Tuesday, October 20, 2015

While You're Awake by Amber Stokes



About the Book

Sweet New Adult Contemporary Romance Novelette

There’s no rest for the fearful.

Ava always knew the bees would come. Just when she’s settled into a place of her own, freelance editing and savoring her independence, her rental house is invaded by a swarm of honey bees. And with their arrival, her lifelong fear morphs into a full-fledged panic that steals her sleep—and her peace of mind.

Keegan knows all about fear. When he meets Ava at the coffee shop where he works, he can’t help but come to her rescue. Together with his German shepherds, Sun and Moon, he sets out to break the “curse” that hovers over Tired Girl. But is it possible to conquer nightmares and live a dream while you're awake?

This sweet novelette is a contemporary re-imagining of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale that sheds light on the worries that bind us and the love that leads to peace.


Author Bio


Amber Stokes works as a marketing content writer for a Christian publisher. On the side, she self-publishes inspirational fiction depicting the seasons of life and love. Her passion for
books compelled her to earn a bachelor's degree in English and run her own freelance editing and publicity business for over a year. Happily, this chapter of her career takes place in the Pacific Northwest—a part of the world she's always considered home.


You can learn more about Amber’s books, sign up for her author newsletter, join the Amber’s Gems street team, and more at www.SeasonsofaStory.blogspot.com.


Social Media Links


Goodreads: Amber Stokes



MY REVIEW



Ava has an extreme fear of bees. When bees invade her little rental house Ava has nowhere to turn. Losing sleep but yet needing to keep up with her job as a freelance editor, Ava escapes her little home to a coffee shop in town.
Keegan works at Coffee by Angels and notices how tired Ava looks when she orders her coffee. When Ava has a mishap at the coffee shop Keegan offers to drive her home. Keegan has had tragedy in his past and has a desire and need to help people. He soon labels Ava “Tired Girl” and she labels him “Angel Boy”. Will the two be able to help each other overcome their fears?

Such a sweet novelette! I love the characters Ava and Keegan. They are such a sweet couple. While I don’t have an unnatural fear of bees I think that we can all agree that each of us has some fear in our life that can be crippling at some time or another. I love how caring Keegan is even in the midst of his own struggles that daily haunt him from his past. I think this was a good reminder that each person we come in contact with during our day has a story. We may not be able to become as involved as Keegan chose to become, but it doesn’t hurt to offer a kind smile or a word of encouragement to those we meet. While short stories and novelettes usually frustrate me because I feel the author isn’t able to develop the characters as well as I would like, I found that Amber managed to include a good background for both Ava and Keegan so that I didn’t feel like I was missing anything to bring the story together. Because I am always about the “Happily Ever After” I was quite satisfied with this re-imagining of the Sleeping Beauty fairytale.






QUOTE FROM BOOK






Giveaway!

Enter to win a little something sweet from Ava, Keegan, and the author! One winner will receive a lovely yellow and gold flower necklace & earrings set from Baubles, Beads and Stuff; a $10 Starbucks gift card (delivered electronically); and a Kindle copy of While You’re Awake (can be gifted to a friend, if desired!). Open to US residents only due to shipping costs:













 
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1 comment:

  1. Thank you for your lovely review, Julie! I'm so glad you enjoyed Ava and Keegan's story. :) And I loved what you gleaned from it, about how "each person we come in contact with during our day has a story." That's such a wonderful thought, and I appreciate you sharing it. ((Hugs))

    ~Amber

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