Monday, April 2, 2018

All This Time

GIVEAWAY
TAGG, MELISSA
ALL THIS TIME

Bear's past refuses to let go

Ten years ago, Bear McKinley gave up everything -- his freedom and his reputation -- for his mess of a family. But after years of distance and too many attempts at starting over, he finally has a new life...until his past catches up to him once again. Suddenly he finds himself charged with the care of his missing brother's children, convinced he's out of second chances to make his life count. And yet, with every day that passes, these kids and the woman he never stopped missing help patch the holes in his heart. Maybe this is the fresh start he's been longing for all along. But as his newfound hope grows, so does the mystery surrounding his brother's activities -- and when the threat reaches into the lives of those he loves, it's clear can't run away this time.

Fear holds Raegen's future captive

Raegan Walker is fine. She's happy working part-time obs and rarely venturing from her hometown. At least, that's what she tells everyone...and herself. But she can't help wondering what might've happened if she hadn't abandoned her art so many years ago -- and if Bear McKinley had never left. When Bear returns and she's commissioned for a painting that just might revive her artistic ambition all in one week. It's time to finally reach for more than fine. But doing so means facing the fears that have held her back all this time, including admitting the secret she's kept from Bear and her family. With her dream and her heart on the line, how much will Raegan have to risk tofinally chase her happy ending!

My Review:

Well, I'm all weepy now. Not only because this novel packs an emotional wallop, but because it is the last in the Walker Family series and I'm so not ready to say goodbye! Not to them or Maple Valley. Or Melissa Tagg's incredible gift of sharing hard hitting faith cushioned by love and grace. Though I expect we readers will see that aspect of her writing in future books with new characters and places. Still -- the Walkers are a pretty awesome family and I am going to miss them. Sniffle.

And I have to say that Tagg really preached to me when it came to the inspirational threads in this book. Not that it's preachy, mind, just that she said some things that I desperately needed to hear. Let's just say I'm a little bit Bear and a whole lot Raegan and leave it at that. But, seriously, this is why I read Christian Fiction -- to gain insight and perspective on my faith journey because stories reach me in a way that all the non-fiction 'how-to' books can't.

So,on to Bear and Raegan. Make sure you have tissue and a fainting couch on hand...and possibly smelling salts for readers of a particularly sensitive nature. :-) Bear is everything his name conjures up. A bit rough around the edges, big and brawny but he isn't afraid to let his inner teddy bear shine through on appropriate occasions...which often involves Raegan. Melting  puddle sigh.

The scenes with these two -- the banter, the teasing, the aching tenderness. My heart hurt for them. Bear because he's so stubborn in his confusion. His faith is strong but has a hairline fracture running through it -- "Sure he believed in a God who forgave his sins; forgot them even. But the world didn't forget. Bear didn't." (p 105) And Raegan, trying so hard not to fall for the guy who has no intention of staying in town long term. Because she is frozen in place by a secret that has way too much power over her.

So the stage is set for an angsty romance, but the author doesn't leave it there. There's some intrigue and mystery, the shadow of Bear's past that brings danger to this quiet rural town. And the Walker family is present in full force. Lots of delightful cameos with former heroes and heroines from previous novels as well as the clan's patriarch, Case Walker. If this Walker family saga has to come to a close, this is a pretty awesome way to do it!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of All This Time, 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 to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday April 8 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

66 comments:

  1. Great review Kav! Like you, fiction has the ability to speak to me giving insight and perspective on all the "real life" issues.

    I can always count on you for a smile, "Make sure you have tissue and fainting couch on hand...and possibly smelling salts for readers of a particularly sensitive nature".
    I must be one of those readers with a particularly sensitive nature, I regret nothing, lol. I enjoyed All This Time, you really brought it back to life for me with your review!
    Happy Monday Best Reads buddies!

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    1. Thanks, Tracey! If only I'd invested in a smelling salts company I would have enough money to open my own Christian Fiction library! Wouldn't that be fun?!

      Wasn't this whole series incredible? Brilliantly written with so much heart. Sigh. I'm feeling kinda blue now that it's all over.

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    2. I'm sure Melissa is working on something fabulous for us to replace the Walker family blues :) Can't wait to see what's next.

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  2. Gah! How much feeling in this review is killing me. I want to read this! Melissa certainly has a gift for stories. LattebooksAThotmailDOTcom

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    1. She has an incredible gift! Writing is definitely her ministry. Good luck, Susan.

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  3. Great review! I love family sagas in a series.

    colorvibrant at gmail dot com

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    1. Thanks, Heidi. You will totally love the Walkers if you haven't met them yet. Good luck!

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  4. Wonderful review, Kav! I'm reading this book now and I see I forgot one important item. I have a recliner so I'm ok with the fainting part, tissues ✔, but no smelling salts! Gasp! I just love Bear. We have a friend who's a SLED agent and all I have to do is picture him and I see Bear. lol Don't you just love it when the characters actually have a face on them?

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    1. Ooooh -- I'm so jealous that you are still reading! Sob!!! Well, I'll just go and read the good bits one more time while I'm waiting on company to come. And what is a SLED agent? I have a visual of Bear on a toboggan zooming down a snowy hill. lol

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    2. I wanted to know about the SLED agent too Kav so I looked it up, stands for South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Yeah, I think that's a mouthful and SLED agent is better.

      Happy reading Diane :)

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    3. Well, aren't you resourceful? That is a mouthful but their acronym is kinda funny considering South Carolina doesn't get very much snow. Bwahahahaha!

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    4. Oh, sorry, y'all! A SLED agent is the top dog in law enforcement. Sorta like a detective, but higher than that even. Especially when they're on top of a snow hill. LOL!

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    5. See I do have friends in high places. Pardon my pun. Bwahahahaha

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    6. Well, we need to get a romantic suspense writer to develop a SLED series and you could...gasp...be her inside source!

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    7. Only if she splits the royalties. Ha!

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  5. Ah...I've been wanting to read this one. I love family series.

    nina4sm/at/gmail/dot/com

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    1. It's definitely not to be missed. Good luck, Sylvia.

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  6. Sounds love me a winner! Thank you for sharing, Kav.

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  7. Eek! I love Melissa Tagg! Her style is so relatable, and makes me want to curl up and read with a bag of chocolate chips to eat! Haha!
    pocoauthorATgmailDOTcom

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    1. Or chocolate Easter bunnies. Mine has lost her ears. :-) And yes, Melissa Tagg is an eekable author. Good luck, Nicole.

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  8. Always fun seeing a new author name for me. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

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    1. OOOOhhhhhhh -- you haven't read anything by Melissa Tagg yet? Kiiiiimmmmmmmm, you simply must! Good luck!

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    2. Kim, I've heard of Melissa of course, but sadly haven't read anything (yet) by her. I'm determined to ONE DAY...lol! *Sigh*

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    3. You too, Trixi?! Oh, you are both in for such a treat. think Susan May Warren and Becky Wade and Katie Ganshert and...ahhhhhh.

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    4. Will have to see if the libraries here have her. Yes there are 5 here.

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    5. Yes they are, they only had one of her books so I check it out.

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  9. Have heard so much about this book!!! Thanks for the review and giveaway!
    mindyhoungATmsnDOTcom

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    1. I noticed it's got all 4 and 5 star reviews when I was posting mine this morning. Just so you know, we all aren't exaggerating.Good luck, Mindy.

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  10. I'm so jealous that you've read Melissa Tagg's Walker family series! She's on my radar, but alas, I haven't had a chance to read any of her books...even though I have a few on my shelf. *Sigh* I've heard this was a not-to-be-missed series. Love emotionally messy, inspirational stories to touch both your heart & feed your soul.

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

    P.S. I wished I could clone myself a few times so I could read all the books I want to but haven't gotten a chance to yet! :-)

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    1. I'm gobsmacked, Trixi! Clearly you need to go on an extended vacation on a desert island so you can catch up on your reading. lol You'll love the Walkers when you meet them. I'm kinda envious that you are still in the anticipation stage. Good luck, Trixi.

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  11. (hanging head) I have not read her either!?!?!? (-:
    Must do some backlist reading and catch up with you, Kav!

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    2. Jackie, that makes two of us! I do have a couple of her books on my shelf that I haven't had a chance to get to as of yet. *Sigh* It's not for lack of trying, however because I have read a LOT of great books and have many more on my TBR pile. One day....ONE DAY...I will get to reading something by Melissa :-)

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    3. Honestly, y'all have my head spinning over these true confessions...but then I've never read Francine Rivers so who am I to talk? lol Could luck, Jackie.

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    4. You've never read Francine Rivers, Kav? I'm shocked, I'm amazed! Neither have I. LOL

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    5. Oh good -- we're partners in crime.

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  12. I have read other books by Melissa and enjoyed them. I love that you said she has an "incredible gift of sharing hard hitting faith cushioned by love and grace." Great review! Becky lelandandbecky [AT] reagan [DOT] com

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    1. Thanks, Becky. She's brilliant at sharing the truth through fiction. Such a talent...fiction is her mission field. Good luck, Becky.

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  13. I've read a couple of books in this series and really enjoyed them but All This Time is one I haven't read. Thanks for the chance to add this to my Walker family collection.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. Yeppers -- you definitely need to complete the collection. Good luck, Pam.

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    1. Time to start! Good luck, Savings in Seconds.

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  15. Love this series and need to read this. Thank you for sharing.
    leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Yes you do! But then you'll be sad like me when it's all over. :-) Good luck, Lucy.

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  16. ALL THIS TIME sounds just like the inspirational, romance, and emotional book that I love to read. They speak to the mind and the heart. I'd love the opportunity to read the book. Thanks for the review and the chance to win a copy!
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. You're welcome, Kay. This sounds like your kind of book. Good luck.

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  17. Great review, KAV! I love Melissa's stories!

    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

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  18. My reading goal for this year was to read more new to me authors... so far I am doing pretty good. I would say at least half of the books I have read are by authors I have never read before. Not necessarily new authors but new to me. Melissa would be one of those! I may even have one of her books on my shelf, just haven't read it yet.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. That's a fantastic reading goal, Patty. Love that it brought you to some new authors. Love discovering new-to-me authors because they come with a delicious backlist! Good luck, Patty.

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  19. Great review, Kav! I love Melissa's books, but I haven't gotten to this one yet, so it would be amazing to win a copy! She was at CFRR, too, and it was so fun to meet her. She's adorable! You really need to go next year, Kav!
    whthomas13ATyahooDOTcom

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    1. Agh! Winnie, you're killing me with all these author sightings! :-) You will totally want to keep current with Melissa's books so good luck!

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  20. These comments are a hoot! I am sad to say , you can number me with the ones who have yet to read Melissa! But I intend to soon. Count me in. paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet

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    1. We're having fun on this thread, aren't we? You're counted, Paula. Good luck!

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  21. I LOVE Emotional Books
    Melissa's Books always sound great too
    Thank You iamabho AT gmail DoT com

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    1. Do these need to be read in order or are they standalones?

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    2. They can be read out of order...the only 'spoiler' is the romance outcomes of the previous books which is a given when you're reading romance anyway. Good luck, Linda.

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    3. Right you pretty much know THAT is going to happen you just don't know how or in what way
      Thank You

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  22. Eeks! I'm so behind on my Melissa Tagg reads. I've read two of her stories and LOVED them. I've only heard amazing things about this series. So, even though I haven't read the previous books in this series, I'm putting my name in. It might end up being a series binge read! tlhcoupon(at)Hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Well, I'm jealous that you have all these books to look forward to! It's an awesome series deserving of a binge read. Good luck, Terrill.

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  23. Love her books, but haven’t read this one yet! Thanks for the review and giveaway!

    mo1202007ATyahooDOTcom

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  24. Thanks for the giveaway!

    ladysnowangelphotos(at)gmail(dot)com

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