Release Day Event--More Than A Memory by Amber Nation

Book Title: More than a Memory 

Author: Amber Nation 

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

Release Date: January 11, 2015 

Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

Disappearing without a word, Eden Richardt fled from her naïve former life in Oregon to start anew in the Midwest. Being a morning radio show host, she’s got a lot going for her except finding someone to share her life with. In that aspect, no one seemed to compare to the one. Having absolutely no desire to step foot back in her hometown of Cottage Grove, her decision was swayed with an invitation to her high school reunion and solidified after receiving a letter from her first and only love from her past. 

Living his life the best way he knows how, Baylor Jenkins spends his time running the family plumbing business, after giving up his dream to be an Architect, and raising his almost teenage daughter solely without the help of his ex-wife. In the back of his mind he knows something was missing from his otherwise enjoyable life. But that something was actually a someone who disappeared after graduation; a former best friend turned lover. 

Locking eyes after fifteen long years raises deep emotions and unanswered questions: 

What happened to make Eden run? 

Could their love for each other still exist? 

Or will their past time together be nothing more than a memory?

“What is it that you do now that you’re all grown up?” I decided to put him in the limelight for a bit and give myself a bit of a rest.

“Who said I was all grown up?” he said in a flirty tone which earned another smile from me. “No, in all honesty, I’m actually a divorce lawyer. So while you are loved in your profession, people either dreadfully hate me or are repulsed by me.” He shrugged his shoulders. I definitely hadn’t seen that coming, Dean a divorce lawyer?

I wanted to make a little joke, but I didn’t know if he would take it the same way as he would’ve all those years ago. I decided to go ahead and take a shot. “So how many of your own divorces have you done?” I asked it in a light-hearted tone so he wouldn’t think I came across as a bitch.

“Two,” he answered flatly with not even an ounce of emotion.

“That bad, huh?”

“You could definitely say that again,” he finally cracked a smile which lowered my blood pressure rate again after he spiked it when I thought I said the wrong thing.

“You remind me of my best friend, Julia. She’s been married AND divorced twice just like you.”

His smile disappeared. What did I say?

After the questioning look I gave him, his voice lowered to a whisper which had to be lower than low since his voice was so deep, “We used to be best friends, Eden…The three musketeers, don’t you remember that?”

That was not how I wanted the conversation to end. “I’ve never forgotten, Dean. I thought of you every single day, believe it or not.”

The song was nearing the end and he gently pushed a strand of hair to the side of my face and said with a small smile, “We’ve missed you, Eden.” Not just I, but we. With the closing notes, he leaned forward and brushed his lips against my cheek, giving me the faintest of kisses. My heart broke all over again for the friend that I left behind. The friend who had nothing to do with what happened and was thrown in the middle when he was just an innocent bystander during the downward spiral of my departure. I hoped that he would someday forgive me for my naivety as I hadn’t meant for him to get burned in the crossfire.

 

"Often times you heard about best friends becoming lovers and it didn't always work out in the end. Did I think Eden and I were an exception to that? I suppose only time would tell."

One of my favorite types of stories to read are those involving rekindled romances. This book quickly became one of my favorites. 

High school reunions can be fun. Seeing your old friends, talking to people you haven't seen since you graduated, and bringing up all the good memories. For Eden Richardt, it was the hardest thing she could ever go to. See, Eden left her hometown the day after graduation and never looked back. She went to college, became a successful radio personality, and lived a great life in Nashville. Until one day a letter was read on air that sealed her fate.

She was going back home.

"I feel like everything that has been missing in my life has been found when I'm with him."

Baylor Jenkins fell in love in high school. The only problem was that he couldn't tell her. This girl was his best friend. How could he possibly tell her his feelings and her not flip out? What he didn't know was she felt the same. The night of graduation, he finally made his move only to have her vanish the next day. Now this reunion is coming up. Will she come? Will she explain why she left so suddenly? 

Will she ever be his?

"I've missed you so much, Eden. I've caught myself many times over the years thinking about you and wondering if you were truly happy in all aspects of your life. I know it's inevitable but I'll continue to beat myself up over not going after you."

I loved Eden and Baylor from the start. Those two along with their other best friend, Dean, made this story truly come to life.  The Three Musketeers, as they called each other, were a true testament of what friendship is. Even though Eden had left Baylor and Dean fifteen years ago, they still had this undeniable connection. I found myself wanting to be a part of their group. I have to admit that Dean is too funny and swoonworthy in his own right;)

Another dynamic of the book is the character Norah. She is Baylor's twelve year old daughter. She is quirky, fun, and always looking out for her dad. Which is why she will do anything to make this romance between him and Eden to come together. I loved the closeness that Baylor had with his daughter. 

You also have Eden's friends back in Nashville. Her co-worker, Blaine, and her best girlfriend, Julia. Even though Julia couldn't be with Eden during this reunion, she never stopped helping her through everything. She knew why Eden ran all those years ago, and she was determined to keep her strong. But there's only so much you can do when fate and love have other plans.

"Just don't falling in love with him, Eden, you've gotta protect your heart."

"Oh you won't have to worry about that, I won't go falling in love with him. You can't fall in love with someone you already still love."

It's amazing what happens to people after they don't see each other for fifteen years. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!! I'm such a hopeless romantic.

"You were it, Baylor. No guy in high school would've ever compared. No guy still compares to you. You set a pretty high standard."

"This woman, whether she knew it or not, owned me and my heart. She always had the ability to strip me bare of my emotions and leave me raw. I hoped that I consumed her even a fraction of what she had consumed me."

I can not tell you all the things I loved about this story! The friendship, the love, the family, and the struggle of it all. Every little detail and feature made me feel so much emotion. Not just the lovey parts, but the funny side-spliting parts, and the heartbreaking moments that leave you with a tear in your eye. 

I can't wait to read more about these characters!! I tell you that I need more of all of them. I know they arent done yet:) 

 I love when a book just takes you to the basics of love-first love. They say that your first love is the hardest thing you'll ever get over. For some, like Eden and Baylor, it's the one thing you always strive for.

"She had the most important part of me that she could always keep and hold close, 

my heart."

Amber is a stay at home mom currently residing in Southern Indiana with her husband and two beautiful daughters. If she's not shopping, going to concerts or on road trips, or having her nose stuck in a book, you'll often find her at the ball field watching one of the numerous sports that her girls are involved in. She is the author of the contemporary romance Brown County Series, titles include Not Alone, Runaway Love, How To Save A Life, and Unconditionally (M/M). 

Follow her on Twitter @nation_amber, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ambernationauthor, on Pinterest at Ber2885, and check out her website at www.ambernationauthor.com.

 

 

 

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