Robin E. Mason's Blog: Robin's Book Shelf, page 76
February 2, 2022
BLOGWORDS – Tuesday 1 February 2022 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – AFTER THE PRODIGAL RETURNED by CASSANDRE BRISSOT
Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for After the Prodigal Returned by Cassandre Brissot, hosted by
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: After the Prodigal Returned
Sequel to: Six Years and a Quarter Way Through
Author: Cassandre Brissot
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: November 5, 2021
Genre: Christian fiction/romance
THE BLURBThe sequel to Six Years And A Quarter Way Through, After The Prodigal Returned, is a relevant tale about the guilt that condemns and the remorse that leads to repentance.
Leah Albanese thought the hard part was over. Little did she know it had only just begun. It’s been seven months since Leah heeded God’s voice and returned home to the life she was all too happy to flee. She quit Star Quality, the reality show that was her best and possibly last chance at stardom. Leah gave back the six-carat diamond engagement ring and sent Trenton Shaw packing.
When filming for the reunion episode brings familiar faces back into her life, some welcome some not, Leah begins feeling the same tugs at her heart that led her to stray from God in the first place. Can Leah resist temptation, or will she go back to the things, future, and fiancé she gave up?
Leah came back. She never imagined staying would be the real challenge. What happens after the wayward daughter returns home?
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon
ALSO AVAILABLE
Cassandre Brissot is a Brooklyn, NY native. She earned her bachelor of fine arts in television and radio production at the City University of New York Brooklyn College. Cassandre is the author of Six Years and A Quarter Way Through. When she’s not writing for her blog, she enjoys dance parties with her nieces.
CONNECT WITH CASSANDRE: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
MY REVIEWChange is never easy, and though the path to restoration may be granted with grace, it isn’t automatically easy. Old habits and all. A person may get sober or clean, but the addictive craving lingers.
For Leah, Trent kept digging his claws in, taunting her with a past she was fighting to leave behind. The temptation ever luring her back to the drama and heartache she walked away from.
Brice was her anchor, solid and stable, nudging her back to God’s love. This is the second book this reviewer has read in recent week where the sexual tension was palpable, yet the couple
Recognized their limits and chose to abstain. Although with Brice and Leah, he was the one who set limits, and though on the surface she understood, she struggled with the meaning of his lack of affection.
Ms. Brissot walks the reader through the intense struggles Leah faces. Honestly, I wanted to smack some sense into Leah—but it’s always easy to observe (judge) from the outside looking in; we’ve all been there in some way or another.
I did feel that the story was slow at times, bogged down, but kept reading because of the power of redemption and restoration. And the promise God makes to all of us.
ROBIN’S FEATHERS
THREE FEATHERS
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a copy of Six Years and a Quarter Way Through, a copy of After The Prodigal Returned, and a $25 Amazon gift card!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight January 31, 2022 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on February 7, 2022. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
ENTER GIVEAWAY HEREFollow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day, #TRD, Book Review, After the Prodigal Returned, Cassandre Brissot, JustRead Publicity, #giveaway
January 28, 2022
BLOGWORDS – Friday 28 January 2022 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY-on-FRIDAY – MINI REVIEW BLITZ – WHEN BUTTERFLIES CRY by NINIE HAMMON
When the dam explodes, only a little girl who was never really there at all can save them.
Grayson Addington comes home to Saddler Hollow, West Virginia, from Vietnam a broken man, ravaged by post-traumatic stress disorder, a chaplain who left his faith in the jungle mud with his massacred unit. In his absence, his wife, Piper, turned to his brother Carter for support. Now, she must choose between them—and Carter will stop at nothing to have her.
Into this family torn apart by jealousy, greed, and clan loyalties comes a mysterious little girl. Maggie, a battered child with amnesia, shows up on the Addington’s front porch and instantly bonds to Sadie, Piper, and Grayson’s cripplingly shy toddler. When Maggie runs away and takes Sadie with her, the warring brothers must team up to search for them.
Then the real horror begins. Sadie is trapped in the rocks out of her father’s reach beneath a dam about to explode. Grayson will have to stand there and watch her drown … unless the child called Maggie is much more than she seems.
THE AUTHOR
Ninie Hammon (rhymes with shiny, not skinny) grew up in Muleshoe, Texas, got a BA in English and theatre from Texas Tech University and snagged a job as a newspaper reporter. She didn’t know a thing about journalism, but her editor said if she could write he could teach her the rest of it and if she couldn’t write the rest of it didn’t matter. She hung in there for a 25-year career as a journalist. As soon as she figured out that making up the facts was a whole lot more fun than reporting them, she turned to fiction and never looked back.
Ninie now writes suspense–every flavor except pistachio: psychological suspense, inspirational suspense, suspense thrillers, paranormal suspense, suspense mysteries.
In every book she keeps this promise to her Loyal Reader: “I will tell you a story in a distinctive voice you’ll always recognize, about people as ordinary as you are–people who have been slammed by something they didn’t sign on for, and now they must fight for their lives. Then smack in the middle of their everyday worlds, those people encounter the unexplainable–and it’s always the game-changer.”
MY REVIEWIntense! This story is nothing if it’s not intense. War is ugly, but the war in Viet Nam was exceptionally so. Atrocities no human should ever witness. The things Grayson Addington saw, lived, imprinted on his brain. Changed him forever.
Meanwhile, back in West Virginia, the mining communities live under a threat of a different kind. Driven by money hungry moguls with nearly as little regard for human life as the enemy Grayson was fighting.
Ms. Hammon digs deep into the soul of man, unearthing the layers we all would rather keep hidden, the things we deny, and exposes an ugliness more hideous than war.
Characters with honest emotions, authentic dialogue, real situations and struggles. And Maggie, [SPOILER.]
Intense, and gripping, riveting, I couldn’t read it fast enough. And the ending!! It gave me chills!
ROBIN’S FEATHERS
ALL | THE | FEATHERS!
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.
#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day-on-Friday, #TRD, Book Review, When Butterflies Cry, Ninie HammonJanuary 27, 2022
BLOGWORDS – Thursday 27 January 2022– TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY-on-THURSDAY – MINI REVIEW BLITZ – BENEATH THE DOVER SKY by MURRAY PURA
TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY-on-THURSDAY – MINI REVIEW BLITZ – BENEATH THE DOVER SKY by MURRAY PURA
THE BLURB
For fans of the hugely popular Downton Abbey television series and lovers of British historical sagas, award-winning author Murray Pura continues the enthralling story of the Danforths of Lancashire.
The second book in the series (following Ashton Park) transports the reader back in time to 1924 as Sir William—recently named Lord Preston—celebrates his sixtieth birthday at the Danforth summer home in Dover.
Although the ravages of World War I are in the past, new threats loom as a man named Adolph Hitler publishes a book called Mein Kampf. Is he a danger to Europe? And what of Lord Preston’s growing friendship with an up and coming political leader named Winston Churchill?
On the home front, one of the Danforth daughters, the recently widowed Catherine, sells her home in Belfast to spend more time at Dover—where she finds herself annoyed at the impertinent German theologian her father has befriended.
The entire Danforth family faces many changes as illness and tragedy strike. Young Edward finally makes his move into the political arena while Michael and Libby welcome a new family member.
Readers will be captivated by the upstairs/downstairs interplay as they once again savor this compelling saga of the well-loved Danforth family overcoming obstacles by placing their trust in the God who has always been faithful.
Book 2 in The Danforths of Lancashire series
THE AUTHOR
I live near the Montana-Alberta border because I love the Rocky Mountains and the wild regions around and within them. I have a studio on my property that’s a combination of a library, home gym, writing space and music room. When it comes to creating stories I’m interested in almost every genre –– romance, adventure, suspense, Amish, military, historical fiction, you name it. The story is the thing, to give the reader a good story no matter what you’re writing about.
My latest releases include Gettysburg (2018); Ride the Sky, Grace Rider and Abigail’s Christmas Miracle, all in 2019. So far in 2020 my releases include: The Preacher Man, Hawk, The Bride From Virginia City and The Amish Menorah. One of the most exciting of my 2020 releases is a series entitled ISLANDS which I’m co-authoring with Patrick Craig. There are three titles in this series set in the South Pacific in WW2 and the second one is coming out in the fall of 2020.
I have more than 40 fiction titles in print. Several have won awards in the US and CAN and a number have been bestsellers. I work with Barbour, Harvest House, HarperCollins, Harlequin, Zondervan, Elk Lake, Islands Publishing and MillerWords.
I’d love to hear from you. Message me anytime you’d like. Watch this Author Page on Amazon for more info on upcoming releases and giveaways.
MY REVIEWA sweeping family saga laced with nuggets of history. The Roaring Twenties, a time of prohibition and flappers and speakeasies. And, at least to this reader’s mind, the evils of war were put out of mind.
Mr. Pura is not only skilled at storytelling, but he knows his history. The level of detail and accuracy laid the background for his story. (And this reader learned a thing or two.) His characters are three dimensional, with distinct personalities. The author stirs up conflict between family members while maintaining strong family devotion, their lives crisscrossing, ebbing and flowing, back and forth—creating a depth of realism and authenticity.
ROBIN’S FEATHERS
FOUR FEATHERS
I purchased this book, and offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my own honest thoughts and reaction to this book.
#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day-on-Thursday, #TRD, Book Review, Beneath the Dover Sky, Murray Pura, The Danforths of Lancashire Series, Ashton Park, London Dawn
January 26, 2022
BLOGWORDS – Wednesday 26 January 202 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY-on-WEDNESDAY – MINI REVIEW BLITZ – CHOCOLATE BEACH by JULIE CAROBINI
TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY-on-WEDNESDAY – MINI REVIEW BLITZ– CHOCOLATE BEACH by JULIE CAROBINI
What’s a girl with rose-colored sunglasses to do?
Bri Stone has a nosy family member, a peculiar new boss, and a blunt nemesis. She also has suspicions that her man may have grown tired of her beachy, laid-back ways.
Can Bri reinvent herself – and recapture her guy’s heart?
JULIE CAROBINI writes inspirational beach romances and cozy mysteries … with a twist. She is the author of 20+ books across two names and is known for spunky heroines, charming heroes, quirky friends, and the secrets they keep. Her bestselling titles include Walking on Sea Glass, Runaway Tide, Windswept, The Christmas Thief, and more. Julie has received awards for writing and editing from The National League of American Pen Women and ACFW, and she is a double finalist for the ACFW Carol Award. She lives on the California coast with her husband, Dan–not too far from their grown up kids. Grab a free eBook here: http://www.juliecarobini.com/free-book
Please visit:
http://www.facebook.com/AuthorJulieCarobini
http://www.twitter.com/juliecarobini
http://www.instagram.com/beachyjewel
http://www.juliecarobini.com/free-book
Help for Indie Authors: http://www.indieauthorlifeline.com
MY REVIEWCONFESSION: This was one of the first books I purchased for my Kindle and I’ve only just read it! (so sorry, Ms. Carobini!) This was such a fun read, kitschy writing, great characters and dialogue. And a great story line.
If there’s one thing this reader knows it’s feeling like I need to change who I am to please someone else. (Thank goodness I don’t feel that way anymore.)
Bri has a bright, happy, sunny life. That is, until Ms. Carobini throws one aggravation after another her way. I loved the eclectic friends, and especially loved Gaby. But when one of their Bunko playing “friends” suggests that Bri’s husband is not only losing interest but possibly—probably—having an affair, it made me mad! And it shook Bri’s confidence to the core.
The author twisted the different pieces of Bri’s life till they were one giant knot. Leaving Bri to sort it all out.
A definite page-turner that has me eager to read more from this author.
ROBIN’S FEATHERSFOUR FEATHERS
I purchased this book and offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my own honest thoughts and reaction to this book.
#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day-on-Wednesday, #TRD, Book Review, Chocolate Beach, Julie Carobini, Chocolate Chick-lit Series, Truffles by the Sea, Mocha SunriseJanuary 25, 2022
BLOGWORDS – Tuesday 25 January 2022 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – MINI REVIEW BLITZ – LOVE, LAUGHTER, AND LUMINARIAS by JAYCEE WEAVER
TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – LOVE, LAUGHTER, AND LUMINARIAS by JAYCEE WEAVER
He has his books. She has her fandoms. They’ve always had their friendship. Could Christmas projects, snowball fights, and local traditions spark feelings neither knew were there?
Surprisingly successful action-suspense author Garrett Wilson is struggling to write a summer novel in December. That is, until he witnesses his best friend, Nina, chase down a shoplifter and realizes that maybe his tough, attractive heroine might not be based solely in fiction.
Geeky-chic Nina Trujillo finds herself contemplating a God she’s never believed in after her brush with danger taking down a thief. That one decision could change the whole course of her life, and quite possibly, her feelings for the one guy she’s never considered more than a friend.
When Nina dives head-first into a series of Christmas projects and ideas for new traditions, she drags Garrett along for the ride. Will her newfound courage and all the extra time together bring their feelings out into the open, or will Nina escape back into the comfort of her fandoms and lose him forever?
THE AUTHOR
Jaycee Weaver lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with her amazing husband, three daughters, two crazy shih-tzus, and a dwarf rabbit. When she’s not writing, she’s probably in pursuit of her 90 million other hobbies or shuttling the kids around. Jaycee loves to read multiple genres, drink too much coffee, sing, take landscape and floral photos, sew, cook, bake, and craft nearly anything. She considers herself a recovering perfectionist and occasional hot mess. She does her best to live her faith in action, being open, honest, and real; letting God be Lord over the good, the bad, and the ugly even when it’s hard.
“Nah, we’re just friends.” “No, really.”
Sometimes it’s the most unexpected moments that change everything. Risky instinct that changes the course of a life. Threat of danger that draws attention.
Nina acted on instinct—and Garrett saw her in a different light. That threat of danger? God is always working behind the scenes, and what the enemy intended for evil God totally used for good—shook her go-it-alone foundation and [SPOILER.]
Ms. Weaver mixes danger and challenges and courage, snowball fights and holiday traditions
—and luminarias—and turns friendship into romance.
ROBIN’S FEATHERSFOUR FEATHERS
This book was given to me as a gift. I offer my review of my own free will, and the opinions expressed in my review are my own honest thoughts and reaction to this book.
#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day, #TRD, Mini Review Blitz, Love Laughter and Luminarias, Jaycee Weaver
January 24, 2022
BLOGWORDS – Monday 24 January 2022 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY-on-MONDAY MINI-REVIEW BLITZ – DARKWATER SECRETS by ROBIN CAROLL
A murder investigation uncovers sordid secrets and haunting mistakes
The Darkwater Inn stands tall and proud in the French Quarter, the hub of New Orleans. Bourbon Street is bustling, and general manager Adelaide Fountaine has her hands full with a hotel at capacity. But she is shocked when a body is found: a hotel guest stabbed with a kitchen knife.
Detective Beau Savoie, Adelaide’s childhood friend, is on the case. As Beau digs into the victim’s past, he unearths a shocking connection between Adelaide and the murdered guest. Beau is hurt that his friend–the woman he’s quietly loved for years–kept the truth from him. To make matters worse, the stress of the investigation has sent Adelaide right into the comforting arms of her coworker Dimitri. But Beau can’t press Adelaide too hard . . . because he’s keeping secrets of his own.
Can Adelaide and Beau afford to hide from the truth with a killer on the loose?
Best-selling author of thirty-plus novels, ROBIN CAROLL writes Southern stories of mystery and suspense, with a hint of romance to entertain readers. Her books have been recognized in several awards, including the Carol Award, HOLT Medallion, Daphne du Maurier, RT Reviewer’s Choice Award, and more.
When she isn’t writing, Robin spends quality time with her husband of three decades, her three beautiful daughters and two handsome grandsons, and their character-filled pets at home in the South.
Robin serves the writing community as Executive/Conference Director for ACFW. To find out more about Robin, visit http://www.robincaroll.com
Social media links:
https://www.facebook.com/Author.RobinCaroll/
https://www.instagram.com/robin.caroll/
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/robin-caroll
http://www.goodreads.com/robincaroll
http://www.amazon.com/author/robincaroll
MY REVIEWAn inn on the bayou begs mystery and intrigue. But murder?
Ms. Caroll sure weaves her secrets neatly together, buried under fear and pride, unravelling the tangled mess one strand at a time to reveal the truth. And sparks of romance between Adelaide and [SPOILER] just stoke the mystery and confusion deeper. First one suspect, then another, and another—all with motive and opportunity. But when [SPOILER’S] prints are found on the murder weapon, will it lead Beau down a rabbit hole? Or straight to the murderer?
I read this story eagerly, sifting through the clues and red herrings (well played, Ms. Caroll!)
ROBIN’S FEATHERSFOUR FEATHERS
I purchased this book and offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my own honest thoughts and reaction to this book.
#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day-on-Monday, #TRD, (Mini) Book Review, Darkwater Secrets, Robin Caroll, Darkwater Inn Series, Darkwater Lies, Darkwater TruthJanuary 18, 2022
BLOGWORDS – Tuesday 18 January 2022 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – HARMONY ON THE HORIZON by KATHLEEN DENLY
TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – HARMONY ON THE HORIZON by KATHLEEN DENLY
Her calling to change the world may be his downfall.
On the heels of the Great Rebellion, Margaret Foster, an abolitionist northerner, takes a teaching position in 1865 San Diego—a town dominated by Southern sympathizers. At thirty-seven years of age, Margaret has accepted spinsterhood and embraced her role as teacher. So, when Everett Thompson, the handsomest member of the School Board, reveals his interest in her, it’s a dream come true. Until her passionate ideals drive a wedge between them.
After two decades of hard work, Everett Thompson is on the verge of having everything he’s dreamed of. Even the beautiful new teacher has agreed to his courtship. Then two investments go south and a blackmailer threatens everything Everett has and dreams of.
As Everett scrambles to shore up the crumbling pieces of his life, Margaret unwittingly sets off a scandal that divides the small community and threatens her position as teacher. With the blackmailer still whispering threats, Everett must decide if he’s willing to risk everything for the woman still keeping him at arm’s length.
THE AUTHOR
Kathleen Denly lives in sunny Southern California with her loving husband, four young children, and two cats. As a member of the adoption and foster community, children in need are a cause dear to her heart and she finds they make frequent appearances in her stories. When she isn’t writing, researching, or caring for children, Kathleen spends her time reading, visiting historical sites, hiking, and crafting.
Kathleen is the award-winning author of Chaparral Hearts, a three-book series of stand-alone novels set in nineteenth century Southern California (plus a prequel novella available exclusively to her newsletter subscribers).
Kathleen would love it if you visited her website at KathleenDenly.com.
You can also connect with her on social media:
Instagram & Twitter @KathleenDenly
Facebook Author Page: KathleenDenly.author
FB Group: Armchair Adventure Krew
To see photos that inspired her novels, follow her on Pinterest.
MY REVIEWWhen a Boston teacher lands a job in fledgling Southern sympathizer San Diego, sparks fly.
Ms. Denly layers conflict upon conflict, twist knotted against twist. The historical detail and descriptive details bring the story to life and give depth and When a Boston teacher lands a job in fledgling Southern sympathizer San Diego, sparks fly. Ms. Denly layers conflict upon conflict, twist knotted against twist. The historical detail and descriptive details bring the story to life and give depth and
ROBIN’S FEATHERS
FOUR FEATHERS
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.
#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day, #TRD, Book Review, Harmony on the Horizon, Kathleen Denly, Chaparral Hearts, Waltz in the Wilderness, Sing in the SunlightDecember 21, 2021
BLOGWORDS – Tuesday 21 December 2021 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – (MINI) BOOK REVIEW – THE RECKONING AT GOSSAMER POND by JAIME JO WRIGHT
For over a century, the town of Gossamer Grove has thrived on its charm and midwestern values, but Annalise Forsythe knows painful secrets, including her own, hover just beneath the pleasant façade. When a man is found dead in his run-down trailer home, Annalise inherits the trailer, along with the pictures, vintage obituaries, and old revival posters covering its walls. As she sorts through the collection, she’s wholly unprepared for the ramifications of the dark and deadly secrets she’ll uncover.
A century earlier, Gossamer Grove has been stirred into chaos by the arrival of controversial and charismatic twin revivalists. The chaos takes a murderous turn when Libby Sheffield, working at her father’s newspaper, receives an obituary for a reputable church deacon hours before his death. As she works with the deacon’s son to unravel the mystery behind the crime, it becomes undeniably clear that a reckoning has come to town–but it isn’t until another obituary arrives that they realize the true depths of the danger they’ve waded into.
Two women, separated by a hundred years, must uncover the secrets within the borders of their own town before it’s too late and they lose their future–or their very souls.
Daphne du Maurier and Christy Award-Winning author, Jaime Jo Wright resides in the hills of Wisconsin writing suspenseful, mysteries stained with history’s secrets. Jaime lives in dreamland, exists in reality, and invites you to join her adventures at jaimewrightbooks.com
When you read a story by Jaime Jo Wright you know it’s going to be a good one. Gripping, edge of your seat, page-turning mystery and suspense. Doubly so with her dual timeline, and yet the past is so linked with the present.
Secrets just don’t stay hidden. Somebody, somewhere always knows. And someday, somehow, it always comes out. Even if it’s decades later.
Ms. Wright has splattered unexpected twists on every page, mysteries that seem to pull Annalise further from the answers she seeks. And closer to spilling her own secret. The more she discovers, the more questions she has.
A hundred years earlier, Libby Sheffield has mysteries of her own, practically handed to her. She, too, is caught up finding more questions than answers in her search for the truth.
What happened at the newspaper a hundred years ago? And what does it have to do with events in present day Gossamer Grove?
Ms. Wright pens a story with more intrigue, more chills, more questions, and keeps her reader’s attention to the very end.
ROBIN’S FEATHERSFOUR FEATHERS
I purchased this book and offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my own honest thoughts and reaction to this book.
#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day, #TRD, (Mini) Book Review, The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond, Jaime Jo Wright
December 20, 2021
BLOGWORDS – Monday 20 December 2021 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY-on-MONDAY – BOOK REVIEW – LOST IN DARKNESS by MICHELLE GRIEP
TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY-on-MONDAY – BOOK REVIEW – LOST IN DARKNESS by MICHELLE GRIEP
Even if there be monsters, there is none so fierce as that which resides in man’s own heart.
Travel writer Amelia Balfour’s dream of touring Egypt is halted when she receives news of a revolutionary new surgery for her grotesquely disfigured brother. This could change everything, and it does. . .in the worst possible way.
Surgeon Graham Lambert has suspicions about the doctor he’s gone into practice with, but he can’t stop him from operating on Amelia’s brother. Will he be too late to prevent the man’s death? Or to reveal his true feelings for Amelia before she sails to Cairo?
I hear voices. Loud. Incessant. And very real. Which basically gives me two options: choke back massive amounts of Prozac or write fiction. I’ve been writing since I discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. I seek to glorify God in all that I write–except for that graffiti phase I went through as teenager.
Dead set to never return to her past, Amelia receives news that leaves her no choice. In an age when women didn’t enjoy the luxury of a career, Amelia Balfour has made her mark, and is loathe to leave it behind. Just a small detour, though, only a slight delay…
After years asea, Graham Lambert has landed what he believes to be the career position he believes will set the course for his future as a surgeon. But when his mentor offers a groundbreaking—and questionable—procedure for the son of a wealthy benefactor, Graham has more questions than answers.
As she does so eloquently, Ms. Griep criss-crosses Amelia and Graham’s paths—and their heartstrings. With each page, she raises the stakes and the suspense, and the affection Amelia and Graham are beginning to feel. With every page, Amelia’s impatience to return to her life begins to wane. With every page, Graham feels he must act [SPOILER.]
Pulling from threads of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Ms. Griep twists a tale of human nature and of torture. Of a life spent in hiding and in misery. Of medical experiments and unthinkable consequences. But most of all, Ms. Griep writes of faith and of love.
ROBIN’S FEATHERS FOUR FEATHERS
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.
#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day-on-Monday, #TRD, Book Review, Lost in Darkness, Michelle GriepNovember 16, 2021
BLOGWORDS – Tuesday 16 November 2021 – TUESDAY REVIEWS-DAY – BOOK REVIEW – SPEAK NOW by CHAUTONA HAVIG
Book: Speak Now
Author: Chautona Havig
Genre: Fiction / Christian / Romance
Release date: May 30, 2013
THE BLURBSome say you only love once. They’re wrong.
Ask Jonathan Lyman. Still grieving for his wife, he walks into that wedding with no idea his entire life is about to change. It was just supposed to be a simple—oh, who am I kidding? It was supposed to be a typical, lavish, family wedding.
But there’s nothing typical about falling in love with a woman walking down the aisle. So to speak.
Cara Laas is falling hard and fast for a man whose heart doesn’t want to let go of the past and is rushing to meet her in the present. At the same time. That she’s half in love with his children doesn’t help, either.
Their attraction may be their undoing, but is either ready for “till death do us part?”
She’s a master at making others comfortable. He’s never comfortable talking, but if he wants her heart, he’s going to have to speak—now sooner than later, if you don’t mind.
Click here to get your copy!THE AUTHOR
Author of the bestselling Aggie and Past Forward series, Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.
All New Cover, All New Edits, Same Great Story?
The article condemned the overuse of dialogue. I did a bit of research, and my heart sank. It seemed dialogue was out. Lyrical prose was in. Great. Just what I needed.
I write a decidedly dialogue-driven story. Always have.
Every time I tried to shift character discussions into narrative, my prose took a nose-dive into a tank of boring info-dumping. Blech. Those characters wanted to talk. They didn’t want me to tell readers what they wanted to say. They wanted me to let them tell their story as they lived it.
Characters can be pretty demanding.
Then Jonathan stepped up. He didn’t talk—didn’t want to talk. In fact, he didn’t like it. Refused to do it. And yet… how could he hope to get to know a woman who fascinated him if he didn’t at least ask questions to get her to carry most of the conversation.
Research says that if you gaze into someone’s eyes for four minutes, you’ll develop a strong bond with that person. I suspect that’s what “love at first sight” is. Two people who foolishly keep gazing into a stranger’s eyes long enough to form that bond. Or something.
I also suspect that’s what happened to Jonathan that night.
So here I had a character who did not like to talk. And aside from self-absorbed people, most of us don’t like to carry an entire conversation alone, so the woman he met that night, Cara, wouldn’t enjoy chatting all by herself all night.
Look, I tried to make it less dialogue-driven and not all info-dumpy. I tried to keep it an engaging read without so much discussion. But the dialogue refused to go away. It wanted its place. It needed to be there.
So I caved, certain I was going to be a mediocre writer for the rest of my life.
I hated that book for so long. In fact, I never intended to publish it. Why would I put something out there so very bad? The articles, books, videos—all the things I’d read said I was doing something wrong.
Except one friend. Michele loved the story—begged for new installments. Pleaded with me to finish it. So, I did. For her. I published it, even. Only for her. And you know what? I still hated it.
Despite that book having the best scene I’ve ever written in it.
No joke. There’s a scene in there that I’m always amazed to realize that I wrote. It’s powerful and raw and oh, so poignant. And yes, there are words in it—spoken words by my characters.
A few years passed. I still didn’t like the book. In my mind, it was a failure.
Then someone said something to me one day. “You are so good at dialogue.”
Later, someone else said it again. And later, I heard it again. Here I’d spent all this time and frustration fighting against one of my biggest writing strengths. Because some article made me question the best way to write. When I did searches on writing good dialogue, guess what? I found rebuttal arguments that included references to books I loved. Oops.
To say my eyes opened, and I saw something new in that story might be overkill. If anything, I assumed that meant it was as bad as I thought.
I felt certain that was why I didn’t like that book. It didn’t have “my” dialogue. So I reread it, determined to figure out if I should rewrite the whole thing with more.
Know what I discovered? I like the book.
Okay, Speak Now may never make my top-ten favorites of the books I’ve written. In fact, I guarantee it won’t.
But it won’t make the bottom ten anymore, either. In fact, it’s closer to top than bottom these days. And now it has a new cover, which I’m sure my daughter is pleased about. As the photographer for my original cover, she hated how I blew out the highlights on it. I loved the effect for that book, but with new editing, a few dialogue changes, and of course, that scene I love so much (and one tiny subplot that I never explored well changed for something else), it needed a new cover. And so I have it now. Introducing Speak Now 2.0. I’m so excited to share this book with the world.
MY REVIEWSometimes you just know. Sometimes the connection is inexplicable, soul deep; deep calls unto deep.
Ms. Havig boldly took on a topic not often ventured, especially in Christian fiction—the struggle to maintain abstinence before marriage. She allows her characters the natural passion and, yes, burning desire. She also gives them strength to resist and the wisdom to know their limits. I applaud her for her courage and honesty. For giving her reader characters who are true and authentic, and very real.
This reader loves good dialogue in a story; it can be a make it or break it factor. And Ms. Havig writes crisp, sparkling dialogue. Great banter. Intense conversations. Except—Jonathan doesn’t talk. Not much anyway. So… dialogue is doubly interesting in this story.
And Cara. “A master at making others comfortable.” Herself, not so much. Can I ever relate to that! And rooted for her on all the more.
Even with their connection, both Jonathan and Cara resist the obvious attraction. Both deny themselves the possibility of love. This reader grew frustrated with them, while cheering them on. “Kiss the girl,” I sang. “Kiss the girl.” And yet applauding their dedication to their convictions.
Beautiful love story, wonderful characters, delightful telling.
ROBIN’S FEATHERSFOUR FEATHERS
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.
TOUR GIVEAWAY
To celebrate her tour, Chautona is giving away the grand prize package of $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of Speak Now!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/12f85/speak-now-celebration-tour-giveaway
BLOG STOPSInklings and notions, November 5
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 6
Simple Harvest Reads, November 6 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
deb’s Book Review, November 7
Elly Gilbert, November 7
Texas Book-aholic, November 8
Cultivating Us, November 8
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, November 9
Lots of Helpers, November 10
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, November 10
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 11
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, November 12
Blogging With Carol, November 12
She Lives To Read, November 13
Kayem Reads, November 14
For Him and My Family, November 14
The Meanderings of a Bookworm, November 15
Pause for Tales, November 15
Locks, Hooks and Books, November 16
Spoken from the Heart, November 16
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, November 17
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 18
#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day, #TRD, Book Review, Speak Now, Chautona Havig, Celebrate Lit Publicity, #GIVEAWAYRobin's Book Shelf
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