Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for the purpose of review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I am not responsible for the giveaway or distribution of prize.
Recently, I read a book that really surprised me. I started reading David’s Song late in one evening and was taken with the characters and writing. David’s Song is the debut novel from the author A.R. Talley and is the first in a trilogy. It was published in 2010.
Synopsis
Annie only ever really loved two men in her life. One broke her heart, the other married her. Four children and fifteen years later, Annie’s marriage is in jeopardy. Money is tight and her husband questions the very foundation of their relationship. When Annie is unexpectedly given the opportunity to see the young man who broke her heart — a man who is now a megastar in the music industry — Annie is faced with choices. Choices that will determine what is of more value — a second chance at lost love and unfulfilled dreams or commitment, trust, and love built on years of experience.
A psychologically subtle, yet compelling tale about how the instinct and need for love overcomes self-doubt and personal inadequacy.
Buy David’s Song
Excerpt
I smiled sadly. “I thought that, too. I thought that night that maybe you were thinking of me differently. But then . . .”
“Then I made a mess of everything,” he said, his face reflecting the sadness I was feeling. “Things surely would be different now.”
“Maybe,” I said. “We don’t really know what would’ve happened.”
“Jeremy would have sent his henchmen after me.”
I laughed gently. “Jeremy never had any henchmen.”
“Is he sending them now?” David asked, a little more seriously.
“No.”
He reached over and took my hand in his, gently stroking the top of my knuckles with his thumb. I looked down at our hands. His was warm and comforting. I lifted my eyes again to meet his. They were tender and searching.
“So, Annie, why did you come back?” he asked.
I bit my lower lip and then swallowed with difficulty. “Because I couldn’t leave without seeing you again.” My voice cracked with emotion.
“I’m glad you came,” he said. “You know I didn’t—I don’t want you to leave—ever.” He reached up and brushed a stray curl from my cheek. His touch made me shiver.
“Ever is an awfully long time,” I said.
“Not long enough as far as I’m concerned.”
I had no idea how to respond to him. He tentatively stroked my cheek again. I reached up and took his hand in mine and our eyes locked.
“May I kiss you?”
My Thoughts (possible mild spoilers)
This is the first in the books I mentioned yesterday that deal with a troubled marriage. Where yesterday’s book I could not relate to, sadly I was able to relate to David’s Song and the trouble between Annie and Jeremy. Fighting over money and fighting just to fight are both issues that this couple face. Set out on a trip she feels guilty for going on (due to finances), Annie struggles with her emotions when she sees David again. I say again because she had a love/lust relationship with him in college. I felt for Annie during this book but she also infuriated me. I felt she was “playing with fire” so often, even in her college time and I wanted to close my Kindle and take a break. I couldn’t understand where her mind was and what she was doing.
I also felt for David but not in the same way. David was controlled… by his mom, by his girlfriend, by his career. He needed to get a grip and take control of his own life. Sadly, by the time he decides to do that, it is probably too late. I wanted him to fail in his attempts to woo Annie, to be honest. She is a married woman!! Yeah, they have problems but I felt he was a complete jerk to try to gain her trust and love again knowing that she is married. Happily or not is not the question. He should have kept his hands and thoughts off when it came to her.
Jeremy upset me often in this book. He is portrayed as someone who will give and do anything for Annie as long as she is happy. But, in the end I don’t think he accomplished that well. She was in a relationship with someone who wouldn’t talk to her… literally. How can you expect a relationship to get better if there is no communication? He said it was because they needed a break and fighting over the phone wasn’t healthy… which I agree. But, even when Annie needed him, he turned his back on her.
While I was happy with how the story ended, I am a bit upset after reading the sneak for book 2. I love my HEA and I am in serious fear that we won’t get it with this couple.
Finally, Annie’s friends… one I loved and the other I wanted to reach through my Kindle and punch in the face. Carolyn is a good friend to Annie. She is there for her as a friend should be. She supports her and her decisions, while giving advice, and even if she doesn’t agree. Emily is not a good friend, in my opinion. She seemed to have an ulterior motive during the whole book and that was not in loyalty to Annie but to Jeremy. She says she cares about them both but I really did not get the feeling. I hated Emily and felt Annie a better person than I would be because I would have walked away and never spoke to her again knowing what Annie does.
I gave this book a solid 4 stars. It was engaging and the characters were developed well throughout. I think the pace was a bit off at times (like I wanted it to move along faster) but overall, I was very pleased with it. I was crying big ugly tears at the end and am looking forward to the next book. I definitely recommend this book if you are looking for a “clean” romance… you won’t find all the s-e-x that is in so many romances nowadays. You will find a love story, a lust story, and a beautiful piece of women’s fiction.
About A.R. Talley
April R Talley was born and raised in the Rubber City, Akron, Ohio in 1959. She is the youngest of six children. She attended Brigham Young University for a time, but withdrew to work fulltime for Osmond Productions in Orem, Utah as a member of The Osmond production staff. After a brief stint working in television, she returned to Akron to finish her education. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Mass Media Communications in 1981. April later worked as vice president and part owner of a dance and sportswear boutique. Married in 1982, she is the proud mother of seven children and is deeply involved in volunteer work for her church. April spends her time working on future projects, caring for home and family, and traveling. David’s Song is her debut novel and the first of a trilogy.
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Simi says
Thanks for the giveaway.