Monday, January 4, 2016

When Love Returns

GIVEAWAY

SAWYER, KIM VOGEL
WHEN LOVE RETURNS

Riddled with doubt and lingering regrets, will Suzanne and Paul find strength in God to explore a second chance at love?

It wasn’t easy to move back to the Old Order Mennonite community from which quiet, responsible Suzanne Zimmerman was shamefully sent away as a pregnant teen. Returning twenty years later to take care of her mother, Suzanne and Alexa—the daughter she raised as her own—have spent months rebuilding relationships with her family.

Now with the upcoming wedding of their biological daughter, Suzanne and Paul find themselves drawn to one another once again—but with new challenges to face. They have been single parents with painful pasts. Can Paul and Suzanne find the strength to rebuild the loving relationship that was torn apart by their teen pregnancy so long ago?

Suzanne must also let go of Alexa as she heads back to Indianapolis to visit friends--and as her chance to find her birth parents. Leaving the bed-and-breakfast in Suzanne’s apprehensive hands, Alexa embarks on a journey that will certainly change her life completely. Can mother and daughter trust God to restore all things in His timing?


My Review:

Stunning conclusion to The Zimmerman Restoration trilogy but, unlike the first two books, I really think When Love Returns will make more of an impact if you've read When Mercy Rains and When Grace Sings first.

This is a beautiful second chance love story with plenty of grit and emotional angst to leave a reader breathless. Suzanne and Paul have waited two decades to be reunited and there is all the delicious uncertainty, not to mention mistakes from their past, to over come. A lot for a romance lover to sink her teeth into.

But love returns in other unexpected ways as well -- like Alexa's quest to discover the mother who abandoned her at birth. It's an exceptional story thread -- real and raw and gutsy. Sawyer explores both sides of the volatile issue with compassion and grace and it made a powerful impact on me.

A host of beautifully flawed secondary characters bring a rich depth to this compelling novel. Somehow, they all come together for the good of the overall theme. In a way, this book is about choices -- whether to judge and condemn or forgive and accept. It's as simple...and complicated...as that.

A truly incredible read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  When Love Returns 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 January 10 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

41 comments:

  1. I love Kim's books thank you for the chance to win a copy of "When Love Returns".

    wfnren at aol dot com

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    1. I think this is my favourite series by her. Good luck, Wendy.

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  2. I would like to get in line for this book! Thank you. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House

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  3. I love her books. kamundsen44ATyahooDOTcom.

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  4. Kav, this is my favorite of her series, too. I love her books and was so lucky to get this from local library! Your winner is in for a real treat!!

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    1. Just the way she brought the story arcs together was stupendous. And the emotions -- oy -- my tummy flip flopped through the whole thing. Glad you loved it too, Jackie.

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  5. Sounds like a powerful story. Will have to look for this series!

    Pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  6. We have Kim's books in the church library but not this one.
    Thanks for entering me in your giveaway.
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

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  7. This one sounds like a winner!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  8. Second chance love stories are always good. Love the cover!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. I love second chance love stories too. So hope-filled. Good luck, rubynreba.

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  9. I have "When Grace Sings" & I love Kim Vogel Sawyer, so this would be an exciting addition to my collection. Second chance love stories are among my favorite!

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. She is an awesome author. Good luck, Trixi.

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  10. Like I mentioned before, Kav, it's only been this past year that I started reading any Amish or Mennonite fiction. I am only familiar with Kim Vogel Sawyer by her name and contribution to the genre, but I haven't read any of her books yet. It's only when I get recommendations by you and other readers that I invest the time in a new author. There are just so many choices in Amish/Mennonite fiction that I feel it necessary to be choosy. I've looked at this series, but I often pass when a series is established and going on it's 3rd or more book. Thank you for the stellar review and I'm motivated to start reading the first book in this series soon. tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. You're right, Terrill, embarking on reading Amish fiction can be pretty overwhelming.

      And yes, it's discouraging to latch onto a series when three books are already out. It helps if each book doesn't rely on the previous one...and I really dislike the kind that leave cliffhanger endings and then you have to wait a year to read the next book. LOL This isn't like that at all. I just think you'll feel the story more if you have read the other books. And I read When Grace Sings first too, eve though it's the second book. Just reading that one before this one will stand you in good stead, I think. Good luck.

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    2. Because I was so intrigued by the synopsis of Leslie Gould's, Amish Promises, I was moved to read it when it first came out. I loved it, but I didn't have anything to compare it to. Since my husband is a military vet who suffers from PTSD, I was even more motivated to read it. If there are any must-read favorites of yours from the past before I was following your blog, I would love to know. Albeit, stand-alones would be best, but I know they are rare in Amish Fiction. I would be willing to invest in short series' (3-4 books.) Currently, I'm looking forward to Shelley Gray's The Charmed Amish Life. Thanks for the feedback you have already given, Kav. I truly appreciate it.

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    3. I'll think about that and get back to you, Terrill. I'm really looking forward to Shelley Gray's new series too...but I love all her books Amish or not. And God bless your husband (and your family) for his military service.

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  11. This is a series I that have been wanting to read.
    reneerachoyolsenATgmailDOTcom

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    1. It's really fantastic. Good luck, Heather.

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  12. I have the first two in this series...just need this one to complete the set. :) Thanks for the wonderful review and the opportunity to win this, Kav! I hope I'm not too late to enter. I had to finish a book and then review it, and wasn't online much.

    dianalflowers(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. You're plenty early, Diana...don't do the tallying until January 10. I goofed the date in the blog post. LOL Good luck!

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  13. This series sounds great! And such a beautiful cover :)

    samanthabis23 at gmail dot com

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  14. My goal this year is to add a few more books to my list for reading. This would be a good one. Kim has a great testimony for one who loves Jesus. I would love to be the winner.
    cedenlinger at hotmail dot com

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    1. Can't go wrong with adding more books to your treading list, Carol. Good luck.

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  15. Thank you so much for the kind review of WHEN LOVE RETURNS. As a writer, I wanted so much to paint a realistic portrait of the emotions and the sacrifice made when a child is given up for adoption. I know I couldn't cover it all--there's myriad scenarios for this kind of situation--but you've given me a lift with your review. So thank you!

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    1. Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting, Kim. I don't have any first hand knowledge about adoption but I feel like I have a much better understanding on all sides -- child, adoptive mom, biological mom -- after reading this book.

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  16. I would love to win this book. I have a daughter that has adopted 3 children so this could give us some real insight. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  17. Please enter me in this contest. I love all of Ms. Sawyer's books.

    berdi at Comcast dot net

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  18. I loved the first two books in the series. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  19. Love Kim's writing style and story lines - MUST have this one!! Thanks, Kav!!

    bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

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