Read This Book: BREATHING

Congratulations to Cheryl Renee Herbsman, who's visiting my blog today to celebrate the release of her YA debut BREATHING. This book took me by the hand, settled me in for a sweet-and-difficult romance, and let me soak in a genuine, wish-I-were-there, southern setting. 

You can read an excerpt of BREATHING here.

Here's a little about BREATHING:

What if the guy who took your breath away was the only one who could help you breathe?

Savannah would be happy to spend the summer in her coastal Carolina town lying in a hammock reading her beloved romance novels and working at the library. But then she meets Jackson. Once they lock eyes, she’s convinced he’s the one—her true love, her soul mate, a boy different from all the rest. And at first it looks like Savannah is right. Jackson abides by her mama’s strict rules, and stays by her side during a hospitalization for severe asthma, which Savannah becomes convinced is only improving because Jackson is there. But when he’s called away to help his family—and seems uncertain about returning—Savannah has to learn to breathe on her own, both literally and figuratively.

This debut novel has it all—an endearing, funny, hopelessly romantic main character, lots of down-home Southern charm, and a sunny, salty beach setting that will transport you to the Carolina coast. 

Cheryl answered my three fave questions:

--I think teen books can, and should, be read by grown-ups. Tell my grandma Grace why she should read your book.
Grandma Grace: A sweet romance is fun at any age. And it's never too late to learn to follow your dreams!

--What would your 16-year-old self say if she read your book?
She would loooooove it.

--I am fascinated by writers' inspirations. Tell me about a real-life setting that found its way into your book.
Breathing takes place on the Carolina coast, where my family often went for summer vacations. I sort of combined the characteristics of the North Carolina and South Carolina beaches. They're both beautiful!

And finally, have a glass of sweet tea and settle in to hear about Cheryl:
Cheryl Renée Herbsman lives in Northern California with her husband and two children, but she grew up in North Carolina and often spent summer vacations at the Carolina coast. Like Savannah, she fell in love as a teenager, and like Savannah and Jackson, she and her boyfriend carried on a long-distance relationship. They are now celebrating their twentieth wedding anniversary.