Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Every Tear a Memory

GIVEAWAY

JOHNSON, MYRA
EVERY TEAR A MEMORY

Joanna Trapp found adventure serving in France as a "Hello Girl," one of over 200 telephone operators called upon by General Pershing to serve in the Army Signal Corps, but she still mourns her doughboy sweetheart killed in battle. Returning to Hot Springs, Arkansas, she takes a job as a switchboard operator at the Arlington Hotel and quickly discovers that after her experiences overseas, civilian life proves dull.

Thomas Ballard still regrets he was medically ineligible to serve in the war and feels inferior to those who did, especially his war-hero brother, Gilbert. When Thomas finds himself attracted to Joanna, he strives to match her adventurous spirit, when all he really wants is to settle down, raise a family, and earn respect as a successful businessman.

As romance blossoms, can two such different people learn to accept not only their own but each other's God-created individuality . . . or will love change them both?

My Review:

A prodigal son story with a twist because Thomas is the dutiful son who does everything right. His prodigal brother has brought enough heartache and tragedy to the family (When Clouds Roll By and Whisper Goodbye.) But now Gilbert has his life on track and Thomas is having difficulty adjusting to 'normal'.

Just a side note: This is an awesome series, and there is plenty of character overlap in Every Tear a Memory but don't worry -- you needn't have read the first two books to enjoy this one. Johnson does a wonderful job of setting up past threads so they are easily understood by the first time reader. Mind you, if you have read the first two you will have some lovely interludes with friendly faces to look forward to.

Joanna doesn't know the meaning of normal. She fled a dysfunctional home right after graduation and ended up overseas in France for the duration of the war. She hides hurt and insecurity beneath an adventurous spirit but her wings are clipped when circumstances call her home. Resentful and wary, she arrives with a chip on her shoulder, ready to flee at a moment's notice. Of course Thomas falls for her. How could he not? She's everything he isn't and for the first time in his life he starts thinking outside the box.

Joanna and Thomas are polar opposites and yet they are magnetically drawn to one another. Loved the push/pull in their relationship. And it's an emotional one as they both learn to bend into the storms of life so they won't snap. Alas there are a lot of broken pieces to pick up before they get that lesson right.  Johnson keeps us on tenterhooks throughout the whole book as she hurls one complication after another at her hapless hero and heroine. We all know I love it when my emotions are engaged so no surprise when I say I found Every Tear a Memory to be a sumptuously satisfying read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Every Tear a Memory please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday November 16 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

My thanks to the author and publisher for supplying me with a copy of this book.

27 comments:

  1. thanks for the chance to read this novel, kav.

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  2. You always pick the best books to review!

    missionwife at hotmail dot com

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    Replies
    1. Isn't that the truth? There are so many good books out there. Good luck.

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  3. I've not read any of this series, sounds good. Opposite personalities in a relationship make for fun development.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  4. I haven't read any books by Myra but this sounds like one I'd enjoy. Thanks for the review and the chance to win Every Tear a Memory.
    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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  5. Beautiful title and beautiful cover...I would love to read this one! Thank you, Kav, for a great job!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    Replies
    1. You're welcome, Melanie. And yes, the covers are gorgeous for this whole series. Good luck!

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  6. Another great review, Kav. I love opposites at love - it creates a good tension (in novels, I have to say. In real life - well, you have a room to learn, and learning is hard sometimes :)).

    janka(dot)halcinova(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. LOL -- if only real life had that happily ever after guarantee, right? Good luck, Janka.

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  7. Just popping in to thank you for this lovely review, Kav! I appreciate your support so much!!!!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for popping by, Myra -- and for writing such a wonderful book!

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  8. Would love to win this book.
    oh dot hello dot hiya at gmail dot com

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    Replies
    1. Thank you. Did you ever send the other book that I won in the mail yet?

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    2. Bluebonnet Lake? You won that on November 2 and I ordered it on November 7 so it should arrive soon.

      I try to order books within a week of a win, but sometimes life gets hectic and it doesn't happen right away. Plus delivery is always a question mark. I'm thinking we're starting into increased orders because of the Christmas season and deliveries might be slower. For those reasons I'd give a book up to a month to reach you before we start backtracking to see what's up. It'll probably arrive this coming week.

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  9. What a wonderful review! I hadn't heard of this series. I am definitely going to hunt out "When Clouds Roll By" and "Whisper Goodbye." Thanks for sharing a great review and for two new books to add to my list!

    KellysShining(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Oh do, Kelly. It's an awesome series. Good luck!

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  10. Hello Kav. Thanks for another good review. I have two of Myra's books and would love to win this one. It sounds very good.
    Thanks. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

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    Replies
    1. It is, Maxie. Myra knows how to spin a compelling tale. Good luck!

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  11. I remember being on a telephone line and having phone operators. I love the phrase "Hello Girl".
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. What an adventurous occupation for a young woman back then! Good luck, rubynreba.

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  12. New author for me, but would love to read her other two books first so if I'd win this one ... well I would be pleased. rrwalter34 ATgmailDOTcom

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  13. I have been eyeing this series for awhile. Please count me in.

    sweetdarknectar at gmail dot com

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