GIVEAWAY |
DRIFTWOOD BAY
After tragedy upends her world, Jeannette Mason retreats to the tiny Oregon seaside town of Hope Harbor to create a new life.Vowing to avoid emotional attachments, she focuses on running her lavender farm and tea-room -- until a new neighbor with a destructive dog and a forlorn little girl invades her turf. But she needn't worry. Dr. Logan West is too busy coping with an unexpected family, a radical lifestyle change, and an unruly pup to have any interest in his aloof and disagreeable neighbor.
Yet when both Jeanette and Logan find themselves pulled into the life of a tattered Christian family fleeing persecution in war-torn Syria, might they discover that love sometimes comes calling when it's least expected?
Bestselling and award-winning author Irene Hannon invited readers back to the charming seaside town of Hope Harbor, where they are sure to find peace, healing, and a second chance at happiness.
My Review:
Rambunctious beagle alert!!!!! Perfect for comic relief, exasperating interruptions and copious warm fuzzies! That right there is enough of a reason to read Driftwood Bay. But there's so much more to this divinely magical story (the whole series, really) that elevate it to the absolute top of my everyone-in-the-world-should-read-this-book-NOW list.
Like taco maker extraordinaire and town sage, Charley. I love that he has more page time in this novel. If you're familiar with the Hope Harbor series, you're probably as crazy about Charley as I am. And as curious about just how he knows the things he knows. I love an air of mystery in a man, but there's an extra sparkly special something about Charley. Seagulls Floyd and Gladys know that to be true and if you can't trust a seagull who can you trust?
I know, I'm not making any sense, might as well be speaking gibberish but, all will be made known once you've ventured into Hope Harbor. And if this is your first time with this series, no worries, Driftwood Bay (book 5) reads as a standalone -- all of the books do. But, be forewarned, once you sample the delectable sweetness of Irene Hannon's storytelling you'll have to read the rest of the books too.
Here's one of the reasons why -- Charley sage-isms. Like this:
"God's timing isn't always ours. Sometimes he opens doors we aren't certain we're ready to walk through. And it's fine to be cautious. Not every door that beckons is divinely inspired. But at some point we do have to make a decision because most don't stay open forever." (sorry I can't quote page numbers -- I listened to the audio version.)
Then there's Jeannette and Logan's poignant love story. There's something so fragile about their wary relationship. Certain scenes kept snatching my breath away. So much pain and anguish in their pasts. My innards were twisted up in knots as I read my way through their angst.
And the Syrian refugee family brings another dimension to the overall theme of finding hope after a catastrophic loss. Each character deals with their grief in different ways and it isn't until they find the courage to take risks, drawing strength and support from one another that they can begin to heal.
"Don't let fear stop you from being everything God intended you to be."
GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:
If you would like a chance to win a copy of Driftwood Bay, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your 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 Saturday April 27 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!
Great review, I enjoyed this one too!
ReplyDeleteLaughing at your
"..if you can't trust a seagull who can you trust?"
Well, Floyd and Gladys are special. :-)
DeleteWonderful review! I'm so excited to read this book! And I just want to put that quote at the end of your review on a t-shirt and wear it always!
ReplyDeleteusedtextbooks5(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Thanks, Chanel! And isn't that a great quote? Irene Hannon's books are always full of quotable quotes. Good luck, Chanel!
DeleteI loved your rambling (and informative) review. It just helps me understand how much you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeletetlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com
lol -- thanks, Terrill -- yes, this one left me a tad discombobulated. Good luck!
DeleteGreat review. This sounds like a great read thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteTighefan42atgmaildotcom
You're welcome, Tighefan. Good luck!
DeleteI love when you get to catch up with favorite supporting characters as you continue reading a series.
ReplyDeleteturtle6422 at gmail dot com
Especially these ones! Irene Hannon creates such memorable characters. Good luck, Jana!
DeleteI've not read any of the books in this series, but they sound great! I'll have to look into getting them. Thanks for the review and the giveaway!
ReplyDeletedmandres5 at gmail dot com
Oooohhhh -- yes, you must start reading. Bet your public library has copies! Good luck, Melissa!
DeleteI must confess I've yet to read an Irene Hannon book, but with lavendar farm and tea room I'm SOLD! :D
ReplyDeleteHappy Reading! Amada
amada_chavezATyahooDOTcom
Gasp! You have so much excellent reading ahead of you, Amada! And doesn't a lavender farm sound perfect? Good luck!
DeleteYes! I think not only would it always smell lovely, but I think that they are such pretty flowers! Thank you :)
DeleteGreat review, Kav! I’m really looking forward to reading this one. Thanks for the review and the chance.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pam -- are you Pam K? Good luck!
DeleteSorry, forgot email!
ReplyDeletepwestfall7 at hotmail dot com
Ah --- mystery solved. Pam. W. Good luck!
DeleteSounds good, love the review. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom
ReplyDeleteGood luck, Kim!
DeleteLove Irene's books! And yes, Charley is great! Can't wait to receive my copy of this!
ReplyDeleteShould be reaching you soon, Jackie! Can't wait for you to read this one!
DeleteThis one is next after the three review books I have on my shelf 😊 But I have to wait soooooo long, lol!
ReplyDeletelol -- enjoy the anticipation!
DeleteSounds good. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteleliamae54(at)aol(dot)com
You're welcome, Lucy. Good luck!
Delete"DRIFTWOOD BAY" is on my TBR list. It sounds like a wonderful book that I know I would enjoy having the opportunity to read. The characters sound memorable and ones you would love to know personally. I've not read this series, but would love to start exploring it with this book. Thank you for the chance to win a copy!
ReplyDelete2clowns at arkansas dot net
Yes -- real people -- not characters! Good luck, Kay!
DeleteThank you for a great review. Sounds like a good one!
ReplyDeletemauback55 at gmail dot com
Good luck, Melanie!
DeleteI wasn't aware that Irene had a new book out.
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting me know.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
It's hard to keep up with her releases between her suspense novels and this contemporary series. Good luck, Janet!
DeleteThanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteladysnowangelphotos(at)gmail(dot)com
You're welcome, LSA! Good luck!
DeleteI think I might have another of this series on my bookshelf. Sounds like another book that needs to move up in the TBR stack!
ReplyDeletepattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
Oh, yes -- do bump it up. Such an amazing series. Good luck, Patty!
DeleteI've read a few of Irene Hannon's books and loved them. I haven't read this one yet, so thanks for the chance to win it!
ReplyDeletewhthomas13 at yahoo dot com
You're welcome, Winnie. Good luck!
Delete