Pump Up Your Book Promotion Virtual Book Tours: MIKE: THE CIRCLE OF FRIENDS VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR '07

Join young adult fiction author L. Diane Wolfe, author of MIKE: THE CIRCLE OF FRIENDS, BOOK IV (Author House, March 2007), as she virtually tours the blogosphere in October on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book Promotion Virtual Book Tours!

L. Diane Wolfe’s series, The Circle of Friends, focuses on the pursuit of dreams and the overcoming of obstacles. The stories intertwine as the characters learn that with belief and encouragement, they can achieve anything. Her latest in the series, “Mike: Book IV”, follows one

young man’s journey of forgiveness. Traveling the East Coast to promote her series, Wolfe sets herself on a heavy tour of extensive book signings and speaking engagements. The author averages over sixty appearances each year, maintains a website & blog for her series, and contributes articles for several other sites. She conducts seminars on publishing & promoting, goal setting and works with writer’s groups. Meant to inspire as well as entertain, Wolfe’s books have been described as “encouragement personified”.

You can visit her website at http://www.thecircleoffriends.net/.

MIKE: THE CIRCLE OF FRIENDS SYNOPSIS:

Past mistakes can never be forgiven …

Mike Taylor is the epitome of stability. His family is proud of his academic and athletic achievements at Georgia Tech, and despite the temptations of college life, he has maintained his moral standards. Yet beneath the peaceful surface, Mike is consumed with guilt, fearing condemnation and rejection. A former girlfriend’s abortion and the intense love he feels for his roommate’s wife constantly remind Mike of his failures. Unable to forget and full of shame, he refuses to forgive himself. When Danielle enters his life, he realizes he can no longer hide the past. Will she be able to reach him or is Mike past the point of redemption?

L. Diane Wolfe’s Southern-based series, The Circle of Friends, focuses on the pursuit of dreams and the overcoming of obstacles. The stories intertwine as the characters learn that with belief and encouragement, they can achieve anything. Despite the current salacious trend in young adult/adult titles, The Circle of Friends feature positive, moral tales. Meant to inspire as well as entertain, Wolfe’s books have been described as “encouragement personified”.

MIKE: THE CIRCLE OF FRIENDS EXCERPT:

Feeling drained, Mike slowly rose from his chair. “Well, let me go take that really hot bath. Thanks, Sarah. For everything.”

“You’re welcome. And Mike?” she implored. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. Trust me, I know how it feels to be tortured by guilt. You don’t deserve that. And I know you’ll find someone just as wonderful and special as you are!”

Mike stared at her a moment, touched by her kindness and choice of words. Obviously the disclosure of his secret had not lowered Sarah’s opinion of her roommate. Somehow, that comforted Mike more than anything else. He gave her a warm smile before sauntering off to the bathroom.

Following her recommendation, Mike filled the tub with steaming water. Casting aside the robe, he slowly eased his aching body into the bathtub until only his head and knees protruded from the water. His height prevented complete immersion, but otherwise the warm liquid surrounded him like a cocoon. Adjusting his position one last time, Mike relaxed and closed his eyes.

Until today, only Matt knew what had transpired his senior year. Not even Joe, Mike’s best friend back home, suspected anything. Considering how deeply the incident bothered him, coupled with his feelings for Sarah, it surprised him that she had coaxed the story from his lips. Recounting his horrible mistake had been incredibly painful. However, the agony of his disclosure had been replaced with the ache of desire once more.

Sarah’s thoughtful words continued to ring in his ears and Mike longed to act upon his feelings. He had told his roommate she was special, but that word did not begin to describe what he truly saw in Sarah. She possessed all of the qualities Mike had ever desired in a woman. He did not have to go searching for someone special, hoping to find the right person. Sarah was right there, her spirit intoxicating and more real than he’d ever imagined. She needed to know how much Mike loved her before his heart virtually exploded.

“You’ve got to tell her,” he murmured to himself.

Mike spent his remaining time in the bathroom carefully choosing his words. Every phrase that came to mind sounded corny and contrived and he struggled to properly articulate his feelings. With no intensions to act upon his declaration of love, Mike still worried that he might be crossing the line. Matt trusted him and he did not want to betray his best friend. His roommate had never expressed concern that Mike would act inappropriately around his wife and Matt promised not to reveal the truth to Sarah. However, keeping his love a secret had been Mike’s idea. Surely it would be all right if he were the one to tell her. His internal battle continued right up until he emerged from the bathroom.

Dressed in a sweatshirt and baggy pants, Mike retrieved a textbook from his desk and stepped into the tiny hallway. Noticing Sarah at work in the kitchen, he went into the living room and set his book on the coffee table. Mike hesitated and took a deep breath. Still full of doubt but determined to go through with his plan, he strode purposefully into the kitchen.

Once in the room, the smell of freshly baked cake struck him full force. A large sheet cake sat on the stovetop, its surface covered with white frosting. Mike’s step faltered as his eyes fell on Sarah hunched over several small bowls, tiny vials of food coloring off to one side. His roommate had become quite good at decorating cakes and produced one of her beautiful creations on special occasions. Since today was no one’s birthday, and he doubted Sarah would make one just because he had been sick, Mike suspected the cake could only be for her husband.

Sarah glanced up from her preparations and smiled. “Feel better now?” she asked.

“Yeah, I do. Um, who’s the cake for?” he inquired, stalling for time.

“For Matt!” Sarah cried proudly. “I’m going to decorate it with a football helmet and write ‘Matt’s #1!’ across the top. Think he’ll like it?”

When Mike nodded, she grabbed a bowl of frosting and moved over to the cake. “Well, I want him to know how proud I am of his performance yesterday. Sometimes I don’t feel I show enough loving support.”

“You do, Sarah.”

Flashing Mike a quick smile, his roommate carefully began outlining a football helmet on the cake’s surface. He watched in silence, his insides slowly sinking as he realized he would be unable to follow through on his intentions. Instantly, guilt replaced the longing in his heart. Matt and Sarah loved each other so very much. How could he possibly risk damaging their relationship? Despite his desire, Mike knew he could never express his true feelings towards Sarah. Too much lay at stake.

Upon completing the helmet’s outline, Sarah suddenly raised her eyes to him. “I’m sorry, Mike. Did you need something?” she asked.

Mike shook his head. “Just wanted a drink. I’ll get it myself.”

Retreating to the living room with his juice, Mike slumped heavily onto the sofa and reached for the remote. He really needed to work on his assignment, but at the moment, he desperately wanted a distraction. Hopefully between football games and reading, the afternoon would pass quickly.

When Matt arrived home, Sarah’s enthusiastic welcome reinforced Mike’s resolve to remain silent. Only her husband occupied Sarah’s heart. Mike had been on enough road trips with Matt to know that his friend only had eyes for Sarah as well. He had no right to interfere or break his roommate’s trust. Regardless of his own misery, Mike was determined Matt and Sarah would enjoy marital bliss. In the meantime, he would continue praying for the strength to endure.

MIKE: THE CIRCLE OF FRIENDS VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR '07 will officially begin on October 1, 2007. If you would like to follow Diane as she talks about her book and to be eligible to win a free copy, visit http://www.virtualbooktours.authorsabode.com/. To be eligible to win free copies, watch for her tour stops on our virtual book tour blog at the link above and leave a comment on each of her blog stops. On Halloween night, October 31, we will announce the winners on this blog, so watch to see if you're one of the lucky winners!

Diane's virtual book tour is brought to you by Pump Up Your Book Promotion Virtual Book Tours at www.pumpupyourbookpromotion.com.