love and pain and a million other emotions.

This was the first book by J Sterling that I’ve read and now I wonder why I’ve waited so long to pick up her books. This one here, she’s got great writing skills.

Goodreads:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15783307-the-perfect-game

The Sea of Tranquility

If it was possible to give this book 10 stars that’s what I’d do.

This is a roller coaster tale with romance…but not necessarily the kind romance readers are use to. This book isn’t just about romance and finding love. This book is about finding yourself and forgiveness…and so much more that I can’t even begin to describe. This story is unforgettable.

It is beautifully written and draws out the right storylines and wraps everything up with a pretty, emotional bow…there is a lot to be said for stand alone novels. I, like many others, can’t believe this is Katja’s first novel. I can only hope and pray that it will not be her last. She has a way of reaching out and touching my heart and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

This should be #1 on everyone’s TBR list. Just be prepared not to get much sleep if you pick it up right before bedtime like I did.

Read on friends…

For more info:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16151178-the-sea-of-tranquility

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Sea-of-Tranquility-ebook/dp/B009R44MQ8/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1356241946&sr=1-1

Teaser #1 – Part of the Prologue for Haven from the Storm

Without further ado here is part of the prologue for Haven from the Storm…this is an unedited version that is subject to change, morph, or self destruct as I see fit…so keep that in mind while you read! Thanks for all your support!!

Prologue – Lily

Real loss only occurs when you lose something that you love more then yourself.

Friday, August 7, 2009

There he is, the only boy I’ve ever wanted, the only boy who makes me want to think about forever, Dean Haven.  He takes off running, jumps onto the ratty rope, and swings out over the murky river causing a splash large enough to send the waves on shore where I sit wiggling my toes in the sand.  We’re surrounded by sunflowers that are almost as tall as me, not that this fact says much for their height.  We’re the only two here in this secluded place, I’m not sure where my brother is.  I don’t know how I got lucky enough to spend the entire afternoon alone with Dean.  I’ve dreamed of this since the day I stopped believing all boys had cooties.

The water is so brown I can’t see him beneath the surface until he slowly emerges with his eyes trained on me and a knowing smile on his face.  He swims to the shore and begins his strut toward me as if stalking his prey.  I feel the tingling butterflies in my stomach as I watch the sun reflecting off his wet chest and perfect abs.  He stands above me blocking out the sun while allowing the cool water to drip from his body onto my warm skin.  My pulse quickens as I feel the heat spread within me and I know it’s caused by more then this hundred degree day.  Dean slowly descends until his body is hovering a few inches above mine, he starts to lightly caress my neck and chest with the back of his hand.  I look into his dark eyes and see the same desire I know he sees in mine.  This is a side of Dean I’ve never seen before, I’ve dreamed of this many nights but he’s never shown me any affection beyond being his best friends little sister.  But his body pressed against mine and the look in his eyes is unmistakable and I know he feels the same way I do.  He gives me a smile, melting my heart as he glances to my lips and starts to remove the distance between our mouths.  His perfect lips are so close I can feel his breath on my mouth.

Suddenly, I see my brother standing across the river surrounded by sunflowers, he appears to be shouting but I can’t make out what he’s saying until his voice is booming in my head.

“Lily, we have to go. Lily, can you hear me.  Wake up, Lily, wake up.”

I jump awake, completely confused, I realize my perfect afternoon with Dean was nothing but a dream, as usual.  Easton has his hands on my arms shaking me and I can tell by the look on his face something’s wrong.

“Easton, stop shaking me.  I’m awake, let go,” I say as I try to pry his hands off my upper arms.

“A big storm is coming, get up we have to go to the cellar now,” he turns, picks up my sneakers, and throws them at me, “Now Lily,” he shouts.

“But I don’t hear the storm sirens,” I say as I sit on the edge of my bed with no desire to put my shoes on and make the five mile journey in the darkness and rain to the closest cellar.

“Gary England just showed the storm and said for everyone in and around Kolby to take cover now because the tornado has already touched down south of town.”

I take a deep breath and quickly put my shoes on, “Where’s everyone else?”

Easton grabs my arm and drags me out of my room, “Dad’s not here and mom’s in bed.  You get in the truck while I get her.”

I start to panic, “Easton, no don’t leave me. I’ll come with you,” I grab his hand.  “C’mon.”

He stops me, “No, Lily.  Go now, we’ll be there in a minute.”  He gives me a quick hug, “Go Lily, I’ll only be a second.”  I head out the front door while he heads to the back of the house to wake our mom.

I step out the front door and am immediately hit with pouring rain and large hail.   It feels like hot pokers all over my warm skin exposed under the thin tank top and shorts I wore to bed.  Even in the small amount of light in our yard I can see the hail covering the ground.  There’s so much hail it reminds me of the ice storm several years ago that knocked out power to our entire county for over a week.  I can barely see the truck and have no idea how I’m going to be able to get to it.

I hear a loud rumbling and start looking around to find it.  It sounds like a train is moving fast down the tracks by our house.  They are hidden by the dark and I can’t see lights of a train.  Suddenly the light in our yard goes out leaving me in complete darkness.

I don’t know where to go or what to do.  I look back at the front door waiting for my brother to rescue me like he has my entire life…he doesn’t come.  Without him I am frozen like the hail laying in the yard.  The wind is so strong I can barely stand any longer.  I move to grab the post on the front porch but slip on the wet surface and fall to the muddy ground below landing on my stomach.  I try to climb to my knees but am quickly blown, stumbling to the edge of the yard and into the large ditch.  The water is deep and I struggle to hold my head up.  Between the rain and hail hitting my face and the water rushing over me I struggle to breath.  I am fighting to get out of the ditch or at least to where my brother can find me.  He should be outside by now.  I find my way to the edge and hang on to part of the concrete culvert under our driveway using the thick weeds surrounding it as support.

The roar is deafening; the tornado is here.  The debris from the strong wind is flying all around me.  Living in Oklahoma I’ve been taught over and over again what to do when a tornado strikes, now if only I’d have paid better attention instead of daydreaming about Dean.  My mind completely wanders to Dean, my brother, and even my Mom.  Are they safe?  What if the tornado gets them?

***

I wake with a sharp pain on the side of my forehead.  Reaching up to touch it I realize there’s a huge gash, I don’t know if I’m bleeding or if the wet I feel is from the storm.  But I’m alive, and that’s what matters.  I can’t see any lights not even the moon and stars.  I’m still in the ditch near the culvert and weeds.  I start yelling for my brother.  There’s no response.  I yell for him until I start feeling nauseous and weak.  I don’t know how badly my head is hurt, but I know I need help.

It feels like I’m waiting for hours before I finally hear a vehicle traveling down the muddy dirt road.  I hear a female voice hollering my name.  My mom?  It must be my mom and Easton.  I try to stand but immediately collapse.  I can hear someone crying, I think it’s me.  I finally see a small figure in the stream of headlights but I can’t tell who it is.  Large hands pick me up and carry me to a truck.  I can hear the voices reassuring me everything will be okay.  But all I can do is cry.  They have found me; my brother has finally found me and with him I know I’m safe.