Thursday, July 20, 2017

On Love`s Gentle Shore

GIVEAWAY
JOHNSON, LIZ
ON LOVE`S GENTLE SHORE

Natalie O`Ryan had no plans to return to Prince Edward Island. But when her fiancé books their wedding in her hometown and schedules a summer at Red Door Inn, she sets out to plan the perfect wedding. Yet she can`t possibly plan for a run-in with Justin Kane -- the best friend she left behind all those years ago after promising to stay.

Justin has never forgotten Natalie. He`d been prepared to follow her off the island until tragedy struck, leaving him to run the family dairy farm. He`s done the best he can with the life that was thrust upon him -- but with Natalie back in the picture, he begins to realize just how much joy he`s been missing.

After Natalie`s reception venue falls through she must scramble to find an alternative, and the only option seems to be a barn on Justin`s property. As they work together to get the dilapidated building ready for the party, Natalie and Justin may discover that there is more between them than broken promises and old friendship.

My Review:

True confession: I really don't like love triangle romances. And I really, really don't like it when either the hero or heroine is engaged to one person while developing a relationship with someone else. So I hesitated reading On Love's Gentle Shore since Natalie is engaged and is getting married in her hometown where her first love just happens to still live.

Angst Alert!

But, here's the thing -- I adore this series and I trust Liz Johnson to deliver an impactful story so...I took a deep breath and dived in...and loved every emotionally gut-wrenching minute. (Not to mention the Prince Edward Island location softens the blow somewhat.)

Johnson has such an exquisite way with words that she lulls me into a reading stupor even in the gnarly parts. Like this: "Russell's words hung out there like underclothes on the line, too embarrassing to take down after someone else pinned them up for the whole town to see." (p.40) I mean, if you're going to read a tumultuous story you might as well enjoy the prose!

Natalie and Justin reunite after fifteen years of misunderstandings and bitterness. They were seventeen when their respective worlds shattered and acted with as much immaturity as you'd expect teenagers to. I had to keep reminding myself of that as the story unfolded. Especially where Natalie was concerned.

She might have fled the island but the emotional damage she endured as a child stayed with her. She just buried the hurt and uncertainty under a polished facade. Her life is a charade and it starts to unravel the second she sets foot on the island. Justin has allowed bitterness to take hold of his heart. Resentment and anger surface when he lays eyes on Natalie for the first time since they were kids. These two have a lot to work through before they can finally be free to see hope in their future.

Painful and thought-provoking and uplifting. This isn't just an exceptional love story -- it's a cautionary tale on the power words play in our lives. Both words spoken to us and by us. On Love's Gentle Shore would make an excellent book club read because of the depth of discussion starting points.

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Ltd.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to read a copy of On love's Gentle Shore, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday July 23 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck.

45 comments:

  1. Your review makes the love triangle sound OK it does sound really good. Thanks for the chance to win. iamabho (AT) gmail (DOT) com

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    1. It really works...plausible, not there just for conflict...and handled really well -- with integrity too. Good luck, Linda.

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    2. I like that because I agree totally with your opinion of Love Triangles in books and if one is involved Thanks for clarifying that about the book too
      Thanks

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  2. I do not like love triangles. They're messy, unpredictable, and one person always "loses". I like happily-ever-after for everyone. Unless the author redeems themselves and the "loser" finds his or her HEA in a subsequent book.

    Now, that all being said (kind of my disclaimer), I trust your reviews. I trust that if you say the author handles this prose well & that I'd love it in spite of my less than enthusiastic attitude, then I know I can take that to the bank :-) So, another book I'd take a chance on. Kav, I do believe you can persuade the stubbornest of people to see things your way ;-) In a loving and compassionate way of course!

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Bwahahahaha! I'm just like you, Trixi, so I think you'd be good with this story too. Just be prepared to have your tummy wrapped in knots for the duration. LOL Good luck!

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  3. What a story! I would sure love to learn more. Thank you for a great review, Kav! mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  4. WOW! KAV, I would love to read this one. Thank you for the chance.

    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

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  5. I agree with you - the triangle story of love is never good. I'd read this only because you say its good, otherwise I really think I'd leave it on the shelf. becci43atgmaildotcom

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    1. Thanks for your vote of confidence, Becky. Amazing how many of us don't enjoy love triangles. Glad I'm not alone. Good luck, Becky.

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  6. I love your review, Kav, and would love to read this story! Thanks so much for the giveaway.

    texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

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  7. I've read the other two in this series and have been anxiously waiting for this one! Lol at your honest review, Kav....sure makes this book sound more interesting!
    Please count me in. THANKS!
    jacsmi75 at gmail dot com

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    1. :-) I call 'em like I see 'em, Jackie. It's a superb series, isn't it?????? Good luck.

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  8. Wow! That cover is gorgeous!! I would love to read this book.

    rosebudsinjune at gmail dot com

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    1. And deceptively tranquil. LOL Good luck, Deborah.

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  9. This storyline sounds fabulous! I'm adding it to my TBR list and crossing my fingers for a win. Thanks, Kav.

    Dblaser(at)windstream(dot)net

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  10. You really should!!! Good luck, Kate.

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  11. What a stellar review, Kav. I do like love triangles as long as they're realistic...and you don't just absolutely detest one person so you know who she's going to end up with for sure. That's my never-ending sentence. :-) I have this one on my wishlist as I've read the 1st, have the 2nd, and would love to own the whole series! Adore the PEI setting!

    dianalflowers(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Thanks, Diana. You're one of the few love triangle fans I've run into. You definitely need to complete the set. Good luck!

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    2. I think it's the unpredictability of a realistic love triangle that intrigues me. Usually when we start reading a book we know who's going to end up with whom, but we enjoy the journey there. Am reading a book right now that you're going to love, and the Amish heroine is attracted to her Indian captor and her "almost" fiance back home. Unpredictable. I have no clue who she's going to choose. And I love it. And you will, too. hehe

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    3. Ooooh -- I know just the book you're talking about and I signed up to review it so I should get it pretty soon. Woot!

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    4. Yippee! I'm almost finished and it's sooo good!! Enjoy!

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  12. I really liked the first two books in this series with the wonderful characters and setting of Prince Edward Island. On Loves Gentle Shore is a must read for me so I'm thankful for the chance to win it here. Thanks for your insightful review.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. You'll love this third book then, Pam. Good luck.

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  13. I have mixed feelings about love triangles. It sounds like this one is handled well and I'm looking forward to the setting. Thanks for the review and the giveaway!
    momrain(AT)aol(DOT)com

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    1. It is handled really well -- in an angsty kind of way. Good luck, Loraine.

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  14. I really really do not like love triangles, either. I try to avoid them if I can. But this series is so good. Ahh!!! I've grown fond of the fiancé since he's the brother of the hero from the second book (goodness, I'm so bad with names that I cannot recall either names) but Justin has appeared enough in the past books that I'm fond of him, too! Have to read this one!

    mindyhoungATmsnDOTcom

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    1. You must read this book then, Mindy, as hard as it is to read in places. Bwahahahaha! Good luck.

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  15. I only have the first book in this series, but so good! I remember your encouraging review for the second book, so I need to catch up. I'm happy to see such great books by Liz Johnson outside of LI's. tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Talented author for sure to be able to deliver different types of stellar fiction....and torture her readers while doing so. :-) Good luck, Terrill.

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  16. I loved this whole series. I thought this triangle was handled great. Good luck ladies.

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    1. Lucy, we are on the same reading wavelength for sure. And yes, the triangle worked even if it turned me inside out. LOL

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  17. This one has been on my list for a while and your review was wonderful. Thanks! (Love the cover)
    pwestfall7 at hotmail dot com

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  18. Your review makes me want to read this one! Thanks for this giveaway. d[dot]brookmyer[at]yahoo[dot]com

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    1. Glad I could convince you to give it a try. Good luck, Donna.

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  19. This book sounds great. Thanks for the chance and for sharing it with us.
    iamabho (AT) gmail (DOT) com

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  20. Would love to read this!
    smincer10(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Hope you get the chance. Good luck, Susanne.

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  21. I also don't know how I feel about love triangles, sometimes we are so busy rooting for the couple we know belong together that we often overlook the situation regarding them getting together. I have heard good things about this book though, so I am excited to read it!

    Llwaltz [at] gmail [dot] com

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