Playing By Heart

GIVEAWAY

MATEER, ANNE
PLAYING BY HEART

Lula Bowman has finally achieved her dream: a teaching position and a scholarship to continue her college education in mathematics. But then a shocking phone call from her sister, Jewel, changes everything.

With a heavy heart, Lula returns to her Oklahoma hometown to do right by her sister, but the only teaching job available in Dunn is combination music instructor/basketball coach. Lula doesn't even consider those real subjects!

Determined to prove herself, Lula commits to covering the job for the rest of the school year. Reluctantly, she turns to the boys' coach, Chet, to learn the newfangled game of basketball. Chet is handsome and single, but Lula has no plans to fall for a local boy. She's returning to college and her scholarship as soon as she gets Jewel back on her feet.

However, the more time she spends around Jewel's family, the girls' basketball team, music classes, and Chet, the more Lula comes to realize what she's given up in her single-minded pursuit of degree after degree. God is working on her heart, and her future is starting to look a lot different than she'd expected.

My Review:

An exceptional historical novel that had mr cringing and fuming and cheering! I love being steeped in history and Mateer is known for her excellent research. In an interesting author's note, she reveals that basketball coaching aspect of Playing By Heart was inspired by both of her grandmothers. That adds yet another dimension to this fantastic story.

I felt for both Lula and Chet as they tried to balance following their own dreams with family responsibilities and God's will. Both have critical families quick to tear down instead of build up...in a 'loving' way of course. Lula's siblings in particular -- so dismissive. Argh! My blood pressure shot through the roof every time they were in a scene. And her battle to take her place in a man's world. Oy. More gnashing of teeth on my part. She's on a journey of discovery -- figuring out what motives lie behind her dreams and how to mesh old dreams with new ones.

Chet is duty bound. Intense. Deliberate. He has an inner core of strength that stands him in good stead but he has dreams too. Duty and hope for the future are a constant internal conflict.

Sparks fly whenever Lula and Chet get together and their rocky romance makes for an engrossing read. Another exceptional novel from an exceptional writer.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Playing By Heart 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 12 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group". 

Wings of a Dream

GIVEAWAY!

MATEER, ANNE
WINGS OF A DREAM

Rebekah Hendricks dreams of a life far beyond her family's farm in Oklahoma, and when dashing aviator Arthur Samson promises adventure in the big city, she is quick to believe he's the man she's meant to marry.

While she waits for the end of the Great War and Arthur's return, her mother's sister falls ill. Rebekah seizes the opportunity to travel to Texas to care for Aunt Adabelle, sure that her glamorous and exciting life is about to start.

But the Spanish flu epidemic changes everything. Faced with her aunt's sickness, Arthur's indecisiveness, and four children who have no one else to care for them, Rebekah discovers she must choose between her desire to escape and the type of life she's always led and the unexpected love that just might change the dream of her heart.

My Review:

This is a wonderful coming-of-age story. Hemmed in by the monotony of farm-life and a domineering mother, Rebekah is aching to test her wings. She's so young in the first chapter. So naive and starry-eyed and self-centered. But Mateer takes Rebekah on a surprising journey that doesn't just change her, it transforms her. 

There's tons I'd love to say about the romance, but am afraid of giving something away. Suffice to say that I found it spell-binding and confusing and a tad discombobulating. (Do I have you intrigued?) It would make a great discussion for a book club. I'm dying to talk to someone who has read the book because...well, just because it begs to be talked about. :-)

With its rich characterization and vivid descriptions that evoke an era long past,  Wings of a Dream will take your imagination on a flight of fancy that will hold you enthralled until the very last page.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Wings of A Dream leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please include the book title in the subject line of your email. Draw will be held on Saturday September 17, 2011. (I'm having computer problems at home so I won't be able to post the winners on Sunday like I usually do. I'll do the announcement from work on Saturday instead.) Good luck!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".