 |
| GIVEAWAY |
THE HIGHEST OF HOPES
After her beloved grandfather dies, Emmaline Moore is shocked to discover that her "deceased" father is living in Canada. With no other family, Emma embarks on a journey across the ocean accompanied by her best friend, Jonathan. Unfortunately, Randall Moore and his well-to-do family aren't thrilled by her arrival, fearing it will hinder his chance at becoming mayor of Toronto in 1919. Despite everything, Emma remains determined to earn their affection.
Jonathan Rowe has secretly loved Emma for years and hopes that during their trip he can win her heart. Concerned that Randall might reject her, Jonathan is ready to console Emma and bring her home. When she informs him that she has no intention of England, Jonathan begins to despair. Can he convince Emma to find value within herself rather than seeking it from a virtual stranger? And will she ever come to see that Jonathan is her true home?
My Review:
In which Emmaline Moore travels thousands of miles to discover that the love and acceptance she craves has been right next door all the time. Love the agonizing unrequited love theme that plays out through this story. Sometimes it's so delicious to be tortured by an author who knows how to be mean to her characters. And I say that with the utmost respect. :-)
It's Jonathan who has me all bent out of shape. He's the truest of best friends though he wants to be so much more! Oh, how I ached for him! His devotion and patience and desperate hope just shredded my heart!
Emmaline is clueless though. She's so focused on her quest to win her father's favour that she's oblivious to everything else. Her strong will carries her through hurt and heartache as she stubbornly clings to the hope of belonging to a family who doesn't want her. She struggles with issues of abandonment and loss which feed her insecurities and make her all the more desperate to find acceptance. But she's looking for it in all the wrong places and Mason weaves an inspiring faith thread into the story as Emmaline discovers the peace and joy that comes from the unconditional love of a Heavenly Father who accepts her as she is, flaws and all.
I was on romantical tenterhooks until the very end, desperately yearning for what appeared to be an elusive happily ever after. And then...whoosh of relief...not so elusive after all! Happy satisfied reader -- that's me!
Sidenote: That image is the cover for the large print edition which I got from my library. True confession -- LPs have a special scent that makes me woozy with delight. A soft, shiny paper and ink smell that's unique to these editions. If you don't believe me go to your library and do a smell comparison test. Bwahahaha!
Other sidenote: This is the second book in the Canadian Crossings series but can absolutely be read as a standalone.
GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:
If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Highest of Hopes, 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 August 24 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!
Okay, I was confused for a moment because I read this book but the cover is different. So then I thought maybe it was another book you reviewed until I read your sidenote. Then it all made sense, lol!
ReplyDeleteWasn't this a great book in the series? Susan Anne Mason works her magic once again. I can't wait for the third one to come out!
Sorry for the confusion -- but I actually like this cover better than the paperback version. lol It's a definitely a great series.
DeleteI don't know, it's hard to beat that beautiful purple dress on the paperback version. I'm kind of partial to it 😉
DeleteThat purple dress is striking but the hair throws me off -- looks more like a 1960s beehivish uodo. lol To each her own. :-)
DeleteI thought this sounded familiar, but the cover wasn't familiar! Either way I haven't read it=)
ReplyDeletepattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
Ha -- I'm confusing everyone today. :-) Good luck, Patty!
DeleteHer books are usually very thoughtful, with an interesting array of characters....one of the authors I select without even reading the back of the book blurb! Sounds like another winner for Susan Anne Mason! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYes -- she always delivers a riveting story. Good luck, CC!
DeleteI enjoyed the first book in the series and I'm looking forward to Emmaline's story.
ReplyDeleteecriggs1990(at)aol(dot)com
It's a great series, isn't it? Good luck, Liz!
DeleteLol I too was confused! I was pretty sure I'd read this book, and then I knew the description was super familiar. But that cover is very different from the paperback. Although I really like this cover. It's beautiful!
ReplyDeletedmandres5 at gmail dot com
Sorry about that! Funny how different editions get different covers. I can see it with a different language version but the large print editions? Doesn't really make sense. Good luck, Melissa!
Delete"THE HIGHEST OF HOPES" sounds like a wonderful read and one that I would love the opportunity to do just that. Love when they go looking all over for love only to find it when and where least expected. Also love when they take us on that tortured journey making us feel all the ups and downs along the way. Great cover! Wow a cover that smells - cool!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the opportunity to win a copy!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Yes --- and it's agonizing fun watching the characters being so ditheryheaded (Emmaline, I'm talking to you!) lol Good luck, Kay.
DeleteLove her books. I was a fan from her book Irish Meadows. cheetahtheca1986ATgmailDOTcom
ReplyDeleteI LOVED Irish Meadows -- and that's one of my favourite covers ever! Good luck, Kim.
DeleteWonderful book. Get your book twin dance 💃 going.
ReplyDeleteGoodness, Lucy, I'm going to have get a new pair of dancing shoes if this keeps up!
DeleteSounds like a good one!
ReplyDeletemauback55 at gmail dot com
It is! Good luck, Melanie!
DeleteI've read most of her books, but not this one. Thank you Kav for the wonderful review and for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteBlessings Joy
ibjoy1953ATyahooDOTcom
You're welcome, Joy -- good luck!
DeleteI've not read this series. Kav, thank you for the wonderful review and opportunity to win a copy.
ReplyDeletepsalm103and138atgmaildotcom
It's a great series -- love the Canadian setting. :-) Good luck, Caryl!
DeleteI haven't started this series, but I've enjoyed many others by Mason. I'm finding that their are quite a few books lately getting Canadian settings. I kind of like it and I'm sure that you do.
ReplyDeletetlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com
Yay Canadian settings! Funny, because I was reading Carolina settings book after book and now I'm piggybacking Canadian settings -- reading Cold Case Secrets by Maggie K. Black. Good luck, Terrill.
DeleteI was confused on the cover at first, too, lol. I know what you mean about large print, though! I have a couple large print books and they DO have their own kinda smell!
ReplyDeleteI've not read this series yet, but have had them on my to-read list. They look soo good and I can't wait to read them!
It's a fantastic series, Elly. Good luck!
DeleteThe Highest of Hopes sounds like pure delight! I have the first book in this series and am looking forward to reading this one. Thanks for the GREAT review, Kav, and the chance to win this book!! ~ Alison Boss
ReplyDeletenj(dot)bossman(at)gmail(dot)com
You're welcome, Alison. It's a great series, isn't it? You definitely need to keep current. Good luck!
DeleteI love a good unrequited love story. This book sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteusedtextbooks5(AT)gmail(DOT)com
You're welcome, Chanel. Good luck!
DeleteI read the first two books in her previous series, but am getting behind on her books...
ReplyDeletepattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com