Shaped by the Waves

GIVEAWAY

NELSON, CHRISTINA SUZANN

SHAPED BY THE WAVES

Cassie George is barely staying above water as she works to get her doctorate and raise her daughter. But she stubbornly keeps swimming to prove a few bad decisions haven't ruined her forever. Plus, it's all a great excuse to stay away from the small Oregon town she fled in shame years prior. But when she receives a call that the aunt who raised her has had a major health crisis, she knows it's time to return.

Cassie is surprised to be more welcomed by the quirky seaside community than she expected even if there's still tension between her and her former classmate Nora Milford. But she still can't help feeling unsettled and is mystified by a mysterious package that appears, full of typed pages that tell the story of an anonymous woman's life. As her curiosity sends her on a journey toward truth, Cassie will discover that who she thought she was and what she wants for her life are both about to change.

My Review:

A story within a story and both kept me riveted.

An emotional tale of loss and grief and the power of sacrificial love. Of learning to embrace what you have while letting go of the past. Cassie is on a journey back to her God and it takes her home...to finally face the ghosts she never really left behind.

Honestly, I'm not sure what I can say about this novel except it's thrilling and compelling and richly layered with faith and wisdom. Love Cassie who unnecessarily struggles to carry a full load when there are so many willing hands to help her. Letting go of pride and shame is a huge part of her journey and makes for a tumultuous and poignant tale. And when she reconnects with 'her people' and starts to trust them with her brokenness, well, magic happens.

And her daughter, Lark, is a bedazzled gem of sunshine and hope and lightens even the darkest scenes. As does a certain barista who brings a spark of love and the hope of happily ever afters into Cassie's life. But there's lots to work through before that can happen and that involves the kind of emotional roller coaster ride I love to read.

Some of those highs and lows come courtesy of a mysterious manuscript addressed to Cassie. She's fascinated...but is it fact or fiction? A little bit of mystery that adds even more layers to this enthralling tale.

Side note: There's a secondary story interlaced with Cassie's but they never really connect and I found myself puzzling over exactly why snippets of Nora's POV were added in. I thought maybe it was a set up for the next book, but Shaped by the Waves isn't marked as part of series so I'm a little befuddled. Not enough to dim my reading enjoyment, but still, I wonder....

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback copy.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Shaped by the Waves, 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 March 5 2022. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

More Than We Remember

GIVEAWAY

NELSON, CHRISTINA SUZANN
MORE THAN WE REMEMBER

One night changes everything...

When Addison Kilbourn's husband is involved in a car accident that leaves a woman dead, her perfectly constructed life crumbles apart. With her husband's memory of that night gone and the revelation of a potentially life-altering secret, Addison has to reevaluate all she thought she knew.

Emilia Cruz is a deputy bearing a heavy burden far beyond the weight of her job. After a traumatic brain injury, her husband is no longer the man she married, and Emilia's determined to prevent others from facing the same hardship. When she's called to the scene of an accident pointing to everything she's fighting against, she's determined to see justice for those wronged.

Brianne Demanno is hiding from reality. She once thrived as a counselor, but when tragedy struck a beloved client, she lost faith in herself and her purpose. When her neighbors, the Kilbourns, are thrown into crisis, Brianne's solitary life is disrupted and she finds herself needed in a way she hasn't been for too long.

As the lives of these women intersect, they can no longer dwell in the memory of who they've been. Can they rise from the wreck of the worst moments of their lives to become who they were meant to be?

My Review:

More Than We Remember is an artfully written novel that's easy to read -- and by that I mean the pacing is smooth, the words just flow, seeping under a reader's skin and making her a part of the story. Riddled with profound thoughts that made me pause and think. Hard. Like this:

"But it's a dangerous thing to make decisions out of fear. Fear can stop us from seeing the wonderful adventures and people who are waiting for us to show up." (p 75)

And these three women -- Emilia, Brianne and Addison -- are all battling fears. It manifests itself in different ways in each of them, but it's there, dictating their thoughts and actions. And so the tale unfolds, linking these three women and their broken lives to bring about healing and peace.

"This was where the healing could begin. Not in the secrets and regrets, but in the moving forward, trusting, and truth." (p 337)

The story is told in three voices, each perspective seamlessly twinning with the others to create a gripping tale of despair...and of hope. It's real and gritty and a tough go in places. Definitely not a lighthearted read, though there are humourous moments. With a bit of romance thrown in, because that's definitely part of life too.

A memorable read that has earned its place on my keeper shelf.

"She says we're too big for our britches when we take responsibility for things that are ultimately out of our control. If we trust God, we trust that He can work through even the most upside-down situation." (p 290)

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graph-Martin Communications Inc.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  More Than We Remember 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 May 2 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck