Cheryl Renee Herbsman

Book title: BREATHING

Publication date: April 16, 2009

Publisher: Viking

ISBN: 978-0-670-01123-0

Author website: www.cherylreneeherbsman.com

Description:

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.

About the author:

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. Just after the release of BREATHING, they will celebrate their twentieth wedding anniversary.

Excerpt:
Oh Lord, I got a prickling on the back of my neck. Either somebody
walked over my grave or else I’m being watched.
I turn to look and there he is staring right at me from up by the snack
shack. Some kind of crazy zingy feeling goes shooting right on up my
chest. I should have brung my inhaler, all the sudden my breathing is
clunky. Hell ‘n high water, he’s headed this way. And he’s got that big
ol’ smile plastered on his face like I’m his long lost best friend. And
I haven’t a clue what his long lost best friend would say. I drop my
bike down in the sand beside me.
“Hey,” he says, just like last time.
Ah, hell. “Hey,” I reply, promising myself that no matter what happens
I will not run off like a baby.
“We met behind the libary,” he says.
“I remember you,” I say, all shy-like. “I’m Savannah, you know, as in
Georgia.” Hells bells, I should have kept my mouth shut. But he smiles
at me with those sparkly sea-green eyes. “Jackson,” he says, “as in
Mississippi.”
I’m fixing to fall out just turning that name over in my mouth. I knew
he weren’t no John or William. And that’s when it happens. I feel my
chest cave in and all the sudden I can’t get no air. Mama’s going to
kill me for forgetting my inhaler. I can feel my eyes popping on out of
my head. I must look like the devil’s own bride.
“Su’m wrong?” he asks, as I gasp and cough. I know my face is turning
red. “Asthma,” I croak, feeling desperate and dumb as a dishrag both.
“You got one of them inhalers or something?” he asks, looking
concerned.
“At home,” I manage to say.
He pulls up my bike and sets me on the seat, then straddles it in front
of me. Without so much as a look back to his cousins, he rides me
straight on home to my house, me sitting side-saddle on the banana
seat, my hand grabbing hold of his shirt to keep from falling. Even in
my terrified state of oxygen-less existence, I can’t help but enjoy the
warmth of his body so near to mine. I guess it’s a good thing he drove
by with his cousins earlier, cause I ain’t exactly in a state to give
directions.
He follows me inside and I take a couple hits off my inhaler. “Sorry
about that. It don’t happen too often,” I lie, feeling like God’s own
fool.
“Ain’t your fault,” he says. Now ain’t that a gentleman?
“Naw, my daddy’s more like,” slips out of my mouth before I can stop
it.

Reviews: 
Booklist: 
"Authentic, lyrical, and consistent. Readers will look forward to more from this talented new author.”

Kirkus: 
"The struggle to sustain an intense romance while holding tight to one's dreams drives this story, which is strengthened by a strong sense of place and a compelling narrative voice."

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