After Tuesday Blog Tour: excerpt, review and giveaway

By Laurie T - July 30, 2013

After Tuesday (These Days, #1) by Renee Ericson

New Adult contemporary romance

Released: May 5th 2013

Publisher: Renee Ericson

Purchase: Amazon

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Family really is a pain…especially when your father is an addict.

For the last two years, high school senior Ruby has been her own rock and solace. She has learned to depend only on herself and hides her family's issues by keeping herself somewhat unnoticeable. Despite her isolation, Ruby has intrigued the affections of someone unexpected. Finding herself loving life once again as his persistence sparks a romance awakening a well-protected heart.

While Ruby’s relationship with her father is constantly teetering, her new-found affection continues to blossom into something more than she ever thought possible. Soon, Ruby comes to realize that opening up your heart means being susceptible to love and disappointment.

YA-M: This book contains mature content including profanity, drug/alcohol use, and sexual situations/language.

Excerpt:

“I guess,” he continues, “I never noticed you before because of her, or maybe it’s because I didn’t want to see anything else. I don’t think I saw a lot of things.”

“Oh?” I ask, raising my brows.

“But I’m seeing things now.”

When he leans in, nerves stir in my abdomen, rising quickly to my throat.

I move closer to him. “Like?”

“Like you.”

He takes a deep breath and puts a hand behind my back, closing the small distance between us. As I look into those alluring eyes that are now smoldering, I start to feel a fire burning deep within me. I can’t deny my body’s reactions to Brent any longer. Questioning him is no longer necessary. This is something more and I can no longer deny it.

Releasing my hand, he places his fingers in my hair, his thumb caressing the sensitive area on my face between my cheek and ear. With his lips near mine, my breath quickens, and his audible gasp pulls air from my mouth. Closing my eyes, I hear him take in a deep breath before his amazing lips press gently against mine. My heartbeat races with excitement as I begin to feel sensations of joy run through my body straight down to my toes. The kiss is soft, somewhat tentative, and gentle. When he pulls back, releasing my lips, my mouth suddenly feels naked. I lick my lower lip and then bite down on it, trying to numb the vacant feeling.

About the Author

Renee loves to wear hoodies, is fluent in Yoda speak, and likes to make videos with Lego figures. She is a long time insomniac, but doesn't have the energy to start an underground Fight Club so she settles for writing stories about the characters who plague her mind. She grew up in the Midwest and currently resides in the Boston area, but sounds nothing like Ben Affleck or Matt Damon.

reneeericson.wordpress.com | twitter.com/EricsonRenee

First love, young love, personal journeys, and trust are some of the prevalent themes found in Renee Ericson's poignant novel, After Tuesday. Ruby, about to begin her senior year at high school, is asked out by Brent, the most popular guy in school. She's originally from Colorado but lost her new girl status quickly the year before. Guys like Brent hadn't noticed her before. There are other reasons Ruby doesn't mind flying low on the popularity radar, the main being her father who suffers from addiction, and her embarrassing older cousin Cody with his crude talk. Her home life is less than stellar but she doesn't want to lose this chance to spend time with Brent. This year is radically different for Ruby. She's made friends with Lexi, begins to have a social life, and then there's Brent--popular, hot, athlete, and overall great guy.

Ruby is a strong character and I found myself admiring her more and more. A track runner, she's athletic and smart, candid, and determined. Her relationship with Brent captures all the nuances of first love from questioning the attraction to worrying about his old girlfriend, Frankie, to how would he react to finding out the truth about her home life to his acceptance of her. When he understands her love of Michael Jackson's music, the reader knows Brent is going to be a really nice guy. Their relationship develops over time as Ruby learns its okay to give her heart to another, especially after protecting herself from her father's partying ways.

If you're going away on vacation, take along After Tuesday, a touching New Adult contemporary romance featuring realistic characters and conflict. So recommended.

Rating: 4

Cover comment:

I like the original cover but I'm glad there's a new cover. The image of the couple's feet simply says Ruby and Brent to me. It may look simple, it's not. Cut, romantic and very sweet, I love the cover.

Book source:

I received a promotional copy in return for my honest review during a blog tour.

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