Persuasion, Captain Wentworth and Cracklin' Cornbread

GIVEAWAY

HATHAWAY, MARY JANE
PERSUASION, CAPTIAN WENTWORTH AND CRACKLIN' CORNBREAD

A lively Southern retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion, featuring Lucy Crawford, who is thrown back into the path of her first love while on a quest to save her beloved family home.

Lucy Crawford is part of a wealthy, well-respected Southern family with a long local history. But since Lucy’s mother passed away, the family home, a gorgeous antebellum mansion, has fallen into disrepair and the depth of her father’s debts is only starting to be understood. Selling the family home may be the only option—until her Aunt Olympia floats the idea of using Crawford house to hold the local free medical clinic, which has just lost its space. As if turning the plantation home into a clinic isn’t bad enough, Lucy is shocked and dismayed to see that the doctor who will be manning the clinic is none other than Jeremiah Chevy—her first love.

Lucy and Jeremiah were high school sweethearts, but Jeremiah was from the wrong side of the tracks. His family was redneck and proud, and Lucy was persuaded to dump him. He eventually left town on a scholarship, and now, ten years later, he’s returned as part of the rural physician program. And suddenly, their paths cross once again. While Lucy’s family still sees Jeremiah as trash, she sees something else in him—as do several of the other eligible ladies in town. Will he be able to forgive the past? Can she be persuaded to give love a chance this time around?

My Review:

I can't begin to convey how much I've loved this series. Revisiting Austen in the South with Hathaway's unique spin has been reading nirvana for me. And I do believe that Persuasion, Captain Wentworth and Cracklin' Cornbread is my favourite of the three. I just loved Lucy and Jem's story even though it was angst riddled to the very end...or maybe because it was. Carefully plotted and flawlessly executed, every precious word built up sights and sounds and smells and oh, so many emotions in my mind. A total escape read -- so much so that it was surreal to be jarred out of it when real life got in the way.

If I never get my blood pressure down, I'm blaming Lucy's family. I was foaming at the mouth over some of their antics. Gah! I wanted to shake that girl for capitulating so many times. All that Southern breeding has made her a tad too biddable.

Stalwart Jem, hurt by past rejection but still drawn to the girl who broke his heart. There is something about a sensitive hero who struggles to stay on an even keel. These two have such history -- and it goes way beyond personal. Their past is cluttered with societal expectations, class consciousness and even racial prejudice. The heart of this story is the hero and heroine's willingness to create something enduringly beautiful from the shards of their shattered pasts.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Persuasion, Captain Wentworth and Cracklin' Cornbread 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 February 1 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Emma, Mr. Knightley and Chili-Slaw Dogs

GIVEAWAY

HATHAWAY, MARY JANE
EMMA, MR. KNIGHTLEY AND CHILI-SLAW DOGS

Caroline Ashley is a journalist on the rise at the Washington Post until the sudden death of her father brings her back to Thorny Hollow to care for her mentally fragile mother. The only respite from the eternal rotation of bridge club meetings and garden parties is her longtime friend, Brooks Elliott. A professor of journalism, Brooks is the voice of sanity and reason in the land of pink lemonade and triple layer coconut cakes. But when she meets a fascinating, charismatic young man on the cusp of a brand new industry, she ignores Brooks’ misgivings and throws herself into the project.

Brooks struggles to reconcile his parents’ very bitter marriage with his father’s devastating grief at the recent loss of his wife. Caroline is the only bright spot in the emotional wreckage of his family life. She’s a friend and he’s perfectly happy to keep her safely in that category. Marriage isn’t for men like Brooks and they both know it… until a handsome newcomer wins her heart. Brooks discovers Caroline is much more than a friend, and always has been, but is it too late to win her back?

My Review:

I'm really enjoying Hathaway's twist on Austen novels. So clever and fun. A light-hearted read with a punch of grit.

Love the dynamics between Brooks and Caroline. So comfortable with each other, anchored by years of friendship. Their rapid-fire dialogue is a treat to read, whether they are teasing or fighting. or in deep conversation about important issues. These two know each other and care deeply.  Totally understandable that neither wants to risk their friendship with romance. But once that crackle of attraction makes an appearance a new kind of tension enters their exchanges and that brings a thrilling edge to every scene. Of course I knew they would get to together by the end, but Hathaway kept me on tenterhooks trying to figure out how.

Secondary characters and subplots give added depth and a good dose of intrigue, to the story. I devoured this book in an afternoon and have already ordered Hathaway's latest release: Persuasion, Captain Wentworth and Crackling Cornbread. This series is high on my recommendation list.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Emma, Mr. Knightley and Chili-Slaw Dogs 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 December 28 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Pride, Prejudice and Cheese Grits

GIVEAWAY

HATHAWAY, MARY JANE
PRIDE, PREJUDICE AND CHEESE GRITS

Shelby Roswell is a history professor on the fast track to tenure until her new book is crushed in a review by the famous historian, Ransom Fielding. She struggles to regain her momentum only to discover that Fielding has taken a visiting professorship at her college. The place that was once a refuge from the poverty of her past is now a battlefield of Civil War proportions.

Ransom is still struggling with his role in his wife’s accidental death six years ago and was hoping a year at Shelby’s small college would be a respite from the reminders back home. He never bargained for falling in love with the one woman who would give anything to make him leave. Together Shelby and Ransom learn that home is never very far away, and when you least expect it, love arrives.

With a cast of Civil War re-enactors, an evil wedding planner, antebellum mansions, and several mysterious diaries, 'Pride, Prejudice and Cheese Grits' will take you on a touching and hilarious ride through a modern South you haven't seen before.

My Review:

Brilliant and funny and whimsical with some deep-rooted truths thrown in. I was completely captivated.

I love Shelby and all her foibles, especially her penchant for inserting her foot in her mouth. She's always spoiling for a fight but that's only because of her passionate drive to fight injustice wherever she finds it. She's vibrant and alive and relatable.

Ransom -- adore the name by the way. He's like a slumbering giant who is jarred awake by the fiery Shelby. Rousing to life again makes him awkward and 'growly' though. So fun to watch the two battle wills and numerous misunderstandings that often lead to laugh-out-loud one liners too good to miss.

A light-hearted and touching nod to Austen's classic Pride and Justice.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Pride, Prejudice and Cheese Grits 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 December 7 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

A Home for Her Family

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CARMICHAEL, VIRGINIA
AT HOME FOR HER FAMILY

The Millionaire and the Mechanic

Never in a hundred years does Sabrina Martinez expect to volunteer at the Downtown Denver Mission with someone like handsome businessman Jack Thorne--let alone become friends with him. She's grown up in a broken home and is even more surprised to discover an heir to a fortune is interested in a girl like her. But Sabrina can't let anything distract her--not even love. She's battling for custody of her nieces and there's nothing more important than that. Jack wants to help, but the divide between him and Sabrina seems impossibly wide. Can they learn to see past their differences, and give themselves a chance at true love--and a real family?

My Review:

An eye-opening reality check of a read. Carmichael has created a memorable setting in the Downtown Denver Mission. It creates lots of scope for thought provoking plots dealing with real issues like poverty and prejudice and how they affect families. But the Mission holds a lot of hope too -- in the people who live and work and volunteer there. This is the third book in the series and I loved catching up with characters from the first and second books. No need to have read the other two though, A Home for Her Family is a standalone read. I just get a kick out of catching a glimpse of old friends from previous books.

Jack meets his match when Sabrina walks into his life. They have a great opening scene. Fireworks and laughter. Absolutely perfect. But Jack is a bit too brash, too eager to leap in and fix everything. Sabrina's a whole lot wary and definitely prickly. If she were an animal she'd be a porcupine. Jack would be a cuddly ol' bear. So you can see how a romance between the two might be a wee bit complicated. :-) Luckily I like a healthy does of angst with my romance and that's what the author delivers in this heartwarming love story.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of A Home For Her Family 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 September 21 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Season of Hope

GIVEAWAY

CARMICHAEL, VIRGINIA
SEASON OF HOPE

The Gift Of Forgiveness

Gavin Sawyer knows he's in trouble the moment he meets Evie Thorne at the downtown Denver mission where they both volunteer. He's drawn to the pretty journalist, even though reporters have caused him nothing but heartache in the past. Soon Gavin begins to let his guard down as he sees that this wonderful woman may be someone he can trust with his heart. But when he brings her home to meet his family during the holidays, Evie's secret past suddenly comes to light. Will their newfound love survive when he learns the truth?

My Review:

Picture this -- a cold rainy Saturday. The wind is howling around my wee old house with so much force the window panes are rattling. But do I mind? Absolutely not! Why? Because I'm curled up with a warm fur buddy at my feet and a box of Love Inspired books at my side. What to read? What to read? Making that first choice was agonizing, but once I opened up Season of Hope I was committed and devoured it in an afternoon. I just didn't want to put it down.

Carmichael has a distinctive style that just trips off the tongue if you've a mind to read out loud. Snappy, funny, poignant, mysterious -- words that burst into images and touch my emotions. That's considered a winning book for me. I'm all about living vicariously through heroines. And Evie  is such an enticing one. Likeable from the start, a bit self-depreciating and with a mysterious past that the author reveals by slow degrees. Loved the pacing in both plot and romance.

This is Virginia Carmichael's second LI Christmas book and it is just as exquisite as the first. Definitely a story that will woo you into the holiday spirit.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Season of Hope 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 November 10 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck! 

Season of Joy

GIVEAWAY

CARMICHAEL, VIRGINIA
SEASON OF JOY

As the holiday season approaches, wealthy CEO Calista Sheffield wants to give instead of receive. So she volunteers at a downtown Denver shelter, never expecting that her own scarred heart will be filled with hope and healing. The mission's director, handsome Grant Monohan, has devoted his life to helping those in need. But his harrowing past—and what he sees every day—makes him wary of Calista. Unless she shares her painful history, he'll never believe they can have a future. But a future with Grant at the shelter is the only Christmas gift Calista truly wants.

My Review:

Seriously good read! Carmichael's writing is tight but packs a punch as she weaves her words into a tapestry of stunning phrases and breathtaking emotion. This has everything a solid romance needs -- a hero and heroine that tug at your heart, a rich plot with a few unexpected twists, one monumental obstacle..wait, make that two...or three...let's just say enough to make Season Of Joy a page-turning frenzy of a read. I read it in one day and loved every second.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Season of Joy, 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 October 28 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!