Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for Piece by Piece by Laura Bradford, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! I’m delighted to host Laura (one of my fave authors) today, to chat about her main character in this novel.
Title: Piece by Piece
Author: Laura Bradford
Publisher: Kensington Publishing
Release Date: July 28, 2020
Genre: Christian Contemporary Amish Women’s Fiction
A grieving mother learns to heal in Amish country, in this heartfelt, beautifully told novel from national bestselling author Laura Bradford.
Danielle Parker is a gold-medal mom—the kind who volunteers in her children’s classrooms, shuttles them between activities, throws legendary birthday parties, and has a remedy on hand for any emergency. Whatever her husband, Jeff, and their children need, Dani is there, always.
Except for one day.
On that day—the day that Dani reluctantly takes some “me time” while her mom and Jeff drive the children to the park—the unthinkable happens. The car crash leaves no survivors. Somehow, Dani gets through the funerals and visits, accepting neighbors’ sympathy and dropped-off meals. All the while, guilt and grief make her wish the accident had claimed her life too. Then a call comes from Lydia Schlabach, an Amish woman Dani befriended in childhood. In addition to condolences, Lydia offers Dani something more: a place to escape to.
In Pennsylvania’s Amish country, Dani’s days take on a new rhythm, marked by the clip-clop of buggies and the bustle of chores. Lydia gives Dani space to mourn, to think, and to realize how long it’s been since she felt like a person in her own right. And with the help of friendships old and new, Dani learns about the ways life continues to surprise us—even after the deepest loss—with joy, love, and second chances. . . .
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Christianbook
Danielle Parker
by Laura Bradford, author of Piece by Piece
This week’s release of Piece by Piece, marks the publication of my 35th full-length book. And while each book has been different than any other I’ve written, the majority of them have been born on a situation. Meaning; a horse that went missing (An Amish Mystery # 5, A Churn for the Worse), or an advertising slogan that became a blue print for murder (Tobi Tobias Mystery # 1, Death in Advertising), or a trip to New York City gone wrong (Southern Sewing Circle Mystery # 9, Taken In), or strange objects left on an Amish grave each year (Women’s fiction novel #2, A Daughter’s Truth), etc
Piece by Piece, however, came about in a different way. For this book, the jumping off point for the story was my main character, Danielle Parker. She came into my thoughts fully formed in the sense of how she was/how she moved through life…
Age: 35.
Devoted wife to Jeff:
*Adept at charming his potential business clients into abandoning the “potential” part… *Routinely drops off baked goods for his staff…
*Throws parties for the company several times a year…
Gold medal mom to Maggie, Spencer, and Ava.
*Room mother in both Maggie’s and Spencer’s classrooms…
*Can always be counted on to have snacks on hand for all of Spencer’s teammates…
*Leads Maggie’s scout troop.
*Throws themed birthday parties people talk about for months…
*A full slate of mom-and-me activities with Ava while Maggie/Spencer are at school…
Danielle, herself:
*Happy and fulfilled in her life…
*Lately though, she’s taken to dreaming about having a little time to herself…
*Sent away for a color brochure depicting a spa-like retreat in upstate New York…
*When it arrives, she’s so ashamed, she buries it in the bottom of a desk drawer…
*Jeff and the kids are her life!!
So when Danielle’s mom comes for a visit and insists Danielle take a few hours for herself while she and Jeff take the kids to a park, Danielle isn’t thrilled. She wants to be with the kids. She wants to watch them come down the slide or chase after bubbles.
Still, she acquiesces to her mother’s request and finds herself enjoying her few hours alone—finding the time to sit and read deliciously sinful. She gets so caught up in “Danielle time” in fact, she doesn’t notice the day bowing to night until a pair of state troopers appear on her doorstep.
And, just like that, Danielle’s world is forever changed.
For me, Danielle Parker was, without a doubt, the jumping off point for Piece by Piece. Without her, I never would have started writing this particular book. But somewhere along the way, I surrendered the writing-reins to her and I’m so glad I did. Because while Piece by Piece starts in the darkest of places, it goes on to remind us of the healing properties of love, and kindness, and hope.
Actually, let me correct the second part of that last sentence. Danielle reminds us of the healing properties of love, and kindness, and hope…
Laura Bradford is the national bestselling author of more than 35 books and stories, including her latest novel, Piece by Piece. Her first women’s fiction novel, Portrait of a Sister, was a July 2018 Book Club Pick for Delilah of Delilah Radio and a Summer Book Club pick for Southern Lady Magazine.
Laura also pens several mystery series including; An Amish Mystery series, the Emergency Dessert Squad Mysteries, the Tobi Tobias Mysteries, and the Southern Sewing Circle Mysteries (written as Elizabeth Lynn Casey). She is a former Agatha Award nominee, and the recipient of an RT Reviewer’s Choice Award in romance. Laura enjoys baking, spending time with her family, and being an advocate for those living with multiple sclerosis. Learn more at: https://www.laurabradford.com/
CONNECT WITH LAURA: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
(1) winner will receive an “Escape Into a Laura Bradford book” tote & winner’s choice of Portrait of a Sister or A Daughter’s Truth!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight July 28, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on August 4, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
This giveaway is hosted by JustRead Tours, not RimSP.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
What about you? What makes you want to read Piece By Piece by Laura Bradford? What most interests you about the main character, Danielle?
I’ve read several of Laura Bradford’s books and loved them. I’m eager to read this new one!
Thank you, Suzanne. I hope you do read it and that you enjoy it.
Me too, Suzanne!
Thanks for hosting me today, MeezCarrie!
Always a pleasure 🙂
I can see some of Danielle’s character traits in myself.
It’s always good to see ourselves in a main character – well, mostly always haha
Wonderful author and captivating story. Thanks.
She IS a wonderful author 🙂
I was never a fan of women’s fiction, but always a huge fan of Laura Bradford. So when I saw she was writing this genre’ I had dreaded and ran from I had to bite the bullet and try it. From the first book on, I was hooked. Will I read other author’s that write in this genre’, no, but if Laura Bradford writes a book, I am going to get it!!
yes, i absolutely agree!!
Nice cover. I liked the synopsis. It sounds like a wonderful book. Thank you for sharing.
Love Laura Bradford’s books. Looking forward to reading “Piece by Piece”.
What a tough and sad experience to go through! Thank God she had a good friend to help her out! Sure would like to read this one.
Thank you for being part of the book tour for “Piece by Piece” by Laura Bradford.
Enjoyed reading the guest post by Laura. Can’t wait for the opportunity to read this wonderful sounding book which most definitely is on my TBR list.