Hi, lovelies! It gives me great pleasure today to host Debra
Coleman Jeter and her new book, “Song of Sugar Sands”! For other stops on her Goddess Fish
Promotions Book Tour, please click on the banner above or any of the images in
this post.
Be sure to make it to the
end of this post to enter to win a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card!! Also, come back daily to interact with Debra
and to increase your chances of winning!
This book is on SALE
during the book tour for ONLY $0.99!!!
See below for more details.
Thanks for stopping
by! Wishing you lots of luck in this
fabulous giveaway!
Song of Sugar Sands
by Debra Coleman Jeter
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GENRE: Romance
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BLURB:
A
deeply committed young man falls in love with the beautiful but troubled
Acadia, who knows herself too selfish, too sinful, and too skeptical in her
faith to marry a preacher.
Acadia
Powers nearly lost her faith at an early age due to what she saw as the
hypocrisy of her parents’ generation. In college—where the novel begins—she
meets and falls in love with Peter O’Neil, who is fervent in his faith and
wants to share the good news with the world.
Despite serious doubts about her ability to survive as a preacher’s
wife, Acadia finally agrees to marry Peter. The two embark with high hopes on a
new life in Sugar Sands, Alabama, where Acadia takes a position as a high
school teacher while Peter becomes pastor of a small church. SONG OF SUGAR
SANDS recounts Acadia’s struggle to come to terms with issues of faith, while
also telling the story of Peter and Acadia’s falling in love and the traumatic
first year of their marriage. When one of her students attempts suicide after
confiding her problems in Acadia, and a new friend and mentor, Beatrice Wood,
reveals that she has terminal cancer, Acadia almost quits. Can she reach deep enough inside, or beyond
herself, to find what she needs to keep on trying, or has she made too many
mistakes already?
Additional Info on Song of Sugar Sands:
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EXCERPT THREE:
Malibu, California
My
acne finally cleared up about the time I started college. By junior year, I had
come into myself, into my comfort zone so to speak, and was having the time of
my life. Or so I told myself. Then I met Peter. Something about him jarred me
out of this zone so completely that, try as I might, I simply could not find my
way back.
The
first time I saw him, I was at an off-campus party. Bored, I looked around for
a cute guy to talk to. With his long blonde hair, intense green eyes, and
especially the way he laughed—as if all the joy of the universe radiated from
him—he certainly fit the bill.
I
made my way across the room toward him. The record player blasted “We are the
Champions” by Queen. Pretty coeds in miniskirts and wedge-heeled boots or knee
socks were everywhere. Peter was absorbed in conversation with a classmate of
mine named Greg and paid me no attention as I edged into his path of vision.
I’d
recently learned the power of eye contact, having gained enough self-confidence
to take risks—once my acne cleared up. Today, though, not only Peter, but Greg
as well, seemed oblivious to my approach.
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MY BOOK REVIEW:
This book took me on a
roller-coaster of emotions!!!
This book was an engaging, graceful, romantic,
realistic, refined, enlightening, intriguing, and warmhearted read!!!
This
is the second book I’ve read from the talented writer, Debra Coleman Jeter. Earlier this year, I read, reviewed, and
blogged about her book, “Joy After Noon,” which is Book One in The Sugar
Sands Book Series and I absolutely loved it!!
So, I was thrilled to get the chance to read her latest work, “Song of Sugar
Sands,” which is Book Two in the same book series.
This
book focuses on Acadia, "Cadi," a not-so religious college student who marries Peter, a
soon to be preacher. They meet at a
college party and instantly hit it off. Both
are clear on their sides of religion and reasons why, but both are quickly
falling for each other. Will Acadia be
able to become a preacher’s wife? Does
she have what it takes to help lead a congregation? There is so much more to this book and you
will definitely want to check it out to find out what happens next!
I
really enjoyed the main characters, Acadia and Peter. They were both very likable and genuine
characters. I loved how opposite they were
in so many ways, yet so alike in others.
It really made them seem so raw, realistic, relatable, and
well-developed. I enjoyed their witty back
and forth banter and how passionately heated their conversations got and how
much they believe in what they support and stand for and are willing to defend
for those principles.
This book is so beautifully
told in a mannerism that allows the reader to get fully immersed and invested
in the story and the outcome of the characters.
I
also really enjoyed the supporting characters.
I seriously wanted to hug Beatrice and Sybil! I love that Debra Coleman Jeter, wrote characters
that I was able to emotionally connect to, relate to, sympathize with, and want
more than ever for their story to end happily ever after.
A strong character
development journey to root for and enjoy watching it unfold!
I
grew up in a strong Christian family-value home and we went to church every Sunday, Bible Study
on Wednesdays, and as I got older, I even taught Sunday School. But, like most folks, when something really bad
happens it is hard to keep your faith and when my mom was diagnosed with cancer
for the second time – it just seemed impossible to continue to believe that
this was meant to happen for a reason.
So, I
was able to connect with Acadia about having a struggling relationship with God. It’s hard to see the big picture when you see
someone you love, like Acadia’s friend, Beatrice, getting diagnosed
with cancer. It's impossible to understand why this is all happening to them. Or, when Acadia’s student, Sybil, comes to her
for help and tells her about her terrible home life. Acadia can’t fathom why God would put
such good people through these kinds of pains and troubles?
I
think many of us, have all had these doubts and questions at one point or another and will be able to
easily connect with the characters and this book. It helps me knowing that others too, sometimes struggle, and aren’t always as firm in their beliefs as Peter is.
I
also enjoyed the other main theme in this book, about the workings of a newlywed
couple. Over the course of the book, you
start to see Acadia and Peter’s relationship start slipping apart with him caught
up with writing his sermons and leading his congregation, and her focused-on
lesson plans and grading papers. It’s
not hard to get caught up in everyday life and the romantic essence start to
dwindle down. I enjoyed them noticing this
and trying to find ways to bring the honeymoon back and not loose each
other. It was interesting to see a newly
married couple have their ups and downs and fight to keep their love, passion,
commitment, and devotion to each other.
Additional strong themes that I enjoyed was the acceptance, forgiveness, and non-judgmental alliance which allows Acadia to open up about her religious upbringing struggles and lean on her husband and fellow congregants for support.
Again, I would like to
point out that I really liked the character arc development as I felt both
Acadia and Peter had quite a bit of growing and maturing to do at the beginning
of the book. And, it was quite impressive
to see their development and success together at the end.
This book has a creative story line with well executed plot points,
fantastic writing style with detailed scenes, relatable characters, is evenly
paced, and keeps you fully engaged and entertained.
This book contains
strong Christian values and religious inspirational messages. This book includes Bible verses, Bible
references, and prayers.
This book is book two
of the Sugar Sands Book Series. It can
be read as a standalone.
The author states that she wrote “Song of Sugar Sands,” first but released “Joy After Noon,” as the first book. However, “Song of Sugar Sands,” is set in the 1970's and “Joy After Noon,” is set in the 1980's. Therefore, “Song of Sugar Sands,” would technically and chronologically come first. Sounds a bit confusing, but after reading both books I didn’t get lost. There is character and story line overlap, but it didn’t appear backwards or that I had read them out of order even though they were released that way. So, in conclusion and in my opinion, both books can be read on their own and in any order.
All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and would
absolutely recommend it! I think all
contemporary romance and romance readers will like this book, too – especially fans
of inspirational fiction books! So, add
it to your TBR List and get to reading - you won't be disappointed!
**Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an
honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations.**
Did you find this review helpful?
If so, please, please, please mark it as
helpful on Amazon here:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/review/R3E4A1P1OSBCTX
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AUTHOR BIO:
A
Professor Emerita at Vanderbilt University, Debra Coleman Jeter has
published in popular magazines, including Working Woman, New Woman, Self, Home
Life, Savvy, Christian Woman, and American Baby. Her first novel, The Ticket,
was a finalist in two categories for a Selah Award. Her short story,
“Recovery,” won first prize in a competition sponsored by Christian Woman; and
her book “Pshaw, It’s Me Grandson” was a finalist in the USA Book News Awards.
She is a co-writer of the screenplay for Jess + Moss, a feature film which
premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, screened at nearly forty film
festivals around the world, and captured several international awards.
She
loves to be in the water—whether snorkeling, water skiing, boogie boarding, or
just floating around—which may explain the setting for her newest series. Her
family suspects her of being selkie. The Sugar Sands novels are set in a small
beach community in LA (lower Alabama). Each book in the series stands alone.
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CONNECT WITH DEBRA:
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Additional Info on Song of Sugar Sands:
Additional Info on all of Debra Coleman Jeter’s Books:
BookBub Author Page:
Goodreads Author Page:
Goodreads Book Page:
Amazon Author Page:
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AMAZON BOOK BUY
LINKS & BOOK SALE INFO:
**Song of Sugar Sands is on SALE during the book tour for ONLY
$0.99!!!**
Amazon Kindle eBook:
Amazon Paperback:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY INFO:
Debra will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to
a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.
**This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a
purchase is made, I may receive a small commission to help support this
blog. This does not cost you anything,
it just helps pay for all those awesome giveaways on here.**
Debra ~ Good morning! Welcome back! It is so great to have you here again! Congrats on your new book and good luck on the book tour! I really enjoyed reading and reviewing your book, thanks for providing the copy! :)
ReplyDeleteAlly,
DeleteThank you so much for this detailed and insightful review. It means so much to me to hear from readers who relate to my characters. I appreciate your support and hosting on the website today.
Thank you for hosting today.
ReplyDeleteDid you help design the cover?
ReplyDeleteThank you. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteThanks to all who comment today.
ReplyDeleteYes Bernie, I was very much involved in the cover design with the fabulous Derinda Babcock, who also did the cover for "Joy After Noon". The photo is one of a set of engagement photos of my daughter, Tracy, and my now son-in-law, Jared. The photo set was taken near Los Angeles by my son Clay, a then budding film director, and his friend Will Basanta, a then budding cinematographer. Both have gone on to make a name for themselves in that industry. My daughter and her family have relocated back to Middle Tennessee. While we were looking on websights for images to reflect a young couple in a beach setting, my husband and I were inspired to look for the group of engagement photos and found one that fit perfectly.
ReplyDelete:-)
DeleteSounds like a great read.
ReplyDeleteWhat authors do you enjoy reading?
ReplyDelete