Wednesday, August 31, 2016

What Matters Most

GIVEAWAY

GILBERT, KELLIE COATES
WHAT MATTERS MOST

Just when she can't take it anymore, Leta finally catches a break. But when things seem too good to be true, they often are.

Finding her dream job went right out the window when Leta Breckenridge had to quit school to help care for her mother suffering from dementia. When a delinquent account may force her mother into a less desirable facility, Leta is thrilled to land a high-paying job at an Austin public relations firm. But her seemingly ideal job turns into a nightmare when she learns the firm is a front for a political opposition organization -- and that the research she's been collecting will be used against Nathan Emerson, the handsome senator she's swiftly falling in love with.

Nathan is a rising political star being pressured to run a bid to unseat the current governor of Texas. He's already in a relationship with a woman much better suited to be a politician's wife, but he's never met anyone like Leta. Could this feisty woman hold the key to his heart -- and his future?

With emotional depth and keen insight into what drives us, Kellie Coates Gilbert offers a salient story that calls us to consider what we value most in this life.

My Review:

A political Cinderella story that hits the spot during this controversial election season. Topical and informative and a little bit scary. I'm Canadian, so not well versed on American politics, but I understood enough to navigate my way through the intricacies of the story. Gilbert exposes both the good and bad of the election process in this riveting contemporary romance. It made me realize how easily the public can be swayed by the media and the lengths candidates will go to feed the fury. This one hiked my blood pressure up to a danger zone when I read some scenes. Gah!

Leta lives by her mother's conviction to make the right choices and trust God to do the rest. It has held her in good stead until financial constraints threaten her mother's specialized health care. Juggling poor paying jobs while hunting for something better has stretched Leta's resources to the limit and then, voila -- it's as if her fairy godmother waved a magic wand and she lands a dream-come-true kind of job. Only it turns into a nightmare.

I could completely relate to Leta right from the very first page. She's scrappy and smart and committed to her mom. And she never gives up! Love a heroine with stick-to-itness. :-)

And then there's Nathan who is real Prince Charming material. A politician with ideals, he is the antithesis of his domineering mother. Phew, those conversations made my blood boil as well. Nathan is on the fast track to success and then he meets Leta.

She's poor, he's rich. She doesn't have a college education. He was a university success. They live in two completely different worlds but a chance encounter becomes the catalyst that shakes things up for both of them. These two kept me spellbound. If I wasn't swooning I was hunting down crockery to hurl in sheer vexation. Emotionally gripping, delightfully romantic and compelling right to the cheer-worthy ending.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. in exchange for my honest review.

 GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  What Matters Most 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!

28 comments:

  1. This is one of those cases where I own all of the proceeding books, but have yet to read them. I have obviously wanted to since I own them, but other books have gotten in the way. :) Interesting fact: The heroine, Leta, spells her name just like my sister. As with my name, not very common. tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. You had an imaginative mother, Terrill. And I'm guessing I pronounced Leta right as I read -- let-a? This is the first book I have read by this author so I didn't know there were any books ahead of this one. I'll definitely be checking that out for sure. Good luck, Terrill.

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    2. I'm not sure how the author meant for it to be pronounced, but we pronounce it with a long "e".

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    3. Oh dear, I've been pronouncing it wrong in my head all week long! Luckily I didn't meet Leta in person and embarrass myself! LOL

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  2. I heard Kellie speak about writing emotion in novels and so I am really looking forward to reading how she does it. Thanks for the giveaway and the review. momrain(AT)aol(DOT)com

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    1. She does it amazingly well, Loraine. Good luck!

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  3. I have read some of her books and enjoyed them. cheetahthecat1986(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. I need to read more of her books because I really love the way she tells a story. Good luck, Kim.

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  4. This is a new author to me so I will have to add her to my list. sonflower277 at gmail dot com

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  5. I haven't read any of Kellie's books yet, though they all look like they'd be good. After reading your review, I think I need to put What Matters Most on my want-to-read list.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. Oh yes, it definitely belongs on that list. I'm adding the others in the series to mine as well. Good luck, Pam.

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  6. I absolutely LOVE Kellie's writing, she gets right to the heart of the matter in her books. I've already read, reviewed and enjoyed this so I'm not entering. But I had to read what you had to say, Kav :-) Spot on my friend, spot on!

    P.S. I loved a politician with morals and integrity who stuck with his convictions all the way through!

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    1. Yes, Nathan gives us hope, doesn't he? I can't believe this is the first time I've heard about this author. Seriously -- I am slipping. I think I might have to give up sleep in order to stay current. LOL

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  7. This is a new author to me. TY for the review and chance to win.

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  8. Good timing to read a political Cinderella story! I haven't read any books by this author either.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. I know, the timing is perfect. Good luck, rubynreba.

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  9. Sounds really good! Don't we all love a good Cinderella story.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. I know I do! And the political twist to the Cinderella tale makes it all the more intriguing. Good luck, Patty.

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  10. Sounds good! I love all of the new authors you are introducing me to! Thank you Kav! 😃

    Dblaser(at)windstream(dot)net

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    1. It's so much fun to share the good news about Christian fiction and I love discovering new authors. Good luck, Diane.

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  11. I have read a few of Kellie Coates Gilbert's books. I like the way she makes women seem so powerful, despite the obstacles they face.
    Dianna

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    1. That's a great point, Dianna. And in this case, Leta's strength comes from the Lord so I imagine that would hold true for the other books as well. Good luck!

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  12. I want Leta as my friend!
    Another great review, Kav.

    Count me in, please.

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

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    1. She'd make an awesome, friend! Good luck, Janka.

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  13. I haven't read any of Kellie's books yet. What Matters Most sounds like it would definitely be a great one to read asap. d[dot]brookmyer[at]yahoo[dot]com

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    1. You're right about that, Donna. Good luck.

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