On Tour with Prism Book Tours
The Art of Rivers(Coastal Hearts #3)
By Janet W. Ferguson
Christian Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 299 Pages
June 30th 2019 by Southern Sun Press LLC
Rivers Sullivan bears both visible and invisible scars—those on her shoulder from a bullet wound and those on her heart from the loss of her fiancé during the same brutal attack. Not even her background as an art therapist can help her regain her faith in humanity. Still, she scrapes together the courage to travel to St. Simons Island to see the beach cottage and art gallery she’s inherited from her fiancé. When she stumbles upon recovering addicts running her gallery, she’s forced to reckon with her own healing.
After the tragic drowning of his cousin, James Cooper Knight spends his days trying to make up for his past mistakes. He not only dedicates his life to addiction counseling, but guilt drives him to the water, searching for others who’ve been caught unaware of the quickly rising tides of St. Simons. When he rescues a peculiar blond woman and her sketch pad from a sandbar, then delivers this same woman to his deceased grandmother’s properties, he knows things are about to get even more complicated.
Tragic circumstances draw Cooper and Rivers closer, but they fight their growing feelings. Though Cooper’s been sober for years, Rivers can’t imagine trusting her heart to someone in recovery, and he knows a relationship with her will only rip his family further apart. Distrust and guilt are only the first roadblocks they must overcome if they take a chance on love.
(Affiliate links included.)
Excerpt:
“Coop, you look like the kid on the front of a Sour Warheads package.” Davis laid his brush aside, walked over, and held out his arms, a goofy grin covering his face.
“Does someone need a hug?”
“Don’t even start with your shenanigans.” Yeah, they offered hugs at times, but Davis was messing with him.
“Let’s go outside and chew the fat a minute. My first layer of paint is drying, and I want this one to be my masterpiece.” Davis motioned with his head toward the
door.
Was Davis having issues, or would the powwow be about tonight’s incident? “Kev, you all right for a few?” Cooper called.
“Not going anywhere. Take your time.” Kevin’s brows rose as he pointed a gaze on Blake, whose head bobbed, fighting sleep.
“All right. Let’s talk.” Cooper led Davis out the door onto the small porch behind the gallery. “What’s happening?”
“So tonight was a little bit of scary town, right?” After pulling a pack of gum from his pocket, Davis popped a couple of pieces in his mouth.
“You shaken up?” Davis didn’t look it.
“Nah, not me. But your little woman seemed to be.” He blew a bubble the size of a Ping-Pong ball, then popped it. “I don’t mean to get up in your grill or
break man-code, but you got eyes for that Rivers girl. It’s as obvious as a dead skunk on a highway, and I’m worried. Is she in recovery?”
Nice. What a gross metaphor. And the attraction was that obvious? “She’s not.” Cooper shot Davis a hard look. “Remember when I asked your opinion? Yeah, me
neither.”
“Oh, is this one of those never-miss-an-opportunity-to-keep-my-mouth-shut things?” He crossed his eyes and gave a sideways grin.
A hearty laugh tumbled out of Cooper. He’d been a tad hard on Davis. The guy was just doing what he’d been taught to do. Be honest. Ask difficult questions. “Sorry.
You’re on track. It’s just that Rivers isn’t what you think.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “Between you and me—and Kev and Gabby, of course—Rivers was Jordan’s fiancée.
She inherited the gallery and came to sell it.”
“Whoa. I did not see that one coming.” His head bobbed. “Harsh news about the gallery, and you have a thing for her too. Your cousin’s—”
“Shut up, dude.” Cooper massaged his temples as if it would do any good. “I never said I had a thing for her.”
“Didn’t have to, but I’ll keep that part between me and the Big Man Upstairs when I pray for your gooey-eyed self.” He clucked his tongue and mumbled under
his breath, “But it’s as obvious as a dead sku—”
“Enough with the skunk.” Cooper looked up. Please don’t let it be that obvious to Rivers. He’d need to come to terms with his attraction before he messed things up big-time.
And coming January 2020...
About the Author
Janet W. Ferguson grew up in Mississippi and received a degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Mississippi. She has served as a children’s minister and a church youth volunteer. An avid reader, she worked as a librarian at a large public high school. She writes humorous inspirational fiction for people with real lives and real problems. Janet and her husband have two grown children, one really smart dog, and a cat that allows them to share the space.
Tour Schedule
Tour Giveaway
One winner will receive a $10 Chick-fil-A gift card and signed copies of the first two books in the series, Magnolia Storms and Falling for Grace
Thank you so much for featuring The Art of Rivers!
ReplyDelete