Friday, August 4, 2017

The Two of Us

GIVEAWAY
BYLIN, VICTORIA
THE TWO OF US

After two broken engagements, Mia Robinson is done with dating. From now on, she's focusing on God and her goal to join an international and organization as a nurse practitioner. But when her 18 year-old-sister, Lucy, calls with an invitation to her Vegas wedding,  it throws a wrench into Mia's plans.

Jake Tanner has recovered from the injuries he sustained as a police officer -- on the outside. Inside, he's yet to heal from losing his partner in the tragedy, but finds some solace in keeping an eye on her young adult son, Sam, who's asked him to be best man at his wedding.

Mia expects a mess when she arrives to sort out the situation with Lucy, but she wasn't expecting Jake, who views the marriage a little differently. As Jake's and Mia's lives slowly become more intertwined, could his courage and her caring heart be enough to bring them a lifetime of healing?

My Review:

The kind of book your mourn the loss of when you finally reach the end. Because the characters seem so real and their problems are so relatable and you feel like you've stretched and grown right along with them. I even had my very own 'aha' moment in the middle of their story! So even though I'm still feeling emotionally pummeled and a little dazed after finishing The Two of Us, I'm consoling myself by savoring all the memorable bits. Which pretty much means every single word. Because Victoria Bylin knows how to wield her pen (er, keyboard) in order to create vivid descriptions.

Like this first encounter between Mia and Jake: "Their gazes danced the way of curious strangers, a man and a woman who noticed each other and felt the mysterious searching of a human heart. Dishes clattered. A child laughed. Another one cried. Life exploded all around them..." (p 10) I love the sharp contrast between that significant moment and the ordinariness all around them. It promises a rich read and Bylin doesn't disappoint.

Jake is the stuff toe-curling heroes are made of and Mia is by no means immune. But she's conflicted. Mired in muddy mess of possibilities just when she thought she knew God's plan for her life. And she might be just a tad unbending. Rule regulating. Pragmatic. But she's compassionate too and fiercely protective of those she loves. She just needs to figure out how to include Jake in that category.

Jake has learned to accept -- even embrace -- the raw reality that life has dealt him. It's not that he isn't haunted by his past -- it's the drive behind his one all-consuming goal. In that he can be as inflexible as Mia. And here's the crux of the conflict -- both hero and heroine are working for good, being the hands and feet of Christ in their chosen vocations. They are doing the right thing...but what if it's not the right thing for them?

A supporting cast of true-to-life secondary characters with their own day to day struggles add even more depth to this already rich read. We even get a secondary love story with it's own unique challenges. And the dog lover in me would be remiss if I neglected to give Pirate -- service dog extraordinaire -- an honorable mention.

A story to love and cherish and revel in long after you've filed it away on your Keeper Shelf.

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Two of Us, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email in 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's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday August 5 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

45 comments:

  1. Looking forward to this one! I've only read one of her books and it was extraordinary :-)

    Not entering as this one I won via your reader's choice contest. Love the review, makes me excited for the story.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You'll love it, Trixi. I have the release date marked down as the 8th so you should be getting it soon.

      Delete
  2. I have read a few books by Victoria Bylin and loved them. She does capture you and keeps you captive until the end of her books. This is one I need to read. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.

    Blessings,
    Cindy W.
    countrybear52 AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes -- if you are a Bylin fan, you must read this one...and even if you aren't a Bylin fan, you need to read The Two of Us. LOL Good luck, Cindy.

      Delete
  3. I love Vicki Bylin's work and your review has me chomping at the bit to get ahold of it! Early reader copies aren't coming out until the first week the book is out, and I can't wait! (No need to include me in the drawing :)

    Vicki's books have deep emotional connections between the characters and I recommend them all to readers who like a book with substance.

    Happy Friday and reading weekend everyone!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You'll love it when you finally get to read it. And you're so right about the substance in her books. They are the kind of fiction you just want to take your time with so you can hang out with the characters longer. Hope your copy reaches you soon!

      Delete
  4. Sounds like a good one! Thanks, Kav!mauback55 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sounds like a very touching book! Thanks for the chance!

    samanthabis23 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sounds good. love your review. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  7. I like the title. I haven't read any by this author. Thank you!
    karenskrayons(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're in for a treat, Karen. Good luck.

      Delete
  8. Would love to read this. Thank you 😊
    leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for telling us about another good book. I haven't yet read anything by Victoria Bylin but it looks like that should change. I used to read mostly historical novels but there are more and more great contemporary Christian romances that are every bit as compelling.
    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, that should definitely change!!!! You're right, there are so many wonderful contemporary romances being published now. Hard to keep up. Good luck, Pam.

      Delete
  10. KAV, thank you for the great review! I've not yet read Victoria's books.

    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You must try one of her books soon! Good luck, Caryl.

      Delete
  11. Awesome review! Definitely puts The Two of Us on my TBR list. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

    ReplyDelete
  12. Looks like a really good emotional read. Thanks for sharing it with us
    iamabho at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wonderful review, Kav.
    The book is obviously a must-read.

    Count me in, please.
    janka(dot)halcinova(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I've wanted to read this for awhile now. Thanks for the review and giveaway.

    mindyhoungATmsnDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hope you get a chance to read it soon. Good luck, Mindy.

      Delete
  15. I would love to read this book--it's definitely on my TBR list. Thanks for the beautifully written review, Kav.
    pwestfall7 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I have read one of Victoria's books and would love to win a copy of this one. Thanks for the chance. 😊
    gobersATembarqmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You haven't read one yet? Squeal! You really must -- at least if you enjoy emotionally angsty love stories of the highest caliber. Good luck, VanG.

      Delete
  17. I've only read one of Victoria's books but remember enjoying it quite well!

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You need to read another one, Patty. Good luck.

      Delete
  18. Would love to read this one Kav, and also it's a new author for me too. It sounds like a satisfying story. becci43atgmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Victoria Bylin is an incredible author. You must try one of her books! Good luck, Becky.

      Delete
  19. This book is on my wish list! Thanks for your review Kav, sound like an awesome read. And I love the cover!
    Blessings Joy
    ibjoy1953 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a fantastic cover, isn't it? Good luck, Joy.

      Delete
  20. Our church library readers love Christian Romance books, especially a lady who is 95 years young.
    Thanks for giving me a chance to win Victoria's book.
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You must keep your readers happy, Janet. Talk about a life long reader! Good luck.

      Delete
  21. I've only read one book by V. Bylin but it was great. This sounds like one I'd like, too.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I haven't read any books by this author. Jake and Mia's story sounds like a great one! Thanks for the review and giveaway. d[dot]brookmyer[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete