Monday, July 2, 2018

A Vast and Gracious Tide

GIVEAWAY
CARTER, LISA
A VAST AND GRACIOUS TIDE

A wounded vetran and the police chief's daughter must work together to bring a killer to justice.

Caden Walker lost friends, his girlfriend, and even his leg to the ravages of war. He arrives on the Outer Banks broken and still reeling, struggling to make peace with his new life.

McKenna Dockery has been stuck in limbo since her fiance died three years ago. Now, when the handsome yet heart-broken Caden arrives at her doorstep, she starts to wonder if there may be hope for her heart after all...

But no sooner do they meet than a man is found murdered on McKenna's property -- and Caden is the prime suspect. The two must learn to trust each other, or no one will be safe in the tangled web of conspiracy, greed, and deceit lurking in the tidal marshlands of the Outer Banks.

My Review:

Major Squeeep Alert!!!! So major that my brain is a scramble of euphoric reader bliss so I'm giving you fair warning -- this review may end up being a bit of a fangirling ramble. Cue our stalwart hero, Caden Wallis. Excuse me while I clear my fainting couch because even writing a review about him creates havoc with my equilibrium.

Caden is in a dark place when he arrives on the Outer Banks. He takes brooding hero to a whole new level. He alternately broke my heart and made me spitting mad -- sometimes in the same sentence! What a complex man and the more Carter reveals about him the more complicated things get. Deliciously infuriating about sums him up.

Which keeps McKenna spinning in a vortex of emotional angst. These two together are exasperating perfection. Fair warning: you will want to have a pre-approved venting process in place before you begin reading. Otherwise you will be in danger of damaging the spine of your book from repeatedly throwing it against a wall out of sheer frustration. I found a stress-reducing yoga session or a brisk walk around the block to be tremendously helpful. :-)

This is the kind of book that takes days to read because you can't stand the thought of it being over while, at the same time, dying to reach the happily ever after you're hoping for. Trouble is, there are so many detours to that end that a genteel, emotionally fragile reader such as myself (no eye rolling) must take the time to pause and digest certain scenes. Perhaps even re-re-re-read particularly toe-curling ones (first kiss alert! thud!) All this takes time, so adjust your calendar accordingly.

I haven't said anything about McKenna yet...perhaps because, if I'm truthful, I'm a bit jealous. I mean, she did get her man in the end (no spoiler alert since this is the kind of romantic suspense that guarantees readers a HEA.) And while I enjoyed living vicariously through McKenna, it was kind of a let down when Caden turned to her, not me there at the end. I mean, couldn't he see how vested I was in him? How much I cared? And wasn't I completely and totally on his side (even when he was being his most obnoxious) right from the very first page? Humph -- I can tell you  McKenna wasn't! She was her own kind of stubborn. And the wall she built around her heart? Well, only an ex Green Beret could break it down.

And then there's the suspense. A slow build, lots of twists and turns but I armchair sleuthed my way through with the best of them! In fact, not wanting to brag or anything, but I was a good clip ahead of Caden and McKenna as far as figuring things out. So much fun to feel validated at the end. I may have lost the hero, but I'm thinking of opening up my own Armchair Sleuthing agency. Well, with a friend who is also an excellent literary gumshoe.

A truly magnificent read!

PS...this really shouldn't be an afterthought but I did warn you how rambling I'd be. Lisa Carter has done a tremendous job with the inspirational thread in this novel -- from the title tie-in to the very real and raw struggle to find God in the midst of the impossible. Powerful and memorable.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Vast and Gracious Tide, 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 easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday July 8 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck.

48 comments:

  1. Yay! I loved it too! Your review has me smiling, laughing, shaking my head up and down and saying I know exactly what you mean!!

    I love to read how two people review the same book, here's mine: https://www.amazon.com/gp/review/R33EXGKXRXMQ9H?ref=pf_ov_at_pdctrvw_srp

    This book is on my fav list for 2018,
    so many good ones this year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ooohhh -- love the quotes you shared in your review, Tracey. I can't share my favourite because it would kinda be a spoiler. So many great lines, and beautiful descriptions. Definitely a book to savor.

      Delete
  2. Loved this book, too, Tracey. Kav's review made me laugh (it's amazing!), but also brought back memories of the mule-headed Caden...and poor McKenna who had the patience of Job! I enjoyed your review, too, Tracey!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. mule-headed...could have used that in my review too. Honestly, that Caden! Swoon.

      Delete
    2. A mule-headed, swoon-worthy hero. Perfect. 😜

      Delete
    3. This book has made my favs of 2018 easily! I love Caden in all of his mule-headed swoony-worthy glory.
      And McKenna, what's not to love about her, rescuer of people and animals?

      Delete
    4. And she's a blonde to boot! ;)

      Delete
  3. Wow and wow....Kav, Tracey, Diana...you have convinced me I MUST read this book! Thanks for your giveaway, Kav!
    jacsmi75 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes you absolutely must, Jackie! Good luck!

      Delete
    2. I hope you win Jackie, then we can compare notes :)

      Delete
    3. I hope you win Jackie, then we can compare notes :)

      Delete
    4. Ditto what Kav and Tracey said, Jackie! I sure hope you get the chance to read it. My fave Lisa Carter book so far! And that's saying a mouthful!

      Delete
  4. Oh boy...What a book! Sounds like a must read! Thank you for the opportunity. mauback55 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Definitely a must read, Melanie. Good luck.

      Delete
  5. So.....One of the more lengthy and positive reviews of yours! Get the feeling you kinda liked it! Was looking at her website, as I don't think I have read anything of hers....very prolific. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad that came across, CC. I wasn't sure. I didn't want anyone to think I hated it. Bwahahaha!

      Delete
  6. Fantastic review. Makes me want to drop everything and read it now. ☺ Thanks for the chance!
    Marian
    mbaaij at hetnet dot nl

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Marian. Yes, drop everything and read -- DEAR -- that's what we called it at school. Brings back fond memories...and this book is a must read. Good luck!

      Delete
  7. Love Lisa Carter! Would love to be entered!
    pocoauthorATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do too!!!! And after reading this book I love her even more. lol Good luck, Nicole.

      Delete
  8. Love your review. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love your review! This one is on my must buy list. Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy now. Thanks for your glowing review!

    pwestfall7 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You definitely want to read it, Pam. Good luck!

      Delete
  10. Great review, KAV! Lisa Carter is a new-to-me author. Thanks for the introduction.

    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oooohhh -- you must explore her books, Caryl. She writes amazing romantic suspense and some sweet contemporaries too. Good luck!

      Delete
  11. This book does sound really good 👍
    So ramble on about it 😁
    Thank You for sharing it with us 😊
    iamabho AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you don't mind me rambling. :-) 'Cause I can't help myself with this book. Good luck, Linda.

      Delete
    2. Very nice 💖
      Thanks again ☺

      Delete
  12. Thank you for your review on "A VAST AND GRACIOUS TIDE". I've been wanting to read this one since I first heard about it. Everyone is raving about it so figure it has to be amazing. I will admit, I've been trying to win this on lots of contest and so far no luck. Not giving up because I would love the opportunity to read this one. :)
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We're all raving because it's that good! Good luck, Kay.

      Delete
  13. You’ve hooked me. Thank you for the chance .
    leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, reading twin, I guarantee you'll love this one. Good luck!

      Delete
  14. I've just begun to see the buzz about this around social media, thanks for your thoughts on it! I've not read any of Lisa's books yet.

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Eeep! Gasp! Thud! You must read something by Lisa Carter soon Trixi! I'm hyperventilating at the thought of life without Lisa books. I can't even...Good luck!

      Delete
  15. I've always wanted to visit the Outer Banks! I live in SC, but it's actually quite a drive to the coast of NC.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisa Carter has me wanting to visit it too. Good luck, Patty.

      Delete
  16. Awesome review, Kav! You've made me want to grab this and read! It's going on my wish list. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
    whthomas13ATyahooDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Winnie. Hope you get to read it soon. Good luck.

      Delete
  17. sounds awesome, and it is set in my favorite vacation spot....pleas enter me :)
    marcus802001(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lucky you to have been there. I feel like I have from reading this book but I'm sure it will be much more vivid for you. Good luck, Mark.

      Delete
  18. All the recommendations make me want to read this for sure!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep -- it's not to be missed. Good luck, rubynreba.

      Delete
  19. I was first introduced to Lisa Carter as an author in one of your readers choice weeks. I am ashamed to say as a lover of romantic suspense, I haven’t read one yet. This looks like a perfect one to start with since I live in NC and am married to a veteran. Thank you for the review and chance to win!
    mo1202007ATyahooDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ooohhh -- definitely a good place to start! And I'm thrilled that Reader's Choice week led you to Lisa Carter...now we just have to get you to read one of her books. :-) Good luck, Melissa.

      Delete
    2. Yes. Definitely on my list for this summer. Just been busy reading a few I promised to review that were releasing in June/early July. As a teacher, summer is definitely when I get the most reading done! 😊

      Delete