Friday, May 11, 2018

A Chance at Forever

GIVEAWAY
JAGEARS, MELISSA
A CHANCE AT FOREVER

Determined to protect the children of Teaville, Kansas, from the bullying she experienced as a child, Mercy McClain finds fulfillment working at the local orphanage and serving on the school board. When Aaron Firebrook, the worst of her childhood bullies, petitions the board for a teaching position, she's dead set against his getting the job.

Aaron knows he deserves every bit of Mercy's mistrust, but he's returned to his hometown a changed man and is seeking the forgiveness of those he wronged. He doesn't expect Mercy to like him, but surely he can prove he now has the children's best interests. at heart.

Will resentment and old wounds hold them back, or can Mercy and Aaron overcome the past in time to battle the threats against the future of the town's orphans?

My Review:

A blockbuster ending to a spectacular series! Each book has made me think and evaluate and even squirm a wee bit as Jagears examines all aspects of charity. A Chance at Forever reads beautifully as a standalone novel but I highly recommend the entire series.

I've been waiting for Mercy's story. Love her name and how she tries to live up to it, though sometimes it's annoying to have that constant reminder -- especially when she is confronted by her childhood nemesis. Aaron was an uncaring bully back then and she can't forget his cruel taunts. Worse, she can't find it in her to forgive him now that he's returned to Teaville.

Aaron has come back to make amends to the community he terrorized as a troubled youth. He is the stuff swoonworthy heroes are made of. Penitent, strong in a new found faith, he doesn't flinch from facing his past and trying to make it right. And Jagears does an exceptional job of slowly peeling back the layers that make up this complicated man. I was cheering him on from the very first page where he's nervously waiting to be interviewed for a teaching position and I fell a little more in love with him with every page turn.

Which means I was some put out with Mercy for a lot of the book because she is stubbornly refusing to acknowledge the kind and decent man Aaron has become. She's always looking for an angle, waiting for him to morph back into a bully. She's quick to judge and her suspicions about drove me crazy but Aaron patiently bears it all. See what I mean about hero material?

So there's this central theme of forgiveness --- the power we hold over someone by refusing to extend it and the peace that's possible when it's offered freely and completely. It plays over and over again in the lives of different characters -- not just our hero and heroine. Love that continuity -- the way their combined stories brought me deeper into this aspect of my faith.

And then it was over all too soon. And even though the author provides a delightful epilogue that gives us a glimpse into the futures of all the heroes and heroines in this series, I'm still left aching for more! Which is a sign of great storytelling I suppose, though a little frustrating for an avid reader like me. :-) Can't wait to see what Melissa Jagears comes up with next!

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publications and Graf-Martin Communications.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Chance at Forever, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a 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 easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 12 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

51 comments:

  1. This was a good one, I (almost) think the best of the bunch! I'm going to miss all these wonderful characters in Melissa's fictional world.

    P.S. I sent off two emails, did you get them?

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    1. I agree...this whole series thrilled me. And yes, I got your emails...I've been discombobulated this week...will explain in an email. :-)

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  2. Thanks for offering this newest one by Melissa, Kav. Count me in, please!

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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  3. I want to read this grand finale book to the Teaville series!
    Your review has me thinking already, if I was bullied as a child, how quick would I be to let bygones be bygones, so I'm sympathetic to Mercy. But you are so right, there's just something about a changed man that waits it all out!

    Thanks for the giveaway Kav,
    and happy reading Friday to everyone!

    tracey14567 at gmail dot com

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    1. It's really challenging that way, Tracey. I mean there are people in my life that I've paid lip-service forgiveness too but really...how much did I mean it? Sometimes forgiveness is a process -- you have to go through the motions so the Spirit can work in you and make it real. I'm still being worked on in one case in particular. lol Good luck, Tracey.

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  4. I've not read any of this series. I'm gonna have to get busy! 😉 Thanks for the chance to win.

    dmandres5 at gmail dot com

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    1. You're welcome, Melissa! It's an awesome series. Hope you get to read it soon. Good luck.

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  5. I, too, have read the first two books in the Teaville Series ~ would love to win this one!!! Thank you, Kav, for the offer. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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    1. Yes -- you absolutely must complete the series! And get that happily-ever-after epilogue! :-) Good luck, Kathleen!

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  6. Don't enter me, as I have this book, but I just wanted to chime in. This is one of the best series I have read in quite some time. Could not put the books down and they remained in my thoughts, with all the issues she presented. I have looked on her website and see no hint of her next project.

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    1. I'm thrilled you feel the same way, CC. And isn't it amazing how it's easy to take those issues from the 1800s and apply them to what we are facing today? And the way charity is viewed by some. Any of these books would make a fabulous book club read for people who like to go deeper. Thanks for sharing...and boo as to no hint of what comes next.

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  7. I want to read this one! I love her books - as does my mom, so we share them.

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    1. Love it that you can share you favourite books! How cool is that?! Good luck, Teresa Rose.

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  8. Sounds like one not to miss! Thank you for the opportunity, Kav. mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. Destined to be one of my fave reads of the year! Good luck, Melanie.

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  9. After reading CC's comment, I just thought I'd mention Melissa does have a novella in the Heart's Entwined collection that is now available for single purchase, Tied and True. It has a loose connection to book two in the series. The main female character, Marianne Lister, is childhood best friends with David Kingsman.

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    1. I think I need to hire you as my intrepid book reporter, Tracey! :-) You are always in the know. Thanks for the info.

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    2. Why Kav, I AM your intrepid book reporter, always on the job!:-)

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    3. I think you need a pay raise. lol

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  10. Oh my goodness, I just lost everything I just typed. I'm not doing it again! Let's just say that Melissa has become one of my fave authors and I'm entering. LOL!
    tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Argh - don't you hate when blogger does that? But you summed yourself up nicely. :-) Good luck, Terrill.

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  11. nice review kav. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

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  12. I read and enjoyed the first book in this series. A book buddy has #2 for me so I definitely want to sign up for this #3! I don't want to miss the "blockbuster ending" that you spoke of, Kav!
    Thanks.
    jacsmi75 at gmail dot com

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    1. You definitely don't want to miss out, Jackie! Good luck!

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  13. I haven't read any of the books in this series but have loved her other books I've read. After reading your review, Kav I know I want to read this. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
    Cnnamongirl at aol dot com

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  14. I haven’t had the chance to read this series yet. I’ll take your recommendation and raise you one entry into the contest! Thanks again, Kav! paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet

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    1. LOL -- you can't lose gambling on this series! Good luck, Paula.

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  15. Melissa is a new author to me, and this sounds like a delightful book. The cover is beautiful and the synopsis sounds like a great story. I would love to win a copy. Thanks for the chance.
    gobersATembarqmailDOTcom

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    1. I know -- that cover!!! The whole series is beautiful! Inside and out!Good luck, VanG.

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  16. Eek!! I need to finish this series! I've read the first one and so enjoyed the different take she had such an "uncomfortable" topic. She really knows how to make you think!
    pocoauthorATgmailDOTcom

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    1. Yes she really does. And she carries it through the series beautifully. Good luck, Nicole.

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  17. I love Melissa Jagears! Thanks for the review and the giveaway.
    mindyhoungATmsnDOTcom

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  18. thanks for your review. this sounds like a great story. I know it can be hard to confront someone from your past that you don't want to see. would love to read this book.
    quilting dash lady at Comcast dot net

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    1. Melissa does an amazing job with the mix of emotions. Good luck, Lori.

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  19. Thank you for your review on "A CHANCE AT FOREVER". Oh my where to start - love stories of second chances, love stories of forgiveness and how can you not love stories about children in orphanage with someone with a sweet heart looking out for their best interest.

    I'd love the opportunity to read about Mercy and Aaron's story. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. You will totally love this story, Kay. Good luck!

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  20. Your reviews always make me want the book! LattebooksAThotmailDOTcom

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    1. That's because I read the best books!Snicker. Good luck, Susan!

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  21. Great review! This is definitely on my TBR list! Please enter my name in for the chance to win a copy! Thanks for the opportunity!

    jtabalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. You're in the draw, Tiffany. Good luck!

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  22. This sounds like a wonderful story and Melissa writes great books so it has to be a winner and is going on my wish list! Thank you for the chance to win a copy.

    wfnren at aol dot com

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  23. I'm pretty sure that I have the other 2 books in the series, and I can't wait to read all of them! (I know, I know! My TBR pile is huge!) lol

    mylittlebirdiebooks (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. At least it doesn't sound like you'll be running out of books any time soon. :-) Good luck, Karen.

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  24. Sounds like a fantastic read. I'll be sure to add the whole series to my TBR list. Great review, too. Thanks for the giveaway.

    chanelmonroe5(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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