Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Close to Home


GIVEAWAY

RANEY, DEBORAH
CLOSE TO HOME

Widowed Bree Whitman wants to be married again, but will it break the hearts of her late husband's family?

Bree Cordel Whitman became part of the Whitman family the moment she said "I do" to her husband, Timothy. Tragically, five years ago, Timothy was killed in Afghanistan, and Bree's in-laws Grant and Audrey were her biggest support throughout the tragedy -- and still are.

When her co-worker Aaron Jakes begins pursuing her, Bree feels the rekindling of feeling she hasn't felt for so long. But she fights guilt, knowing that accepting a new man's love would naturally cut her ties to the beloved Whitman family. After all, what type of man would tolerate her having such a close relationship with her late husband's family?

When another man shows his interest, Bree feels even more troubled. There are two good men wanting to woo her heart -- but neither of them are Tim. Bree knows she can't hang on to the past forever, but how can she keep the Whitman family and move toward finding love again?

My Review:

I adore the Whitman family and am thrilled with this latest installment of A Chicory Inn Novel series. This is the fourth book and there's still one more to come (yay!) No worries if you haven't read any of the other books -- Close to Home reads perfectly fine as a standalone but I enjoyed the extra insider knowledge I have about the characters from having read the first three.

This is one crazy large, multi-generational and opinionated family. Audrey and Grant are running a bed and breakfast out of their family home now that the kids have all moved out. But that doesn't mean they've stopped keeping tabs on everyone from the youngest grandchild to Grant's 85 year-old mother. I love this couple -- the ease of their relationship and the way they face life's challenges with grace and humour (for the most part.) And we get a few scenes from their perspective in Bree's story which is an extra bonus as far as I'm concerned.

Raney has captured the turmoil that comes from moving on after a spouse's death. Honestly, my stomach was in knots more times than Bree's was as I followed her nail-biting foray into the dating world. After five years of widowhood, twenty-eight year old Bree suddenly finds herself entertaining the idea of falling in love. It's complicated and angsty and there are plenty of twists and turns as she finds herself attracted to two very different men.

And while Bree is grappling over how a new romance might affect her position as an 'adopted' daughter in the Whitman family, they all must come to terms with Grandma Cece's encroaching dementia. Raney captures the stresses and joys of this faith-filled family to sweet perfection.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Close to Home 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 September 4 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

39 comments:

  1. I haven't read any of the previous books of A Chicory Inn Novel series, but they all sound good. I would love to be entered to win this one. Thank you for the opportunity!

    melodybissonnette AT gmail DOT com

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    1. I love the way this author portrays family life -- I feel like I'm part of the Whitman clan. Good luck, Melody.

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  2. The Chicory Inn series seems very interesting. All of the books sounds really good.
    Thanks for featuring this one!

    samanthabis23 at gmail dot com

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  3. I enjoy her books. cheetahthecat1986(at)gmail(dot)com.

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    1. She's an awesome storyteller. Good luck, Kim.

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  4. I just love Deborah Raney's writing. She really does manage to capture deep emotions. I am looking forward to reading this series. Thanks for the review and giveaway!
    momrain(AT)aol(DOT)com

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    1. It's a wonderful series. Good luck, Loraine.

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  5. I've read all in this series, but this one and am so anxious to read it! Always been a fan of Deb Raney!
    Thanks, Kav, for your great review and giveaway!
    jacsmi75 at gmail dot com

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    1. Oh, you'll be thrilled with this one then. Good luck, Jackie.

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  6. Great review, Kav! I've heard great things about this series! Thank you for the chance.
    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

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  7. I really want to read one of this author's books! Thanks for doing this giveaway!! =)

    rosebudsinjune at gmail dot com

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  8. Ooh, I love everything Deborah Raney writes and I don't have this book yet. Keeping my fingers crossed for luck and thanks for the opportunity to win Kav!
    Dblaser(at)windstream(dot)net

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    1. It's a great series, isn't it? Good luck, Diane.

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  9. I always multi generational books. Thanks for the nice review.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. Yes, it's great to see the family dynamics. Good luck, rubynreba.

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  10. I have the first two books in this series and would love to win Close to Home to help my slow acquisition of the whole series. Deb Raney is one of my favorite authors, partly because she's also a Kansan and I've met her, but mostly because her books are so good. Thanks for the review and giveaway.
    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. It's great to discover other connections with an author, isn't it? I'm a late bloomer when it comes to Deb Raney's books, but you can be sure I'm going to backtrack. Good luck, Pam.

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  11. Sounds like a really good series. I haven't read this author, but that's about to change. Thanks for the review.
    pwestfall7 at hotmail dot com

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    1. Good luck, Pam. And do look into Deborah Raney -- awesome storyteller.

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  12. I love Deb Raney's books! I haven't read any of this series yet but hope to soon. Thanks for this review and giveaway! d[dot]brookmyer[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  13. That would be a difficult situation... I'm sure the Whitman family would only want the best for her.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. But isn't it an interesting conundrum? Makes for a fascinating read. Good luck, Patty.

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  14. I have been wanting to read something in this series by Deb Raney, a great writer and person. Thanks. teshaw(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

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  15. I only have one book in this series "Another Way Home" so I'd love to add this one to it!

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. It's a series worth collecting for sure. Good luck, Trixi.

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  16. I have always loved Deborah Raney's novels, but have not picked up this book yet. After reading your review I know I need to have it. Thanks for a great review and the chance to win. YOU ROCK, KAV!!!!

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  17. I read a couple of the books in this series. I didn't know that it was taking a turn in Bree's direction. Sounds interesting!
    Dianna

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    1. Yes -- and there's still one more to go. Woot! Good luck, Dianna.

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  18. I also fell in love with the family from previous books. I didn't realize there's another one. For some reason, i thought this was the last one. O, no. I got it mixed up. Thanks for the chance. Would love to read this!

    Annie
    JustcommonlyATgmailDOTcom

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    1. Yes -- there will be five in all -- isn't that scrumptious???? Good luck, Annie.

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  19. Great cover art! This sounds like a good read! Thanks for a chance to win! Have a Blessed Day!
    swanphillips4(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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