Blog Tour: I CAN STILL HEAR YOU by Nicole Black

 

I Can Still Hear You

by Nicole Black

 

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GENRE: action/adventure, women's fiction with romantic elements

 

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BLURB:

 

I Can Still Hear You is a powerful and deeply moving story which grapples with the universal pain of grief and the loss of a loved one. When Scarlett O’Connor loses her father at the age of 30, she’s forced to face the shambles that her life has become. With no money and no savings, the only thing that waits for her is a cryptic map and a mysterious letter. With nothing left to lose, she embarks on a trip to Maui for her father’s final adventure, to begin a treasure hunt which will force her to look deep inside herself and come to terms with her pain and grief.

 

Accompanied by her less-than-supportive fiancé, a close childhood friend, and an enigmatic man who was her father’s old acquaintance, Scarlett must decode the mystery and find the hidden treasure. But she knows she must face her fears alone, and calling upon the spirit of her father for guidance, she struggles to reconcile her emotions and uncover the treasure before her time in Maui comes to an end.

 

Perfect for fans of contemporary and women’s fiction, I Can Still Hear You is a gripping tale which will resonate with anybody who has struggled with the death of someone close. This book is a testament to the fact that even though we may have lost them, our loved ones stay with us no matter what challenges we face.

 

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Excerpt One: Chapter 1

 

The hospital room may have been silent, but it was far from peaceful.

 

The mechanical sounds of the machines melded with the all-too-human sounds of my father’s ailing body slowly giving up its fight. The resulting cacophony was anything but comforting. Though his heartbeat was steady, his breathing was a tortured, sawing rasp, a constant reminder that each intake of air could be his last.

 

The sound of the clock ticking on the wall reminded me of my grandfather’s old stopwatch. I made a mental note to ask my Dad about the whereabouts of the watch.

 

He had very little time left.

 

I knew that from the way the medical staff had left me alone with him. They’d been a constant presence these past few weeks, buzzing about the room, telling me in hushed whispers that this time was near, but I hadn’t really believed it. Those doctors had said, after his lung transplant six years ago, that we could expect him to live two to five years more.

 

But things were different now. He sounded different. He looked different, smaller, frailer. He even smelled a little different, as if something inside his body was going very wrong. And this was the first time all the doctors and nurses had stopped hovering nearby with a new drip or medication to administer. A nurse usually came in to open the curtains in the morning, but no one had been in for hours.

 

 

 

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My review: Her father’s last words were: “Remember the order, it will be important.”

Scarlett didn’t have much going for her. No job, no money, no place to live, no family, no real life at all. She had such a realistic and grounded sense of what life was all about and she knew that life needed money, not her dad’s fortune cookie advice.

Eventually, she discovers that her dad left her a box with a letter inside. It told her to go to Hawaii for a treasure hunt—it would be a journey that she could only take on her own. Unfortunately, it was also one she couldn’t afford. By the flip of a coin, she ends up going in the hopes that this so-called treasure would be a million dollars.  Instead the long trek ended up being frustrating, cryptic, and a complete waste of time. What was her dad thinking sending her here? What was she thinking actually listening to him?

Story had a nice 1^st person narrative that was compelling and easy to read. Scarlett’s candid, sarcastic bitterness was refreshing and relatable.

Throughout the whole trip, Scarlett can still hear her father’s voice, advising her and resurrecting long-forgotten memories for her. It soon becomes a journey of memories on a long and winded road to self-fulfillment.

This was a nice read. Although the ending wasn’t completely satisfying, story was inspirational and suitable for the character.

 

My rating: 4 stars

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Nicole Black is an author, motivational speaker and entrepreneur with a passion for sharing unique stories and helping people grow. For over 20 years, she’s worked in the business world as a corporate trainer in employee productivity and effective growth, where she’s helped some of the biggest brands in hospitality and entertainment grow sustainably through inspiring their employees. She’s been featured on platforms including TEDxWilmington, Jack Canfield Show, Santa Barbara News Press, The George DiGianni show and the Tom Barnard Show.

Through her writing, Nicole hopes to empower her readers and impart valuable lessons about grief, loss, and emotional growth. In her free time, Nicole enjoys traveling, yoga, and spending time with her wonderful daughter in their home of Santa Barbara, California.

 

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/nicoleblack25

 

Instagram: @WriterNicoleB and @nicoleblackauthor

 

Twitter: @nicolebwriter

 

The Book is On Sale for $0.99 during the tour.

 

Link to buy on Amazon for print book:

https://www.amazon.com/I-Can-Still-Hear-You/dp/1732739706/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

 

Link to buy Kindle version:

https://www.amazon.com/I-Can-Still-Hear-You-ebook/dp/B08VR7SZQB/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0

 

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

 

One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway