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| GIVEAWAY |
A GRAND DESIGN
When Alyssa Denham, a single career woman, wins a fun getaway for two on Mackinac Island where her grandmother lives, she gives her carefree best friend a call. Together, they tour the old shops and hidden treasures of the quaint island while helping Alyssa's grandmother piece together an heirloom quilt. Their quest gains them entrance into the homes of many longtime residents of the island, parts of the city that are otherwise off limits to tourists.
As the quilt's story takes shape, Alyssa gains amazing insight into her grandmother's life . . . and attracts the attention of the handsome Scott Whitman, an island resident in charge of hotel transportation. Will memories of her past keep Alyssa from letting go? Or will the quest to piece together the heirloom quilt restore Alyssa's fractured heart-and bring healing to her entire family?
My Review:
I have had a fascination for Mackinac Island since I was a kid so I was thrilled to discover it as the setting for A Grand Design. Stockton does a wonderful job of infusing the ambiance of the island throughout the story. I almost felt like I was on holiday right along with Alyssa.
Alyssa's grandmother is a gem and I loved the concept of the memory quilt she has Alyssa and her friend helping her with on their island visit. And Scott makes a debonair if somewhat awkward hero. There are some really cute and oh so clumsy scenes between Alyssa and Scott. So much fun to read.
But this is light-hearted romance with an unexpected dark thread woven through it. Alyssa is haunted by her past and the author keeps readers on tenterhooks as she reveals a tragic truth by slow degrees. However I felt that the book could have been longer to do that thread justice and bring it to a more satisfactory conclusion. I missed a full resolution that a bit more storytelling would bring.
GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:
If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of A Grand Design 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 August 24 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!
My thanks to Abingdon Press and Litfuse Publicity Group for a review copy of this book.
http://litfusegroup.com/author/astockton
I would love to read this book!
ReplyDeleterosebudsinjune at gmail dot com
Thanks so much for doing this,
Deborah
You're welcome, Deborah. Good luck!
DeleteA Grand Design sounds like a wonderful book. Thank you Kav for a wonderful review!
ReplyDeletemauback55 at gmail dot com
Good luck, Melanie.
DeleteI grew up in MI, but only visited Mackinac Island one time. Would love to back and visit sometime!
ReplyDeletepattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
I think the thing that I love the most about it is the no car rule. I don't drive so it would be lovely to be in the majority for once. LOL Good luck, Patty.
DeleteI would love too read this.
ReplyDeleteoh dot hello dot hiya at gmail dot com
Good luck, Danie.
DeleteWonderful review! I adore the Quilts of Love books and would love to win a copy of A Grand Design! Thank you for the chance, Kav!
ReplyDeletetexaggs2000 at gmail dot com
Good luck, Britney.
DeleteSounds like a good book, so count me in on this one. rrwalter34ATgmailDOTcom
ReplyDeleteGood luck, Becky.
DeleteSounds like a delightful story, I like the story behind learning the roots of quilting. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletefreda.mans[at]gmail.com
You're welcome, Freda. Good luck.
DeleteI love the Quilt stories. My mother and grandmother Used to quilt when I was young. Gramma had a Quilting frame in her living . i thought it was neat that it was brought up to the ceiling when not in use. But never heard anything about a story.I never learned to quilt tho I have a daughter and granddaughter who Quilt. I made two Quilts but they were tied quilts. One a Queen size Wedding quilt. And a baby quilt for my first grandchild. I like the story behind the quilt. Please add me in. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteMaxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <
Quilting such a fascinating art form. Funny how it skipped generations in your case. I've patched a lot of quilts together but sewed them into duvet covers instead of hand quilting them. I don't think my stitches would ever be good enough for that. Good luck, Maxie.
DeleteWe have the QOL series in the church library. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to win this book.
ReplyDeleteJanet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Good luck, Janet.
DeleteI would love to read this Quilts of Love book. Thank you for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteLori at ldwrncpn(at)comcast(dot)net
Good luck, Lori!
DeleteI love the Quilts of Love series. This one sounds awesome - they all sound awesome!! Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
ReplyDeletekmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com
The story sounds very interesting. Thanks for a chance to win.
ReplyDeletedeamundy(at)gmail(dot)com
Good luck, Deanna.
DeleteI've heard so much about this area...
ReplyDeletecllyrics (at) gmail (dot) com
It's my dream vacation. Good luck, Cynthia.
DeleteI would love to go to Mackinac Island, it sounds so fascinating... so I guess for now I visit via books. Grand Design sounds terrific!
ReplyDeleteworthy2bpraised at gmail dot com
Book traveling is economical, Merry. Good luck!
Deletethanks for the opportunity to read this novel, kav
ReplyDeletekarenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
You're welcome, Karen. Good luck.
DeleteI would love to win "A Grand Design"!
ReplyDeletepatucker54 at aol dot com
Good luck, Patricia.
DeleteI loved our visit to Mackinac Island and enjoy books about the island. The island is amazing!
ReplyDeletepbclark(at)netins(dot)net
Oh -- lucky you to have been there. This book would bring back the memories for sure. Good luck, rubynreba.
DeleteI hope I'm not late for this book giveaway. I enjoy reading the QOF series when the library is able to get them. Thank you for the opportunity.
ReplyDeletemsbookwormlady(at)aol(dot)com
Not too late KayLee. Good luck!
Delete