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Aboard the Wishing Star by Debra Parmley – Review/Excerpt/Giveaway

PLEASE MENTION THE PRIZE THAT THE AUTHOR WILL BE GIVING AWAY:

 

Debra will be awarding a $5 Amazon gift card to one randomly drawn commenter at each stop and a signed print copy of her first book, A Desperate Journey, along with a $5 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour (US ONLY).

 

Aboard the Wishing Star

by Debra Parmley

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BLURB:

When Kara’s, husband is shot and killed in front of her in what she’s told is a random act of violence, she becomes convinced the world is unsafe. Her life is quiet and predictable, until she wins a Caribbean cruise for two and takes along her best friend.

 

On her trip she meets Nate, a scuba dive instructor and ex marine. He’ll teach her to face her fear of deep water and teach her to snorkel. Will Kara learn to trust him with her heart, when she fears this shipboard romance will reach an end and she’ll never see him again, leaving her broken hearted?

 

When Kara’s boss shows up at their first port of call unexpectedly, Nate’s protective nature comes out.

 

Her creepy boss becomes more aggressive after she returns to Ohio and when she calls Nate he gets on the first plane. Can Nate rescue her?

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Excerpt Two:

Calypso music played as the ship eased out of the dock heading for open seas. She could see another ship in the distance, and a third a bit farther out, one following the other like ducks in a row. She was so busy watching, lost in thought she didn’t notice Nate until he spoke.

 

“Alone at last.” Nate’s voice was resonant and sensual, and his words wrapped around Kara as she turned to look at him. He winked at her, climbed into the hot tub, and then sat, leaning his powerful, well-muscled body back against the hot tub. “Did they find your luggage yet?”

 

She tried not to stare at Nate’s bare chest. “No.”

 

“It could be down below clearing customs even as we speak.”

 

“I hope so.”

 

He glanced at her swimsuit.

 

The swimsuit that fit her all too snug.

 

“At least you have a swimsuit. What else do you need on a cruise?” He winked.

 

“Well perhaps a nice dress to wear to dinner.”

 

“I’m sure your luggage will turn up soon.”

 

“I hope so.”

 

“So, we’re sailing on the Wishing Star. Have you made a wish yet?”

 

Was he psychic?

 

She wouldn’t admit she’d wished to see him again tonight.

 

“I made a wish. But I can’t tell you what my wish is.”

 

“Because you’re afraid it might not come true?”

 

“No.” She smiled.

 

“I’ll tell you mine later if it comes true.”

 

“I hope you get your wish.”

 

“And I hope you get every one of yours.”

 

Review: 

If you have never read a Debra Parmley book, shame on you.  Now is the time to get on the bandwagon and read her.  She writes beautifully sensual romances that will make you believe in the power of love.

Today we have her newest that has a touch of suspense in it and it surprised me in the end.  🙂  Yes, her boss was creepy but I had no idea just how creepy he was and his obsession with Kara.  That’s what made him a good “villain” that creepiness factor.

Kara and Nate’s story starts at the beginning of their cruise but doesn’t end until well after.  I appreciated the factor that it wasn’t insta lust/love and that we are treated to watching their relationship develop on the cruise and the excursions that they go on.  Who knew that a coral reef could get any sexier? Not me but I’m a believer now.  Ms. Parmley makes every situation that Kara and Nate are in sensual and believable.

If I had to have one criticism about the book is that I didn’t like Kara’s friend at all.  I would have slapped her upside her head and found somewhere else to stay.  She was nothing but a user and loud mouth.  At first, I thought that she would provide some comfort and companionship to Kara but in the end…she was nothing to me.  I did like Nate’s cousin.  🙂  He was a cutie!

I will not talk about the last 1/4 of the book because you just have to read it to believe it.  It was all kinds of awesome and I never saw it coming.  Truly, I didn’t.  Creepy but believable.  Both Kara and Nate are relatable and believable characters.  At first I thought Nate might be a little too perfect but he had his flaws, too.

I can’t impress upon you my dear readers to pick up Aboard the Wishing Star from Debra Parmley.  She writes believable characters in believable situations.  Nothing is contrived or forced.  Also, come on the cover has Jimmy on it.  🙂  Just saying…

 

 

 

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links: 

 

Debra was born in Columbus, Ohio and raised in Springfield, OH but has lived in the Memphis, TN area since 1997. She attended Marywood University in Scranton, PA and was the first student to win first place in two categories of the Delta Epsilon Sigma Beta Epsilon Chapter writing competition, in creative prose and in informal expository. Her poetry was published in literary journals while attending college.  She holds a BA in English Literature.

 

Debra has traveled extensively and worked as an independent travel consultant for several years. She has visited thirteen countries. She has also worked in banking, newspaper advertising, as city recycling co-coordinator, as an office manager, and as a belly dance instructor.

 

Her first short story, published in the anthology More Monsters From Memphis, was a finalist in the Darrell Awards for best Mid-South short story.

 

Her first novel, A Desperate Journey, a western historical romance, was a finalist in the Bobbi Smith Creative Writing Challenge.  Not long afterward it was a finalist in the American Title II contest.  For those not familiar with the contest, she describes it as similar to the American Idol contest, but for authors. Readers voted online and the prize was a publishing contract. A Desperate Journey was published a year later by Samhain Publishing. Debra’s second western historical romance, Dangerous Ties, was published Feb. 15, 2012 by Desert Breeze Publishing in eBook and will be released in print April, 2013.

 

Aboard The Wishing Star, Debra’s first contemporary romance, was released Oct. 11,  2012 by Desert Breeze Publishing in eBook.

 

Trapping the Butterfly, a 1920’s romance set in Hot Springs, AR will be released April, 11, 2013 by Desert Breeze Publishing in eBook.

 

When not writing, Debra enjoys dancing, primitive archery, medieval reenactment, yoga and traveling.

 

For Debra, writing is about joy. The joy of creation and the joy of connecting with her readers. It is one of her greatest pleasures to hear from her readers. debra@debraparmley.com

 

On her website Debra hosts interviews with male cover models on Cover Model Corner

 

Home

 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Debra-Parmley

 

https://www.facebook.com/debra.parmley

 

https://twitter.com/DebraParmley

 

Buy Links:

 

For Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Aboard-the-Wishing-Star-ebook/dp/B009OX5KN6

 

For Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/aboard-the-wishing-star-debra-parmley/1113367743

 

For ePub: http://www.desertbreezepublishing.com/aboard-the-wishing-star-epub/

 

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-aboardthewishingstar-973773-152.html

 

Book video by Circle of Seven: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EGAtLUcPDo

 

25 thoughts on “Aboard the Wishing Star by Debra Parmley – Review/Excerpt/Giveaway

  1. So glad you enjoyed the novel! I am looking forward to reading it myself. 🙂

    justforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

  2. Thanks for the spotlight and review – this sounds great – and no I haven’t had a chance to read anything by Debra yet…lol

    junegirl63 at gmail dot com

  3. Harlie…You do such a great job on reviews! Debra Parmley is a new-to-me author so shame on me! I’ll definitely have to check her out. Thanks for another recommended read for my TBR pile!
    catherinelee100 at gmail dot com

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