Excerpt & Giveaway: "The Fifth Avenue Story Society" by Rachel Hauck

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Welcome to my stop on The Fifth Avenue Story Society blog tour! While I haven't had a chance to read the novel (yet!), I'm excited to share an excerpt with you. And be sure to scroll down and enter the giveaway while you're here!

---

The Fifth Avenue Story Society
By Rachel Hauck
Christian Contemporary Romance
Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 400 Pages
February 4th, 2020, by Thomas Nelson

An invitation to join The Fifth Avenue Story Society gives five New York strangers a chance to rewrite their own stories.

Executive assistant Lexa is eager for a much-deserved promotion, but her boss is determined to keep her underemployed.

Literature professor Jett is dealing with a broken heart, as well as a nagging suspicion his literary idol, Gordon Phipps Roth, might be a fraud.

Uber driver Chuck just wants a second chance with his kids.

Aging widower Ed is eager to write the true story of his incredible marriage.

Coral, queen of the cosmetics industry, has broken her engagement and is on the verge of losing her great grandmother’s multimillion-dollar empire.

When all five New Yorkers receive an anonymous, mysterious invitation to the Fifth Avenue Story Society, they suspect they’re victims of a practical joke. No one knows who sent the invitations or why. No one has heard of the literary society. And no one is prepared to reveal their deepest secrets to a roomful of strangers.

Yet curiosity and loneliness bring them back week after week to the old library. And it’s there they discover the stories of their hearts, and the kind of friendship and love that heals their souls.

Praise for the Book

"Hauck inspires and uplifts with this mix of tales." - Publishers Weekly

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Target | Christianbook | TNZFiction

---

Excerpt:

“I still say people can live selflessly, you know. There are couples who get along, don’t argue. Marriages where love conquers all.”

“Really?” Jett’s expression conveyed his doubt. “I’ve never seen one.”

“Well, you’re looking at the remaining half of a solid, giving marriage.” Ed glanced around the circle. “Granted, you don’t see much of what Esmerelda and I had in these modern times. All I see here is you kids with heartbreak. I don’t know what happened to you, Chuck, but I can see pain in your eyes.” He patted his new friend’s broad shoulder. “Lord only knows what happened with Coral and you two.” He waved at Lexa, then Jett. “Esmie and I chose the way of love. It was the sixties, so naturally love was on our minds. We decided things together, and when she was right, I said sorry. When I was right, she made my favorite pot roast.” He fell against his chair. “She made the best pot roast.”

“Ed, if that’s your story, tell it with gusto,” Jett said. “Your daughter and grandchildren will be inspired.”

Ed rubbed his chin. “I guess I could write down a bit more detail.”

“A lot more detail.” Jett smiled. “That’s all I’m asking. You’ll be surprised what you remember as you start to write. What about one of the times she said she was sorry by making pot roast?”

“I’d like to know how your second date went.” Coral angled forward, her long graceful arms folded over her legs.

“Romance is for the birds,” Chuck said with a quick, sideways glance at Coral. “However, now I want pot roast.”

It was good to end the evening on a laugh. Jett volunteered to clean up after the librarian stuck her head in the Bower and told them it was closing.

“Ed, it’s your turn to bring the food next week,” Coral said as the rest of the group walked out.

“I’m thinking pot roast.” Chuck clapped him on the shoulder then offered to drive him home.

“Ed, I want to hear more of your story,” Lexa said. “I enjoyed what you wrote. You’re a good writer.”

Outside on the avenue, he parted company with the girls and walked with Chuck toward his car. Behind him, he heard Lexa accept a ride from Coral.

When Chuck dropped him off he clapped him on the shoulder again. “Keep writing, Ed. See you next week? With a pot roast?”

“Pot roast? Well, why not?”

Nice going, old man. He had exactly six days to figure out how to make the best pot roast a body ever tasted.

From The Fifth Avenue Story Society by Rachel Hauck. Used with the permission of the publisher, Thomas Nelson. Copyright © 2020 by Rachel Hauck. Learn more at TNZ Fiction.

---

About the Author

Rachel Hauck is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA TODAY bestselling author of The Wedding Dress, which was also named Inspirational Novel of the Year by Romantic Times and was a RITA finalist. Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and pet and writes from her ivory tower.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive a print copy of The Wedding Dress (US only)

Ends February 19, 2020

ENTER HERE

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and make a purchase, I'll make a small commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."