Monday, January 18, 2016

Carry Me Home

GIVEAWAY

ADAMEK, DOROTHY
CARRY ME HOME

Finella Mayfield hates two things: liars and thieves. And she’s determined to marry a man who’s neither. Chasing her dead father’s dreams, the twenty-year-old English bride arrives in Australia in 1875 for an arranged marriage. Anticipating her future as village preacher’s wife, she records her thoughts in her Everlasting journal.

But instead of her fiancé, Finella is met by Shadrach Jones, a poor farmer sent to collect her from the busy Melbourne pier.
This is not what her father planned. And it’s only the beginning of the unraveling of Finella Mayfield ~ the bride with no groom.

All Shadrach Jones longs for is rows of mustard and chicory. He’s busy growing a farm near the Phillip Island fishing village of Cowes, and caring for Molly, his simple sister. Far from the brutal life they remember with their ex-convict father, Shadrach’s building something new.

But he’s also made a promise to a dying friend. To collect and marry the English girl destined to never be a preacher’s wife.

Can Shadrach convince Finella she has a future with a farmer? Can he convince himself, knowing his family secrets will haunt their future?

My Review:

Stunning debut novel! Exquisite writing creates vivid pictures guaranteed to carry any reader away. Loved the 'exotic' setting (well Phillip Island is exotic to this Canadian.) So refreshing to read a historical romance set outside North America or England. That alone made me eager to read this story. And the beautiful cover begged me to keep her at the top of the TBR pile. She wasn't in my home long before a peek inside captured my fancy and sent me on a dramatic tilt-a-whirl reading frenzy.

Emotions exude from every page. Heart-rending, funny, romantic and sometimes devastating. There were times I forgot to breathe. Take one proud and stubborn farmer doing his best to eke out a living under harsh conditions. Add one displaced English bride-without-a-groom, Throw them together in remote circumstances and watch the sparks fly.

Major clashing of wills and hidden sorrows make the going rough but there are some beautifully tender moments as well. And a very romantic muddy romp that made me giddy. Adamek captures it all -- the witty banter and blistering arguments. The nursing of hurt feelings. The fragile hope that comes from an unexpected act of kindness. I laughed and swooned and cried bitterly before I reached the end of this blissfully captivating read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Carry Me Home 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 January 24 2016 . Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

51 comments:

  1. I'm always on the lookout for new authors and this book sounds intriguing, especially after reading your review. A book set in another country can refreshing at times as you said. I'd love a chance to win this book. Thanks for the opportunity.

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    1. I really enjoyed this glimpse into Australian history and the whole storyline is just....fantabulous. :-) Good luck, Tracey.

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  2. I would love to read this book. It's fun to find a new-to-me author.

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    1. I love getting in on the beginning of an author's career. Good luck, BJM.

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  3. There is just NO one who writes such fantabulous, breathtaking reviews quite like you, Kav. No one! Would that I could, but I don't have all those adjectives up there in my head -- not all at the same time, that is. lol I'm glad you enjoyed the book as much as I, and of course don't enter me.

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    1. Ah, thanks, Diana. And thanks for the win from your blog. Awesome story. I think you could tell I loved it. :-)

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  4. Sounds like a good one. Count me in, Kav! :)

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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  5. Oh, this book sounds really good and I've been interested in reading it. I haven't read very many novels set in Australia by Australians.

    nina4sm/at/gmail/dot/com

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    1. Unique on both counts. It's great to expand our reading horizons, isn't it? Good luck, Sylvia.

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  6. This one sounds good and the cover is just stunning! Would love to read it:) Thanks!

    esterried[at]yahoo[dot]com

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    1. Isn't the covering amazing? It just begs to be read. Good luck, Charity.

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  7. I am intrigued by this one and the cover is absolutely beautiful. Thank you, Kav!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  8. I haven't read a book that takes place in Australia. Your review is great and makes we want to jump right in and read it.

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    1. It's a really compelling story. Good luck, Heather.

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  9. Kav, your review has me wanting to read more of Finella's story....

    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

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    1. Glad I could entice you, Caryl. Good luck.

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  10. Oh it sounds fabulous! lattebooksAThotmailDOTcom

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  11. I've been reading some good things about this book but still thought I could pass on it since I have such a towering TBR pile. Your review changed my mind! Please enter me in the giveaway. It sounds like a must read.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. This book is definitely not one you want to pass by. Good luck, Pam.

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  12. I've seen nothing but glowing reviews for this. And since I'm hopefully travelling to Australia this year... It would be silly not to enter!
    Thank you for doing this.
    LittlemisslydiaATgmailDOTcom

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    1. Oh -- how exciting. Yes, this would give you some historical background info. Good luck Unknown.

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  13. A beautiful cover, and a beautiful story also-based on all the reviews. Love books filled with emotion, would love to

    bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. It is filled with emotion. Really breathtaking. Good luck, Bonnie.

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  14. Beautiful cover. looks like a heartwarming story truckredford(at)gmail(dot)com

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  15. Oh, I absolutely want to read this book. I've had my eyes on it for a little while and your review just confirms it's a must read. Thanks for the wonderful review and the chance to win a copy.
    Love the cover!
    pwestfall7 at hotmail dot com

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    1. It definitely is a must read. Good luck, Pam.

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  16. Great review! Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net
    oh, for a little bit of summer! :D

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    1. Thanks, Kathleen and I'm with you on the summer. Good luck.

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  17. Sounds like a good debut novel. Bet we'll be hearing more from her!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  18. A beautiful cover and the story sounds like one I'd like to read! Thank You!
    karenskrayons(at)gmail(dot)com

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  19. This sounds like a great read. I haven't read any books taking place in Australia and that is one place I'd like to visit. Thank you for the chance to win a copy of this book.

    wfnren at aol dot com

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    1. I love the Australian aspect of this book! Good luck, Wendy.

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  20. SOunds like a good read. kamundsen44ATyahooDOTcom.

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  21. Replies
    1. Isn't it stunning?! The purple just pops. Good luck, Melissa.

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  22. A mail-order bride story set in Australia sounds interesting! From your review, an emotionally gripping book, I'd love it :-)

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. ooops, I guess it's an arranged marriage...sorry!

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  23. I purchased this the second it was released after Rel promoted it on her blog. I just knew you would give it glowing reviews at some point. :)

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    1. And it would have totally escaped my radar but for Diana Flowers. So excited that I got to read this book. Absolutely amazing.

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  24. Oh my, sounds like Finella has quite a journey ahead of her!
    Pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  25. I have heard so many great things about this book and your review makes it sound wonderful too. Can't wait to read it!
    mbaaij AT hetnet DOT nl

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