Monday, June 9, 2014

Chain of Mercy

GIVEAWAY

ANDERSON, BRENDA S.
CHAIN OF MERCY

They forgave him for the accident that killed their son, but he will never forgive himself.

Manhattan businessman Richard Brooks was at the top of the world, drunk with success, wealth, and women. And he proudly lived that prodigal lifestyle. Until one disastrous evening, when his world came crashing down.

Richard flees to Minneapolis where he repairs ancient boilers instead of solving corporate problems, and he s determined to live the solitary life he now deserves ...

Chained to his guilt. Blending in with the gray. No luxuries in sight.

But Executive Sheila Peterson has other plans for the handsome custodian. She s had it with serious relationships, and Richard appears to be the perfect match for the no-strings-attached romance she desires. Instead, she finds a man who is complex, brilliant, and shrouding a tormented past.

In her quest to uncover the secrets holding Richard captive, will her own secrets remain buried?

My Review:

Stunning debut novel! An incredibly rich read that was hard to put down. Anderson has created a slice of real life within the pages of her book. Gritty, honest, heart-breaking. Packing an emotional punch that made it a struggle to read at times. Honestly, at one point I closed the book and tried to make up my own happily ever after without the angst. That lasted for all of about ten minutes. Then I gave in and opened the book again because I wanted to know what really happened to these amazingly flawed characters who had wormed their way into my affections.

Richard is the 'perfect' prodigal son. He's shucked the solid mid-Western values he's grown up with in favour of life in the fast lane. So, how does a boy who was raised so right go so wrong? It's a subject Anderson explores with unrelenting truthfulness. Richard's struggles, his self-condemnation and eventual triumph makes for a moving read.

Sheila is a lost soul who doesn't even realize that she's lost. A powerhouse executive, she has developed a hard edge that makes her difficult to like at first. But Anderson gradually uncovers a tale of loss and abuse that help make sense of the woman Sheila has become. The author artfully explores the whys behind the actions and then applies God's mercy in such a compassionate way I was left weeping.

A compelling story that celebrates the real meaning of grace with a unique perspective: accepting and receiving mercy creates a powerful chain reaction that spills over into the lives around you. What an awesome inspirational takeaway.

Giveaway Opportunity

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Chain of Mercy 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! 

20 comments:

  1. LOVE THIS REVIEW! The book sounds lika A MUST. Love honest stories about real, flawed people! Count me in, please. Thank you :)

    janka(dot)halcinova(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Then you're going ot love this one, Janka. Good luck!

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  2. Kav, your blog is a Must-go-to-blog. You find the greatest books! Thank you for the chance to win
    mitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTc

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    1. LOL -- this was an easy one to 'find' because it came in the mail from the author. We blog together at inkspirational messages. It's an awesome read!!!! Good luck, Marianne!

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  3. Have not heard of this one before. Sounds like a heartbreaking read. Thanks for the giveaway.

    sweetdarknectar at gmail dot com

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  4. Thank you, thank you for this awesome review, Kav!!! I'm so very glad that what I intended to do with this story came across--believe me, there was a whole lot of God-fluence in crafting this novel. All glory goes to Him!

    Sending hugs!
    Brenda

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    1. Sending hugs back for writing so a wonderful book. My review could have been pages long!!! This would make such an awesome book club book -- so much scope for discussion...and ultimate soul searching.

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  5. Looks like a good one from a new author .... for me she is anyway. rrwalter34ATgmailDOTcom

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    1. It's her debut novel, Becky. With more to come. Good luck!

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  6. I have read so many good things about Chain of Mercy. I believe this is a must read book! Thank you!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. Glad to hear it's making the rounds. It's well worth the read. Good luck, Melanie.

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  7. Chain of Mercy sounds delightfully complex, please add me!
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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  8. I've been following Brenda's blog for some time now, and can't wait to read her debut novel!

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  9. I like books that are hard to put down. Looks like you found another good one.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  10. Chain of Mercy sounds like a poignant story! Thank you for the chance to win!

    texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

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