Ever Faithful

GIVEAWAY

BARNETT, KAREN
EVER FAITHFUL

Yellowstone's iconic geyser is fairly predictable. Elsie's future is anything but.

It's 1933 and President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal shines like a light against the dark despair of the Great Depression. The government gives unemployed young men an opportunity of a lifetime, but it will mean leaving his family by signing up for the untamed West.

Nate Webber takes a chance to help his family by signing up for the new Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Although he hides a shameful secret, Nate exchanges the harsh Brooklyn streets for the wilds of Yellowstone National Park, curious to see if the Eden-like wonderland can transform him as well.

Elsie Brookes was proud to have grown up as a ranger's daughter but longs for a future of her own. After four years serving as a maid in the park's hotels, she still hasn't saved enough for her college tuition. A second job, teaching a crowd of rowdy men in the CCC camp, might be the answer. Elsie is drawn to the beautiful spark within Nate, but she knows the scars she carries are for too ugly for any man to love.

When tragedy strikes the park, threatening to undo all she's done to leave her past behind, can Nate and Elsie uncover the truth before all their dreams go up in smoke?

My Review:

"When you hold yourself separate from the world, you cheat others of the light God has placed inside you." (p 156)

Love the park setting, the depression era history and the shadow of mystery! Ever Faithful is another wonderful addition to Barnett's Vintage National Parks series -- and I'm praying it's not the last though it is the dreaded third book in the series which likely means it is. :-(

The author brings both setting and characters to life and I've enjoyed the glimpse into the desperate realities of the 1930s. Not only do I feel like I've actually visited Yellowstone Park but I feel like I have a better understanding of the hardships of the time. Particularly through Nate's eyes as he's plucked off the crowded Brooklyn streets and deposited in the wilds of a national park.

Loved this city slicker's learning curve and how his new situation brings his innate leadership skills to the forefront. In just a sentence or two, Barnett manages to point out poignant contrasts between the bleakness of city life and the relative bounty Nate experiences in the Civilian Conservation Corps. Talk about making an emotional impact on a reader! And when he meets Elsie -- well, let's just say the course of true love never did run smooth!

Then there's the mystery. Starts off quietly unsettling and grows into something so much more. This 'professional' armchair sleuth did not see that end coming. At all! Score one for the author who stumped me. :-)

Ever Faithful is the kind of page-turner that held my rapt attention right to the very last word.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Ever Faithful, 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 October 12 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Where the Fire Falls

GIVEAWAY

BARNETT, KAREN
WHERE THE FIRE FALLS

A beautiful piece of art. A stunning cathedral of trees. Both perfect for keeping truth hidden in the shadows.

Watercolorist Olivia Rutherford believes an avant-garde persona is key to becoming wildly successful in California's 1929 art scene. When she lands a lucrative contract to paint Yosemite National Park for a travel magazine, she reluctantly takes on the project, hoping the money will keep her past hidden from anyone traveling in the nouveau riche art circles.

When Olivia meets backcountry guide Clark Johnson, she assumes he is the rugged mountain man he appears to be. But Clark has secrets of his own and isn't sure if becoming a national park ranger is answering the call of the wilderness or fleeing God's divine guidance.

As Clark opens Olivia's eyes to the wonders of Yosemite, she discovers that people are as vital to the park's story as are its vistas -- and that the gap between who she is and who she pretends to be could mean the difference between life and death.

My Review:

Wow! This one ticks all the boxes for me. History, mystery and romance in the breathtaking wilderness. As Clark puts it, "Yosemite is a cathedral built by holy hands." (p 103) And the author really conveys that majesty in this book. In fact, it reads like a homage to the Creator in so many ways.

There's the rugged mountain man hero who, despite a firm faith, finds himself stalled on his life journey. He's come to the national park to seek out divine answers which aren't apparent no matter how hard he prays. There's this amazing scene where he seeks counsel with a local minister that, honestly, just blew me away. I actually stopped and gaped at the page because the words written there were an answer to my own prayers. It starts out with this:

 "You're frustrated because God won't give you direction, but maybe that's because you don't understand how He made you. What He made you." Reverend White cleared his throat. "Let's put it simply. In Christ's eyes, who are you?" (p 214)

And then goes on into some really powerful, straight-to-the-heart stuff that I so needed to hear. Piercing questions. Simple truths. Just one page out of 334 but so profound! Worth buying the book for that one page!

And then there's Olivia -- an aspiring artist who tries to bury her past beneath a worldly mask as she strives to make a name for herself in the art world. She's caught up in all the pretense and manipulated by unscrupulous people. But Yosemite works its magic and as she grows in courage and conviction, the mask slowly slips away. Clark can't help but be smitten. But sweet romance is threatened by treachery and there are a few gasp-out-loud moments that kept me on the edge-of-my-seat right to the very last page.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Where the Fire Falls, 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 Sunday November 4 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

The Road to Paradise

GIVEAWAY

BARNETT, KAREN
THE ROAD TO PARADISE

An ideal sanctuary and a dream come true -- that's what Margaret Lane feels as she takes in God's gorgeous handiwork in Mount Rainier National Park. It's 1927 and the National Park Service is in its youth when Margie, an avid naturalist, lands a coveted position alongside the park rangers living and working in Mount Rainier's long shadow.

But Chief Ranger Ford Brayden is still haunted by his father's death on the mountain, and the ranger takes his work managing the park and it's crowd of visitor's seriously. The job of watching over an idealistic senator's daughter with few practical survival skills seems a waste of resources.

When Margie's former fiance sets his mind on developing the Paradise Inn and its surroundings into a tourist playground, the plans might put more than the park's pristine beauty in danger. What will Margie and Ford sacrifice to preserve the splendor and simplicity of the wilderness they both love?

Karen Barnett's vintage national parks novels bring to life President Theodore Roosevelt's vision for protected lands, when he wrote in Outdoor Pastimes of an American Hunter: "There can be nothing in the world more beautiful than the Yosemite, the groves of the giant sequoias and redwoods, the Canyon of the Colorado, the Canyon of the Yellowstone, the Three Tetons; and our people should see to it that they are preserved for their children and their children's children forever, with their majestic beauty unmarred."

My Review:

You know how you meet a book and instantly know that you're destined to become bosom friends? The energy crackles from page to fingertip and you're hooked before you've cracked the spine open (not that I'm an advocate of spine cracking, mind you, that's just an expression.) Well, The Road to Paradise is that kind of book for me. So I was prepared to be spellbound but the humour took me totally by surprise. It's pure understated genius and I giggled my way through the first few chapters as Barnett cleverly sets the stage for one very captivating read.

Margie is a tree sprite in human form while Ford is all no-nonsense mountain man. She's rapturously poetic about nature, can spout verse and quotes from renowned naturalists -- a book-taught city girl with a love for the great outdoors. He's as pragmatic as they come and doesn't have a romantic bone in his body so when some Senator's socialite daughter wants to play naturalist on his mountain for the summer, well, he's less than thrilled.

And there's poor Margie, naively anticipating a warm welcome as she prepares to sit at the feet of the master. "Margie sighed. Ranger Brayden -- born on the mountain, untainted by human society. He sounded like the embodiment of Rousseau's noble savage. "I'm positive we'll get along splendidly." (p 3)

Bwahahahaha! That untainted by human society bit? Yeah, that means he's kinda grumpy. And set in his ways. Unpolished. Short on patience. But he's..excuse the pun...stuck between a rock and a hard place. Because he has orders from the boss:

"Find a way to make it work. Show her a good time. " He snorted, a smirk pulling at the corners of his mouth."Who knows? Maybe she can turn you into a gentleman."

Ford gritted his teeth. "Unlikely." (p  9)

The way their relationship develops is sheer brilliance. And if that was all there was to this story I'd be a happy reader but there's so much more! Like a truly despicable villain with absolutely no redeeming characteristics. It's pure joy to hate him. I know that sounds terrible but sometimes a reader wants to let loose some righteous indignation!

And the piece de resistance is the powerful conversion story that blew me away with its imagery and heart. Simply stunning.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance at winning a copy of The Road to Paradise, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. 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. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday April 1 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Out of the Ruins

GIVEAWAY

BARNETT, KAREN
OUT OF THE RUINS

While her sister lies on her deathbed, Abby Fischer prays for a miracle. What Abby doesn’t expect, however, is for God’s answer to come in the form of the handsome Dr. Robert King, whose experimental treatment is risky at best.

As they work together toward a cure, Abby’s feelings for Robert become hopelessly entangled. Separated by the tragedy of the mighty San Francisco earthquake, their relationship suddenly takes a back seat to survival. With fires raging throughout the city, Abby fears for her life as she flees alone through burning streets. Where is God now? Will Robert find Abby, even as the world burns around them? Or has their love fallen with the ruins of the city?

My Review:

Fascinating on so many levels. The historical detail in medical care had me riveted...and cringing because the pioneers of modern medicine were totally clueless about the risks of radiation therapy. And the earthquake and subsequent fire that ravaged San Francisco was gut-wrenching to read about. Barnett brings this era to life. I could smell the smoke, taste the grit, feel the desperation and fear of every moment.

Abby does a lot of growing throughout the book. She is almost childlike at the beginning. in the way she tries to bargain with God, force Robert to perform to her expectations, will her sister to live. Her rigidity creates barriers between God, family, and friends. Fearful of being left behind -- and being left alone -- she doesn't realize that it is her own mindset and actions that become a self-fulfilling prophecy.  Her personal journey of growth is powerful. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Abby emerges transformed after passing through the refining fires of a tumultuous time.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Out of the Ruins please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday June 15 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

OUT OF THE RUINS | Kindle HDX Giveaway & Facebook Party!

 

*My thanks to the publisher and LitFuse for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.