Riverbend by Tess Thompson (Guest Post/Giveaway)

Today we would like to welcome romance author, Tess Thompson, who is joining us with her recent release of Riverbend!

Scattered postcards

The note came home from Mrs. Kappen, Emerson’s first grade teacher. We’re studying the states. Could you ask family and friends to send postcards from their state with a fun fact?

So, as is the way these days, I sent an email to a bunch of Facebook friends, scattered all over the country, from Maine to Hawaii. Would you send one if you have time? Emerson would love it.

And the postcards started coming. Everyday Emerson came home to tell me about the latest one. 

Mom, one came from New York.

Aunt Rochelle sent one from Oregon.

Who do you know in California, Mommy?

And so on…New Mexico, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Illinois, Georgia, Nevada.

Today she brought home the entire stack. I spread them on the kitchen table and burst into tears. Kindness does that to me sometimes. I think of each sender as I read through them, thrilled to see their handwriting, picturing their faces as they wrote the note to Emerson. And although we’re scattered like the postcards on my table, they feel close as I hold the card they held and trace the handwriting that came from their pens.

It’s been a rough year for my two daughters and me, all of us adjusting to a new normal after a divorce. I often feel alone and terribly frightened. They do not say, but I know there is an ache in their hearts that will never completely leave. There have been so many tears shed between these walls in the last nine months it rivals the Seattle rain outside our window. But this pile of postcards scattered on my tablelike the states from which they come seems to say to me:You’re not alone. You’re part of a community. 

These friends, my community - some with children, some without, took the time to buy a card and write a note and put a stamp on a card for my child. Why? Because they’re my friends.Because they’re good and thoughtful people.Because they love my child. Because they know the way to build a society is through community. And it starts with one small gesture of kindness on an ordinary day. 

As I reflect back on this year of pain and tears, I will remember this as something that kept me from succumbing to the darkness that wanted to enfold me, bring me to my knees.But I will not. I will make it through to the other side of all this pain. I know this because in a life where none of us get through unscathed, small gestures of kindness from people we love shed light and hope, even on the darkest of days. 

Scattered postcards on my kitchen table. My community.

Title: Riverbend

Author: Tess Thompson

Series: The River Valley Collection

Format: PDF, epub, mobi, paperback

Publication Date: May 19th 2013

Publisher: Booktrope

ISBN 1620151421

Gnere: Adult Contemporary Romance w/Suspense

Blurb:

“Tag. I found you.”Just as Annie Bell’s reputation as one of the best chefs in the Pacific Northwest grows to new heights, she receives athreatening phone call from her abusive ex-boyfriend. Marco is out on parole and hungry for revenge, blaming her for his ten-year imprisonment. Fearing for her life and that of her young son, Annie reluctantly accepts help from Drake Webber, a cold and wealthy recluse hiding a dark history of his own. Supported by the gang of misfits from their restaurant Riversong, Annie forges ahead despite her growing terror that Marco will appear at any moment and make good on his threats.Author Tess Thompson (formerly known as Tess Hardwick) reunites the colorful cast of endearing small-town characters from her bestselling novel Riversong and takes you on a journey that will renew your faith in love, friendship and the power of community – even in the face of seemingly insurmountable grief and fear. You’ll find yourself once again cheering for the residents of River Valley, especially the big-hearted and compassionate Annie Bell.Escape with a blend of love, laughter, friendship, suspense and gourmet food while remembering it’s never too late for second chances.

About Tess Thompson

Tess Thompson is a novelist and playwright with a BFA in Drama from the University of Southern California. In 2011, she released her first novel, Riversong, which subsequently became a bestseller.Part of the River Valley Collection, Riversongand her newly released sequel Riverbendremind readers of the power of community and the bonds of friendship.
Like the characters in the River Valley Collection, Tess is from a small town in Oregon. She currently lives in a suburb of Seattle, Washington with her two young daughters, Emerson and Ella, where she is inspired daily by the view of the Cascade Mountains from her home office window.www.tesswrites.com

~*Giveaway*~

The publisher, Booktrope, is offering a giveaway of 3 paperback books by Tess: Riversong, Riverbend and Caramel and Magnolias, as well as an electronic ARC of RIVERSTAR, the third book in the River Valley series (release Aug 28, 2013) to one reader! (US only please, see terms & conditions at the bottom of the Rafflecopter. )  To enter, please leave a question or comment on this post for Tess and then fill out the Rafflecopter below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway