Friday, July 1, 2016

Finders Keepers

GIVEAWAY

MONZON, SARAH
FINDERS KEEPER

Three lives. Three hundred years. One ship that ties them together.

Spain, 1689

The same evil that stole her mother's life stalks Isabelle Castellano. Afraid for her safety, Isabella disguises herself as a cabin boy and hires on to one of His Majesty's treasure fleet vessels. But has her flight from a known threat only led her to be ensnared in a sea of dangers?

Florida, Present Day

Summer Arnet will go anywhere to capture the perfect shot that will get her marine photography noticed by the prestigious nature magazine, Our World -- even diving in waters haunted by great white sharks. When a treasure hunter with a ladies' man reputation approaches her about a sunken ship at one of her dive locations, it may be the chance she's been looking for to launch her career...if his charming smile doesn't derail her first.

A past tragedy has left a hole in Trent Carrington's life -- a hole he's tried to fill with women, money, and adventure. Could the feisty marine photographer be the missing piece, or will Trent finally accept that the treasure he seeks can't be found where rust and moths destroy?

My Review:

Okay -- true confession time -- I was not enamoured with Trent -- at the beginning. He is the exact opposite of everything I admire in a man. Dare I say -- bordering on smarmy? He's got all the lines, looks upon women as game pieces he can move around at will. Seriously, he knows how to flirt and thinks a well-directed wink will reap its own reward (and often does!) Though raised in a Christian family his morals don't reflect that upbringing. You might say he has a rebellious streak that has led him straight into the clutches of the world and he is unrepentant.  So, of course, when he sets his sight on a woman, she's bound to fall right into his lap.

Not.

No siree, Summer has learned from her mother's mistakes and she's determined not to repeat them. She has Trent summed up pretty much the way I did at first meet. Though she couldn't be completely indifferent since she has to share scene after scene with the Norse god lookalike. I mean, having him right there in the flesh all charming and flirty can wear down a girl's resolve. But, bless her heart, she gives him a run for his money and it serves him right!

Romantic tension runs high between this hero and heroine. The physical attraction is definitely there and Trent isn't looking for anything deeper so when he begins to see Summer in a different light he panics. Where do these tender feelings come from? Why do his days feel empty when she's not around? And the most alarming question of all -- when did he develop a conscience where women are concerned? Emotions are turned inside out as Trent confronts his own short-comings and finally makes peace with God.

Summer has her own faith journey to follow and it plays a significant role in finally breaking down Trent's resistance. Watching these two battle their way to the Lord and each other (in that order) left me emotionally spent by the time I reached the end. And, oh mercy, but I do love a story that leaves my romatical senses all discombobulated!

The bonus of this intricately woven story is the dual timeline -- the glimpse we get of life aboard the Spanish ship on it's route to the Americas. I was on tenterhooks over Isabella's story. Swashbuckling goodness with an unexpected end. Lots of action and adventure. I can't help but feel that Summer and Isabella would have been fast friends had they lived in the same century.

The kind of romance guaranteed to raise your blood pressure and leave you languishing on your fainting couch long after you've read the last word!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Finders Keepers 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 July 3 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

29 comments:

  1. I'm all into swashbuckling and high-seas adventure! Plus, stories that put God in a Big Role instead of just as a Background Character are always bound to endear themselves to me!
    J.C. -Indiana-

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    1. I love a good faith thread as well...and a little swashbuckling never hurt anyone, right? Good luck, J.C.

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  2. Nice review. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom.

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  3. Thanks for this review and giveaway! This one sounds like it would be hard to put down until finished. d[dot]brookmyer[at]yahoo[dot]com

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    1. Yes, a definite page-turner. Good luck, Donna.

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  4. i love this book - and Sarah! Yay!

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    1. And I love that you encouraged me to try it. Now I have to hunt down The Isaac Project. :-)

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  5. I've been somewhat intrigued by this book because of the dual timeline, but as often is the case, your review made me really want to read this book. Sarah is a new-to-me author. I'm sometimes hesitant to try a new author without an excellent review, because there are so many other books to read by authors I do know. Thanks for giving me yet another one to add to my ever growing list!

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. I know -- it's such a conundrum -- who to buy a new author's book or a trusted 'oldie' author's book? I like to juggle both. It came with excellent an excellent reference from a reader/reviewer I trust. That's why I love this online community we Christian readers have created. It's a great way to get a feel for a book and whether you'll like it or not. Good luck, Pam.

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  6. The dual timeline sounds interesting. Would love to read Finders Keepers.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. It's really intriguing and cleverly done. Good luck, rubynreba.

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  7. Wow! Thank you again for such a fun review! And now I have a new blog to follow😊

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Sarah. I love Finders Keepers...but I guess you could guess that.

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  8. kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca doesn't appear to be a valid email for you. I sent it to yahoo dot com. Hope that works. If not, please advise.

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    1. Thanks, JJ, I received your entry. Not sure if it's because I'm in Canada -- but I have to put .ca in my email addy - maybe if you're in US you have to use .com? Doesn't make sense...but anyhow, your email came through.

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  10. I hadn't heard about this book yet, and it sounds highly intriguing! :)

    Many Blessings, Amada
    amada_chaevzATyahooDOTcom

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    1. Ooooooohhhhh....love putting you on alert for a good book. Good luck, Amada.

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  11. I have many things in common with feisty women! I pride myself on being feisty and I can't wait to read this book. Adding it to my TBR pile! 😊
    Dblaser(at)windstream(dot)net

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    1. Feisty is good...most of the time. Must keep the men in your life on their toes. LOL Good luck, Diane.

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  12. I was already excited for Sarah Monzon's new book, but it's a "must read now" instead of just a "must read." :) I enjoyed your description of the heroine. As much as I am driven crazy at times by my daughter's feisty words and actions, I know it is exactly that strong personality that will keep her focused on her faith and life goals. Plus I can't be too hard on her, because she gets it somewhere. haha Thanks for the fun and informative review and have a great weekend! tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Haha -- so your daughter takes after her mother, eh? Yes, I think feisty will stand her in good stead. Good luck, Terrill.

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  13. Smoldering looks and a charming wink wouldn't phase me...no sireee...not when I've been fooled more than once! Good for Summer not falling for his ploys...smart girl :-)

    I do so enjoy seeing true love squirm it's way into a shallow heart such as Trents and sink it's tenterhooks into the tender flesh...be still my heart and scoot over on that fainting couch, sounds like we're in for the ride of our lives...haha!

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Ooohhh, perfectly said, Trixi. And he has a very shallow heart at the beginning...at least it appears that way. Good luck.

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  14. Ah, bad boys charm - I am quite savvy in my real life, but I can afford to squee over them in the world of pages, can´t I? :)

    Count me in, please.

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

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    1. LOL -- anything is possible in the world of pages. Good luck, Janka.

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