Title: Still Life by A.M. Johnson
Release Date: April 13, 2015
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Synopsis:
Loss… a word Elizabeth Haddington knows only too well. Despite the tragedies she’s endured, she’s been able to rise from the adversity she’s faced and begin her life again. Being a self-assured and strong woman, she knows she doesn’t need anyone to make her whole.
HHate, pain, and twisted memories are all Sawyer Bryant’s ever known. He’d slowly lost who he was and what he should’ve become. His only escape was the military… Eight years later, as an ex-Navy SEAL, he’s forced to confront his father and their disturbed and violent past.
Then one day, his life is turned upside down, when he glimpses a woman singing in her car at a set of traffic lights. Thinking he’d never see her again, amazingly he finds her performing with her band at the local bar. This chance encounter brings these two lost souls together. Once Sawyer gets a taste of her melodic voice, there’s no turning back.
For Elizabeth, when she meets Sawyer… she realizes she’s fallen hard. But is this really love she’s feeling or does love build slowly over time?
What happens when fate turns things around on you, creates flashes you can’t turn from… moments that will shape your life?
They are faced with the choice of darkness surrounding them or to rid themselves of the guilt and pain and move toward the light.
This story is about life’s moments. How they can make you or break you, and one man’s hope that… Love, won’t judge him.
***A warning to the reader, This book contains dark themes such as abuse and PTSD.
Excerpt:
Sawyer’s voice broke me from my memory. “What are you smiling about?” he asked with a mock wary tone.
“I just love your smile, it’s so real. You don’t smile very often, so when you do it’s just… wow.”
He reached across the Jeep and trailed his thumb across my lips. His face turned serious.“I like being real with you. It’s really hard for me to open up to people. I’m just so grateful for you. You make me want to come out of my shell.” He turned and looked back at the road and I just stared at him. He was so good-looking. God, just beautiful really. But, I knew there was more to him than that. I wanted to know who Sawyer was beyond the rugged exterior. He was letting me in pieces at a time.
“Really? Why?” I needed him to say what he was really thinking. If I was really going to give him all of me, I wanted to know everything I could about him.
“Why what?” He kept his eyes on the road, but I didn’t miss the slight tightening of his fingers on the steering wheel. I didn’t answer his question. He shook his head in surrender. After exhaling a large breath, he spoke. “Why do I feel like I can be real with you? Elizabeth… you’ve been through so much, but you keep going. Someone like that, like you… you get me. I’ve had it rough too, and I just feel like you understand more than anyone I’ve ever met, what loss feels like. The fact that you have conquered so much gives me hope. Something I haven’t had in a long time.”
“Hope,” I whispered putting my hand on his leg. I squeezed his thigh softly getting his attention.
He looked away from the road for a moment and I smiled. “That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.”“It’s true.” Sawyer’s lips spread into a small smile. I leaned over and kissed his cheek.
“Thank you.” His warm hand enfolded around my thigh. He made me feel hopeful, beautiful… perfect.
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About the Author:
Amanda Marie Johnson was born and raised in Valrico, Florida. She’s now surrounded by mountains with her husband and three children in Ogden, Utah. She attended Weber State University and graduated with her A.S.N. She is a full-time registered nurse and works on the mother/newborn unit. Reading and writing have always been something she is passionate about. She loves to write about the human experience, love and happily ever afters. Still Life is her debut novel.
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Loraine Oliver says
This book sounds awesome and I am going to get it and read it! Thanks for sharing!