Blog Tour: Wish Me Tomorrow

Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - Leave a Comment

Wish Me Tomorrow

by Karen Rock

Adult Romance
September 1st 2013 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Summary

Can they build a future on hope alone?

For years nurse and grief counselor Christie Bates has been teaching her patients to confront their fears, express themselves and trust in hope. But as her feelings for cancer survivor Eli Roberts and his two children grow, can she overcome her own fear and love a man who lives every day with the possibility of recurring illness?

Tackling cancer and single parenthood simultaneously has turned Eli into a devout realist. Which is why he finds Christie's perpetually upbeat attitude so aggravating. Still, despite himself, she's making a place in his heart. If only he could offer Christie more than an uncertain future.

To purchase WISH ME TOMORROW in paperback form, please visit Harlequin, or in Kindle form visit Amazon, or on Nook visit Barnes and Noble.

My Review

Christie counsels her cancer patients to think positively and to live their lives fully. To not let their lives waist away, even if that's what she's doing herself. She never gets out and dates. She is afraid of being hurt and has already lost someone dear to her. Eli was divorced by his wife during his struggle with cancer when she couldn't take it and is raising his two children. His whole focus is on making sure they have a future regardless if he lives to see it. He doesn't believe in positive thinking. He doesn't think it makes a difference and that it's hopeless to wish for something that you can't have. Cancer is a force that doesn't care about things like that or about who it takes.

Christie and Eli have an instant attraction to each other, but don't believe it is worth pursuing after their brief acquaintance. However, fate seems to have something else in mind when they are mistakenly thrown together sometime later. They both make excuses to keep seeing each other after that, but still fight developing anything further. They both don't want to be vulnerable to loving and then losing someone.

I really enjoyed this sweet story. Both main characters face some individual struggles. They aren't perfect characters. Eli doesn't communicate with his kids about his cancer, even though it is in remission, thinking that he is protecting them by doing so, but is actually causing more problems. Christie doesn't always know how to handle things, but she really loves his kids and wants to help their family heal. They are definitely attracted to each other and struggle with letting go enough to see any sort of future for the two of them, especially because of how their lives have been touched by cancer.

I really liked both main characters as well as the other characters who would tell Christie and Eli that they were being foolish and challenge them. I liked Christie's spunk, backbone, and kind heart. Eli is a survivor, he would do anything for his kids, is intelligent and kind. There is some fun dialogue between the characters at some parts and some very sweet moments.

I have to say that I think the cover is really cute and the title fits the story perfectly. Overall this was just a really sweet romantic story. I think Christie sums it up pretty well here:

Tommy stopped her before they left the trees and reached for a piece of dandelion fluff in her hair.
"Is hope better than a wish?"
"I believe it is. But it's good to have both, don't you think?" She nestled him against her side.
He nodded and grinned up at her, the buds of two new front teeth peeking from his gums. "What did you wish for, Christie?"
She tapped his nose and smiled, her eyes meeting Eli's as he struck a match, the tiny flame cupped in his large hands.
"The very best kind...a wish for tomorrow."

Content: Clean
Source: From tour host/NetGalley, which did not affect my review in any way.

Excerpt

A black car idled by the curb when they stepped into the foyer. So soon. If only they had a few more minutes.

“Goodbye, Eli.” Her wistful voice produced an almost physical ache in his heart. They’d been through a lot tonight. Having it end after her painful admission felt wrong.

Worse, he’d let her share that without ever admitting anything about his condition. Maybe it would be better if she knew. At least then she’d understand why this really needed to be goodbye.

“I have cancer,” he blurted. “Had, I mean.”

She touched his arm, the gentle sensation lingering long after she dropped her hand. “I’m so glad you’re in remission. Tommy told me about your illness, but only because he knows I work with cancer patients. The children respect your wish not to talk about it.”

Now that he had not expected. Did she understand his reason for telling her? That he needed the reminder of why he shouldn't see her again?

The town car driver honked and she opened the foyer door and walked out. He followed, pulling the car door wide for her.

“Goodbye, Christie.” He would remember this night—remember her—for a long time. “Thanks again.”

“Take care, Eli.” Her voice sounded quiet. Tired.

He nodded, unable to say more as he watched her duck into the car. His feet stayed rooted to the stone stoop long after the taillights disappeared into the rain. If only he was the kind of man who could see her again. A man whose future didn't blur into a question mark.

But now, as he trudged back inside the building, he told himself to focus on his kids and what they needed. If they were confiding in her that he’d put a lockdown on all cancer discussion, maybe his health issues bothered them more than he realized.

And while he might not ever subscribe to the touchy-feely brand of positive thinking that Christie did, he would make sure his kids had someone to talk to. Someone a whole lot better versed in this stuff than him.

Even though an energetic, beautiful nurse and counselor came to mind, he vowed to find someone else.

For both their sakes.

About the Author

Since Karen Rock’s grandmother passed her shopping bagfuls of Harlequin Presents as a teen, it’s been her dream to add her voice to the Romance genre. Now an author of Harlequin’s latest contemporary line, Heartwarming, Karen is thrilled to pen wholesome, tender, deeply romantic stories that all can relate to. Her first novel, WISH ME TOMORROW, is out in September 2013 and her next, HIS HOMETOWN GIRL, is out in spring 2013. Additionally, Karen is a young adult contemporary romance co-author with fellow Harlequin author, Joanne Rock for the CAMP BOYFRIEND series that debuted July 2013 with Spencer Hill Press.

When she’s not busy writing, Karen enjoys watching anything starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, cooking her Nona’s family Italian recipes, and occasionally rescuing local wildlife from neighborhood cats. She lives in the Adirondack Mountain region with her husband, her very appreciated beta-reader daughter and two King Charles Cavalier cocker spaniels who have yet to understand the concept of “fetch,” though they’ve managed to teach her the trick! Hmmmm… wonder how that happened?! She loves to connect with other romance fans!

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