Feisty Girls Book Blog: Blog Tour ~ Running Home by T.A. Hardenbrook

Synopsis:

Carmen always had a wild streak about her while growing up in this small town. Everyone use to say her only saving grace in this world was her best friend Walker who tried to keep the flighty girl grounded. But life was too big for her to live in this one stop light kind of town; she had dreams and wants that could take her anywhere but staying there. Anything was better than being stuck in the perpetuating cycle of being born and dying in this hell hole she called the reality of a small town girl.

Walker was the only anchor that could hold her home, she lived for that boy. So how do you explain to someone that staying there would only suffocate the possibilities of making a better life for oneself? Running away was the only option, and leaving a piece of her heart with him would keep her strong out in the real world, at least she hoped it would.

After years of trying to make it on her own, struggling through life and trying to stay clean, the only reality she sees at surviving now is going back to the place she tried so hard to break free from. Unsure if her old life is willing to accept the choices she has made, the lone thought that matters to her is hoping she still has the only man she has counted on her entire life in her corner. You can always go home, but will they be willing take you back?

~Meli’s Review~

We meet Carmen and Walker during their last week of highschool. Carmen is a spunky girl wants out of the small town and Walker is the total country boy never plans on leaving their small town. The only issue with that is they both love each other and neither one want to tell the other.
Carmen leaves the small town literally hours after graduation. Walker goes though the police academy and becomes and officer in his home town.

The book goes over a course of 6 years. Alternating from Carmens point of view to Walkers. Each one moving on with their lives and each one having to deal with heartbreak.

The author did an amazing job with keeping me guessing, keeping me wanting more and making sure I have tissues when I needed them.
Walker to me is the perfect man. His country ways and manors are just down right hot and sexy. His love for Carmen never goes away. Not saying he didn’t try but end the end his heart belonged to Carmen.

Carmen herself went through so much in her 6 years away and never stopped loving Walker. When she needed him the most he came for her. He helped her recover and their love grew stronger even with her doubts that she isn’t good enough for him.

Through everything that happened with them and all the devastation Carmen and Walker showed that no matter what once you find your soul mate you will always find your way back to them and that true love can conquer all.

I give this amazing story 5 humongous stars

~Joni’s Review~

Carmen couldn’t wait to get out of there one red-light town and move on to Los Angeles and see her name in lights. She hated everything about her hometown. Except Walker. She knew she had to get out and that he never wanted to leave so she would have to leave him behind.

I fell in love with Walker right off. What’s not to love about a southern gentleman, even at eighteen, who loves his best friend Carmen unconditionally. He saw the real Carmen and not the persona she put on for everyone else.

The closer it got to graduation, Walker started to try to distance himself to prepare for her departure. When the day came and they were finally graduates he thought he had a few days left to change her mind.

He was wrong. My first heartbreak for Walker.

Carmen finds life isn’t as easy as she thought it would be in the big city. She didn’t regret leaving her small town though she knew that soon enough she’d fulfill her dreams.

Walker proceeds on with his life after Carmen. He goes on to the Academy and joins the Sherriff’s dept. like he always wanted. He still hadn’t moved on from Carmen though.

That is until he sees a broken down car on the side of the road and he meets Sadie.

Another year passes and Carmen is finally making a name for herself. Even though it’s not quite what she wants.

Then again my heart breaks for Walker.

Over the first four years Carmen was gone so much happens in her life until ultimately her life spirals completely out of her control. She finds herself somewhere she never thought she’d be.

Almost two years later she places a call that she never thought she would.
Like the best friend that he is Walker is there for her in a heartbeat. It’s time to go home.

The author did an amazing job with this story. I was drawn in to their lives immediately and fell in love with Walker a little with every chapter. Every one needs someone in their lives they can depend on and Carmen was lucky she had that. The issues that were faced in here where very real issues and to see how it would all turn out had a huge smile on my face.

I absolutely LOVED this book and cannot wait to see what TA brings us next.

I also give Running Home 5 Humongous Stars!!!

Author Bio:

T.A. Hardenbrook currently resides in Spokane Washington with her husband and two young boys. She has a degree in Early Childhood Education as well as her license in Cosmetology in which she still does part time.

Her days include being the family chauffer and referee, all while trying to become the perfect domestic goddess one strives for. Her family of four also includes a very loving American pit bull terrier, a wirehaired dachshund, a corn snake, and an American cavy (Which her oldest son shows at ARBA/ACBA events).

Being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2013, life became a struggle and she found learning to adapt was not an easy task. Luckily with the help of daily medication, life is slowly returning back to normal. Having the opportunity to write a novel at this time was a huge boost of confidence in dealing with the disorder, being able to use her hands and type, was therapy for the soul.

Please remember to never let anything stand in front of your dreams.

Social Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TaHardenbrook

Twitter: @thardenbrook

Goodreads Author: tbc

Goodreads Book Link: tbc

Website: http://www.tahardenbrook.blogspot.com