Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Where She Belongs

GIVEAWAY

ALEXANDER, JOHNNIE
WHERE SHE BELONGS

Shelby Kincaid is ready to move on from her grief. With high hopes for the future, she longs to purchase her family's ancestral homestead so she can raise her young daughters in the only place she ever truly belonged. She plans to transform the abandoned house into the perfect home of her memories. But she'll have her work cut out for her.

AJ Sullivan never wanted the homestead. Inherited as a punishment from his grandfather, it has sat empty for fifteen years and fallen into ruin. He's glad to finally unload it. But a clean break isn't possible when he can't get the young widow Shelby off his mind.

Welcome to Misty Willow, a place that will have as great a hold over the reader as it does over its inhabitants. With writing that evokes a strong sense of place and personal history, Johnnie Alexander deftly explores the ties that bind us to home--and the irresistible forces that draw us to each other.
  

My Review:

That moment when you are happily reading a wonderful story and suddenly what you think is going to happen doesn't and then other things you never even dreamed of start happening instead. You're like -- whoa, wait. Noooooo! And you start waving your arms around like a rabid music conductor as you try get Character A to cool his jets so you can coach Character B to stick with it a bit longer while praying for Character C to just shove off to another book all while trying to hip check secondary characters into an appropriate holding pattern while...Yeah. There were a lot of those moments in this book.  All that arm waving and not one single character listened to me. Not even the dog.

Enthralling because I wasn't sure what would happen next. Gut-wrenching because it didn't always go the way I hoped. Dipsy-swoony because when the romance is on it's really, really on! Thud! Heart-stirring because the author explores the power in relationships -- both the past and the present -- and how they shape us. Soul-nourishing because of a solid inspirational thread that anchors it all.

Read this one in a day because... I. Just. Couldn't. Stop.

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

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Where She Belongs 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!

39 comments:

  1. Loved your review! Isn't that annoying when the characters won't listen to you? Sounds like a good book.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, rubynreba. And yes, really annoying...but then if the characters listened to me the book would be over by page 100. LOL So I guess it's a good think they are reader deaf. Good luck, rubynreba.

      Delete
  2. A rabid music conductor to cool his jets? LOL! I just love your reviews! I never know where you come up with these wonderful expositions, but they delight me. I have never read a book by Johnnie Alexander, and after that ummm...very descriptive review I would love to! Please count me in! I do believe you could sell ice to an Eskimo. Not that you would want to --- just sayin'. ;)

    dianalflowers(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL -- my brain is wired differently and sometimes it spews gray matter onto my keyboard. Bwahahahaha! And this is my first Johnnie Alexander book too. I thought it even might be a debut, but nope -- I have some serious reading homework to do. Good luck, Diana.

      Delete
    2. Very witty & humorous gray matter! :P

      Delete
  3. Your reviews are great. kamundsen44ATyahooDOTcom.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Johnnie Alexander is a new to me author, but one I have been wanting to read. It sounds like this one runs the gamut on emotions. Thanks for the review.
    reneerachoyolsenATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's truly captivating, Heather. Good luck.

      Delete
  5. what a FUN review! I loved this book too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Carrie. It was because of you that this one was on my radar -- so thanks for sharing.

      Delete
  6. Your reviews are always so interesting. Sure makes me want to read the book. I have not read a Johnnie Alexander book and I would love to start with this one. spotts06(at)comcast(dot)net












    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a good place to start, Stella. Good luck.

      Delete
  7. This book is sitting on my coffee table in my TBR pile, I think I'll move it to the top.

    ReplyDelete
  8. From your review, this one sounds like a must read. Thank you, Kav!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hm... This book sounds like one I would like to read. I think it would make a good addition to my new authors challenge. ;)

    Thanks for the giveaway! :)

    sleepy_bookworm_aery [at] yahoo [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a great idea to have a new authors challenge! And yes, this would be a great title to add to that list. Good luck, Aerykah!

      Delete
  10. I've never read any of Johnnie's books, but this one sounds so good! I can't wait to read it as well!

    mylittlebirdie (at) yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. My favorite type of book where the characters do their own thing and won't listen to a word you say so you end up looking like a bird with a broken wing flapping around....LOL!! Unexpected twists and turns that keep you guessing? Oh yea...count me in :-)

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know -- those crazy characters who just won't listen! A stubborn lot but we love them anyway. Good luck, Trixi.

      Delete
  12. I love Johnnie. In addition to being a lovely person, she amazed me with her debut book and I was elated when she announced that her next book would be a contemporary romance. I do enjoy a good historical romance, but my heart leans towards contemporaries. I feel guilty for not just buying it already. Thank you, Kav, for your glowing review. tlhcoupon(at)Hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I must track down that historical. I have a certain fondness for contemporary romance as well. Good luck, Terrill.

      Delete
  13. Sounds good! I don't know where you come up with all your various books to review Kav, but the spin you give them in your reviews has me wanting every one of them! If only I could read as fast as you, I could read all of your list and some on mine too, lol! Count me in on this one, thanks and have a great day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are so many great books coming out all the time, I feel like I'm just scraping the surface. Good luck, Tracey.

      Delete
    2. I agree, but I find if I'm going to get to the top ones I want to read I have to be more selective and prioritize. However, I do like to make room for some new authors and have founds so great reads that way.

      Delete
    3. The trouble with acquiring a new author is the potential to add another 'must read everything by this author' to your reading list. LOL Such a delicious dilemma for a reader to be in. :-)

      Delete
  14. Wow, sounds like a great book! And your reviews are the best, so fun to read=)

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Don't enter me as I already own this one but your review is so accurate! I totally loved this one and the emotions swing all over the place! Have you read her first one, Where Treasure Hides?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nooooo -- I am behind the times but I just looked it up on Goodreads and I'm definitely going to hunt that one down. Thanks for the tip.

      Delete
  16. Another amazing review! Would love to read this one.
    pwestfall7 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. This books sounds awesome! I love it when you get surprised by how the story unfolds. Can't wait to read it.

    samanthabis23 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And are there ever surprises! Good luck, Samantha.

      Delete