Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Healing the Widower's Heart

GIVEAWAY

MASON, SUSAN ANNE
HEALING THE WIDOWER'S HEART

A Child's Only Hope

When widower Nathan Porter brings his grieving son, Zach, to Wyndermere House's camp, he is desperate for a lifeline. Nathan's hoping the change of scenery to the woods of upstate New York will help mend his son's heart. But the counselor assigned to his son's care seems too young—and too pretty—to be qualified. Paige McFarlane's learned what loving someone—and losing them—costs. But soon her efforts with Zach reveal that to help the son she must also help the dad. As Nathan and Paige work together to mend the boy's broken spirit, they realize the walls around their own hearts could be crumbling, as well.

When widower Nathan Porter brings his grieving son, Zach, to Wyndermere House's camp, he is desperate for a lifeline. Nathan's hoping the change of scenery to the woods of upstate New York will help mend his son's heart. But the counselor assigned to his son's care seems too young—and too pretty— to be qualified. Paige McFarlane's learned what loving someone—and losing them—costs. But soon her efforts with Zach reveal that to help the son she must also help the dad. As Nathan and Paige work together  to mend the boy's broken spirit, they  realize the walls around their own hearts could be crumbling, as well.

My Review:

Have to start with a side note here: This is an author to keep on your radar. A year ago Susan Anne Mason was unpublished. Today she is a multi-contracted author with three (yes three) publishing houses! Her contemporary romances are published by  Harlequin's Love Inspired and White Rose Publishing while her debut historical romance from Bethany House comes out this summer. I love hearing mega success stories like this.  And, woot, she's Canadian to boot!

Healing the Widower's Heart is a just a little bit different from the other Love Inspired romances I have read. And I think that's a good thing. Refreshing actually, though definitely angsty! Truth be told, I didn't take to Nathan Porter right off the bat. Part of him has given up and he holds himself back from nearly everyone and everything. And I'll be honest, his troubled relationship with his son really bothered me.

In contrast, Paige is like an open book. Vibrant, alive, and living life to the fullest...except in the romance department. She has no intentions of going down that painful road again. Wills clash from this hero and heroine's very first meeting and I'll admit to being on Paige's side from the get go. However, Mason very cleverly shares glimpses of Nathan's past as the story progresses. My heart softened towards him as more is revealed until I could clearly see the wounded man beneath the 'uptight' exterior. Talk about reader meltdown!

In many ways, Paige is Nathan's strength until he can come to grips with his past and move forward with confidence into the future. Ironically, during the process, he becomes her strength from time to time and there's this beautiful meshing of give and take that is so true in any working relationship. Loved the realism in this story and the faith in God that made their happily ever after possible.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Healing the Widower's Heart 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 January 25 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

16 comments:

  1. It is great to hear about new authors and their success stories. This book sounds like a good read. Thanks for the giveaway! momrain(AT)aol(DOT)com

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    1. It definitely is a great read and there will be plenty more of them coming from this author. Good luck, Loraine.

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  2. Thanks for the introduction to this author. Sounds like a book I would enjoy.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  3. I am definitely excited to see Susan flourish. How exciting to have so many good things coming her way. This sounds like it might tear my heart a bit. Please include me.

    KellysShining(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. And she definitely worded hard for it. Imagine having enough manuscripts ready for when this whirlwind hit. Good luck, Kelly.

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  4. Yes ... sounds like a good one, so count me in. rrwalter34ATgmailDOTcom

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  5. Healing the Widower's Heart sounds interesting, it's amazing how God can bring love & joy from pain. Please add me!
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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    1. And this book really celebrates that, Merry. Good luck.

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  6. Hi Kav. Sounds like a interesting read. Great about the success of this author. Good for her. I would love to read her book. Thanks. Please put my name in the drawing. Maxie
    > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

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  7. Sounds like a good book, I like the cover, peaceful :)
    dkstevensne AToutlookDoTCOm

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  8. Susan sounds like a very talented up and coming author Kav. Thanks for sharing her with us. I like how Paige and Nathan rely on the strength of each other.
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com

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    1. Lots of great reading ahead for us for sure. Good luck, Maryann.

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