Thursday, June 20, 2019

Almost Home

GIVEAWAY
LUESSE, VALERIE FRASER
ALMOST HOME

The things that tear us apart can also bring us together

With America's  entrance into World War II, the town of Blackberry Springs, Alabama, has exploded virtually overnight. Workers from all over are coming for jobs in Uncle Sam's munitions plants -- and they're bringing their pasts with them, right into Dolly Chandler's grand but fading family home turned boardinghouse.

A struggling young couple from the Midwest, unemployed professors from Chicago, a widower from Mississippi, and a shattered young veteran struggling to heal from the war are all hoping Dolly's house will help them find their way back to the lives they left behind. But the house has a past of its own.

When tragedy strikes, Dolly's only hope will be the circle of friends under her roof and their ability to discover the truth about what happened to a young bride who lived there a century before.

My Review:

"All we can do is the best we can do, and all we can see is what's in front of us. So there's no point in looking back and judging ourselves based on things we know now but didn't know then." (p 54)

Wow -- this is one of my favourite reads of the year! Everyone needs a Dolly and Si in their lives! And I want to live in Blackberry Springs at their boarding house because 'little mama's' house has a personality all of its own! Loved the magical feel that brought to this heartwarming tale brimming full of love and loss and the hope of second chances.

I enjoyed the home front perspective of this World War II novel. I hadn't realized the impact the war had on different occupations and the migration that caused as workers moved to areas where munition plants had been established. Loved the diverse gathering that ends up at Dolly's house and the way their lives intertwine. It's told from multiple points of view, which I know isn't every reader's favourite but I had no trouble connecting with these characters and their stories. Such a true-to-life illustration of how unconditional love can heal the sharpest of wounds.

Friendships blossom and love ignites (or reignites as the case may be) -- three romances, in fact! And one of them comes in the form of journal entries from 1844. Lots of toe-curling and euphoric sighing from this avid romance fan! And the way all the pieces of their individual stories come together is sheer poetry.

The author's richly evocative writing style reveals the kind of depth and emotion that makes a reader feel like she's lived inside the pages of this book right alongside Dolly and her friends. There's even a bit of a mystery! Spellbinding from start to finish! Highly recommended.

"We don't get to see the whole map. We just have to cover our stretch o' the road best we can." (p 189)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Almost Home, 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 . 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 Saturday June 22 2019. Offer open on International Readers. Good luck!

33 comments:

  1. Your favorite read of the year? Count me in! :)

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This one just tickled me in so many ways. Good luck, Cheryl.

      Delete
  2. I’ve had this on my radar as a must read. Now I’m certain I need to read. Thank you for sharing. Blessings
    leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, you certainly should! Good luck, Lucy!

      Delete
  3. There is a plethora of WW2 books on the market. I've read a few and honestly wartime stories are not my favorite. However, this review won me over, mainly 3 romances and those quotes are so intriguing!

    thanks for the great review and giveaway!
    tracey14567 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like the refreshing angle of it being a homefront story in North America. And, yes, who can resist 3 romances in one book! Sigh. Good luck, Tracey!

      Delete
  4. Your first line drew me in and your review had me hooked! I've not seen this book, but it sounds like one I need to read.

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's kind of unassuming, isn't it but, wow, what a powerful story...in a gentle sort of way. :-) Good luck, Trixi!

      Delete
  5. Wow! I think this is a must read!!!
    mauback55 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You'd think right (as far as I'm concerned!) Good luck, Melanie!

      Delete
  6. Enjoyed the review. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm with Cheryl; if it's your favorite of the year I want in! ;)

    Happy Reading, Amada amada_chavezATyahooDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. lol -- I don't think you'll be disappointed. Good luck, Amada!

      Delete
  8. I'm not familiar with this author but the book sounds rather unique and one I'd like to read. Thanks for your recommendation.
    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is just her second book, I think. And it really is unique and so...I dunno, heartwarming and heartwrenching and heartstopping. lol Good luck, Pam!

      Delete
  9. I have seen this and I’m always interested in WWII.
    paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There's been a lot of WWII books coming out in Christian Fiction lately. I really liked this one's fresh perspective. Good luck, Paula.

      Delete
  10. It's very rare you read and review a book that I haven't had an inkling about. If I had seen it before, I don't remember. Are there multi-POV's, because I absolutely love books like that. This already being one of your 2019 favorites has me scrambling to put this on my tbr!! Thanks, for the great review, Kav.
    tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This one really didn't get a lot of social media attention, did it? Maybe it's the understated cover? Or the fact that it's not strictly a romance? Not sure why but I sure loved it. Good luck, Terrill!

      Delete
  11. If this is one of your favorites for the year, it’s definitely a must read!! Thanks for the review and the chance!

    pwestfall7 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, I think it's a must read. :-) Hope you do too. Good luck, Pam!

      Delete
  12. Another great review.I love Historical fiction. This sounds so good thanks for the chance.

    Tighefan42 atgmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  13. This sounds like an interesting story, thank you for the chance to win a copy.

    wfnren at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I remember my parents talking about the workers coming in for a new ammunition plant and a new military base or Camp, as one about 25 miles from them was called......both examples being in fairly medium size towns. They also talked about people renting out rooms and some widows opening actual boarding houses. The book sounds a fascinating slice of history and characters.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ooohhh -- real life history right here on the blog! How cool is that?! And not an aspect of the time period that I had given any thought to. Good luck, CC!

      Delete
  15. Thanks for the giveaway!

    ladysnowangelphotos(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  16. That would be so neat to live in Blackberry Springs if only it was a real place! Sounds like such a good book.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net



    ReplyDelete