An Artificial Sun

by Gina Shafer

The moment I met Nick Adler, he refused to tell me his name. I already knew it, of course, but I wasn’t going to tell him that.

He was gorgeous, and not in a typical kind of way. Nick’s allure came from his ability to master grace and charm while simultaneously being rough around the edges.


I fought my attraction, hard. There was no room in my life for a man like him. My mother was battling Alzheimer's, and my father and I could hardly keep up with her care. Nick would be a distraction that I couldn’t afford. I’d made up my mind. I was going to ignore him.

And then my dad invited him over for dinner. I watched him that night, unable to ignore the feeling clawing through my chest. I knew Nick would be the end of me.

But, I was wrong.
He was just the beginning.

Paperback

First published June 20, 2019

About the author

Gina Shafer is a wife. a mom of two wonderful children, and a woman who believes in the impossible. She is the author of contemporary romance & urban fantasy books like the Burned by Magic Series. She grew up in California and likes windy weather, good food, great conversation, and books that remind her that no problem is insurmountable, and love conquers all.

Reviews

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Artificial Sun is an emotional and heartfelt love story with a backdrop of pure despair. When Whitley returns home to help care for her mother who is in the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease, she meets her parents neighbour, Nick. They experience a connection almost instantly, and he helps her get through a lot of the bad days that come with her mothers illness. She is full of guilt and regret for staying away for so long, as well as her attraction to Nick. She feels her mothers disease takes precedence over her happiness. There is no way around the fact that some of the happiest moments in her life are mingled with utter sadness, and there is no way of avoiding the heartbreak coming her way. Nick has a gentleness, tenderness, compassion, endless amounts of patience and is unwavering in his love towards Whitley. Beautifully written to show the juxtaposition of falling in love with losing her mother to Alzheimer’s. I won’t even pretend that I didn’t tear up towards the end, but it was well worth it.

[Sunny Shelly Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Artificial Sun is one of those stories that offers a glimmer of hope even in the character's darkest hours. When Whitley comes home after years away to care for her mother, who is suffering from Alzheimers, she never expects to find such a sweet, sensitive, caring soul in her parents' next-door neighbor, Nick.

This book is not an easy one to read, simply because of the subject matter and how crippling Alzheimers is on the entire family, not just the patient. But Nick proves to Whitley over and over again that she deserves happiness and shows her how to find joy even when she feels like she'll never be happy again.

Grab some tissues before reading this one, because you will need them. I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

[Lauren Runow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like going into books blind, without knowing what it's about. This book covered a heavy subject but I am SO impressed with how Ms. Shafer handled it. Dealing with a sick mother can be traumatizing but she never once made the book feel too sad or a downer. It was real. Nick offered a much needed escape to Whitley and to the book. There was a perfect blend of heat and emotions. If you're looking for a heartfelt story about loss and finding love to help guide you through it then this book is for you!!

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Artificial Sun did not disappoint. What a great read that will hit you right in the feels.