Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Grace and the Preacher

GIVEAWAY
 
SAWYER, KIM VOGEL
GRACE AND THE PREACHER

Can the faith of one small prairie town and a kind woman's generous heart survive such a great deception?

At the age of twenty-three, postmistress Grace Cristler has all but given up of finding a husband among the narrowing group of eligible men in her town of Fairland, Kansas. But when her uncle decides to retire from the pulpit, Grace is responsible for corresponding with the new preacher set to take his place. She can't deny the affection growing in her heart for Reverend Rufus Dille -- a man she deeply admires but has only met through his letters.

Theophil Garrison is on the run from his past. Ten years ago his outlaw cousins convinced him to take part in a train robbery, but Theo fled the scene, leaving his cousins to face imprisonment. Now they've finished their sentences, but their plan for vengeance has just begun. Branded a coward and running for his life, Theo has a chance encounter that could provide him with the escape he needs.

But the young man's desperate con might come at an enormous price for the tenderhearted Grace -- and the entire town. Will Grace's undeserved affection and God's mercy make something beautiful from the ashes of Theo's past?

My Review:

A sweet and touching romance develops in the midst of deceit. My tummy was in knots trying to figure a way for things to work out. I thought it might be hard to connect with the hero given his desperate con, but that's just what it is -- desperation and Sawyer does a wonderful job of appealing to a reader's tender heart where Theo is concerned. I totally got the way he fell into the con and what made it so hard for him to get out. And since he's totally not what the town expects in a new preacher there's some pretty funny moments that brings levity to all that desperation.

Grace is dealing with her own kind of desperation. On the shelf at twenty-three with no prospects in sight, she's fallen for  the soon-to-be-new preacher through the letters she's been exchanging on behalf of her uncle who happens to be the retiring reverend. But Rufus Dille isn't anything like she expected he'd be when they actually meet. He keeps her discombobulated even as she is drawn to his shy sincerity.

I love how this author expertly weaves faith into the very fibre of her stories and it is front and center here. And I love the title tie-in as it can be taken in different ways. Very clever. And impactful. All in all a captivating inspirational historical romance.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:
If you would like a chance to win a copy of Grace and the Preacher, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it is easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday July 2 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

57 comments:

  1. This one would make the top of my list of favorite reads so far for 2017. I really enjoy Kim's writing in the first place and it had been so long since I'd read anything by her that when an opportunity came up for me to read/review, I jumped on it :-) I'm so glad I did!

    Anyone would be blessed by this book, in my opinion. Lovely review as always, Kav!

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    1. I really love her Zimmerman Restoration series -- it has an Old Order Mennonite angle to it. Have you read them? My favourite of hers so far. This author knows how to keep a reader spellbound.

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    2. I don't think I have. I'm heading to my library's website to see if they carry them, thanks for the recommendation Kav!

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  2. This book sounds very intriguing and I would love to read it. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.

    Blessings,
    Cindy W.
    countrybear52 AT yahoo DOT com

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  3. I would love to read this book. It sounds so good! Thank you for the giveaway.

    melodybissonnette AT gmail DOT com

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  4. Any book by Kim is just fantastic! I used to get her books at my Library, but lately can't find them there. Thanks for your giveway, Kav!
    jacsmi75 at gmail dot com

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    1. The copy I read came from my library -- I requested them to purchase it. I'm such a book nerd that I sit down at the beginning of the month and plot which books I'll buy, which ones I'll request the library to buy and then check what I'm getting to review. It thrills me as much as pouring over the Sears Christmas Catalogue did when I was a kid. LOL Good luck, Jackie.

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    2. I know the feeling Kav! I love checking out each the new books each month! Getting a book in the mail is like Christmas every day!!

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  5. Thus book sounds like a winner to me. Thank you for the opportunity, Kav! mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. Definitely a winner! Good luck, Melanie.

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  6. Looks Great Of Course. Thanks for the chances as always. :)
    iamabho (at) gmail (dot) com

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  7. Kav - you've done it again. You made me want to read this book RIGHT NOW! Thanks for the opportunity. ksucindy (at) excite (dot) com

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    1. LOL -- It's like a being a kid in a candy store. So many books and we want them all right now. Good luck, Cindy.

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  8. Sounds like a great read. Thanks for the enticing review ;)

    mindyhoung AT msn DOT com

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  9. This is such a beautiful cover. I have wanted to read this book since before it's release. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity!
    Cnnamongirl at aol dot com

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    1. It's a stunning cover, isn't it? Good luck, Deanne.

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  10. I really enjoyed your review. Kim is an author I admire and she never disappoints me!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  11. Awesome author and the story sounds like one I would enjoy. Thanks for the chance, Kav.

    Dblaser(at)windstream(dot)net

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  12. LOVE your review! I've been DYING to read this one for a while! :) And I absolutely LOVE when authors "expertly weaves faith into the very fiber of" their stories!!!!!!!

    Many Blessings, Amada
    amada_chavezATyahooDOTcom

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    1. Thanks, Amada. Kim Vogel Sawyer doesn't shy away faith threads in her stories and I so appreciate that. Good luck, Amada.

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    2. Excellent! It's always sad to me when a Christian book doesn't have enough or very little faith. :/ I'm glad that Kim's got the great plots and Faith mix! :)

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  13. I can hardly wait to read this one! I love the tie-in of the title too. Thanks for the giveaway and review. d[dot]brookmyer[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  14. Seems so crazy that 23 is considered old marriage material!
    Dianna

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    1. I know -- poor Grace on the verge of being considered 'on the shelf'. LOL Good luck, Dianna.

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  15. I read a review of this book somewhere and really liked the sound of it. I'm excited to rest it!
    Elly -Indiana-

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  16. It's been ages since I've read a Kim Vogel Sawyer book. I know it's a shame since she is such a wonderful author. I would love to win this book and rectify my shortcoming. :-)
    mbaaij at hetnet dot nl

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    1. Hard to keep up sometimes, isn't it? Good luck, Marian.

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  17. Looks like a story I would love!Kim always does a great job with her characters and I'd love to win this and share with my daughters. Thanks for the chance to win!!!

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    1. Nothing like sharing a book around the family. Good luck, jojo.

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  18. It's been quite a while since I read one of Kim's books. Sounds like this one might provide a few laughs along the way with Theo posing as a preacher!

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. A great one to reintroduce you to Kim's storytelling. Good luck, Patty.

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  19. Hmmmm, says this came out in March, I do not remember seeing or hearing anything about it or I would have had it, at the least it would have been on my wish list already. This sounds like yet another winning book for Kim. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.

    wfnren at aol dot com

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    1. Funny how some books seem to release with a big splash and other just quietly sneak in under the radar. Good luck, Wendy.

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  20. I can't wait to read this book! I've read all of her others, she is one of my favorite authors! Thanks for the giveaway Kav!
    Joy
    ibjoy1953 at yahoo dot com

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    1. I've read a lot of her books but not all of them. You are indeed a super fan. Good luck, Joy.

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  21. I haven't read one of her books in a while! Sounds like another good one!
    pocoauthorATgmailDOTcom

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    1. She keeps blessing us with great stores. Good luck, Nicole.

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  22. I loved this one. Good luck, ladies.

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    1. Such a captivating read, right? Glad you loved it too. Thanks for cheering on the others, Lucy.

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  23. Yes I want to read this one too so count me in. becci43atgmaildotcom

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  24. Haven't read Kim in a while. Would love to reconnect. Count me in the chance to win .Thanks Kav! paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet

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    1. This would be a great way to connect with Kim's stories. Good luck.

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  25. Wow, you gave me the feels with only your review. I haven’t read the book and already my empathetic heart is going out to Theophil. I hope it’s not misplaced. :-) tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Ah, Theophil will grab your heart, never fear. :-) Good luck, Terrill.

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