Michelle Sutton is an inspirational author who has written over a dozen novels. When she is not writing, she is working full time as a social worker.
She is also a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, and an avid blogger/book reviewer the rest of the time.
Michelle is the wife of a wonderful man and the mother of two college students. She resides with her family in Arizona.
You can find Michelle online at her website www.michellesutton.net and her blog
www.edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com
Josiah and Tara had enjoyed acting in their high school plays. They had also been each other's first lover... in fact; most of the time they'd spent together had been in Tara's bed. When Josiah became a Christian, he left Tara to go to college and didn't look back.
Four years later, Josiah is back in town when his father has a near-fatal heart attack. When they meet up again they realize how much their separation had hurt each of them. But now Tara is a Christian and is trying to live a life that is pleasing to God.
Josiah wants Tara back, but neither knows how to relate to each other without the physical intimacy they once shared. They are determined to do things right this time, but find it more challenging than they'd anticipated.
Here's an excerpt of First Love:
She hated to spell it out for him, but it seemed necessary to prevent him from getting the wrong idea. "You're here for a haircut. Don't expect more."
Raising his hands in mock surrender, Josiah chuckled, "Whoa, there. I didn't mean anything by it, I swear."
"Good." Grabbing the black cloth to drape over his shirt, she flipped it open and then pointed to the chair. He sat and she tied it around his neck, a stress headache creeping into her head. Irritation shredded her nerves. Rather than sitting, he peered at her with an incredulous look in his eyes.
"Come on," she winced and touched her forehead. "I don't have much time."
"Aren't you gonna..." Josiah pointed at his hair and nodded toward the sink.
"No." She snapped the cloth again. "Just sit."
"But, that's the best part." Ruffling his hair with both hands, he sighed. "All right, but my hair is sweaty and dusty. I think it'll be easier to cut if it's clean first. I'll even pay you extra."
Did he think he could buy her forgiveness?
But he did have a point. Taking in the faint cloud of dust forming beside his head as he ruffled his hair, Tara sighed. She rolled her eyes and pointed at the sink with her elbow. "All right, all right. Just hurry up. I need to get home."
Josiah crept in slow steps and glanced over his shoulder. Tempted to push him along, she refrained, deciding the less hands-on contact she had with him the better. Maybe that was what he wanted. To get her riled. Well, it was working.
The sooner she cut his hair and sent him on his way, the sooner she'd have time to think about what his return to town might mean. While tempted to quit the acting group to avoid seeing him, she refused to run away. Besides, playacting the part of a socialite at special events in town was the only fun hobby she allowed herself. She refused to give up her only link to acting.
No, she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of quitting. She'd keep playing the part and enjoy every minute of it. No man would take the fun out of her life ever again. Not even someone as devastatingly handsome and as important to her as Josiah had once been.
You can purchase First Love from Amazon:
Michelle Sutton is giving away a copy of First Love. To be entered in the book giveaway, leave a comment by Monday, November 1st and check back on Tuesday, November 2nd to see if you've won. You can enter twice--once on this post and once on tomorrow's interview with Michelle. If you want to guarantee that you're notified if you win, then leave your email address in the comment, otherwise, you can just check back and email me through the button in my sidebar.
**Annoying little disclaimer: This giveaway is open only to U.S. addresses. By clicking on the Amazon link above or in the sidebar, and purchasing, I will receive a very small percentage of the sale.
You are correct in saying edgy! This is a very different version of the inspirational stories.
ReplyDeletethis book looks good...look forward to reading it.
ReplyDeletesheree
neednspace at aol dot com
booknroll.blogspot.com
I would like to read this. Thanks.
ReplyDeletepartymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
I haven't read anything by Ms. Sutton, but now that you have brought her to my attention I will be looking for this book.
ReplyDeleteNancy
itchsix@hotmail.com
This book sounds really good. I love reading christian fiction. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI am dying to read this book! Thank you for this giveaway!
ReplyDeleteApril
apeygirl at gmail dot com
This sounds like a good read!
ReplyDeleteCount me in!!!
THANKS:)
charsaltz at yahoo dot com
Michelle is an exceptional writer with insight and wisdom about women's problems that are not really talked about generally. There is purpose in her books, and quite defining with a beautiful Christian answer only God can bring about through his guiding light. I related to the story "Never Without Hope" and it was life changing for me. I recommend Michelle's books to all adult readers, Christian or non-Christian. Thanks for this giveaway of "First Love," and the chance to win it. I haven't read this book yet, so hope I win it.
ReplyDeleteSharing God's Love,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com
I would love to win this book, it's on my to read list.
ReplyDeletesonflower277 at gmail dot com
thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
Enjoyed the excerpt! Lots of tension between those two. You left me wanting to read more.
ReplyDeletecherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com
thanks for the opportunity to read this wonderful novel :)
ReplyDeletekarenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
This sounds awesome. Enter me.
ReplyDeleteTaking another chance to win Michelle's "First Love." Her writings always speak to my heart in a big way. Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win this great book. Sure hope I do!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com
I love the peek at Michelle's book in the book trailer. Sign me up, please!
ReplyDeleteworthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com