Monday, October 9, 2017

Sweetbriar Cottage

GIVEAWAY
HUNTER, DENISE
SWEETBRIAR COTTAGE

Noah and Josephine discover their divorce was never actually finalized, their lives are turned upside down.

Following his divorce, Noah gave up his dream job and settled at a remote horse ranch in the Blue Ridge Mountains of northern Georgia, putting much-needed distance between himself and the former love of his life. But then Noah gets a letter from the IRS claiming he and Josephine are still married. When he confronts Josephine, they discover that she missed the final step in filing the paperwork and they are, in fact, still married.

Josephine is no happier about the news than Noah. Maybe the failed marriage -- and botched divorce -- was her fault, but her heart was shattered right alongside his, more than he would ever believe. The sooner they put this marriage behind them, the better for both of their sakes.

But when Josephine delivers the final paperwork to his ranch, the two become stranded in his cottage during the worst spring snowstorm in a decade. Being trapped with Josephine is a test of Noah's endurance. He wrestles with resentment and an unmistakable pull to his wife -- still beautiful, still brave, and still more intriguing than any woman he's ever known.

As they find themselves confronted with each other and their shared past, old wounds surface and tempers flare. But when they are forced out into the storm, they must rely on each other in a way they never have before. Josephine finally opens up about her tragic past, and Noah realizes she's never been loved unconditionally by anyone -- including him. Will Noah accept the challenge to pursue Josephine's heart? And can she finally find the courage to trust Noah?

My Review:

5 Tissue Box Alert! This is a powerful love story that's real and raw and emotionally gut-wrenching. My tummy is still doing flip-flops and my heart feels bruised. What a testimony of unconditional love -- both the Grace that was extended to us on the cross and the grace we offer to one another. Not an easy read by any means but so worth the emotional bludgeoning. The kind of story that transforms the reader. Convicts anew.

Artfully told through present day and flashbacks, Hunter painstakingly lays out a story of despair that turns into triumph. A shattered marriage. Two broken people. I was on tenterhooks the entire read. Often left reeling after one disclosure or another. And there are so many unexpected twists in the plot! A romance so deeply intimate that I felt an intruder at times.

This is so much more than a story about two people who discover they aren't actually divorced. That premise is captivating enough for a romance novel. But it's where Hunter takes us that makes this an exceptional read. There's so much more I want to say but I don't want to reveal plot details. Sweetbriar Cottage is definitely a fantastic candidate for a book club selection. In fact, I might just create a club so I can book talk to my heart's content! Definitely on my top ten reads of 2017 (if I was into making up top ten lists.)

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Sweetbriar Cottage, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadAT yahooDOTca. If you add your email address to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday October 15 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck.

57 comments:

  1. Yes, definitely one of the top listed books of 2017 for me too! And a book has to be pretty extra special for me to say that :-)

    I already have my eye on her November release; "Blue Ridge Sunrise" followed by "Honeysuckle Dreams" (#2) in May!

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    1. I noticed that she has a new book coming out next month! Woot! And did you read the author's note in the back about how this book came to be?

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  2. Oooh, I want this book. The cover alone is pulling me to want it. Combine that with your review and it will be a must for me to read.

    Thank you for the chance to win a copy Kav!

    Blessings,
    Cindy W.
    countrybear52 AT yahoo DOT com

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  3. I have already read and reviewed this one so please don't enter me. I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed reading your fantastic review! I agree, Kav. Definitely a top ten read for 2017! You will also love Blue Ridge Sunrise which releases in about a month!

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    1. Ooooh --have you read Blue Ridge Sunrise already???????? I am really looking forward to it for sure.

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    2. I have read Blue Ridge Sunrise and it's good, already looking forward to the next one out I April I think!

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    3. I am jealous. Book envy green up here in Canada. It isn't a pretty sight.

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    4. There were some reviews & talk that Blue Ridge Sunrise didn't have a spiritual thread so I particularly looked for that. And God was mentioned...alot. I even mention that in my review for Goodreads (can't post yet on Amazon or CBD), and the lovely Ms. Hunter herself thanked me for my review & for bringing that out. Yeah, there's some sexual situations (very delicately handled), but there is redemption for those things. I can't wait to get your take on it, Kav.
      Also I'm as green as the Hulk here in SC. You got to already read The Dishonorable Miss Delancey! 😩

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    5. Bwahahaha!! I'm thrilled to have read The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey. Even more thrilled because Carolyn Miller has a new Regency series starting in March.

      Now you really have me intrigued by Blue Ridge Sunrise, Diana. Must see what all the fuss is about.

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    6. Cool about the new series! But I still need to read about Miss Delancey, and why she is dishonorable! 😌

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  4. I loved this book too, I like that her writing is edging towards more mature topics and giving readers new situations to ponder. Noah and Josephine came to life and I felt their entire struggle!

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    1. Yes, new situations to s-t-r-e-t-c-h and ponder. I agree -- totally felt every moment of this story as if it had actually happened to me.

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  5. Wow! I just love a book that pulls at the heart strings and brings on the tears. I haven't read one in a long while. Thank you for sharing this one, Kav.

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. Then this is definitely the book for you, Melanie. Good luck!

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  6. Wow, I certainly share your enthusiasm, Kav, for this book....and others who commented. I loved this book....I always read Denise's books! Your winner is in for a treat!

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    1. I'm a Denise Hunter fan too...though I was a late bloomer so I still need to catch up on some of her backlist. Love the enthusiasm for this book today...wouldn't it be fun if we could all get together and talk, talk, talk books?!

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  7. KAV, thank you for this stellar review! Denise Hunter is one of my favorite authors!

    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

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    1. She's outdone herself with this one, Caryl. Good luck.

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  8. Sounds good. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

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  9. The cover alone makes me want to read this book.Thanks for the giveaway.
    msdottweety56atgmaildotcom

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  10. FYI just saw that her book Just A Kiss is on sale @1.99 E BOOK.

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    1. Ooohhhh -- that's a great book too. Thanks for the inside scoop.

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  11. I haven't read this book yet, but I'll be sure to rectify that soon. I do love Denise Hunter and the books I've read by her so far. Great review!

    chanelmonroe5(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thanks, Chanel. I don't think I've met a Denise Hunter book I haven't loved but this one is super special. Good luck.

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  12. This book is also on my to read list. Bonus would be winning it!

    arletta.boultonATgmailDOTcom

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    1. Yes! Definitely belongs on your must read list. Good luck, Arletta.

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  13. I knew I wanted to read SWEETBRIAR COTTAGE but after your review I'd love to read it sooner than later. Thanks for a chance to win a copy!
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. It's so stupendously good you really want to read it sooner. LOL Good luck, Kay.

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  14. You definitely MUST read it, Kate. Sooner rather than later. Good luck!

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  15. I am really wanting to read this one. Denise Hunter is one of my favorites. ksucindy(at) excite(dot)com

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    1. She knows how to hold a reader enthralled. Good luck, Cindy.

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  16. Wonderful book. Loved ❤️ Good luck ladies.

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    1. We seem to be on a similar reading wavelength these days, Lucy!

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    2. That seems to happen quite often. 😍

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  17. You always seem to pick my genre, tastes! Thi# one seems fabulous! Thanks for the chance to win this book. paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet

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    1. We're kindred reading spirits, Paula. Good luck.

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  18. I've read this book and your review sums it up beautifully! Loved it and anxiously waiting for the release of the second book in the series.

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    1. I'm excited to read Denise's November release too. Woot!

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  19. I enjoy Denise's books. Sweetbriar Cottage sounds like one that shouldn't be missed. Thanks for the giveaway.
    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. Definitely no to be missed. Good luck, Pam.

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  20. After reading your review, I can hardly wait to read this book! Thanks for this giveaway.
    d[dot]brookmyer[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  21. This sounds really good. I've had my eye on this book.
    Elly -Indiana-

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  22. Was I the Paula who won the Mistletoe book? I didn’t receive an email but then I can never email you. It won’t go through. I know it’s a Canadian address but my email program doesn’t recognize your address. Mine is. paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet if you want to try from your end! Thanks Kav,I really enjoy your reviews.

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    1. Yes -- it's you, Paula. I haven't sent the emails out yet. It was Thanksgiving weekend so things were crazy here. I'll email you today.

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  23. Oh my this one sounds seriously sad but a must read I see. becci43atgmaildotcom

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    1. Sad in places but ultimately hopeful. Good luck, Becky.

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  24. The title and cover get my attention and your review definitely makes me want to read it!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. I'm glad! Hope you get to read it soon. Good luck, rubynreba.

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  25. Looks really good. I've never read Denise Hunter before. Thanks for sharing it with us.
    iamabho ATgmailDOT com

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