Thursday, July 9, 2015

Irish Meadows

GIVEAWAY

MASON, SUSAN ANNE
IRISH MEADOWS

Irish immigrant James O’Leary has spent his life building Irish Meadows into a thriving horse farm and is not about to let hard economic times threaten its success. He intends for his daughters to marry prosperous men–ones who will secure the family’s rightful place in society, and at the same time, guarantee the future of Irish Meadows. Both girls, however, have different visions for their futures.

Brianna and Colleen O’Leary know their father expects them to marry well. Yet despite his wishes, Brianna, the quieter sister, dreams of attending college. Vivacious Colleen, meanwhile, is happy to marry–as long as her father’s choice meets her exacting standards. When stable hand Gilbert Whelan returns from college and distant family member Rylan Montgomery stops in on his way to the seminary in Boston, the two men quickly complicate everyone’s plans. It will take every ounce of courage for both sisters to follow their hearts. And even if they do, will they inevitably find their dreams too distant to reach?
  

My Review:

Double the romance doubles the reading pleasure.

Brianna and Colleen are as different as night and day and I will readily admit to bonding with Brianna way before Colleen started to chip away at my reserve. Colleen is...challenging...at the beginning of the this story...and quite awhile thereafter. In short, she made my blood boil. But Mason weaves her magic and Colleen's storyline becomes a beautiful testimony of the power of redemption.

And the heroes? Be still my heart. In a word: swoonworthy. But both have to battle internal demons before they can come to grips with their pasts. Gilbert is near perfection -- noble, trustworthy, a man of integrity...except when he isn't. LOL Mason has created a flawed hero who struggles with misplaced loyalty. And Rylan is a delightful surprise. I adored his wit and ability to find joy in everyday things. And his first meet with prickly ol' Colleen is sweet perfection. There's plenty of scope for the imagination when it comes to these captivating heroes.

As we all know, the course of true love never runs straight and in the case of the O'Leary sisters it's a big old curvy, tangled mess. Which makes for a blissfully emotional read. I'm still feeling kind of gutted now that it's over. The kind of read you want to gallop through because it's that good, but you also don't want to reach the end because...well...it's that good.

Fans of Julie Lessman will find a lot to love about Susan Anne Mason's first book in the Courage to Dream series. Highly recommended.

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Irish Meadows 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 July 12 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

43 comments:

  1. Love, love, love, this cover! I am excited to read this new author's book. Thank you for the giveaway!

    dianemestrella at gmail dot com

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    1. I think it's the most captivating cover ever! Good luck, Diane.

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  2. Two romances in one, sounds good to me! And I love Julie Lessman, so this sounds like a good one. And of course the cover is beautiful.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Definitely a good one for you to try. And yes, I loved the double romance...can't have too much romance, right? Good luck, Patty.

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  3. Good Morning Kav, I enjoyed your review. I put this book on my wishlist after I saw it in one of the Bethany House new release e-mails. I look forward to reading a new-to-me author, and meeting new characters.

    Tammi

    dandtdearing {at} earthlink {dot} net

    P.S.- I hope this reads well I had too many interruptions while I was typing my comment : )

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    1. Made perfect sense to me, Tammi. And it deserves to be on your wishlist. It really is an awesome book. Good luck.

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  4. I love Julie Lessman so this book is going on my TBR list. Thanks for the review and giveaway!
    momrain(AT)aol(DOT)com

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    1. I think you'll love it too, Loraine. Good luck.

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  5. Swoonworthy!......I love it! Would certainly love to read this one, Kav! Thank you for the opportunity!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  6. Kav, it looks like you found another keeper. Even if I don't win on your blog, I look for the books in the store! YOU ROCK! Thanks for giving me the opportunity to win.

    MitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTcom

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    1. And she's Canadian, Marianne!!!!! Woot!!!!! Good luck.

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  7. Hi, Kav! Please don't enter me as I already have this book. I just wanted to tell you what a stellar review this is! I wish I could write them like you do. As the lady above aptly said, "YOU ROCK!"

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    1. Ah, thanks, Diana! I just call 'em like I see 'em. Have you read it yet? If not, you're in for a treat.

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    2. You have a way with calling them as you see them that is a wonderful gift from God.

      Not yet. Hoping to read it soon...am about 40% through The Curiosity Keeper by Sarah Ladd.

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    3. Ooooohhhhhhhhhhh! That twinge might have been a teensy shock of jealousy. Just a bit. Don't even have that one on my TBR pile yet. Can't wait to hear what you think.

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  8. This sounds like an interesting book, thank you for the chance to win a copy.

    wfnren at aol dot com

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  9. I love a good swoonworthy book!!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  10. Great review, Kav! This looks really interesting. Would love to be entered.
    pocoauthorATgmailDOTcom

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  11. I have read so many good things about what's inside the cover of this book, and the cover alone would sell the book to me! Would love to win a copy. rmaney(at)firstarpchurch(dot)org.

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    1. I know, I want the cover framed and hanging on my wall. I'm really looking forward to the rest of this series as well. Good luck, Rebecca.

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  12. Sounds very interesting. Love the cover and the blue. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
    kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com

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  13. I love this cover, it's so eye-catching. I am very excited at the thought of reading this it sounds so exciting !
    Deanne Patterson
    Cnnamongirl at aol dot com

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  14. thanks for the opportunity to read this novel, kav

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  15. What a beautiful cover - but, even more so, what an intriguing storyline! :-) Thanks for the giveaway!
    aliciagraceroque (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. The cover is simply stunning. You should get the book just for the cover art. LOL Good luck, Alicia.

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  16. Sounds like a good one! Lattebooks at hotmail dot com

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  17. Have already read this book whoever wins your are in for a real treat. Fantastic book by Susan.

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    1. Oh, so glad you liked it too, Kim. It's an awesome read.

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  18. Looks like a keeper!!!
    Guilty pleasure (a.k.a complicated heroines/heroes) alert ON!

    Count me in, please.

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

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  19. This book has been on my "want to read" list for a few months now. It sounds like an interesting story and the cover of the book is lovely! Thank you for the chance to win a copy!

    ~Alisha L.
    lishy2193 (at) aol (dot) com

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    1. You're right on both accounts. Good luck, Alisha.

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  20. I have had my eye on this book. It gets the "Most Beautiful Cover" award from me. In fact, I think it's my favorite cover this year, so far. I can't even explain the appeal except that I love Ireland and the Irish. Your review only heightens my desire to read this.

    tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  21. Oh my, you made this so interesting. Great men and ladies. I have to try and win it. And, I love the cover picture. Sounds really good. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

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