Today we welcome Sara Arden and the TLC End of Summer Blog Tour to the Romance Dish.
Sara Arden has always been fascinated by things better left in the dark. She wrote her first story after watching The Exorcist at a slumber party. Like all writers, Sara's held a variety of jobs from an operations supervisor to a corrections officer. But as Hemingway said, "Once writing has become your major vice and greatest pleasure, only death can stop it." So she traded in her cuffs for a keyboard and is married to her very own Prince Charming. Sara joins us today with a true story of summer lovin'. Welcome, Sara!
A True
Story of Summer Lovin’
by Author Sara Arden
by Author Sara Arden
There was a boy.
Isn’t
there always? But it’s the summer I’ll never forget.
He
was tall and muscled; his skin had this surreal golden glow from being outside
on the boat all day fishing and water-skiing. His hair fell just over his
shoulders in that swoop that only rebellious young men seem to acquire.
He
was a rebel without a cause—and as an adult, I can say mostly without a clue. He
wore a leather jacket with no shirt, all so we could bask in the glow of his
golden chest, and ripped jeans that were slung low on his hips, giving us a
prime view of abs of the gods. We won’t even talk about his oblique muscles.
I
was fifteen and I’d decided he was the one. Not my forever, because I wanted to
explore the world, travel, meet tons of new people from different places. I
wanted my forever to be one of those people. But the one, this guy, I wanted
him to be my first experience. All well and good, but for someone who could
read about it but couldn’t talk about it…that would be interesting.
Our
grandparents were friends. His grandpa lived across from my grandma and he
allowed us to use his dock for lake access.
The
whole summer I kept trying to work up the nerve to tell him. We spent almost
every day together because his grandpa loved me. Told me I was “good for the
boy” because he’d been in a bit of trouble and his grandpa thought I was a good
girl. Wouldn’t let him take the truck anywhere unless he took me, too. (I
learned how to drive that truck down dirt roads going one hundred miles per
hour, and flipped it muddin’, and Grandpa never said a word about it. But he’d
slip me a beer now and again, too.)
We
were in that truck and The Boy had just cracked another dirty joke and I’d
punched him for the fortieth time that day. He was developing a bruise. I told
him it would be something for him to remember me by.
He
pulled the truck over and turned it off. He looked me straight in the eyes and
told me if I wanted him to remember me I should sleep with him.
Hope,
fear, joy, confusion—it all welled up inside of me like a fountain. I didn’t
have to figure out how to tell him. He did it for me. But instead of saying
yes, I told him that I was pretty sure he’d remember me longer if I didn’t.
I
was so mad at myself at the time for saying that. I tried to backpedal the
night before I left. I went over to see him and he’d been working out…muscles
bulging, body slick with sweat. He hugged me and told me I was right—that he’d
remember me forever and he was glad.
He
wasn’t the one and I’m glad, too. I think I remember him because we didn’t. I
remember his face more clearly that summer in sharper definition than I
remember the one where the big it did
happen.
What
about you? Do you have any memories of summer loves? Share with me in the comments
below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Finding Glory
a Rafflecopter giveaway
By Sara Arden
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: HQN Books (May 26, 2015)
Once upon a time, he was just a hopeless cause from the wrong
side of Glory, Kansas. And he’ll be damned if he’ll let anyone drag him back
down after finally clawing his way out.
Everyone knows that Gina Townsend is a saint, always taking care
of everyone around her. And now she’s trying to be a mother to her six-year-old
niece, Amanda Jane. But the girl’s biological father isn’t helping matters. The
scruffy, gangly boy Gina remembers has returned to Glory a sexy, successful
man, but Reed Hollingsworth is the only thing standing between her and losing
Amanda Jane to foster care.
Betrayed that neither Townsend sister bothered to tell him he
was a father until he had money, Reed’s still not about to shirk his
responsibilities. So when he demands Gina move in with him as part of Amanda
Jane’s custody agreement, he tries not to notice pretty much everything about
her—especially the way his solemn-faced daughter laughs when they play
together.
Raising a child together, Reed and Gina learn that some dreams
come and go, but some are a spark that burns eternal…
Purchase Links
Want
to keep up with Sara? Subscribe to her newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/brHv3L or connect with her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SaraArdenBooks, and www.saraarden.com.
END OF SUMMER BLOG TOUR GIVEAWAY DISCLOSURE:
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER. Purchase or acceptance of a product offer does not improve your chances of winning. Sweepstakes opens 8/3/2015 at 12:01 AM (EDT) and closes 9/1/2015 at 11:59 PM (EDT). Enter online athttps://www.rafflecopter.
OTHER TOUR STOPS:
Monday, August 3rd: Reading Reality – Lauren Dane guest post, “Hurley Family Summer Itinerary“
Monday, August 3rd: Reading Reality – review – Back to You
Wednesday, August 5th: The Sassy Bookster – Janice Maynard guest post, “Sock it To Me Cake“
Wednesday, August 5th: The Sassy Bookster – review – Second Chance With The Billionaire
Friday, August 7th: The Bookish and the Romantic – Sara Arden guest post, “Lemonade,” and review – Finding Glory
Friday, August 7th: The Sassy Bookster – review – Finding Glory
Monday, August 10th: A Chick Who Reads – Christie Ridgway guest post, “Summer Crushes“
Monday, August 10th: Romance Novels for the Beach – review of Taking the Heat
Wednesday, August 12th: Urban Girl Reader – Victoria Dahl guest post, “Summer Adventure“
Wednesday, August 12th: The Sassy Bookster – review – Taking the Heat
Friday, August 14th: From the TBR Pile – Back to You excerpt
Friday, August 14th: The Sassy Bookster – review – Back to You
Monday, August 17th: Mignon Mykel {Reviews} – Jill Sorenson guest post, “A Sexy End-of-Summer Bucket List“
Wednesday, August 19th: Snowdrop Dreams – Janice Maynard guest post, “Summer Vacation“
Friday, August 21st: Read Love Blog – review – Back to You
Monday, August 24th: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers – Christie Ridgway guest post, “Romantic Summer Dates“
Monday, August 24th: The Sassy Bookster – review – Can’t Fight This Feeling
Tuesday, August 25th: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers – review – Can’t Fight This Feeling
Wednesday, August 26th: Read Love Blog – Victoria Dahl guest post, “Summer Fling Cocktail Recipe“
Thursday, August 27th: A Chick Who Reads – reviews of Finding Glory, Can’t Fight This Feeling, Taking the Heat
Friday, August 28th: Romance Novels for the Beach – Jill Sorenson guest post, “Virtual Motorcycle Road Trip“
Friday, August 28th: The Sassy Bookster – review – Riding Dirty
Sunday, August 30th: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers – review – Finding Glory
Date TBD: Mignon Mykel {Reviews} – reviews of all 6
My favorite part to the end of summer is the cooler weather....windows open air off.
ReplyDeleteThe past few days it's been cool enough to open the windows in the early morning. I have to close up and turn on the a/c by around 10 am but the feel and smell of autumn is in the air!
DeleteMe too. I love the fall. When it's time for hot tea, more fresh air and the scent of burning leaves. One of my heroes under my paranormal pen name smells like burning leaves, I love it so much.
DeleteHi Sara! Thanks so much for visiting with us today.
ReplyDeleteAh, summer loves. I was a couple months shy of my 16th birthday; sitting with two friends at our high school's graduation ceremony when we were joined by the cousin of one of the friends. He was 18, newly graduated, from Texas and had just arrived to spend the summer with his grandparents in our small Michigan town. My friend's older sister (graduating that night) had already picked out the friend she was going to fix him up with but all it took was one look and he and I both knew there would be no one else for either of us. We were inseparable the entire summer. Alas, reality reinserted itself when he returned to Texas for college at the end of the summer and we went on with our separate lives. He returned a few summers later and we tried dating but we had both changed too much for it to work. Still, I'll always have the sweet memories of that one perfect summer with my first love.
That's a lovely story. The best part about first loves.
DeleteI used to hate the end of summer because it meant "back to school." Now that I am a retired teacher, I like the end of summer because it means that the temps will start cooling off.
ReplyDeleteI do remember summer loves, but they are a distant memory now. Mostly I just remember the emotions of a summer romance.
I'm sure there are many teachers who share those feelings, Cheryl! The end of summer was always bittersweet for me. There was the sadness of saying goodbye to all the summer kids on my street whose families returned to the city and bidding farewell to swimming and boating activities on the lake as temperatures cooled. On the other hand, I loved the changing of the leaves, I was one of those weird kids who enjoyed school and always looked forward to returning in September and, of course, football! Friday night lights and college football Saturdays. I'm pretty sure the first song I learned to sing was a college fight song. ;-)
DeleteNo summer love stories - I met my husband in high school and we've been together ever since. I really don't like to see summer ending because I know winter isn't far behind.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, catslady. When I was a kid I loved knowing winter was on the horizon because it meant ice skating, sledding and all kinds of fun. Then I grew up.
DeleteThe end of summer means the cool crisp air and nice outdoor temperatures. My local grocery store already put out the holiday cinnamon pine cones.
ReplyDeleteI love the smell of cinnamon!
Deletefall leaves
ReplyDeleteThe end of summer means I can now sit out on my patio. During the summer it is above 90 with heat indexes in the 100's. Unfortunately the humidity never really goes away.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to those days, Pamela. We've had a few mornings when it's been cool enough to sit out there but it will be a while yet before it's cool all day.
DeleteAutumn is my favorite time of the year and the end of summer means autumn is on its way, so yay!
ReplyDeleteI've had a great summer but, like you, autumn is my favorite. It won't be long now! :)
DeleteSummer is my favorite season when it goes I am sad I absolutely hate the cold weather and this year and last we had a lousy summer temperature wise....
ReplyDeleteSo sorry you haven't had good summers lately. It's been a hot one here. I've enjoyed lots of pool time but I'm starting to get itchy for autumn weather.
DeleteNo summer stories as interesting as your's, Sara. :-)
ReplyDeleteI do love summer even though it gets stupid hot here in Texas. I do enjoy being able to get out and do more things during spring and fall. The spring wildflowers are beautiful and because of them, spring is my favorite time of the year. :-)
I've seen many photos of the spring wildflowers in Texas. Small wonder it's your favorite season, Glenda!
DeleteNo great summer stories!
ReplyDelete...
I'm more of a fall gal ;-)
So does that mean you have great fall stories? ;-)
DeleteNo summer loves here. I worked every summer and didn't have time for much else. I had an infatuation with a guy one summer and we did go out, sort of once, but he wasn't serious about getting to know me, just scoring, so that killed things pretty quickly.
ReplyDeleteI think we've all met that guy at least once in our lives, librarypat.
DeleteNo summer loves. There is nothing I like about the end of summer. Cold weather coming, and have to be wearing more clothes.Thanks for lmk about the new Arden book. Love that series.
ReplyDeleteLADbookfan
I don't have any great summer stories, but I do enjoy this time of the year. I love getting outside and doing things. Entering under the name of Virginia
ReplyDeleteAt 16 NI had a big time crush which I thought was love on my brothers 20 year old friend who was home on leave from the Navy. He was gorgeous in his white uniform. Sadly he crushed my heart when he asked my brother to introduce him to our cousin. First loves :) End of summer means Fall with beautiful smells and tons of fresh air. No scorching temps & that is the best.
ReplyDeleteCarol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
At 16 NI had a big time crush which I thought was love on my brothers 20 year old friend who was home on leave from the Navy. He was gorgeous in his white uniform. Sadly he crushed my heart when he asked my brother to introduce him to our cousin. First loves :) End of summer means Fall with beautiful smells and tons of fresh air. No scorching temps & that is the best.
ReplyDeleteCarol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
Thanks for being a part of the tour!
ReplyDelete