Happy Monday, Reader Friends!
Thanks for stopping by Soulfully Romantic blog for the Driftwood Dreams Celebrate Lit Tour blog stop. I’ll be sharing my thoughts on T.I. Lowe’s latest release. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway below!
About the Book
Book: Driftwood Dreams
Author: T.I. Lowe
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: June 1, 2020
Josie Slater has allowed the circumstances anchoring her in Sunset Cove to become a life sentence. Since her mother’s death years before, she’s spent most of her waking hours helping her dad run the Driftwood Diner. As her best friends, Opal and Sophia, make their dreams come true, Josie watches her own art school aspirations drift on by. But when a French-speaking Southern gentleman from her past moves back from Europe, Josie is launched into a tizzy of what-ifs and I-sure-do-hope-sos.
August Bradford left Sunset Cove six years ago to sow some life oats and conquer his ambitious career goals. Finally ready to lay down some roots, the successful artist is back in town and determined to win Josie’s heart. When he enlists Josie’s help in the preparations for a children’s art camp, Josie finds herself unleashing her artistic side in a way she hasn’t since before her mother’s death. August hopes to convince Josie to paint a life with him, but the problem is convincing her to let go of her apprehensions and give him—and her dreams—a fair chance.
About the Author
Tonya “T.I.” Lowe is a native of coastal South Carolina. She attended Coastal Carolina University and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she majored in Psychology but excelled in Creative Writing. In 2014, Tonya independently published her first novel, Lulu’s Café, which quickly became a bestseller. Now the author of 12 published novels with hundreds of thousands of copies sold, she knows she’s just getting started and has many more stories to tell. She resides near Myrtle Beach with her family.
Excerpt
Josie’s reverie came to a screeching halt as the screen door squeaked open and ushered in not only a briny breeze, but also a vision from her past.
With a pronounced air of confidence, August Bradford walked over to the counter and halted in front of a dazed Josie. Her heart jolted at the sight of him, something only this man could elicit. He spoke—or at least his lips moved—but she couldn’t hear anything over the roar suddenly residing in her eardrums.
The Knitting Club’s table kicked up in volume, sounding like a bunch of hens clucking away, but there was no focusing on what they were clucking about either. She knew the answer anyway and had a feeling their timing wasn’t coincidental. All Josie could do was just stand there and stare, as if looking into his silvery-blue eyes had turned her to stone. With a hint of purple near the center, those uniquely hued eyes were made to belong to an artist such as August Bradford. The thick fringe of black eyelashes only emphasized their beauty. It was enough to spawn jealousy in Josie, her own fair lashes barely visible, but it didn’t. It only tempted her to stand there and stare unabashedly. Mouth agape, that’s exactly what she did.
“Are you okay?” A throaty voice penetrated the roar in her ears as a hand waved in front of her face.
Oh, my . . . that voice . . .
The words simply wouldn’t come—only pitiful squeaks of breaths escaped—so Josie did the only thing to come to mind. She hightailed it into the kitchen.
My Thoughts
This is book two in T.I. Lowe’s Carolina Coast series and I totally picked it up because I read book one. That being said, you can read Driftwood Dreams as a standalone and not worry about missing anything.
The biggest reason I liked Driftwood Dreams is because of August Bradford. What a hero! Y’all, he’s so sweet and patient with Josie and I just love how he coax’s her out of her shell. I love how art brings them together and bridges Josie’s uncertainty with life.
In fact, I like most of the art scenes in this book. I’m not an artist but I could vividly picture the scenes and they made me smile.
Both of the characters go through a change but Josie’s is the biggest and I won’t give anything else away but to say, the ending is great and the epilogue is icing on the cake.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. My review was not required nor influenced.
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, T.I. is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 gift certificate to the bookstore of his or her choice and one copy of Driftwood Dreams!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link to enter.
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 27
The Power of Words, May 27
Batya’s Bits, May 28
CarpeDiem, May 28
Through the Fire Blogs, May 29
Back Porch Reads , May 29
Livin’ Lit, May 30
Hallie Reads, May 30
Adventure of a Travelers Wife, May 31
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 31
She Lives To Read, June 1
Soulfully Romantic, June 1
Remembrancy, June 2
Mypreciousbitsandmusings, June 2
Texas Book-aholic, June 3
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 3
Just the Write Escape, June 4
deb’s Book Review, June 4
Inklings and notions, June 5
For Him and My Family, June 6
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 6
Artistic Nobody, June 7 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Simple Harvest Reads, June 7 (Guest review from Joni Truex)
Locks, Hooks and Books, June 8
Daysong Reflections, June 8
Cultivating Us , June 9
Pause for Tales, June 9
Thank you so much for hosting me today! It’s book release day too!! August was a different hero to write. He wasn’t brooding and full of angst. I like his laidback, live life to the fullest attitude. Glad you did too. And congrats again on your new book release!
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Thank you!
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This book sounds very intriguing and like a very good page turner! I love the cover. Thank you for sharing about it. I will be adding it to my TBR list.
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Thanks for stopping by, Alicia!
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Beach Haven was the first book I read by T. I. Lowe and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am looking forward to this newest release!
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Happy reading!
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Thanks for hosting the tour and introducing me to a new author!
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You’re welcome!
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Wonderful review, Toni! I enjoy Tonya’s stories. I’m excited to read this series. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
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You’re welcome!
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Hooo, the excerpt!!!! Thanx for the giveaway!
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