Release Blitz for
Counting Daisies:
Makayla and Austin
(Flowers and Hearts
Book 1)
Counting
Daisies, a clean romance full of heart and emotion by Whitney Cannavina is
LIVE!
Counting
Daisies (Flowers and Hearts Series) by Whitney Cannavina
Release
Date: December 20th, 2017
Blog
Tour: December 26th-Decemeber 30th
*Counting
Daisies is a standalone in a series
*This
is a clean teen romance
Signed
Paperback Giveaway:
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorWhitneyCannavina/posts/1531507766905209
Add
to your TBR: https://www.goodreads.com/bo…/show/36402431-counting-daisies
Buy
Counting Daisies on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2hlO8v9
Blurb:
With
the loss of her mother, Makayla's life it turned upside down. Starting over in
a new school,
meeting new friends, and getting to know the father she never met
before, she has to learn to
navigate this new life that was thrust upon her.
With new experiences, and new friends, she
finally begins to live the life she
never thought she'd have all with a new and exciting romance
with the uber
popular, Austin James.
Follow Makayla on a journey of self discovery,
loss, love, and finding happiness in this clean
teen romance.
*This is a standalone in a series.
Excerpt:
“What are you wearing on your date? What
about your dress for the dance?” Bobby plops down on my bed with an eager stare
after rapidly asking her questions.
“I don’t know about a dress for the
dance. I didn’t buy one yet.”
“But he will be here in an hour?” Bobby
cries.
“I know when he’ll be here. But I have
been working almost every day after school except for Monday and Friday. I just
haven’t had time to go shopping.” Am I freaking out about my predicament? You
bet. But at this point I have no other options because I can’t go and buy a
dress in an hour with as far as I have to drive and the time it will take to
pick one and then arriving here in time to get ready for my date before the
dance. Instead I am just going to grab my summer dress and hope he doesn’t
notice it’s nothing fancy. Who am I kidding? Of course he’ll notice. It’s a
dang summer dress!
“I’m just going to tell him I’m sick. I
can’t go. He’ll believe it right?”
“Oh no you don’t. There is no way you
are getting out of this date.” Bobby rummages through my limited amount of
dresses hanging in my closet looking for something that could work but they are
all out dated and simple dresses that don’t scream fancy, more like ‘I had
nothing to wear so I threw this thing on’.
“Makayla?” There is a light knock
followed by my step mom poking her head in with a sparkle in her eye as if she
knows something I don’t.
“Come in, Sarah. We were just trying to
figure out a good excuse to give Austin when I cancel my date.”
“Oh my, why would you go and do a thing
like that?” Pulling a knee length, slender cream-colored dress from behind her
causes Bobby and I to gasp in surprise.
“I didn’t have a dress so…” I stutter,
staring in awe at the beautiful dress Sarah lays on my bed. “Is that for me?”
Whispering in disbelief, I glance from the dress to Sarah and back again,
excitement bubbling below the surface with hope that my night isn’t ruined.
“I knew you didn’t have time to search
for a dress for tonight. It’s not much but I saw it and thought of you so I
bought it for you to wear tonight.”
“Wow. I’m so…I’m speechless, Sarah.
Thank you so much. It’s so beautiful and simple. It’s perfect and exactly what
I would have chosen.”
“Oh good.” Sarah clasps her hands in
front of her with nervous anticipation. “Well, try it on, Hun. I want to see
how beautiful you’ll look in it.”
“Yes. Try it on.” Bobby chimes in.
“Ok.” Taking the dress with me, I head
to the bathroom. Slipping out of my yoga pants and tank top before stepping
into the dress. Once I have the one-inch straps in place and the zipper in the
back pulled all the way up, I take a look in the full-length mirror hanging on
the back of the bathroom door. The cream colored dress reminds me of the dress
that Baby wears at the end of dirty dancing with the tight, low-cut bodice that
flares out at my waste and ends just above my knees. A lace overlay covers the
entire dress giving it more fancy feel making it perfect for the dance tonight.
It looks amazing on me and I feel so grateful to Sarah for finding me the
perfect dress to hopefully go with the perfect night.
Stepping back into my bedroom, Bobby and
Sarah stop mid-sentence to turn towards me. In unison, they squeal in
appreciation and I can’t help but follow suit.
“You look amazing in that dress. Austin
won’t be able to keep his eyes off you.” Bobby gushes.
“Honey, you look beautiful. Do you like
it?” Sarah questions.
“I love it. It’s perfect.” Spinning
slowly so they can see the full effect, I stop short, remembering that I don’t
have a pair of shoes to match. “Oh no. I need shoes.” Scrunching my nose, I
make a dash for my closet in hopes that I have a pair of black or white heels
that would match.
“Oh. I knew I forgot something. Hang on.
I have your shoes in my room.” Sarah hurries out as Bobby pulls me to sit down
on my bed next to her.
“Your stepmom seems great.”
“She is. I’ve heard of evil stepmoms but
she has been nothing but kind to me.”
“That’s good. My stepdad is a jerk. My
dad hasn’t remarried but if he does, I hope she’s as nice as Sarah.” I nod,
feeling bad for Bobby knowing she has been dealt a crappy stepparent. She’s
told me a little about it but not much. I’m sure it’s hard for her so I don’t
push. Sarah pops back in with a box and hands it to me to open.
“I hope you like them. I thought they
would match the dress perfectly.” Lifting the lid on the box, a gorgeous pair
of black sued ankle booties lay inside. They are the cutest pair of heels I
have ever seen. They’re perfect for the dress, too.
“These are so cute!” I exclaim.
“Put them on. Put them on.” Bobby
encourages. Pulling them out of the box carefully as if they may disappear, I
slide them on my feet and stand up to take a look in the mirror that hangs on
my door.
“Everything is perfect. Thank you
Sarah.” Sarah and I embrace in a tight hug that I hope shows my appreciation
for all that she’s done.
“You’re welcome, Kayla. Now finish
getting ready because Austin will be here in a half an hour.” Sarah leaves
Bobby and I to finish getting my make-up and hair done before Austin arrives.
Bobby does a great job leaving my hair in a half up-do with waves cascading
down my back and a light touch of makeup with only a slightly dark brown eye
shadow on my eyes to give a slightly smoky look without being overly dramatic.
“There. Perfect. Austin’s jaw will drop
once he sees you.”
“You think?” Bobby nods her head
animatedly. “Should I dress casual first and change into my dress later, or
should I wear my dress with some flats, and add the booties when we arrive to
the dance? Or should I wear my dress and booties the whole time?” As I continue
to ask questions, Bobby must hear the panic in my voice as I try to figure out
what to wear.
“How about you just relax. I am pretty
sure that Austin doesn’t expect you to get ready after your date so he is probably
expecting you to be in your dress already. The shoes are up to you. We can
gauge what you should wear when he arrives. I’ll see what he is wearing as he
waits for you in the living room, and let you know.” Blowing out a breath of
relief, I feel so grateful for Bobby’s help today.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For helping me get ready. I’m sorry I
bailed on you tonight.”
“No worries, Kayla. I totally get it.
Besides, I roped Beau into being my date. After Austin picks you up I’ll be
heading home to get ready for Beau to pick me up and take me to dinner.”
Wiggling her eyebrows I can’t help but snort in laughter.
“Does that mean you guys are going to
try and date?” Shrugging, Bobby replies.
“I don’t really know yet. I guess we
will see after tonight.” As we double check and make sure everything is good to
go, I slip the dress back on since I had changed back into my yoga pants and
tank top earlier to avoid getting anything on my dress as I got ready. Just as
I finish smoothing it down my waist, the doorbell rings alerting me to Austin’s
presence. My heart races in nervous anticipation. I just hope my dad doesn’t
give him too much of a hard time.
“He’s here.” Bobby claps and bounces
excitedly and tells me to shush. “Stay here. I’m going to see how he’s dressed.
Then I’ll let you know what shoes to wear.” Wringing my hands in nervous
anticipation, Bobby sneaks out and tiptoes her way down the hall. Hearing her
quick and light footsteps as she hurries back to my room, she bursts through my
door huffing and puffing as if she just ran a marathon.
“You do realize you didn’t have to sneak
out there and hurry back.”
“Shh, I’m doing recon work. Wear your
heals. Austin is looking handsome in a black suit and his hair slick back.” My
excitement grows as I slip one shoe then the other onto my dainty feet.
“How do I look?” Doing a quick twirl,
Bobby gives me thumbs up and follows me out into the living room.
“…Buck last year hangin’ on our wall. It
was my first kill.” Clearing my throat, Austin halts on whatever he was about
to say next to turn towards my interruption. Seeing the look of awe and
appreciation sends a fit of butterflies loose in my belly.
“Wow Kayla. You look gorgeous.” Austin
strides purposely to me and lands a kiss to my cheek keeping it chaste in front
of my parents.
“Thank you. You’re looking handsome
yourself.” It takes all my will power to keep my jaw from dropping to the floor
at the sight of my boyfriend in a suit. He looks like he just walked out of a
GQ photo shoot.
“Here. I brought you these.” Sliding a
bouquet of yellow and white daisies into my shaking hands, the tears instantly
well up behind my eyes threatening to spill over at his thoughtful gesture.
Knowing he bought daisies for me in a way of including my mom on this night has
me falling completely head over heels for this man.
“Daisies?” It’s a rhetorical question
and Austin seems to understand.
“I wanted tonight to be perfect for you
and I know you wish your mom could be here so this was my way of making sure
she was included.”
“I can’t believe you remembered.” I
whisper only loud enough for Austin to hear.
“I remember everything you say.” Tilting
my chin up with his thumb and forefinger, Austin kisses me once again, giving
more meaning behind it by pressing his lips firmly against mine before pulling
away and wiping the few errant tears that escaped from my eyes.
“Thank you. This means everything to me.
I’ll be right back. I’m going to put these in a vase.” Without glancing at the
rest of the room, I make my way to the kitchen and open each cupboard searching
for a vase to put the flowers in.
“That was so romantic.” Bobby gushes as
her and Sarah follows behind me into the kitchen.
“Here, let me put those in a vase for
you, honey.” I hand Sarah the flowers mechanically while my head spins at
Austin’s thoughtfulness. “I think that boy truly cares about you. This was such
a sweet gesture.” I nod as she arranges the flowers before filling the vase
with water.
“I’m just so…so…oh my god. I don’t even
know how to explain it.”
“In love.” Bobby exhales dreamily.
“Yes. No. I don’t know.” How do you know
when you’re in love?
“It’s ok to feel overwhelmed, Kayla.”
Sarah rubs my back in comfort. Knowing Austin did this to include my mom has
the panic wanting to rise out of me but I do my best to push it down. Freaking
out over my feelings for this man will not bode well for the night.
Breathing out a deep exhale, I feel as
if I am ready to go back out there.
“I know.” Chewing my lip, it’s time to
get back to Austin. “I think I’m ready now.” Walking back into the living room
where Austin and my dad are still conversing, I make my way to Austin’s side
and wrap my arm through his.
“Are you ok?” Austin asks quietly,
concern evident in his tone.
“Yeah. I’m perfect.” And I meant it.
Searching my face, Austin believes me and turns back to my dad.
“I promise to have Makayla back by
curfew tonight.” Shaking my dads hand, I feel like maybe they came to a truce
when it comes to me.
“Be good to my daughter. Have fun you
two.” Stepping up to my dad, I kiss his cheek and step back under Austin’s arm
as we head out. Bobby follows us as Austin makes his way to her car in the
driveway and opens the driver’s side door.
“After you, malady.”
“Why thank you kind sir.” She jokes
back as she slides in behind the wheel.
Leaning down to eye level, I remind
Bobby about the dance. “Text me when you get to the dance so we can find you
and meet up.”
“Have fun you two.” Wiggling her
fingers in a tiny wave, she pulls away while Austin escorts me to his lifted
truck. Austin easily lifts me by the waist placing me gently into the cab where
I pull the seat belt over and buckle in.
“I feel like a little kid when you
do that,” I laugh out.
“Sorry,” Austin chuckles. “You’re
tiny so it’s just easier if I lift you up.” Lifting a shoulder as if it’s no
big deal, I grin in amusement.
“Where are we going?” Austin hadn’t
mentioned anything about where he planned to take me before the dance.
Curiosity has gotten the better of me as I pestered him relentlessly throughout
the week for just a hint but he didn’t budge. Austin winks at me without giving
an answer as we drive along the open road. The drivers here are never in a
hurry, cruising at the speed limit or just under like it’s a Sunday morning. As
we drive moderately down the road, I feel completely at ease. Passing through
town, I start to wonder where Austin could possibly be taking me. I doubt he
would drive into the nearest city for our date seeing as we wouldn’t have much
time to relax having to rush in order to make it back in time for the dance,
but Austin surprises me at every turn.
Pulling onto a dirt road that is
lined with trees, I become even more curious as to Austin’s plans.
“You’re taking me to the middle of
nowhere to chop off my head and burry me like those old horror films aren’t
you,” I jest in mock horror.
“No. I’d never do that. If anything, I’d
keep you locked up in my basement so I’d never have to let you go and I could
keep you all to my self.”
“That’s creepy. You’re crazy, you know
that?” Shoving him lightly, I snicker good-naturedly.
“Crazy about you.” The serious tone in which
Austin utters has me pausing my retort. Could he honestly feel that strongly
for me already? I know I have fallen hard for him but Austin is so hard to read
that I can’t tell what he’s thinking.
“We’re here.” Austin turns the truck so the passenger side
faces the picturesque scene. Seeing the beautiful view before me, I am in awe.
Before us lays a field of knee high brown and green grass with a single trail
that cuts through it leading to a small lake surrounded by large oak trees.
Throughout the grass are white and yellow flowers whom most would consider
weeds that sway in the slight breeze. The trees that line the edge of the lake
are filled with orange, yellow, and red leaves that hang precariously on the
thick, long branches where some have already started to fall onto the ground as
the season changes from summer to fall. The water is still except for the
occasional ripple from the breeze and fish that pop up trying to catch the bugs
that skim on the water. Leaves of varying colors float atop the glassy surface
adding color to go along with the reflection of the darkening sky that’s awash
in orange, pink, and blue as the sun begins to set.
“This is so…stunning.” Austin hops out
of the truck before ambling over to my side and helping me down. The crunch of
the dried leaves beneath my shoes reminds me of my favorite time of year,
autumn when the world is painted with warm tones and the fragrance of cinnamon
and spice permeates the air. I wait for Austin to grab what he needs out of the
back seat before following him to the truck bed.
The sun is just barely setting as Austin
lays the blanket down and turns on the propane lamp for more light. Helping me
once again into the back of the truck, Austin follows after me with ease before
we each take a seat on the soft, cushiony blue blanket.
“This is the most romantic date I have
ever been on.” Looking around me at the open field, every once in a while I can
spot flickers of light from the lightning bugs as dusk sets in turning the day
into night. I’ve only seen them from afar and not so many in a single area, but
as I glance around me, lightning bugs are lighting up everywhere, making the
grass look like it’s lit up with Christmas lights. It’s a sight to behold. I
couldn’t have asked for a better place to spend our date.
“This is my favorite place to visit when
I need to think. It’s quiet and peaceful here with no interruptions.”
“This place does have a serene quality
about it. Thank you for bringing me here tonight.”
“I wanted to share it with you. You’re
the only girl I’ve brought here.” Seeing the vulnerability on his face has my
heart skipping a bit. Knowing that this is Austin’s sanctuary and I’m here
sharing this moment with him feels like he’s showing me a side of him nobody
else has seen before.
“I-I don’t know what to say.” Austin
says nothing but smiles brightly at me as he divvies up the food. Handing me a
plate loaded with a salad, chicken with some sort of herb scattered on it, and
a roll. We both dig in eating quietly, enjoying the sounds of nature
surrounding us. The crickets chirp, birds sing, and an owl hoots in the
distance waiting for the last ray of light to disappear so it can hunt for
food.
Austin moves to lean against the cab of
the truck where I slide in between his legs and watch as the starry night
blinks above us while the moon shines brightly making it feel as if a spotlight
has been put on us. If I were to sit in the back of a truck and look at the
night sky in California, there could be no way I would be able to see every
star twinkling as brightly as I do right now.
“You know, my dad told me a story when
we first met about a time he spent just like this one with my mom. Sitting here
with you just like this, reminds me of her. I feel like maybe she’s watching
over us right now.”
“She’ll always be with you. We can come
out here as often as you’d like. Or you can come here whenever if you need time
to yourself.”
My heart settles, and in this moment I
know I’ll never feel for another as I do for Austin. Such a simple gesture has
pushed my already fallen heart completely over the edge and into oblivion. I am
innately in love with Austin James.
Other Books by Whitney-
Fate (Short Story)
The
Romance Series
Taken Series
About Whitney:
I am an author,
blogger, and mom to the best kid ever. On the days that are not hectic (which
is hardly ever) I spend my time writing what I can. I write mostly contemporary
adult romance but I think I will venture out just a little and write a few for
teens to broaden my reader spectrum. I have always been imaginative making up
stories and friends when I was younger, and once I had a teacher tell me how
horrible a story I wrote was, that I didn't write until just a few years ago. I
realized I don't care what her or anyone else thinks, as long as I love what I
write then I am happy. That doesn't mean I don't want readers to love my books,
I am just understanding that not everyone will love what they read and I am ok
with that.
I also run a
blog with two other awesome ladies called Country Gals BOOK Blog and I hope
that you would take a look and see what we have going on. I was just kind of
thrust into it but I love exploring new genres, finding new authors, and
reading a range of books I might not have heard of before then. It also helps I
love to tell other readers about some great authors.
I grew up in
Southern California, and on top of being and author, blogger and mom, I also love
to watch movies, read excessively, go to hockey and baseball games, and relax
with just my friends and family.
I hope you take
the chance to check out my books and hopefully enjoy them.
Stalk Me:
Snapchat- wlcannavina87
Wordpress-https://wordpress.com/me
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