A Lowcountry Bride

GIVEAWAY

WILLIAMS, PRESLAYSA

A LOWCOUNTRY BRIDE

Maya Jackson has worked for Laura Whitcomb Inc., a renowned New York City bridal gown brand, for years, and she dreams of becoming head designer. She has the talent, she just needs a chance to showcase her unique style. Due to an illness, Maya has always prioritized her career over her personal life, until her father fractures his hip and she returns home to Charleston, South Carolina. Although there for only a few months, she's thrilled to find an opportunity at the local bridal gown boutique, never expecting sparks to fly with its owner...

A military veteran and widowed father, Derek Sullivan hopes to save Always a Bride from bankruptcy in order to preserve his family's legacy. He also wants to reconnect with his estranged twelve-year-old daughter, who is still recovering from the loss of her mother three years earlier. The last thing he needs is a relationship with a beautiful, smart, complicated woman who will be leaving soon.

When Derek begins to fall for the lovely Maya, he knows there's no future. But destiny has its own plans, and these two lonely people with big hearts discover that coming home to love is the best gift life can give.

My Review:

A contemporary romance rich in history and culture and the ties that bind generations together.

What a stunning debut novel and I think it has stirred some controversy with romance readers over whether it should be classified as Romance or Women's Fiction. I'm on the Romance bandwagon because, while it's a slow-burn kind, there's a definite spark between Maya and Derek when they first meet. The interest is evident but the complications are daunting which just means the euphoria of a hard-won happily ever after at the end. :-)

And about that happily ever after...Maya has a chronic illness which will likely shorten her lifespan but...hey, this is fiction and I'm happy to imagine a new drug/procedure/medical intervention that is going to turn all that around so in my mind that happily-ever-after is for a loooonnnggg time. As someone who also lives with a chronic condition, I'm beyond excited to see that representation in a romance novel because aren't we all worthy of love? 

Williams brings depth and heart to her characters which kept me emotionally engaged. Maya's very real struggle to prove herself in a cutthroat industry is so gripping. There's one character in particular that I just wanted to throttle! Gah, but I love it when my character-protective instincts are engaged during a read. :-) I wanted to slay dragons for Maya as she finds her way both professionally and personally. 

And Derek is the right guy to be by her side on that journey...he just has to figure that out and come to terms with some...well, a lot...of things first. :-) That includes connecting with a somewhat prickly pre-teen daughter. Jamila -- and a host of other secondary characters in all ages and stages --bring light and laughter and comfort...and angst(!) to the story as well.

A Lowcountry Bride celebrates family connections and heritage and totally captivated me from the very first page. 

Oh -- and that cover -- is it not retro-cute?!

Please note: while not a Christian Fiction selection, this book is a clean read.

Goal Update: #3 Read more debut authors, #5 Diversify my reading

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook copy -- winner's choice.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Lowcountry Bride, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a 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 February 19 2022. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck