Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Bringing Maggie Home

GIVEAWAY
SAWYER, KIM VOGEL
BRINGING MAGGIE HOME

Decades of Loss, an Unsolved Mystery, and a Rift Spanning Three Generations

Hazel DeFord is a woman haunted by her past. While berry picking in a blackberry thicket in 1943, ten-year-old Hazel momentarily turned her back on her three-year-old sister, Maggie, and the young girl disappeared

Almost seventy years later, the mystery remains unsolved, and the secret guilt Hazel carries has alienated her from her daughter, Diane, who can't understand her mother's overprotectiveness and near paranoia. While Diane resents her mother's inexplicable eccentricities, her daughter Meghan -- a cold case agent -- cherishes her grandmother's lavish attention and affection.

When a traffic accident forces Meghan to take a six-weak leave of absence to recover, all three generations of DeFord women find themselves unexpectedly under the same roof. Meghan knows she will have to act as a mediator between the two headstrong and contentious women. But when they uncover Hazel's painful secret, will Meghan also be able to use her investigative powers to solve the family mystery and help both women recover all that's been lost?

My Review:

A timeless story that explores the ripple effect a tragedy causes across generations. It's a rich, multi-layered tapestry of emotion that really made an impact on me. Told from the multiple view points of Hazel (grandmother), Diane (daughter) and Meghan (granddaughter) with the occasional flashback, it really illustrates the power a parent's words and actions hold. And how they shape the future generations beyond the moment they are said or done. This was an eyeopening read for me.

I adored Hazel. Closing in on eighty, we get the benefit of her memories first so it's easy to see how the disappearance of her sister shaped the rest of her life. But since she's buried that secret for decades, her daughter and granddaughter don't have the same insight the reader does and that makes family dynamics complicated. Especially between Hazel and her daughter.

True confession: Diane irked me from the very start. My least favourite character, I was bordering on hostile for most of the read. But Sawyer does an exceptional job of weaving a tale of grace and forgiveness and  the patience it takes to live both truthfully so that was a huge takeaway lesson for me. :-)

Meghan is easy to love. She's has a unique relationship with her grandmother and it's that bond that catapults these three women onto a journey of discovery and healing.

One of my favourite quotes from the book is courtesy of Hazel -- a woman of faith paired with a wry sense of humour. "God, not to be irreverent, but sometimes I wonder if You listen to me at all." (p. 52) I can totally relate to that sentiment and might be guilty of saying the same thing from time to time. :-) Unfortunately, Diane has had a very different experience with religion which has left her contemptuous of anything to do with faith while Meghan is quietly questioning thanks to the gentle but direct encouragement of a friend. Loved the insights that come from the realistic mix of characters at different stages of their faith journey.

A page-turning family drama with the hint of romance and plenty of mystery.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Bringing Maggie Home, 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 . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 21 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!


39 comments:

  1. I've read exemplary reviews on this and I love Kim's books, so it's a double whammy for me! Sounds even better than what I could anticipate from your review Kav.

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She knows how to write relationship. They dynamics among these women is fascinating. Good luck, Trixi.

      Delete
  2. Sounds like a really good read! :)
    Thanks for featuring it!

    samanthabis23 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Bringing Maggie Home sounds like an extraordinary book. I would love to know the three generations involved in this story. From your review, Kav, this sounds like a must read. Thank you for the opportunity. mauback55 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's incredibly well done. Good luck, Melanie.

      Delete
  4. Squeeee....can't wait to read this one! Love her books! Have been holding my breath to get it from Library (on hold; not local so could take MONTHS) so I really want to win it here! Loved your review, Kav! Thanks!
    jacsmi75 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bwahahaha! Isn't it daunting when you have a book on hold at the library and you're like number 44 and everyone ahead of you seems to be taking the complete three weeks to read the book? The one I read was a library copy too but I was the first reader. :-) In fact, a whole slew of library holds came in at the same time and that's kept be hopping the last few weeks. Good luck, Jackie.

      Delete
  5. Her books are always a fun read. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have wanted to read this for so long and, as always, Kav's review makes me want to read it even more. KVS is one of my favorites. ksucindy(at)excite(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a book worth anticipating, Cindy. Good luck.

      Delete
  7. One of my top picks for last year. Well written and a timeless tale. Good luck everyone.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are way ahead of me, Lucy. I'm still catching up on 2017. The year ended way before my reading did. lol

      Delete
  8. Sounds like a fascinating story! Can't wait to read it. Becky lelandandbecky (AT) reagan (DOT) com

    ReplyDelete
  9. What an amazing sounding story! Sometimes you do have to step back and replay the memories, yours and those of past generations, both good and bad, to realize how you got to where you are. Your review was just as tantalizing bringing the characters to life for us. I've very much love to read BRINGING MAGGIE HOME. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's so true -- all those stories become a part of our own. Good luck, Kay.

      Delete
  10. I always enjoy books by Kim Vogel Sawyer. This sounds like a bit of a departure from the norm for her, which I think is great. I like when authors feel comfortable enough to try something new, even if their previous books were wonderful.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it is very different from what she's done, yet the same magic storytelling is at play. Best of both worlds. Good luck, Pam.

      Delete
  11. Not entering because I have this book, but I loved your review. Some characters make me want to tear my hair out!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Dianna. And yes, those frustrating characters that seem to have a mission to make us bald! lol

      Delete
  12. Now this book sounds awesome. I've had it on my wish lists ever since I first seen it mentioned on here during a readers choice giveaway.
    Thanks for the chance :) <3 :)
    iamabho AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes -- that's where I learned about it too. Love the bounty on my wish list after a Reader's Choice week. Good luck, Linda.

      Delete
    2. I Bet
      The other one that sounded great to me was The House on Foster Hill
      Thank You

      Delete
  13. Hadn't heard of this one yet. Count me in, please, Kav!

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. It seems forever since I've read one of Kim's book. I love her work, so I don't know why it's been so long. ;-) You make it sound like a wonderful read. Thanks for the chance to win. :)
    mbaaij at hetnet dot nl

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sometimes it's hard to keep up with all these great authors and their books. Lovely reader dilemma to have though. Good luck, Marian.

      Delete
  15. I love Kim's books, thank you for the chance to win "Bringing Maggie Home".

    wfnren at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Sounds like a wonderful read. Thanks. teshawATsbcglobalDOTnet

    ReplyDelete
  17. Sounds sooo good!
    Thank you for the chance to win.

    melodybissonnette AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Love Kim's books, but it's been quite a while since I read one. This sounds good. Family dynamics are always interesting to explore.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great place to get back into reading Kim's books. Good luck, Patty.

      Delete
  19. Mystery and romance. What a great combination.
    We have Kim's books in the church library and our readers love them.
    Thanks for entering me in your giveaway.
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You'll need to add this to your library for sure. Good luck, Janet.

      Delete
  20. Kim Vogel Sawyer is another author I haven't read for a while...

    ladysnowangelphotos AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete