Monday, November 16, 2015

The Sea Keeper's Daughters

GIVEAWAY

WINGATE, LISA
THE SEA KEEPER'S DAUGHTERS

Wingate's third Carolina book follows the highly reviewed, The Prayer Box and The Story Keeper as well as related three novellas.

From modern-day Roanoke Island to the sweeping backdrop of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains and Roosevelt’s WPA folklore writers, past and present intertwine to create an unexpected destiny. . .

Restaurant owner Whitney Monroe is desperate to save her business from a hostile takeover. The inheritance of a decaying Gilded Age hotel on North Carolina’s Outer Banks may provide just the ray of hope she needs. But things at The Excelsior are more complicated than they seem. Whitney’s estranged stepfather is entrenched on the third floor, and the downstairs tenants are determined to save the historic building. Searching through years of stored family heirlooms may be Whitney’s only hope of quick cash, but will the discovery of an old necklace and a depression-era love story change everything.


My Review:

A masterful tale so profound that I'm still reeling. Talk about compelling! I couldn't read fast enough. My eyeballs were tripping over each other in a race to the finish. I knew I should slow down, spend some time savoring artfully crafted gems like this: "Sometimes, even when you've spent years ignoring God, there are places where his fingerprint and his intentions seem absolute." (p.170) But I was so eager to find out what happens next I barely remembered to breathe.

This novel surprised me. Not because I enjoyed it so much -- I'm acquainted with Wingate's work so I knew that was a given. What surprised me was the incredible story within a story that I discovered within these pages. I knew nothing about Roosevelt's WPA folklore writers but I'm definitely going to follow through with the reference links the author provides at the end of the book and learn more.

An emotional read, I wept at the end. Great gasping sobs -- a mixture of sorrow and joy. The power is in the legacy of family -- the heart of this story. Whitney sums it up beautifully. "Despite the lack of answers, I know I've found the truth of who I am and where I come from. The path isn't straight. It winds and bends in magnificent ways, its course shepherded by strong women who've left their footprints behind." (p.403) Her journey of self-discovery makes for a truly mesmerizing read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  The Sea Keeper's Daughters 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 November 22 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

44 comments:

  1. We were in North Carolina this past summer and I would enjoy this book's setting there.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. Fascinating setting and history. You'll enjoy it, rubynreba. Good luck.

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  2. You've got me intrigued, Kav. Count me in! :)

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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  3. reading it is so good. 5 chapters in.

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    1. You won't be good for anything else until you finish, KIm. Enjoy.

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    2. Tis an excellent book. I loved it.

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  4. This is another one of those books I haven't read yet but sure want to. Just look at the cover and the emotion, oh yes please. I just need to read this !

    Cnnamongirl at aol dot com

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  5. I've read it and loved it! The winner of this one will be delighted, Kav!

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    1. Isn't it awesome? Thanks for weighing in, Jackie.

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  6. Wow, sounds fabulous!
    lattebooks at hotmail dot com

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  7. Been REALLY wanting to read this one! ;)

    Many Blessings, Amada
    amada_chavezATyahooDOTcom

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    1. Oh, Amada, it's soooooooooo good. Sigh. Good luck.

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    2. YAY! There are those books that you really wanted to love but they fell flat, and then there's those books that sound awesome and end up being even more amazing than you ever could have thought! It sounds like this is the latter! :D

      Thank you!

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    3. This would definitely fall into the latter category.

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  8. I would LOVE to read this one! Thanks Kav for the chance.

    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

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  9. I am always intrigued by stories that link to the past. It may be why I collect old things too. It sounds like a very engulfing read.

    eeyore722 at gmail dot com

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    1. Totally. And I love these two timeline stories. So intriguing. Good luck, Cindy.

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  10. I love a story cloaked in the memories of the past, please add me!
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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    1. You'll definitely love this one then, Merry. Good luck.

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  11. I read Lisa's "The Story Keeper", the first of her books that found it's way in my hands via my local library. And I was just as blown away as it seems you are with this one Kav! She leaves you aching for more, neglecting food, family & household chores! I am most anxious to read anything by her I can get my greedy hands on....letting my "eyeballs trip over each other in a race to the finish" ( I had to chuckle at that description!). I quite enjoy the layering of a story within a story that some authors can weave so delightfully they leave you breathless! And if you are somehow changed by that story, well that's just an added bonus :-) This one sounds just as good (if not better) than the one I read. Definitely count me in, thanks for the chance!

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. This is the third book in the series The Story Keeper is part of, Trixi. I'm back tracking and reading the first two as well. Good luck.

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  12. It sounds like it really reached into your heart! I love when a book grabs me emotionally and when it shares something with me that I hadn't known before. Please include me in your drawing!

    Thanks!

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    1. And reaffirms important things you knew but weren't paying attention too. If that makes sense. Good luck, Kelly.

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  13. Oh, my goodness. Your review is compelling! Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  14. Lisa's novels always pack punches. I just came from reading the comments on Seekerville, and one of them quoted from this. I would love a chance to win, Kav!

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  15. This sounds like a fascinating read. I know Lisa has written many books, but I don't think I've read any.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good. Really. Good luck, Patty.

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  16. I am definitely intrigued after reading your review. I think this is a must read, especially since I'm a NC girl.

    pwestfall7 at hotmail dot com

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    1. Oh, yes, rich in NC history. Good luck, Pam.

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  17. This is definitely a must read for me. I usually don't buy paperbacks unless I read a book and then want it on my keeper shelf. Lisa's books are on a whole other level and I tend to just purchase them in paperback from the start. tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Yes -- Lisa is a go-to author for me now too. I have a lot of catching up to do though. Thankfully my library likes her as much as I do. :-) Good luck, Terrill.

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  18. I just received this book in the mail so will have to bow out of the contest. I'm looking forward to reading it this weekend.
    Thanks Kav for hosting these giveaways.
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. You're welcome, Janet. I'm sure you'll love it. Happy weekend reading.

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  19. I must have read at least one book by this author because the name sounds familiar. Here's to hoping I get the chance to read another. mknewswangerATgmailDOTcom

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  20. Love Lisa's writing, and her unusual story lines!! Thanks for your beautiful review, Kav!!

    bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

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