Picking Daisy by Valerie Howard

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Picking Daisy by Valerie Howard
Available for pre-order now! Release date: October 2, 2017

Plot
Elise Gilpatrick is a divorced potter and a brand-new foster mom. When she gets the call asking if she'll accept a placement with 15-year-old DJ, coming straight from the police station, she doesn't know what to expect. But over the course of DJ's stay, Elise finds out that motherhood is messier than she ever thought possible. As their temporary arrangement takes them through a rocky journey, both DJ and Elise learn that it's never too late to find the love of a family.

Links

Website: www.ValerieHowardBooks.wordpress.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/ValerieHowardBooks
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/PenHelp
Pre-order Kindle edition: http://a.co/5Of2vsB
Take out the Trash Bags: www.TakeOutTheTrashBags.com (charity inspired by this book to give bags to kids in foster care who are using trash bags as luggage)

Author Bio
Valerie Howard is a native of Southern Maine and has been writing since she was in second grade. She's the wife of a pastor, the mother of two young boys, and the owner of two lazy beagles. When she's not writing, she enjoys eating chocolate and wearing flip-flops, preferably at the same time!

Excerpt

THE CELL phone shrieked a piercing tune, making Elise jump out of bed.
What time is it?
She fumbled around in the darkness looking for her cell. A pair of pants lit up from their spot on the chaise.
Gotcha.
Elise cleared her throat and looked at the clock as she dug the phone out of a back pocket. A little after two in the morning. If this was Percy asking an inane question about the grocery store at this hour, she was going to kill him. Or maybe it was Michael. Her little brother had been in trouble before, but nothing that had ever warranted a two o'clock in the morning phone call. “Hello?” Her heart was pounding, and she pressed her hand to her chest as a woman's voice greeted her.
“Hi. Elise Gilpatrck? This is Linda calling from the Department of Health and Human Services. We have a placement for you tonight. Can she be brought to your house?”
Elise rubbed her eyes. Tonight? Now?
“Uh ...”
“Do you have any other children placed with you? We have you down for foster only, and emergency placements ... is that correct?”
Elise tried to shake the dust from her sleepy brain. “No, I mean, yes ... I. No, I haven't had any other kids here yet. Sure, sure, yes, she can come here. Right now?”
“Yes, she needs a placement tonight.”
“Okay, I'll go turn on the outside light.” Elise grabbed the pants and pulled them on under her nightgown. “Is there anything you can tell me about her? How old is she? What do you know about her? Anything?”
“Her name is DJ. She's 15. And all I know right now is that they're bringing her from the police station.”
Elise flinched and dropped her phone. It hit the floor and the battery popped out.
What did I just agree to?
She yanked on a light sweater over her nightgown and stepped into some slippers, then went downstairs to start the coffee, turn on the outside light, and pray.

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