David's SongTaken from the book cover: Annie only ever really loved two men in her life. One broke her heart, the other married her. Four children and fifteen years later, Annie’s marriage is in jeopardy. Money is tight and her husband questions the very foundation of their relationship. When Annie is unexpectedly given the opportunity to see the young man who broke her heart — a man who is now a megastar in the music industry — Annie is faced with choices. Choices that will determine what is of more value — a second chance at lost love and unfulfilled dreams or commitment, trust, and love built on years of experience.
A psychologically subtle, yet compelling tale about how the instinct and need for love overcomes self-doubt and personal inadequacy.
April R Talley was born and raised in the Rubber City, Akron, Ohio in 1959. She is the youngest of six children. She attended Brigham Young University for a time, but withdrew to work fulltime for Osmond Productions in Orem, Utah as a member of The Osmond production staff. After a brief stint working in television, she returned to Akron to finish her education. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Mass Media Communications in 1981. April later worked as vice president and part owner of a dance and sportswear boutique. Married in 1982, she is the proud mother of seven children and is deeply involved in volunteer work for her church. April spends her time working on future projects, caring for home and family, and traveling. David’s Song is her debut novel and the first of a trilogy.Excerpt
“It’s an amazing city,” he said when he saw me look out the window. I didn’t reply. “You’re uncomfortable,” he added. “Why don’t you come and sit down. We have some hors d’oeurves.”
I turned and looked at him. “What do you want from me tonight?”
He paused before speaking. “I hoped we could catch up some and maybe clear the air a little. It’s been a long time,” he said, as if I didn’t know it had been fifteen years.
I walked over and joined him at the table, unceremoniously dropping into the chair. He sat down across from me.
“Okay, go ahead, clear,” I said.
“I don’t remember you being quite so hostile,” he said with a twinkle.
“Can’t say that I remember feeling so defensive.”
“How about if we just talk, enjoy a nice meal, and then I will sufficiently grovel at your feet.”
“Groveling’s good. Why don’t we just get it over with now?” Then I could leave, be done with this nonsense and enjoy the rest of my vacation. He took a deep breath and laughed lightly.
“Annie, please, I’m eating humble pie here tonight. Can we do it my way?”
I looked at him across the table without smiling. I didn’t want to give in no matter how sweetly and sincerely he asked. I didn’t want to make anything easy for him.
“I see. You’re used to getting your own way now, huh?”
He grinned. “Maybe so.”
“Why spoil a good dinner? Let’s go straight to dessert right now,” I said. “Groveling sounds like a delicious treat.”
“My way?” he asked again, trying to be charming.
“If you insist,” I replied, grudgingly.
He offered me the plate of stuffed mushrooms. I declined.
“So how do you like teaching school?” he asked.
. “I like it well enough.”
“As I recall, you seemed to think it would suit you well. Does it?”
“It’s a job. I like teaching, but you know every year I get a new group of kids, and I get really attached to them and when June comes around they all . . . leave me.”
He choked a little on his mushroom. “Couldn’t let that little dig go, could you?”
This time I smiled back at him and said, “Whatever do you mean?” There was no way on earth I was going to let him take me off the defensive. Not with his charming talk or his smile or even those cursed blue eyes. This was closure. Wasn’t that what Carolyn said? And maybe a little bit of payback, too.
“So how do you like performing?” I asked in the same condescending tone he had used.
“I like it well enough,” he said in echo to my earlier response. I knew he was trying to return my indifference, but he couldn’t hide the smile when he said it.
“As I recall, you seemed to think it would suit you well,” I said. “Does it?”
At this he laughed. “Okay, okay, I surrender. This is like dancing with a cobra,” he added under his breath. “I like performing most of the time. But there are certainly days when I think I should have chosen something different. I could be some obscure professor at a university teaching music.”
“Well, that’s not all it’s cracked up to be either.”
He chuckled. “This from the girl who wanted to be a teacher.”
“Not exactly. More from the wife of an academic. Jeremy teaches at a small college in Ohio. It has its challenges, believe me, long hours and little pay. Nothing nearly as fine as this,” I said, glancing around the room. He chuckled again and leaned toward me in his chair.
“It’s a prison,” he said quietly.
Praise from reviews on Goodreads.com
"Not just your typical romance novel" - Tracy Williams
"David's Song is great read that leaves you thinking about the story and pondering your own relationships". - Anna Pavkov
"Sucked me in from the 1st page" - Jill Walker
"Loved this book . . . could not put it down!" - Dana Vieira
Blog Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 5/15/13
a Rafflecopter giveaway
No comments:
Post a Comment