Thursday, September 27, 2018

No Less Days

GIVEAWAY
STEVENS, AMANDA G.
NO LESS DAYS

David Galloway can't die

How many lifetimes can God expect one man to live? Over a century old, David Galloway isolates himself from the mortal humans who die or desert him by making a quiet life as a used bookstore owner in Northern Michigan. But then he sports a news article about a man who, like him, should be dead.

Daredevil celebrity Zachary Wilson walked away unscathed from what should have been a deadly fall. David tracks the man down, needing answers. Soon David discovers a close-knit group of individuals as old as he is who offers the sort of kinship and community he hasn't experienced for decades - but at what cost?

David finds himself keeping secrets other than his own...protecting more than himself alone. He'll have to decide what's worth the most to him -- security or community. When crimes come to light that are older than any mortal, he fears the pressure is more than he can stand. What does God require of him, and is David man enough to see it through?

My Review:

Honestly, though I was intrigued by this back blurb, No Less Days languished on my TBR pile until just before it was due back at the library. Probably because I didn't know exactly what to expect. I'm such a cautious reader sometimes! And guess what? I was hooked by page two and settled into a serious reading fest since the book was due the next day! Bwahahaha!! I'm such a doofus!

The whole immortality concept fascinates me -- especially the unexpected burdens associated with living and loving among people who age and eventually die. Out of necessity, David attempts to keep himself apart from the rest of the world. A loner, hiding out in a used book shop (I so adore books about books!), he deliberately keeps himself aloof until his carefully contained world implodes.

He suddenly discovers that he isn't the only immortal on earth and that brings a whole lot of complications. Especially when, despite his best intentions, he becomes involved with an employee he's kept at a distance for years. (insert romance fan-girling squeal here because this was unexpected!)

But the thing that surprised me the most about this book is the amazing inspirational thread woven throughout. You don't usually get that in speculative fiction so it kinda blindsided me (in a good way.) David's faith is very 'old world', while his friend, Tiana, is an enthusiastic 21st century Christian and surprisingly, there's a lot he can learn from her.

"What would you have me do?" The clip in his voice wasn't only tiredness. She needed to back off. Instead, she pulled his hand into her lap. "I would 'have you' cast your cares on Him and let Him care for you." (p 209)

Such a concept for a century old man to grapple with. Can you imagine the burdens he carries? The sorrow he has born? The struggle to do it all alone? Stevens has really captured the fears and frustrations that come from a century of living. And the way she's thought through all the details makes this fantastical tale seem almost plausible. Plus she's left it wide open for at least a sequel if not a whole series which I'll be avidly looking out for because I'm completely captivated by David and his friends and what's next for them all.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of No Less Days, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email, 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 September 23 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

35 comments:

  1. Intriguing! KAV, Thank you for sharing No Less Days.

    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

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  2. I haven't even HEARD of this book! And that's surprising to me because I usually have AT LEAST seen the cover photo of most Christian fiction books out there, if not read the synopsis!
    This doesn't look or sound familiar at all! I'm intrigued! Count me in!

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    1. Glad I could surprise you, Elly. You're usually the one who surprises me with new books and authors. Good luck!

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  3. Yes, I’m glad you loved it as much as I did, my book twin. 😘

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  4. I do almost the same thing I wait till 3 days before it's due and If I like it I read it till done usually 2 days. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

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    1. lol -- At least we don't return our books late! Good luck, Kim.

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    2. I know I don't even want to think of the fines I would have to pay if the books were late.

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  5. I'm intrigued by the immortality aspect of this story.
    turtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. And it's such an interesting concept to tackle within the Christian fiction genre because how on earth do you fit God into that? But she does it really well. Good luck, Jana Leah.

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  6. Just wanted to endorse that this is a great book! Can’t wait for what will come next!
    (obviously you don’t need to enter me in the giveaway 😃)

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    1. Ooohhh -- so glad you loved it too. And yes, she really did a great job of setting things up so we are already anticipating the next book! Thanks for sharing, Mindy!

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  7. I saw this up for grabs on Netgalley a while back, but I wasn't really sure about it myself. I don't mind some speculative fiction (think early Frank Perretti) but there is a fine line for me on how the author delivers it. I know you are just as picky of a reader as I am Kav, so if you enjoyed it, I know I will too. So why not give it a shot? :-)

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. We can be picky together. :-) Good luck, Trixi.

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  8. Thanks for the review. Now, I need the book!! This really sounds like the kind of book I like to read in the line of science fiction (if it is that). The author is new to me also. I looked up her other books and the Haven Seekers series sounds interesting, too.
    kmgervais54(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. This definitely sounds like your kind of book, Karen! Good luck!

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  9. I am super picky about Christain fantasy and speculative. I read Frank Perretti in high school and as much as I was trasfixed, it also scared the stuffing out of me. I don't know if I've read any speculative fiction since, but The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers gave me a little bit of that feel with her hero's near-death experience. While some readers didn't like that aspect, I loved it. Like you, this book might languish on my tbr list, so I'm not going to enter myself in this giveaway, Readers who want to read it now should get first dibs. Yet, your review has definitely piqued my interest in a book/genre that I have long since neglected. Since I've gotten older, I don't enjoy the anxiety I feel when being frightened. I think my past experience with Perretti has scarred me. Thank you so much for your revealing review and increasing my interest in this one.

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    1. I'm pretty cautious about my speculative as well...but I didn't find this one frightening. It's more intriguing and thought provoking as it ways in on issues of justice and faith. I hope you get to try it sometime, Terrill.

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    2. Yes, I got that and that's why I'll definitely keep this one in mind. :)

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  10. Sounds like an intriguing book!

    maddycroneATgmailDOTcom

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  11. This book sounds so intriguing!

    samanthabis23 at gmail dot com

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  12. Oh, this sounds interesting. Totally not my usual, but it seems to have enough of the qualities I enjoy in books that I'd love to read it. Plus, northern MI (my state!), and a bookstore, what isn't to love? A good message. Count me in!

    LLWaltz [at] gmail [dot] com

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    1. I'm totally fascinated by northern MI -- ever since reading a Colleen Coble series set there. Good luck, Laura!

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  13. Count me in please! :)

    melodybissonnette AT gmail DOT com

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  14. Thanks for the giveaway!

    ladysnowangelphotos(at)gmail(dot)com

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  15. Dear Kav,
    The first time I saw this book, I had to have it for the church library. Well, I haven't bought it yet but will do so if I don't win it first.
    Thanks for giving me a chance.
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Definitely a great idea for a library. Good luck, Janet!

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  16. Sounds very intriguing! I think I've seen it somewhere before, but like you might be a bit hesitant to pick it up...

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  17. I loved this book so much I bought the paperback after reading my e-review copy :)

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