Wednesday 23 March 2016

Release Day Blitz & Review ~ Desperately Seeking Epic by BN Toler


Title: Desperately Seeking Epic
Author: B N Toler
Release Date: March 23, 2016

Add it to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1ZnZWYp


Book Description:

Paul James loved Clara Bateman.

Hating her would have been easier.

She was the past, and he was hell-bent on keeping her there.

Or so he thought...



Craigslist Ad: DESPERATELY SEEKING EPIC

You’re my father.

I don’t know much about you. I know your name is Paul James, you’re a thrill seeker, and once upon a time you did stunts and people called you ‘Epic.’

I’ve been told you don’t know about me. That it’s complicated.

But for me it’s simple.

Here’s the thing: I’m twelve years old…and I’m dying.

And as much as this could crush my mother, I have to meet you before I go.

In time, I’m sure she’ll understand. She’s still in love with you.

So, Epic, if you read this, please come back. You don’t have to be my dad. You don’t even have to tell me you love me or you’re sorry. Just come see me.

Patiently waiting, but running out of time,

Neena 


Buy Links:

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1pH8I7Y


Our Review:

Reviewed by Donna ~ 4.5 stars
***ARC received for an honest review***


“You are my most epic adventure, princess.”


A synopsis like this is like crack to an emotional reader like me. I crave those tear jerkers, call me weird but they are my favourite reads. Something about connecting to characters on such a deep level just resonates with my reading heart and while I did shed quite a few tears there were a lot more laughs.

The way this story was told was absolutely beautiful, a novel way of telling a life story of two people who created one of the cutest, strongest, most lovable little girls I have ever read about. For a twelve-year-old girl Neena had a wise head on her shoulders and while her parent’s relationship never stood the test of time she knew that her Mum still loved her Dad, even thirteen years later. Now extremely sick she wants to bring them back together and so she turns to Craigslist.


“Life’s too short to be subtle.”


Paul James has not been heard from for thirteen years, he has a daughter he doesn’t know exists and she desperately wants to meet him before she dies. Her Craigslist ad goes viral and news and TV outlets are out pouring their support and airtime. Neena’s mum, Clara, has one last idea to try and lure Paul back and it works…she desperately hopes he is a match. Clara knows it is going to be difficult when she comes face to face with Paul, he broke her heart and despite her misgivings she knows that Neena needs this and just maybe he may hold the key to the slimmest of chances.

My heart broke for Paul, it is obvious that in the last thirteen years his attitude has changed and he sees life differently but he is still the adrenaline junkie he has always been. Even though the sky diving business had always been his home he had nomadic feet, he would always just disappear for a month or so at the drop of a hat and go on another one of his epic adventures, but he always came back…until he didn’t. He missed twelve years of Neena’s life, he is upset and angry but most of all he jumps into fatherhood like a duck to water, the relationship he builds with Neena is epic.

Through a seventeen-year-old budding journalist Clara and Paul relive their lives and soon old memories lead to second chances and new beginnings, neither have lost that love for one another and it pained me that as usual misunderstandings cause the biggest of chasms for so many people.


“I’m sitting in front of the pimple committee, about to recount my past
“You seem nervous…”
“Do I?””


This was more than a book about a sick child, this was a book about second chances, that soul mate love that never leaves and just needs a little spark to reignite. A love that despite thirteen years apart was ever present. I loved the way the author re-told their history, how Clara came to own half a sky diving business and how a love/hate relationship finally kindled and then was painfully extinguished before it had the chance to really ignite.


“Look at me. I fucked up,” he rasps. “I know it. I’ve always known it. But I did love you, and I’ve never stopped. Hate me for leaving. Hate me for being a dick. But don’t hate me because I didn’t love you.”


“He’s getting to me. I’m officially in the vortex of the suck.”


With some amazing side characters that will steal your heart, BN Toler brings together a story that despite the undercurrent of doom and gloom will have you laughing out loud and have tears running down your cheeks for a multitude of reasons, I had tears of laughter and tears of sadness. I sped through this book, frantically page turning to find out how Clara and Paul came to be and I didn’t want their journey to end. What initially I thought would be a book that would be destroy me ended up being a book that uplifted me more and while I would have loved a different ending, the ending we were given was the right one. A beautiful story for a beautiful little girl.

About the Author:


B N Toler lives in Virginia. When she's not reading and writing, she's thinking about reading and writing. Before she became a self-proclaimed writer, she worked as a real estate agent and as an orthodontic technician. **She will notice your teeth before your eyes or hair or anything.**

She enjoys shopping (way too much) and is on a first name basis with several employees at the local Target in her town. 

She loves music,(bluegrass, country, 80's, actually she loves most music ~her favorite song is American Pie by Don McLean and she worships anything that is Elvis and Johnny Cash and Eric Church) dancing, (even though she sucks at it)reading, writing, eating (too much) sleeping late, (which she rarely gets to do) and laughing. If you can make her laugh, she will love you forever.

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