{"id":40612,"date":"2019-02-26T08:00:40","date_gmt":"2019-02-26T13:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/?p=40612"},"modified":"2019-02-26T05:38:16","modified_gmt":"2019-02-26T10:38:16","slug":"release-blitz-excerpt-arc-review-giveaway-tumble-dogwood-lane-1-by-adriana-locke","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/?p=40612","title":{"rendered":"Release Blitz, Excerpt, ARC Review & Giveaway: Tumble (Dogwood Lane, #1) by Adriana Locke"},"content":{"rendered":"

From USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke comes a witty romance about first love and second chances. This is a standalone, small-town, blue-collar love story.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a> |\u00a0 Audio<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

Free in Kindle Unlimited<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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If you own the ebook, you can add the Audible narration for just $1.99.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Narrated by the talented Aiden Snow and Summer Morton, this audio will rock your socks!<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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\r\n <\/div><\/div><\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Synopsis<\/strong><\/h4>\n

After being burned by her dream job in New York City, sports journalist Neely Kimber suddenly finds herself jobless and paying a long-overdue visit to her hometown in Tennessee. Her plan? Relax, reset, and head back up the corporate ladder. There\u2019s just one unexpected step. Neely\u2019s back in Dogwood Lane for barely a day when she sees the man she ran from nine years ago: the bad boy next door who was her first kiss, her first love, and her first heartbreak.<\/p>\n

Devoted single dad Dane Madden knows he hurt Neely in the worst way. He\u2019s got a lot to make up for. And as passionate as their reconnection is, it\u2019s a lot to hope for. Having her back in his arms feels so right. But falling in love all over again with a woman who wants to live a world away is bound to go so wrong.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s it going to take for Neely to give him\u2014and Dogwood Lane\u2014just one more chance?<\/p>\n

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Review<\/b><\/h4>\n

4.5 sweetly emotional second-chance stars!<\/b><\/p>\n

I love this book! An emotional, gorgeously sweet and chemistry-filled second-chance-romance, it\u2019s a really strong start to a series that I can\u2019t wait to explore further.<\/p>\n

Neely has just been royally shafted for a promotion at work and in well-earned outrage, quit the job she has worked so hard for. Feeling lost and without purpose, she leaves NYC to return to her small home town in Tennessee for a break from her life. It\u2019s a place she hasn\u2019t been to in ten years since her heart was shattered by her first love, and though she\u2019s happy to be reunited with her mother and her childhood friends, she knows that it\u2019s only a matter of time before she is reunited with the cause of all of her heartache \u2013 Dane.<\/p>\n

That reunion comes a whole lot sooner than she was expecting, and holy hell, from the first moment, the chemistry is insane! Dane is now a single father but he clearly never moved on from Neely, and though Neely is still hurt, she can\u2019t help the way she reacts to him either. But the two of them have a messed up past. The true extent of everything that happened between them is revealed slowly, and given that it all ended so badly, there\u2019s a lot for them to work through.<\/p>\n

I broke her heart. I broke her heart in the worst way I could, and the fact she didn\u2019t tell me to fuck right off is more than I really deserve. It\u2019s more than I would\u2019ve given me.<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

But despite all of that, and the pain that they are both clearly in, I had a feeling of excitement about the two of them from the very beginning, and I read with a sense of blissful anticipation of all that is to come.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou hadn\u2019t forgotten about me,\u201d he says. \u201cIf you had, you wouldn\u2019t be reacting like this.\u201d
\n\u201cLike what?\u201d
\n\u201cLike you know just how good it is between us.\u201d
\n\u201cIt <\/i>was good between us,\u201d I admit. \u201cWas being the key term.\u201d
\n\u201cI have a feeling it would be even better these days.\u201d<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It\u2019s a gorgeous reconnection that is sweet and emotional with an underlying intensity, and I loved their slow development from pain and anger to forgiveness, acceptance, understanding and love. The feelings they had for each other never really went away, and it doesn\u2019t take long for everything to resurface, and I loved watching it happen.<\/p>\n

Along the way, we get to meet a fantastic bunch of side characters. Neely and Dane\u2019s friends are a hilarious bunch, and I\u2019m so excited to read more about Matt, Penn, Grace and Claire in future books. And Dane\u2019s daughter, Mia, is an absolute scene stealer! I love her sass and her huge heart, and the relationship she has with her Dad is just gorgeous.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo we have garlic bread?\u201d Mia asks, surveying the kitchen.
\n\u201cDo I ever make spaghetti without garlic bread?\u201d
\nShe eyes me. \u201cWhen you forget to buy it. But I\u2019m not judging you because I can\u2019t feed myself.\u201d<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

But even with all that is happening between them, and all that they are feeling, Neely is only in town for a short visit. And just as she starts to recognise all that she\u2019s left behind and the life she could possibly have, she is given the opportunity of a lifetime back in New York. Will Dane be enough to convince her to stay? Where does her heart truly lie? There are some truly heartwrenching scenes as they figure it all out, and I couldn\u2019t put my kindle down, desperate to see what was going to happen.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know you love us, Neely. I know you love us as much as we love you.\u201d<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This book seems to have some mixed reviews, with people unable to move past their breakup. I\u2019m not judging anybody\u2019s opinions or experiences, but here are my thoughts on the subject – I\u2019m never a fan of the whole \u2018I broke up with you for your own good\u2019 storyline, and there are other factors which lead to Neely and Dane\u2019s break up becoming a major clusterfuck. Dane messed up in an epic way, changing both his and Neely\u2019s lives forever. Was it unforgiveable? For me, no, but it was pretty damn close.

<\/span>Spoiler<\/div>
After breaking up with Neely in order to encourage her to leave for college and make something of her life, Dane got drunk, slept with her best friend and got her pregnant. Ouch!<\/div><\/div>It was bad, and I could completely understand Neely\u2019s pain and why she fled and stayed away for so long, and I actually wouldn\u2019t blame her for avoiding him forever. But I could understand Dane\u2019s reasoning and how things snowballed the way they did \u2013 especially with them both only being teenagers. And I could understand Dane\u2019s feelings on his past \u2013 he\u2019s so incredibly sorry for how much he hurt Neely, but he can\u2019t regret the actions which gave him his daughter. It\u2019s a messed up situation, but it shows the connection between the two of them that they are able to move on from their past and forge a new way forward.<\/p>\n

Life is not about what happens to you, but how you react to it.<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I loved this book, and was hooked from start to finish. I would have liked to have seen more of them actually together and experiencing a relationship as adults \u2013 especially considering the depth of their feelings and the major life decisions which hang on their brief time together. But I thought their reconnection was just gorgeous, and can\u2019t wait to continue on with the series.<\/p>\n

4.5 stars.<\/p>\n

An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.<\/i><\/p>\n

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Dogwood Lane<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"\"\u00a0\u00a0\"\" \u00a0\"\"<\/p>\n

Tumble (#1) <\/strong>(Dane & Neely)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy: \u00a0Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n

Tangle (#2)<\/strong> (Trevor & Haley)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n

Trouble (#3) <\/strong>(Penn & Avery)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Kindle Ebook<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Giveaway<\/strong><\/h4>\n

To celebrate the release of Tumble, 2x winners will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card thanks to Adriana Locke!<\/h4>\n

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

The Escapist Book Blog is not responsible for this giveaway<\/em><\/p>\n

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Excerpt<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Splat!<\/p>\n

The sound of the hammer crushing my thumb\u2014swung with more force than was necessary, to boot\u2014ricochets across the front lawn. The tool falls from my hand, striking against the sawhorse, and flips into the soft grass with a gentle thud.<\/p>\n

\u201cSon of a…!\u201d My hand shakes, the top of my thumb threatening to explode. I tilt my head to the sky and try to find some peace in the clouds.<\/p>\n

I come up empty. \u201cMatt!\u201d I call to my younger brother. \u201cI\u2019m taking ten.\u201d<\/p>\n

He nods from halfway up the ladder leaned against the side of the house.<\/p>\n

Wrapping my good hand around my thumb, I head toward my truck. Sounds of construction ring out behind me. It\u2019s usually music to my ears, the lifeblood of the Madden name. But each cut of a sawblade, buzz of a power drill, and swing of a hammer feels like a distraction this morning. I have a throbbing thumb to show for it.<\/p>\n

Beads of sweat cluster along my forehead. I remove my hat with my good hand and run the back of my forearm along my brow.<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn it.\u201d Everything feels sticky. Mildly irritating. And the progress on the project that usually energizes me has failed me epically this morning. I just don\u2019t want to be here. Not that I have a better place to be. Quite frankly, I have a lot of places I shouldn\u2019t be, and with Neely, or thinking about Neely, is one of them.<\/p>\n

I would\u2019ve recognized her anywhere. Same gray eyes that glimmer like she\u2019s about to tell you a secret. Full lips that spread into a smile so infectious you can\u2019t help but feel your own mouth following suit. The hint of floral perfume, the golden hair that may as well be silk, and the aura about her that\u2019s just as strong as the day she left Dogwood Lane and me\u2014it\u2019s all the same. It\u2019s like time forgot to age her. She somehow has become more beautiful, sexier, stronger.<\/p>\n

The world hates me. I\u2019ve postulated this for a long time, but it\u2019s obvious today.<\/p>\n

The tailgate of my truck lowers. Scooping a handful of ice from the cooler in the bed into a bandanna, I wrap it around my injured digit. The relief lasts only a few moments.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing down here?\u201d Penn rests his forearms over the side of the truck, the tattoos carved in his skin like mini masterpieces on full display. He eyes my makeshift bandage. \u201cWhat happened to you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHammer,\u201d I groan, adjusting the ice.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow you figure?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNever knew you to hit yourself with a hammer before. I find that interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf that\u2019s interesting, you need a hobby. Or you could work like I\u2019m paying you to do . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a hobby, thank you, and you should\u2019ve seen her last night,\u201d he says, smacking his lips together. \u201cLord Almighty, she\u2019s a\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPenn.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah?\u201d<\/p>\n

The tip of my finger sticks out of the bandanna. It\u2019s bright red and hot to the touch despite the ice packed around it. \u201cAll your escapades really sound the same at this point.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that jealousy I hear?\u201d He cups his hand to his ear. \u201cI thought so. Not my fault you\u2019re in a dry spell.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaning against the truck, I look at him. \u201cJealousy isn\u2019t how I\u2019d describe it. But if that makes ya feel good, go for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy hobby makes me feel good.\u201d He moves his lips around, like he\u2019s fighting the next words trying to pop out. He does this when he knows he shouldn\u2019t say something but can\u2019t quite convince himself not to. \u201cFrom the looks of you, I\u2019d say you\u2019re more than jealous. I\u2019d say you\u2019re . . . tempted.\u201d<\/p>\n

My tongue presses on the roof of my mouth. \u201cTempted to what?\u201d<\/p>\n

He leans against the truck, too, the gold St. Christopher\u2019s medal he\u2019s worn since elementary school clamoring against the side. The corners of his lips nearly touch the corners of his eyes. He knows.<\/p>\n

\u201cWord travels fast, huh?\u201d I say, prodding around to see if my guess is right.<\/p>\n

He slow blinks. Twice.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d I ask.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s all you have to say about Neely being back in town? \u2018Word travels fast.\u2019 What\u2019s wrong with you?\u201d<\/p>\n

We don\u2019t have time for that conversation.<\/p>\n

I sigh. \u201cWhat do you want me to say?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d love to have been a fly on the wall for that little run-in.\u201d Penn snickers. \u201cDid you stutter around like I imagine? Or did you not manage to say an entire sentence?\u201d<\/p>\n

Working my jaw back and forth, I point a finger his way. \u201cYou better stop while you\u2019re ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n

He reads me correctly, and his animation drops a notch. \u201cReally, though. How\u2019d it go? But before you answer that, let me toss out there that I heard sparks were flying all over the diner so hot Claire had to call the fire department.\u201d<\/p>\n

I shake my head. \u201cShut up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust telling you what I heard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe firemen were there to order food, you idiot.\u201d<\/p>\n

He thinks he\u2019s onto something. There\u2019s a glee in his face that means only one thing: it\u2019s going to be a long day around here.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, what happened?\u201d he asks, resting his arms over the truck bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, sometimes I think you should\u2019ve been a girl with all the gossiping you do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis isn\u2019t gossip,\u201d he contends. \u201cThis is Neely-freaking-Kimber, man. Every memory I have of my entire adolescence has her in it. She bailed me out of jail when I was too scared to call my dad and you and Matt were passed out on moonshine. Remember that?\u201d<\/p>\n

My chuckle is so hard, it causes my thumb to throb. \u201cI forgot about that. She was pissed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNeely came through, though. God, I miss her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Those last words echo through my mind.<\/p>\n

I have shoved her out of my head for the last few years. Took over Dad\u2019s business, took care of my business. Trudged forward without her because that was the only choice I had. I hardly even think about her anymore unless someone brings her up in conversation.<\/p>\n

So why do I itch to crawl into the truck and hunt her down?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke comes a witty romance about first love and second chances. This is a standalone, small-town, blue-collar love story.     Kindle Ebook\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback |\u00a0 Audio Free in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":40174,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","yasr_overall_rating":4.5,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"Product","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[52,9,24,29],"tags":[763,59,958,48],"class_list":["post-40612","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-romance","category-second-chance-romance","category-steamy","tag-adriana-locke","tag-arc","tag-dogwood-lane","tag-review"],"yasr_visitor_votes":{"stars_attributes":{"read_only":false,"span_bottom":false},"number_of_votes":0,"sum_votes":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Tumble.jpg?fit=200%2C300&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7gaNL-az2","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40612","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=40612"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40612\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/40174"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=40612"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=40612"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=40612"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}