AUTHOR: Julianna Desmond
DATE: 2017
STARS: *****
Georgia Adler might be from a small town near Atlanta, but don't call her a peach! Before the release of her debut novel, a top literary critic reviews her book as a "contemporary masterpiece of epic proportions." As a result, Georgia is named one of America's most promising new authors. When her agent sends out a press kit with her photo--which Georgia expressly instructed her not to include--magazine editors and talk show promoters across the country clamor for her attention. Against her better judgment, Georgia reluctantly grants a few interviews, and a whirlwind publicity tour begins. After the first few press stops, the frustrated young novelist regrets the lack of privacy and not writing under a pen name. Instead of happily writing at home in her jeans and a T-shirt, she's all dolled-up and being promoted as something she's not. Why did things have to get so complicated?
Grayson Chambers walks into a tempest when he visits his best friend Nick's editorial office in Manhattan. He'd only planned on lunch, but a new female novelist who's taking the literary world by storm is being interviewed, and the magazine's photographer is in desperate need of an immediate replacement for the ailing male model. Swallowing his misgivings, Gray steps in after Nick begs him to model professionally one last time. He'll be paid extremely well for a short period of time in front of the cameras, so what could be the harm? He can tolerate working with a demanding, beautiful diva for a few hours if it'll give him the opportunity to publicize his new foundation to thousands of people. It's a win-win situation.
When Georgia meets the devastatingly handsome Grayson, she begins to question the very crux of her novel. And Grayson has to wonder if the basis for his foundation is a huge mistake. Is this a "chance" meeting between them or a way for God to reveal His own plans for their lives individually or perhaps even...together?
Only a Heartbeat Away became my sweet escape during an especially busy couple of days. It’s like an exquisite square of dark chocolate and almond bits, with the romance being the sweet chocolate, and the faith message being the nourishing, satiating almonds. Short enough to read in a day or two and long enough to satisfy, this story is the perfect quick fantasy getaway, exactly what I needed.
Julianna Desmond is the pen name of an award-winning author, and I can count on her stories to entertain, captivate, and edify. Only a Heartbeat Away earns five stars from me, and I highly recommend it. I purchased this book via Amazon.