Thursday, May 15, 2014

Until I Found You

GIVEAWAY

BYLIN, VICTORIA
UNTIL I FOUND YOU

When Kate Darby swerves off a mountain road to avoid hitting a California condor, she ends up trapped in her car, teetering on the edge of a cliff. Terrified, she breathes a prayer that changes her life: “God, if you’re real, I want to know you.”

It’s Nick Sheridan who comes to Kate’s rescue. Nick is handsome, confident, and seems to develop a habit of rescuing her, but Kate is in town only until her grandmother recuperates from a stroke. She’s not planning to fall in love with one of the locals.

Nick Sheridan is a reformed veteran of life in the fast lane, a new Christian, and a travel writer. When he sees a car dangling on the edge of a cliff, the daredevil in him jumps into action. He doesn’t expect to be swept off his feet by the car’s occupant. He’s made a vow: no dating for a year. And it’s a vow he intends to keep in spite of his attraction to Kate Darby . . .

My Review:

Relatable characters in the midst of realistic struggles anchor this incredible story. If you like Real with a capital R in your fiction, this is the book for you. The action packed opening (which is also symbolic of Nick and Kate's relationship) took my breath away.

I love the way their stories unfold -- gritty, raw, but inevitably hope-filled.  By the time we meet him, Nick has made a radical life change and he's making valiant attempts to prevent a repetition of past mistakes. Loved that about him. Absolutely flawed, but knowing he can be better by the grace of God. Kate, on the other hand, is a lost soul, yearning to fill the emptiness inside with all the wrong things. We live her struggle right along with her and get to break out in the Alleluia chorus when she finally 'gets' it...but not without a lot of angst-riddled moments along the way.

Probably the most authentic fictional 'coming to Christ story' I've ever read. These are real people with messy lives and conflicting desires. Kate in particular, wants absolute control in everything. She's scared of letting go, trusting God. I can totally relate to that. The inspirational thread doesn't dominate the story though, rather it lifts it up as it completes diverse lives.

And a side note: Loved Kate's grandma, Leona. Her story is honest and triumphant in the midst of all manners of affliction. She's the epitome of "I have fought a good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith." And there's more realism there because as faith-filled as Leona is, she hasn't met all her challenges with complete grace and trust.

Simply an awesome read!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Until I Found You
  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 . to protect yourself from spammers. If you email me, please be sure to put the title in the subject line so it is easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 18  2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group". 

27 comments:

  1. Until I Found You sounds like my kind of read. Thank you for sharing, Kav, it sounds great!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. Totally awesome!!! Times ten!!!! Good luck, Melanie!

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  2. This is also on my must-read list--it's sitting on my bedside dresser as we speak! Now to find time to read it! (And, don't enter me!)

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    1. Ooooh, make the time Brenda. I think you'll like it. :-)

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  3. This book sounds great! I always love reading your reviews.
    Thanks for offering a copy.
    may_dayzee(at)yahoo(dot) com

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  4. What a lovely review, Kav! I would love to win a copy of UNTIL I FOUND YOU! Thank you for the chance!!

    texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

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  5. Would love the chance to win this, thanks for the review and giveaway :)
    blessings, Kara
    wman4jcATaolDOTcom

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  6. This sounds like one I need to add to my wishlist.
    Thanks Kav!
    campbellamyd at gmail dot com

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    1. Definitely belongs right on top, Amy. Good luck!

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  7. I love a story that seems like real life! Some current romances are too sweet.

    pattymh20009at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. You're right, Patty. This one is as real as they come. Good luck!

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  8. This sounds like a great story that I would love to read. I like how you mentioned Grandma Leona. She sounds like a special person.
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com

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    1. Grandma Leona is the glue in the story. Everyone needs a grandma like her! Good luck, Maryann.

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  9. The cliff hanging beginning sounds like an awesome start to a terrific story. :)
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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    1. It certainly grabs your attention! Good luck,, Merry!

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  10. Thanks for the giveaway! :)

    Aerykah
    crazybooklover7 [at] yahoo [dot] com

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  11. Please enter me. So many great contemporary stories coming out. Too many too choose from. This one sounds great.

    sweetdarknectar at gmail dot com

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    1. I know - they're holding their own against historicals. Good luck, Boos Mum.

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  12. Sounds like a my kind of book! Loving raw, real stories!!!

    Thanks, Kav, for this great opportunity!

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

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  13. I would really like to read your book. I am always thrilled to find a book that truly has a Christian story. adult4becky(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Hi Kav,

      I would love to read Until I Found You by Victoria Bylin, and have added it to my ever growing reading list.

      Thank you for entering my name into your "hat".

      Blessings,

      Tammi

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