PLAYLIST and GIVEAWAY
Leaving Liberty
by Virginia Carmichael
Leaving Liberty is currently on tour with Xpresso Book Tours. The tour stops here today for the author's book playlist and a giveaway. Please be sure to visit the other tour stops as well.
Description
At eighteen, Daisy McConnell left Liberty, Colorado and never looked back. The only bright spot in a childhood of neglect and loneliness was the town librarian, Marie. Now settled as a teacher in sunny Fresno, Daisy does her best to forget everything about Liberty including her drunk father, her MIA mother, and the town she hated with every beat of her heart.
Lane Bennett’s life as a small town cop is pretty close to perfect. He’s got his dog, a pretty date when he needs one, and plenty of time to fish on the weekends. No other place can compare to his hometown and he’s happy to devote his life to keeping the folks of Liberty safe. When Marie passes away, Lane knows one of the best parts about living in Liberty is gone, along with the old Carnegie library. It needs repairs the city can’t afford and the city managers won’t pay the new flood insurance. It’s too bad, but safety comes first.
When Daisy comes home for Marie’s funeral and hears the only safe place she knew as a child is going to close, she refuses to let it happen. She hatches a plan to save the old library, run the summer reading program, and keep Marie’s legacy alive.
She once vowed never to come home and he’s vowed never to leave. Daisy and Lane discover together that true love happens when you least expect it and you should never say never in Liberty.
Excerpt
“You should bring Daisy back for lunch sometime.” His mom tucked the Chopin book onto a shelf.
He wanted to grin, but shook his head instead. “Let it go, Mom. I know she’s totally your type of daughter-in-law, but it’s not going to happen.”
She turned, pretending surprise. “Don’t leap to conclusions. I was just suggesting a simple lunch.”
She worked at keeping her mouth a firm line, but the longer Lane waited, the harder it was. Chuckling, she shrugged. “Fine, you’re right. She’s exactly the kind of girl I would pick out for you. Smart, determined, faithful. What’s not to like? Really, Lane, she’s a fifth grade teacher. Those ladies are tough. You can’t ask for anything better.”
“Are you saying Tara wasn’t wife material? She was a sweet girl.” It didn’t hurt to say her name anymore. Strange.
“She was sweet. And pretty.” His mother paused, as if she’d run out of nice things to say. “She spent her days chatting about trends in wedding up-do’s but didn’t want to hear anything about your day because it was boring or scary. I just couldn’t see her as a police officer’s wife. You’ve got to be made of sterner stuff.”
He had to agree with her there. Everything in Tara’s universe was sparkly and cute. He’d sort of enjoyed the change of pace. After a long shift in the salon, her biggest complaint was that the nail dryer had gone out and the manicures had taken forever. On his side, after a long shift at the station he wondered if the human race was going to die out from sheer ignorance and unchecked aggression.
She went on. “I don’t want to talk down on anybody but she also seemed a little… preoccupied with her image.”
Nodding, he had to admit that was true, too. It wasn’t a bad thing to care what everyone thought of you. He had to be careful with his image, too.
“Now, this girl…” She jerked her chin toward the kitchen area. “She’s not the type to leave town if your career hits a bump.”
“Mom, it was more than a bump. I let the town drunk steal my squad car and run it into a pole.”
Featured Review
By Cindy
I've come to love everything I've read from this author. Leaving Liberty is a beautiful story about first encounters and second chances, about forgiveness and love. Daisy and Lane are attractive characters, real in their feelings and responses. I loved the way the little town of Liberty is portrayed - it's described so well that I felt I was coming along for a visit. All the other elements come together in the best manner- just enough faith to inspire, an awesome attention to detail (hello, major character from another novel), historic details well done (Carnegie libraries - how cool!), great secondary characters that lend the right support, and a beautiful romance with heart-stopping kisses. And lots of humor too!
Author's Book Playlist
About the Author
Giveaway
Enter the tour-wide giveaway for a chance to win some great prizes (open internationally).
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