I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
Girl in the Spotlight by Virginia McCullough Published by Harlequin Heartwarming on June 1, 2017
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The daughter they never knew
When Miles Jenkins sees the graceful young figure skater on TV, he can't believe how much she resembles Lark McGee, the girl he dated briefly in college. Could this aspiring star be the child Lark gave up for adoption eighteen years ago? He has to find out.
Locating Lark ignites conflicting emotions in Miles—including regrets for what might have been and romantic feelings that take the two single parents by surprise. As they prepare to meet their daughter, this deeper connection between the two just might be the chance at love they never got.
The meaning of a second chance is personified in Virginia McCullough’s debut Harlequin Heartwarming novel! A yearning … pushed to the wayside. A connection … born, yet not developed. Regret … a daily reminder. Could she truly have a second chance with the daughter she gave away? Is it possible for him to even realize the amount of hope he’s handed her? In this story, we meet a couple who made the young sacrifice to give their child up for adoption, then went their separate ways and developed their own lives after college. We hear the ups and downs of their lives, feel the weight of past decisions and watch them reach their grown up potential before our very eyes. The characters are well developed, their story is well thought out and leads us into the turmoil they are feeling from the first chapter. Ideally I would have wanted the ending to happen earlier in the book so we could have seen a little more of what happened after such a build-up, but overall, a great read and a satisfying resolution!
Happenstance brings a young skater to Miles Jenkins attention. She’s beautiful with coloring similar to his, yet with a grace and familiar attributes that remind him of a girl long ago. Tidbits of her life being talked about by the commentators make him wonder … that face makes him unable to not act … the heaviness in his heart has him reaching out to the one person who will understand.
Lark McGee can’t believe she’s getting a call from Miles after all this time. Is he remembering what day it is too? Hearing his voice and the story he has to tell her is life changing! Meeting up with him again … sharing memories … discussing where life took them … sharing a yearning of what might be. Can life be rewritten when you meet the person at the wrong time once, but the right time later? Can this connection they are feeling be real?
On Tour with Prism Book Tours.
Girl in the Spotlight
by Virginia McCullough
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
June 1st 2017 by Harlequin Heartwarming
The daughter they never knew
When Miles Jenkins sees the graceful young figure skater on TV, he can’t believe how much she resembles Lark McGee, the girl he dated briefly in college. Could this aspiring star be the child Lark gave up for adoption eighteen years ago? He has to find out.
Locating Lark ignites conflicting emotions in Miles—including regrets for what might have been and romantic feelings that take the two single parents by surprise. As they prepare to meet their daughter, this deeper connection between the two just might be the chance at love they never got.
Advanced Praise
Mesmerized by the real world of characters–brought to life beautifully, I found myself entranced by this thoughtful, delightful, sad, and joyous, novel about second chances and all forms of love. The situation, characters, and consequences left me shedding happy tears at the ending. — Casey Clifford, award-winning author
A compelling love story crafted with characters you’ll fall in love with. Miles and Lark’s journey to be reunited with their child captured my heart, as did their blossoming romance. The best book I have read this year! —Lily Silver, author of Dark Hero
McCullough is always adept at creating suspense on multiple levels. In Girl in the Spotlight, the intrigue builds from page one and doesn’t let up until the end. But she understands that readers need relief from tension, and through her masterful storytelling and perfect pacing, McCullough delivers satisfying outcomes along that way. The relationships she’s developed are complex and realistic, and their evolution is deeply satisfying. — Lynda McDaniel, author of A Life for a Life
Girl in the Spotlight swept me away to Wisconsin’s Lake Michigan shore and reminded me of loves left behind. McCullough invokes deep emotions through her writing, which will pull at your heart. More than a romantic love story, it is a love story of parents for their children. A must read.” — Anne Parent, author/reviewer
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About the Author
A writer all her adult life, Virginia McCullough has had the opportunity to write the stories of her heart in her novels, including Girl in the Spotlight, the first book in her Two Moon Bay series for Harlequin Heartwarming. (Book 2 is scheduled for release in January 2018). Her award-winning romance and women’s fiction titles include The Jacks of Her Heart, Amber Light, Greta’s Grace, The Chapels on the Hill, and Island Healing.
Born and raised in Chicago, Virginia has been lucky enough to develop her writing career in many locations, including the coast of Maine, the mountains of North Carolina, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and currently, Northeast Wisconsin. She started her career in nonfiction, first writing articles and then books as a ghostwriter and coauthor. She’s written more than 100 books for physicians, business owners, professional speakers and many others with information to share or a story to tell.
Virginia’s books feature characters who could be your neighbors and friends. They come in all ages and struggle with everyday life issues in small-town environments that almost always include water—oceans, lakes, or rivers. The mother of two grown children, you’ll find Virginia with her nose a book, walking on trails or her neighborhood street, or she may be packing her bag to take off for her next adventure. And she’s always working on another story about hope, healing, and second chances.
Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter
Tour Schedule
June 5th: Launch
June 6th:
Hardcover Feedback
Katie’s Clean Book Collection
RANDIE2436
Christian Suspense Author Mary Alford
June 7th:
Book Lover in Florida
Reading Is My SuperPower
Nicole’s Book Musings
Inside the Mind of an Avid Reader
Becky on Books
June 8th:
Rockin’ Book Review
Mel’s Shelves
A Baker’s Perspective
Harlie’s Books
June 9th:
It’s All About the Romance
Hearts & Scribbles
The Bookworm Chronicles
June 11th:
I Am A Reader
Valerie J. Clarizio, Romance Author
Thoughts of a Blonde
Sylv.net
June 12th: Grand Finale
Tour Giveaway
1st Prize (US only): Tea & Contemplation, a collection of favorite things, starts with an uplifting message from “Seize the Day” Pop Open Cards. Fill a ceramic thermal mug to sip Lavender Chamomile Tea while you contemplate your ideas and dreams. Write your thoughts in a journal, whose guiding words are: When Your Heart Speaks… take good notes! A Wish pen is included. Finally, pick a place to display a large piece of gemmy rose quartz, a stone long linked to matters of the heart. It’s said when rose quartz is nearby, love (of all kinds) comes along to keep it company. These items will be arranged in a “keeper box” and delivered to your door.
2nd Prize (open internationally): You will receive a $35.00 Amazon eGift Card, and a digital copy of GIRL IN THE SPOTLIGHT, plus one digital copy of another of Virginia’s five award-winning novels—it’s your choice.
Ends June 16th
