Monday, July 6, 2020

Carol Award Finalists 2020 - Historical Category

GIVEAWAY
First off -- what exactly are the Carol Awards?

They are awards given out by American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) in recognition of outstanding Christian Fiction in the previous calendar year. So these 2020 finalists are books published in 2019. You might have read them already. You might not. As it happens, I've actually read two of these historical novels. I'll include a link to my review in the description.

How does this giveaway work?

You select which of the three Carol Award Finalist 2020 Historical novels you would like to receive if your name is drawn. Mention the title in your comment (or an email, if you're entering that way.) If you win, that's the book that will be sent to you. Easy Peasy. Here are the three finalists:

Memories of Glass by Melanie Dobson, Tyndale House, editors Stephanie Broene and Kathryn Olson

This novel draws from true accounts to shine a light on a period of Holland's darkest history and bravest heroes.

1942. As war rips through the heart of Holland, childhood friends Josie van Rees and Eliese Linden partner with a few daring citizens to rescue Eliese's son and hundreds of other Jewish children who await deportation in a converted theater in Amsterdam. But amid their resistance work, Josie and Eliese's dangerous secrets could derail their friendship and their entire mission. When the enemy finds these women, only one will escape.

Seventy-five years later, Ava Drake begins to suspect that her great-grandfather William Kingston was not the World War II hero he claimed to be. Her work as director of the prestigious Kingston Family Foundation leads her to Landon West's Ugandan coffee plantation, and Ava and Landon soon discover a connection between their families. As Landon's great-grandmother shares the greatest loss in her own life -- and powerful members of the Kingston family who will do anything to keep the truth buried.

My Review:
https://bestreads-kav.blogspot.com/2019/10/memories-of-glass.html

The Medallion by Cathy Gohlke, Tyndale House, editors Stephanie Broene and Sarah Rische

For fans of bestselling World War II fiction like Sarah's Key and The Nightingale comes an illuminating tale of courage, sacrifice, and survival, about two couples whose lives are ravaged by Hitler's mad war yet eventually redeemed through the fate of one little girl.

Seemingly overnight, the German blitzkrieg of Warsaw in 1939 turns its streets to a war zone and shatters the life of each citizen -- Polish, Jewish, or otherwise. Sophie Kumiega, a British bride working in the city's library, awaits news of her husband, Janek, recently deployed with the Polish Air Force. Though Sophie is determined that she and the baby in her womb will stay safe, the days ahead will draw her into the plight of those around her, compelling her to help, whatever the danger.

Rosa and Itzhak Dunovich never imagined they would welcome their longed-for first child in the Jewish ghetto, or that they would let anything tear their family apart. But as daily atrocities intensify, Rosa soon faces a terrifying reality: to save their daughter's life, she must send her into hiding. Her only hope of finding her after the war -- if any of them survive -- is a medallion she cuts in half and places around her neck.

Inspired by true events of Poland's darkest days and brightest heroes, The Medallion paints a stunning portrait of war and its aftermath, daring us to believe that when all seems lost, God can make a way foward.

My Review:
https://bestreads-kav.blogspot.com/2019/12/the-medallion.html


The Seamstress by Allison Pittman, Tyndale House, editors Jan Stob and Karen Watsonor

A story that breathes life into the cameo character from Dickens' classic A Tale of Two Cities.

France 1788
It is the best of times...

On a tranquil farm nestled in the French countryside, two orphaned cousins -- Renee and Laurette -- have been raised under the caring guardianship of young Emile Gagnon, the last of a once-prosperous family. No longer starving girls, Laurette and Renee now spend days tending Gagnon's sheep, and nights in their cozy loft, whispering secrets and dreams in this time of waning innocence and peace.

It is the worst of times...

Paris groans with a restlessness that no longer be contained within its city streets. Hunger and hatred fuel her people. Violence seeps into the ornate halls of  Versailles. Even Gagnon's table in the quiet village of Mouton Blanc bears witness to the rumbles of rebellion, where Marcel Moreau embodies its voice and heart.

It is the story that has never been told.

In one night, the best and worst of fate collide. A chance encounter with a fashionable woman will bring Renee's sewing skills to light and secure a place in the court of Queen Marie Antoinette. An act of reckless passion will throw Laurette into the arms of the increasingly militant  Marcel. And Gagnon, steadfast in his faith in God and country, can only watch as those he loves march straight into the heart of the revolution.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  one of these Carol Award Finalists 2020 - Historical Category, 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 July11 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

52 comments:

  1. Definitely The Medallion by Cathy Gohlke!!

    eclitton at gmail dot com

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    1. Such an awesome book! Good luck, Elizabeth!

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  2. I would love to read all 3 of these. Historical fiction is my favorite. Now to choose....ok.....The Medallion. Thank you for the chance. Blessings
    leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. You can't go wrong with Cathy Gohlke. Good luck, Lucy!

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  3. Kav, I've been wanting to read The Medallion since it came out so would absolutely love to win that one. I've read both of the others already -- both good reads, but I thought The Seamstress was amazing, an absolute masterpiece. Thanks for offering all of these Carol award finalists in giveaways!

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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    1. Oh, that's interesting, Cheryl. The Seamstress didn't pull at me because of the time period, I think, but you've intrigued me now. And the Medallion looks to be a favourite today. Good luck!

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  4. I haven't read any of them and all look great. I will choose Memories of Glass.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. Excellent book -- interesting that two out of the three finalists are WW II novels. Still seems to be a favourite time periods for readers. Good luck, rubynreba!

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  5. Memories of Glass, please.
    turtle6422 at gmail dot com

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  6. The Seamstress by Allison Pittman has been on my list. It looks really good! Eee!

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    1. I really like the unusual cover on this one. Good luck, Elly!

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  7. I loved The Seamstress! I've been wanting to read Memories of Glass. Thank you, Kav!

    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

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    1. Oh, another vote for the Seamstress. Must definitely look into it now. Good luck, Caryl!

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  8. These are all great books, I haven't read any of them! My choice would be The Seamstress by Allison Pittman.

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. It will be hard to make the final decision for the winning book - all stellar authors. Good luck, Trixi!

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  9. The Seamstress! I got that book from the library and then didn't have time to read it. I've 😲 So I'd love to have a copy to actually read!

    dmandres5 at gmail dot com

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    1. Oooh, doesn't that just drive you nuts? My library books all come in from holds at the same time and then I'm racing to read them all before the due date or else I have to go back on the holds list. Hate it when I have to return a book unread. Good luck, Melissa!

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  10. I have not read the medallion yet. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

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  11. I'm definitely going with The Medallion by Cathy Gohlke. I can't remember if I chose this one, but it had been one of the books that I considered for my Reader's Choice Retro Read a couple of weeks ago.
    tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Yep -- it's well worth the read. Good luck, Terrill!

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  12. If I were fortunate enough to be selected, I would love a copy of "Memories of Glass" by Melanie Dobson. I have become fascinated with dual time line stories (when told right). From your review, which I remember very well because it had me placing this book on my TBR list, and from what others have reported about it, I haven't lost my desire to read this amazing book.

    Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.

    Have a wonderful week!
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. Hopefully you'll get to move Memories of Glass from your TBR list to your TBR pile soon. Good luck, Kay!

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  13. This is hard since I haven't read any of these and they all look good. I'll go with The Medallion.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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  14. I have two of these books so I will choose The Medallion by Cathy Gohlke if I win. Thanks for the chance.
    paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet

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    1. Then you'll have read all the entries in this category. Good luck, Paula!

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  15. Hard Choice
    I'd choose
    The Medallion by Cathy Gohlke
    Thank You 💖 For the Chance
    iamabho AT gmail DOT com 😁💗😁

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  16. The Medallion sounds like a must read!
    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  17. For some reason the cover of The Seamstress never pulled me in. And the cover has 90% to do with the books I read. But after reading all of the comments, sounds like a very good read! So The Seamstress by Allison Pittman it is for me!
    Thank you Kav!
    ibjoy1953ATyahooDOTcom

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    1. I like the cover but was hesitant about the story so The Seamstress wasn't high on my TBR list but the comments in this thread have me second guessing that now. :-) Love when readers share. Good luck, Joy!

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  18. Memories of Glass. I have Cathy Gohlke's book, which was very good - also could be termed an enlightening WWII history lesson, particularly for those who had not heard family stories of the period or had read much history. I can certainly see why it is a Carol Award finalist. Thanks!

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    1. Amazing hou many WWII perspectives there are out there in fiction land. I loved both of these. Good luck, CC!

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  19. Memories of Glass. Thank you. All three look wonderful. teshawATsbcglobalDOTnet

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  20. I've read the first 2 and they are fantastic! I'd love to win The Seamstress. I've heard so many great things about it.
    whthomas13 at yahoo dot com

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    1. I have to read this one now too. Good luck, Winnie!

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  21. All 3, lol! If my name is picked, any of them!! But... since you said only one, I will go with Memories of Glass. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
    kathleen[dot]e[dot]belongia[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. lol -- yes, all three are must-reads. Glad you could settle on just one. Good luck, Kathleen!

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  22. The Seamstress was very good! But since I've read it, I will go with The Medallion

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Thanks for the Seamstress endorsement. Clearly I am missing out on something. Good luck, Patty!

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  23. Hard to choose, I haven't read any of them. I think I will go with Memories of Glass by Melanie Dobson.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    ladysnowangelphotos(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Always fun to have too much of a choice when it comes to books. Good luck, LSA!

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  24. Ohhh I would love to read all three of these! The synopsis alone proves why they're all finalists!
    I'm gonna go with The Medallion =)

    pocoauthorATgmailDOTcom

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  25. The only one I've read so far is The Seamstress, which I loved but I'm really looking forward to the other two. Love that they're both WWII fiction. I think I'd be most interested in Memories of Glass!

    ecriggs1990(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Another Seamstress endorsement! Good luck, Liz!

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