Firstly huge apologies to Ellie Pitcher and Canelo Publishers four missing my turn on the blog tour yesterday. With a newborn baby, a mum in hospital and my car breaking down I’m sorry to say things just got away from me yesterday.
I have an extract to share with you today from the fantastic soundings If I Fall by Ella Harper. This book has had loads of brilliant reviews so far so I’m really looking forward to reading it. If I Fall is currently only £1.99 and is available to buy Here.
Before we get to the extract here is a bit more about the book.
Book Blurb:
Four university friends, four devastating secrets.
I’m really sorry for what I’m about to do…
It’s fifteen years since graduation, and Connie, Jonas, JJ and Layla have managed to remain close despite the odds. They’ve supported each other, but are some things too big for friendship?
Connie is desperate to maintain the veneer of perfect family life.
Jonas is feeling the pressure at work.
Layla’s career is unravelling thanks to her ill mother
JJ’s past is catching up with him.
When they stumble and fall, who will be there to catch them?
A truly powerful and unforgettable story of love, friendship, and real life, If I Fall is perfect for readers of Alice Peterson, Amanda Prowse and Lianne Moriarty.
Exclusive Extract:
2003
‘Wow.’ Layla turned to face Connie on the picnic mat. ‘Last day of uni. I never thought we’d get here, did you?’
Connie pushed her dark fringe out of her eyes and stared up at a clear, blue sky. Perfect, bar two puffs of cloud in the distance. ‘Tell me about it! Finals – what a bloody nightmare. I only left the house to sit exams. And buy fags.’ She held an arm up to Layla and glanced at her legs, which stretched out under torn-off denim shorts. ‘Look how pale I am! I haven’t seen the sun in weeks. My freckles are fading.’
‘We’re making up for it today,’ Layla said, shielding her eyes. ‘What gorgeous weather! And technically, I’m not actually leaving yet – I still have to complete my master’s.’
‘A master’s degree? To listen to people’s problems and say “and what do you think it all means?”’ JJ propped himself up on his elbows and winked. He tucked the edge of his pristine, white t-shirt into his denim shorts. ‘And… “how did it make you feel?”’
Resisting the urge to stick her tongue out at him, Layla pulled a face instead. ‘I know. Shocking, isn’t it? Anyone would think you could literally just invite people into your front room willy-nilly and give unsolicited advice.’ She opened a can of cider; it let out a satisfying hiss. ‘Do shut it, JJ. Some of us actually intend to use our brains.’
‘Ouch!’ JJ pretended to look injured, his thick brows furrowing. He joined her by opening a can of cider. ‘I do have a brain, actually, Lay, but as I was also blessed with good looks and big muscles, I decided to use those instead.’
‘Yawn,’ Layla replied lazily. ‘Big muscles, small…’ She left the comment hanging.
JJ guffawed. ‘Oh really? Do I have to prove something to you?’
Layla shuddered. ‘God forbid…’
‘You two are like an old married couple,’ Connie said, scrabbling around for her cigarettes. ‘Are you sure you don’t fancy one another?’
Layla scoffed, but knew exactly why Connie had asked her oh-so-innocent question. ‘Christ, no.’
JJ smiled and looked away. Layla was a very pretty girl, but as Connie well knew, JJ preferred brunettes. Ones with faded freckles. He let his eyes wander back to her. Had he made the biggest mistake of his life? Or was he right in thinking that he was simply way too young to settle down?
‘You shouldn’t smoke,’ Jonas commented, nudging Connie. As if realising his tone sounded reprimanding, he reached out to touch her cheek. ‘I worry about you, Con. Can’t help it.’ He turned to his friend. ‘Back me up, JJ. Tell her it’s bad for her. Do the whole “I’m going to be a personal trainer” thing.’
JJ shook his head, laughing. ‘Don’t get me involved in a lovers’ tiff over fags! Besides, I don’t think anyone can tell Connie what to do.’ He met her eyes and held her gaze.
Connie’s eyes flickered for a moment and she felt her stomach fizz slightly. JJ was so… so… well. It didn’t really matter what JJ was anymore. It had, once. Once, it had mattered very much indeed. But Connie had had to get over that. So now JJ was just her friend, instead of her best friend. And everything else he had been for a while.
‘I’m glad someone knows to leave me alone with my cigs,’ she said lightly, feeling she should respond. She smiled at Jonas. ‘I guess I’ll give up one day, but today, I’m still a student and I’m making the most of it.’
Author Information:
As a teenager, I devoured novels and immersed myself in learning foreign languages. I imagined I might get a glamorous job speaking French somewhere but after acquiring a BA in French and Russian studies, I followed in my father’s footsteps and ended up in banking instead. I climbed the ladder, became an Assistant Vice President then starting writing a book on my commute into work. I then left my job to become a writer, publishing four successful novel under the name of Sasha Wagstaff. Pieces of You is my first novel as Ella Harper and it was inspired by a personal loss and fertility issues suffered by friends.
For more information about me, please follow me on Twitter @Ella__Harper and on Facebook at/EllaHarperBooks. You can find information about my other books on my Sasha Wagstaff page on Amazon, on Twitter @sashawagstaff and on Facebook /SashaWagstaff.
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