Title: COUNTRY ROADS
Author: Grea Warner
Genre: Women’s Fiction, New Adult Fiction
Book Blurb:
A young woman content with her solitary life.
A rising country music star.
They were friends once … until their lives took them down separate roads.
Now, years later, when a child volunteers his uncle to sing for a fundraiser, Lara Faulkner realizes it is none other than her college pal, Finn Murphy. As the two get a chance to reconnect, Lara reveals to a compassionate Finn details of her shocking past and the traumatic decision she had to make.
Through trust and love, the bond between Finn and Lara deepens as the country singer manages to get an emotionally scarred Lara to let down her self-proclaimed walls. But will secrets, lies, and tragedy cause a bumpy detour on their road to complete happiness?
Emotional, dramatic, heartwarming … fall in love with COUNTRY ROADS – the first in a continuing series by author Grea Warner.
Excerpt:
Sure enough, it was less than a minute when I found myself speeding toward Grand Central. I didn’t try to make conversation with the driver through the dirty, thick, clear plastic barrier separating the front from the back of the car. And I ignored the annoying mini-television broadcasting some obnoxious, loud commercial. Instead, I looked at the red flashing monitor announcing the increasing price of the ride. It seemed to be thumping as hard and as fast as my heart. And the hole in the seat next to me, exposing loose dirty white cushion stuffing, mimicked how torn up I was. I didn’t want to go, but I needed to go. I knew it. I just needed to accept it.
Knowing that if I let one teardrop fall or answered the repetitive calls flooding my phone from Finn, that I would fall apart, I remained stoic during that ride. Upon arrival, I paid the driver and went into the terminal that was busy— but not to the extent of its usual reputation. I had done this route plenty of times over the years, so I moved in “Lara autopilot” as I bought my ticket and started toward the seating area. It was a good thing I didn’t need to concentrate since my mind certainly wasn’t into thinking beyond the basics.
I only had a few minutes to wait until it was time to board. So I briefly browsed the covers of the magazines at a newsstand shop and opted not to get anything to eat or drink. I hadn’t eaten much at the party, but, regardless, I wasn’t at all hungry.
It was when I was looking at the board listing the arrivals and departures and thinking my nerves were too shot to even sit and wait, that I heard my name. It wasn’t loud. In fact, it was a bit winded. But I knew the voice well. Despite there being a number of people swarming around that area, I saw Finn instantly. He was a good few feet away. His head was shaking ever so slightly as he was pleading me with my eyes to come to him.
When I didn’t move, he looked around. I knew he didn’t want to be recognized. There were times when he didn’t mind it as much, but this…this certainly wasn’t one of them. And he didn’t have on any type of clothing that could be used as a disguise—not a ball cap, hoodie, or even glasses. Standing there in the brown suit he had worn to the party, it was probably close to a sure bet that someone would identify him.
But I guess he was willing to take that risk, because he walked toward me. I knew then that it was inevitable that we were going to talk. I certainly wasn’t going to take off running in my decorative heels and cocktail dress, after all.
“What? Where are you going?” His eyes swept repeatedly across mine.
“Home.” I kept it simple.
“Why? No. Lar, please…please don’t leave.” There was a bit of panic when he said that last word. Before I could think any more about it, he said, “I’m sorry. I told you I hate those gigs. But it’s a necessary evil.” He spoke of the label’s party. “You should have just told me.”
He reached his hand out for mine, but I instantly retracted. I didn’t want to feel his touch. I didn’t want to be confused.
His look of concern upon the rejection heightened. “I don’t get…Is this about the PDA thing?”
If only it was about the fact that he didn’t kiss me in front of that room of fake music know-it-alls at the party. I could have dealt with that. I understood that. It was, unfortunately, so much bigger.
“No. I just don’t fit in there. I don’t belong. If that is your world—if you are one of those beautiful people whose only concerns are themselves and….” I could feel myself starting to get revved up, so I aborted the rest of my words.
Finn shot a good look around the terminal. I could feel his anxiety. It was definitely because of my leaving, but it was also because of the risk of being recognized. I could sense it, because I was feeling it too.
“Can we do this somewhere a little quieter?” he asked slowly.
I glanced at the board again. I was going to miss the train, but there were plenty of others running through the evening. I did need to talk to him. He deserved to know what had made our night—everything—strike a bad chord. So, I began to walk in silence. And, keeping his recognizable face down, Finn matched my strides, walking right alongside of me.
When we found a corridor where the shops were closed and no one else was around, he was the first to speak. “What’s going on, Lara? What happened?”
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Goodreads: Grea_Warner
BookBub: www.bookbub.com/authors/grea-warner
What’s the first binge-worthy book you read and why was it a must-read?
The first binge-worthy series and author I remember reading goes back to childhood. I devoured the words of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie series, wanting to travel in my mind with Laura, Pa, Ma, Mary, and Carrie. I remember going to the store and getting the next book, and then the next one, etc. etc. As a young adult, it was anything written by S.E. Hinton. The Outsiders, Tex, Rumble Fish, That Was Then This Is Now were all read quickly and stuck with me for a long time. What drew me to those books were the characters. They weren’t one-dimensional or glossy. They experienced deep emotions and traumas. But even when they felt lost, scared, or alone, you knew they had someone to count on, whether it was family or the bond of friendship.
What makes your featured book a binge-worthy read?
Country Roads is the first book in my Country Roads serial. This Amazon bestselling, award-winning series is ideal for readers who like an emotional, heartfelt story told in a current day setting. Experience Lara’s world as she struggles with healing from a traumatic past, learning to trust, and overcoming an unimaginable tragedy. As the beginning of a five-book set (plus a prequel novella), the Country Roads series is perfect for binge-reading during lazy, summer days or after the kids go back to school. It’s like watching a television mini-series drama but in book format. And books are always better than the movies, right?
Giveaway –
One lucky reader will win a $75 Amazon gift card
Open internationally.
Runs August 1 – 31, 2023.
Drawing will be held on September 1, 2023.
Author Biography:
Drama, angst, and realistic storylines … be prepared for a few tears shed and an emotional rollercoaster when you read a novel by Grea Warner. With a background in daytime dramas, Grea is able to beautifully weave characters and storylines together so that you’ll become completely immersed in the journey the book takes you on. At home in the Women’s Fiction and New Adult genres, these serials and standalones are great for binge reading and book club discussions!
Be the first to know … follow this Amazon best-selling, award-winning author to find out when there is a new release, preorder, or discount!
Social Media Links:
Website: greawarner.com
Instagram: greawarner
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Grea-Warner
Twitter: @grea_warner