Monday, December 22, 2014

Emma, Mr. Knightley and Chili-Slaw Dogs

GIVEAWAY
HATHAWAY, MARY JANE
EMMA, MR. KNIGHTLEY AND CHILI-SLAW DOGS

Caroline Ashley is a journalist on the rise at the Washington Post until the sudden death of her father brings her back to Thorny Hollow to care for her mentally fragile mother. The only respite from the eternal rotation of bridge club meetings and garden parties is her longtime friend, Brooks Elliott. A professor of journalism, Brooks is the voice of sanity and reason in the land of pink lemonade and triple layer coconut cakes. But when she meets a fascinating, charismatic young man on the cusp of a brand new industry, she ignores Brooks’ misgivings and throws herself into the project.

Brooks struggles to reconcile his parents’ very bitter marriage with his father’s devastating grief at the recent loss of his wife. Caroline is the only bright spot in the emotional wreckage of his family life. She’s a friend and he’s perfectly happy to keep her safely in that category. Marriage isn’t for men like Brooks and they both know it… until a handsome newcomer wins her heart. Brooks discovers Caroline is much more than a friend, and always has been, but is it too late to win her back?


My Review:

I'm really enjoying Hathaway's twist on Austen novels. So clever and fun. A light-hearted read with a punch of grit.

Love the dynamics between Brooks and Caroline. So comfortable with each other, anchored by years of friendship. Their rapid-fire dialogue is a treat to read, whether they are teasing or fighting. or in deep conversation about important issues. These two know each other and care deeply.  Totally understandable that neither wants to risk their friendship with romance. But once that crackle of attraction makes an appearance a new kind of tension enters their exchanges and that brings a thrilling edge to every scene. Of course I knew they would get to together by the end, but Hathaway kept me on tenterhooks trying to figure out how.

Secondary characters and subplots give added depth and a good dose of intrigue, to the story. I devoured this book in an afternoon and have already ordered Hathaway's latest release: Persuasion, Captain Wentworth and Crackling Cornbread. This series is high on my recommendation list.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Emma, Mr. Knightley and Chili-Slaw Dogs 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 December 28 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

26 comments:

  1. Ah, the dreaded 'friendlationship'! At some point one is going to probably have romantic feeling for the other, the only question is whether or not to act on those feelings!

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Love that term, Patty. Friendlationship. LOL And it makes for an interesting romantic read for sure. Good luck, Patty.

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  2. Would love to try this one too...rrwalter34ATgmailDOTcom

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  3. I don't know what happened to my comment so will try again. Hopefully there won't be two comments by me. I really like the title of this book and the others in the series. I haven't read any of them yet but they do sound like they'd be fun to read.
    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. Sometimes blogger doesn't play well with others. LOL Don't know where that first comment went. Maybe to the North Pole? The titles in this series are really eye-catching, aren't they? And a good feel for the writing style within. Good luck, Patty.

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  4. thanks for the chance to read this novel, kav

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  5. This one sounds like a great read, Kav. Keeping my fingers crossed, for sure!!!!!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  6. Ooh, I just read a Jane Austen retelling and loved it, made me want to read more.
    I'm in! :)
    lieniitte(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Retellings can be so much fun --- you know the outcome of the story but you don't know how the modern version will get you there. Good luck, Lieniitte.

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  7. Ah, I am IN! In real life I do believe in friendship between men and women, but it is a very rare situation for sure - because the attraction appears sooner or later and for friendship staying alive that matter must be addressed very frankly. In most cases the friendship becomes something else :) And I am very curious about the author ´s take on this!

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

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    1. This friendship started in childhood so that makes it even more ingrained. Challenging to switch your thinking. Good luck, Janka.

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  8. I like the sound of intrigue in the story!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. It's an added dash of spice to an already engaging read. Good luck, rubynreba.

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  9. Well, I love me southern style fiction so count me in for the giveaway:) Thanks!!

    esterried[at]yahoo[dot]com

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    1. LOL -- the Southern angle is sooooo much fun. Just the way I imagine the South to be, says the Irish Canadian. Good luck, Charity.

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  10. I have the first and would love to win this one. Thanks for the giveaway.

    sweetdarknectar at gmail dot com

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    1. And there's a lovely overlap of characters from the first to the second. Nothing that would take away for first time readers, but an added bonus for those of us who have read the first one. Good luck, Boos Mum.

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  11. This sounds like such a good read. I have put this on my TBR list. Thanks for the giveaway! momrain AT aol DOT com

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  12. Love some snappy dialogue and the risk of delving into that relationship zone when the friend zone works so well. Looks wonderful. Thank you for the chance! And Merry Christmas!

    KellysShining(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. The friendship angle really creates romantic tension and I love this author's dry wit which often comes out in the snappy dialogue. Good luck, Kelly.

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  13. Please put my name in the drawing. I've not read any Jane Austen books. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

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