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Title: Tea & Comfort
Author: Andrea Hurst
Series: Madrona Island #2
Release Date: April 7, 2015
Publisher: CreateSpace
Genre: Adult, Romance, Realistic Fiction, Women's Fiction
Find it: Goodreads | Amazon
For a second chance at love to succeed, Kyla and Luke must uncover the truth and learn to trust again…
Two years ago, after receiving life-changing news, Kyla Nolan ran away from her life as a top model in New York and left her fiancé, Luke Bradford behind. Now Kyla has a rebuilt her life as the successful owner of Tea & Comfort, on Madrona Island. She lives in a cozy home behind the shop, has great friends, and a community where she belongs. With all this, Kyla should be content with her life and she would be, if Luke hadn’t just moved to the island, setting everything in Kyla’s life off balance.
Luke has purchased the vineyards on the island, just like he and Kyla had always dreamt of. But Luke is not here just for the grapes. He is determined to discover why Kyla left him, if she still loves him and if he can have the life he always wanted.
Now Kyla must face her past and decide whether she and Luke can have a future together. She knows that this time around if they have a chance at happiness she will have to tell him everything…
Interview
Welcome to Bookish, Andrea! Could you tell us a little bit about the inspiration behind Tea & Comfort?
I have always loved English tea rooms and found them not only charming, but comforting. That coupled with the beautiful lavender farms where I live gave me the idea to have my character own a tea shop.
Which part of this book was your favorite to write? Was it a certain character or scene?
My favorite part of this book to write was the scenes with Betty and Shirley. They are such, fun, vivacious older women. I loved writing Shirley’s wedding. There is nothing better than seeing an older woman get a second chance at love. I also loved writing the scene where Betty got her new dog. These two sisters really jump out for me and were tons of fun to write. My other favorite scene to write was the very last on in the book.
Can you tell us a bit more about Kyla?
Kyla’s a somewhat complex character and has not had the easiest upbringing. Kyla starts out the story as a woman who her whole life she has felt self-conscious and not enough. She has run away and hidden when things got bad. Throughout the story she begins to realize that she needs to face her problems, rely on her friends, and trust her heart to find the happiness she not only longs for, but deserves.
Who are some of your favorite fictional couples?Jude Murray and Aidan Gallagher from Jewels of the Sun by Nora Roberts is one of my favorite couples. I love sweet, determined Jude and charming, fun loving Aidan. I loved all the couples in the amazing Gallagher’s of Ardmore Trilogy, though. I also love the couple from A Walk in the Clouds. That is a movie that draws me in every time.
I'm addicted to . . . Pacific Northwest great coffee and dark, dark chocolate.
If Tea & Comfort had a theme song it would be . . . Gypsy Heart by Colbie Caillat
The last book I bought was . . . The Mind Readers by Lori Brighton. It combines a great paranormal element and elements of romance that keep you guessing.
The Guestbook
Title: The Guestbook
Author: Andrea Hurst
Series: Madrona Island #1
Release Date: July 26, 2012
Publisher: CreateSpace
Genre: Adult, Romance, Realistic Fiction, Women's Fiction
Find it: Goodreads | Amazon
This book weaves together the heart of Nicholas Sparks, the romance of Nora Roberts, and the charm of Debbie Macomber.
Fleeing her picture-perfect marriage among the privileged set of Brentwood and the wreckage of a failed marriage, Lily Parkins decides to move to the only place that still holds happy memories, her grandmother’s old farmhouse. The lush and majestic setting of the Pacific Northwest calls to her and offers a place of refuge and perhaps renewal. Her grandmother has passed away, leaving the Madrona Island Bed & Breakfast Inn to Lily.
Left with only an old guestbook as her guide–a curious book full of letters, recipes, and glimpses into her family history–Lily is determined to embrace her newfound independence and recreate herself, one page at a time. With the help of the quirky island residents she has befriended, she slowly finds the strength to seek out happiness on her own terms. But as soon as she has sworn off men and is standing on her own two feet, Lily meets Ian, the alluring artist who lives next door, and her new life is suddenly thrown off course. The last thing she wants to do right now is to open her heart to another man.
Ultimately, Lily must decide if it’s worth giving up her soul for security or risking everything to follow her heart.
About the Author
When not writing, visiting local farmer's markets, or indulging her love for chocolate, Andrea Hurst is a developmental editor and former literary agent. Her passion for books drives her to find and write stories that take readers on a journey to another place and leave them with an unforgettable impression. She is adjunct faculty at the Northwest Institute of Literary Arts, and a webinar presenter for Writers Digest.
Her published books include The Guestbook, Always With You, The Lazy Dog's Guide to Enlightenment and Everybody's Natural Food Cookbook, and she co-authored A Book of Miracles with Dr. Bernie Siegel. To learn more about Andrea and her books, visit www.AndreaHurst-author.com or www.andreahurst.com.
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Giveaway
Andrea is generous enough to offer an eBook to one of Bookish's readers! The winner can choose from either The Guestbook or Tea & Comfort. Enter via the Raffelcopter below.
Open Internationally
Ends April 22, 2015 // Cheaters Never Prosper
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