Thursday, July 26, 2018

Love by the Numbers

GIVEAWAY
HILTON, LAURA V.
LOVE BY THE NUMBERS

After a buggy accident claims the life of her fiance, Lydia Hershberger makes a fresh start in Jamesport, Missouri, managing a gift store. It isn't long before she meets the young man hired to handle the bookkeeping -- Caleb Bontrager, whose handcrafted cuckoo clocks are sold in the store.

And it isn't long before Caleb has made up his mind about her: bright and sparkly but not right for him. Alarmed by his attraction to her, he determines to settle down with someone more practical. Less sparkle. More logic. But he can't seem to shake his feelings for Lydia.

When false allegations by the bishop back him catch up with Lydia and threaten to ruin her reputation, can she clear her name and find lasting happiness? Or will Her sunny disposition fade away into heartbreak?

My Review:

Not your typical Amish novel, that's for sure! Not with the emphasis on physical attraction and passion that leaps off the page right from the start. I'll admit, it was off-putting at first, because it seemed so shallow, especially when you think 'Amish romance' so I'm going to tell you what I wish I'd known before I started reading:

 There's a reason for Caleb's thoughts and actions and it shadows everything to do with Lydia. She is quite the woman of mystery living out the repercussions of a past not of her own making that has skewed her sense of self-worth. You won't understand any of that until you've reached the half way point, but keep it in mind because it brings an unexpected depth to what otherwise might appear to be a superficial love story.

The romance sizzles -- scorches, actually so crank up the air conditioning and stick your feet in a bucket of ice before you commence reading.

And you need to be a fan of love at first sight in order to embrace Caleb and Lydia's story. I actually know a couple who just celebrated their 62nd anniversary -- it was love at first sight for him, but she fell head over heels within a week and they were married within the month! I always think of them when I read this kind of love story but I know that some readers don't care for that kind of instant romance so consider yourself forewarned!

Hilton makes this hero and heroine go to battle for their happily ever after -- both physically and spiritually. "What if Gott is waiting for you to stop trying to be gut enough..." (p 174) Caleb's preacher daed cuts to the heart of the matter and what follows is a celebration of forgiveness and grace that took my breath away.

A cast of secondary characters to love -- and to hate -- brought this Jamesport community to life. There's plenty of angst and not all the rough edges are smoothed away by the end, but there's tremendous reader satisfaction over a hard earned HEA!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Love by the Numbers, 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 AT and DOT 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 for me to spot. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday July 29 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!


26 comments:

  1. Once you have read one of her books your hook. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

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    1. She puts a different twist on her Amish stories, doesn't she? I need to catch up on some...I believe there are books that come before this one that I haven't read. Not sure if it's an actual series or just books set in the same community but there were a few places in this one that I thought might indicate an earlier book. Good luck, Kim.

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    2. Some are series and some are not.

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  2. I'm not a huge fan of Amish stories but this one caught my eye since it's set in Jamesport, Missouri. When I lived in Kansas City almost 20 years ago, my church women's group held a retreat in Jamesport. For that reason, it would be fun to read this. Your review makes it sound like a really good book, too.
    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. How neat that you have been to Jamesport. I didn't know there was an Amish community there until I read Laura's books. Good luck, Pam.

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  3. I'm intrigued by Lydia's past.
    turtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. It's definitely intriguing. Good luck, Jana Leah.

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  4. Ok I admit, I have several of Laura's books on my shelf but haven't read any yet. Love at first sight never happened for me, but that doesn't mean I don't believe in it :-) This story sounds fun!

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Some people are extremely opposed to stories about love at first sight -- me, I'm an equal opportunity romance lover. :-) Good luck, Trixi.

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  5. I love her books, as they aren’t run of the mill. We are book twins again. Haha We need to be neighbors. Blessings

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    1. Neighbours with a joint library that links our two houses. lol

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  6. I love Laura's books and this has been on my wish list since I first saw it, just haven't been able to get it yet. Thank you so much for the chance to win a copy.

    wfnren at aol dot com

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    1. Here's hoping you get to cross this one off your wishlist soon...and put it on your TBR pile! Good luck, Wendy.

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  7. What a great sounding book! Would love to read it! mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. Hope you get a chance, Melanie. Good luck!

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  8. I haven't read much by Hilton, but each time one of her books releases, I WANT TO! I buy lots of books, but at the same time I'm kind of frugal. (That might be an oxymoron - book lover/frugal. Hmm.) Anyway, what I mean to say is I wait for sales, etc. and it seems this publisher never goes on sale. So my reading of her books is spotty at best. I've got to remember to request her books to be ordered from my library. This one actually sounds kind of great. :) Thanks for your thoughtful review, Kav.
    tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Ha! I'm the same kind of frugal/spending book lover. I divvy up my reads between my own purchases and the ones I request my library to order and occasionally I get a review copy as well. That's icing on the cake. I think the smaller publishing houses can't afford to put on sales the way the bigger ones do. Good idea to get your library purchasing the books. Good luck, Terrill.

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  9. My parents were married for 67 years before my Mom's death. I only had 25 married years with my late husband. Life is hard. I'd love to read this book.
    susanlulu(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Congrats to your parents -- 67 years -- that's amazing. So sorry you only got 25 years with your beloved, Susan, I'm sure you were looking forward to many more. Like you say, life is hard sometimes. Good luck.

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  10. Sounds great. I would also like to read about the Amish in Jamesport. teshawATsbcglobalDOTnet

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    1. It's fun to go to a different location for an Amish read, isn't it? Good luck, Tammie.

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  11. I was not aware of an Amish settlement in Jamesport. We aren't that far from Missouri and I think we just might have to look into going there! Love to read this book.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. Oh, yes, do check it out! Then you can compare notes with these books by Laura V. Hilton. :-) Good luck, rubynreba.

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