Friday, December 29, 2017

Just Look Up

GIVEAWAY
WALSH, COURTNEY
JUST LOOK UP

Maybe what she's looking for is right in front of her -- if only she'd just look up.

After tirelessly climbing the ranks of her Chicago-based interior design firm, Lane Kelley is about to land her dream promotion when devastating news about her brother draws her back home in a quaint tourist town full of memories she'd just as soon forget. With her cell phone and laptop always within reach, Lane aims to check on her brother while staying focused on work -- something her eclectic family doesn't understand.

Ryan Brooks never expected to settle down in Harbor Pointe, Michigan, but after his final tour of duty, it was the only place that felt like home. Now knee-deep in a renovation project that could boost tourism for the struggling town, he is thrilled to see. Lane, the girl he secretly once loved, evenif the circumstances of her homecoming aren't ideal.

Their reunion gets off to a rocky start, however, when Ryan can't find a trace of the girl he once knew in the woman she is today. As he slowly chips away at the walls Lane has built, secrets from his pair collide with a truth even he is reluctant to believe, putting Ryan at a crossroads that could not only alter his relationship with the Kelley family but jeopradize his future with the girl of his dreams.

My Review:

This is real life at it's best -- and worst. Fragile family dynamics, broken lives and the hope God brings if we have the faith to see it. I felt emotionally pummeled as I wrestled right along with Lane and Ryan.

Lane who has always felt like an outsider in her large and boisterous overachieving family. Who struggles with body image issues and feelings of self-worth. Has the need to prove herself worthy which alters her priorities in a disastrous way. There were times that I got impatient with Lane but then Walsh would deliver another gut-wrenching tidbit from her past and I'd get her that much more.

And Ryan who has risen above horrific circumstances to become a man of integrity. The Kelley family has played a pivotal role in his life. Lifting him up when his own family failed him. Providing him with the kind of direction and acceptance he could never find at home. He has become the honorary brother and son.

And then a single reckless act catapults Ryan and the Kelley family into a journey of self-discovery and healing. And the catalyst for a romance that Lane never saw coming. A deeply thought-provoking story that left me wondering how many times I've let fear keep me from looking up and seeing the wonders God has in store for me.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Just Look Up, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. 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 that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday December 31 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

37 comments:

  1. I have to admit this was my first book by Courtney, but it certainly won't be the last! It had every emotion firing at once right through to the end. She can pack a punch with her writing! I'm looking forward to "Just Let Go" in June 2018. According to Amazon it's another Harbor Pointe novel, so I'm not sure if it's a connected series or what. All I know, is it's a must-read!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, she knows how to draw out my emotions. And her pacing....perfection!

      Delete
  2. Wow this sounds great I love emotional books
    Thanks for sharing it with us
    Going to check out her books on Amazon
    iamabho AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You'll definitely love this one then. Good luck, Linda.

      Delete
    2. Thanks for the recommendation and the chance :)

      Delete
  3. This sounds like my kind of book. Thanks for the review and the chance to win.

    Blessings,
    Cindy W.
    countrybear52 AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have this one on my kindle,
    but haven't gotten to it yet,
    must move it to the January lineup!

    Happy reading weekend everyone, and have a
    Blessed, Prosperous, Healthy, Wonderful 2018!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ooohhh -- I'd love a glimpse at your January lineup. Mine is turning out to be stellar thanks in large to my public library getting all my requests in at the same time! lol Happy New Year, Tracey!

      Delete
    2. Well, okay then, wish granted :)
      Four review books:
      1)The Lacemaker
      2)The Innkeeper's Daughter
      3)The Mail-order Brides Collection
      4) The Lost Castle-my 1st Kristy Cambron
      Then these mixed in:
      5)Freedom's Ring-I won from you and got this week, thanks O Generous One!
      6)A Dangerous Legacy
      7)A New Shade of Summer
      8)Just the Way You Are
      9)The Awakening
      10)Just Look Up
      I usually read about 10, so that's it!

      Delete
    3. Ohhh-- love your list! I'm definitely on board with your first four as must-read-as-soon-as-possible. And I have A New Shade of Summer in my sight-lines as well. Is Just the Way You Are by Pepper Basham? I haven't read anything by her yet. Happy New Year Reading, Tracey and thanks for sharing your list.

      Delete
    4. Yes Peppers ebook was just on sale for .99 so I couldn't resist! I've only read one of her books and one novella, but I like her voice!

      Delete
  5. I would love to get to know Lane and Ryan, as well as the Kelly family better. Thank you for your great review, Kav. I hope you have a healthy and happy 2018!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You'll enjoy meeting them...just be prepared to have a box of Kleenex handy. lol Good luck, Melanie.

      Delete
  6. I've not yet had the pleasure of reading Courtney's books. KAV, thank you for the great review and the chance to win a copy.

    May 2018 OVERFLOW with His blessings!

    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  7. Courtney's books have been on my want list, and I'm looking forward to reading her books this year. I love that you said "This is real life at it's best -- and worst." Sounds really interesting. Thank you for the chance! Becky lelandandbeckyatreagandotcom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's super interesting and emotional. Good luck, Becky!

      Delete
  8. Sounds good. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks so much for your review, Kav. This one's been on my Kindle for a while, but I haven't read it yet. It just might be my next read. Thanks again!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh, this one sounds so good. Thank you for the chance.
    leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I always enjoy Courtney Walsh's books. Just Look Up sounds like another good one. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  12. JUST LOOK UP sounds amazing. I'd love to read Lane and Ryan's stories and learn from the lessons they bestow.

    Thank you for the review and the chance to win a copy of the book.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

    ReplyDelete
  13. It sounds like both characters are very realistic.
    Dianna

    ReplyDelete
  14. I don’t think I have read any of Courtney’s books, but they all sound very good! I need to get my hands on one.

    I think I am going to make a reading goal in 2018 to read some of the authors and my shelf who I have never read before. It’s hard not to go to back to those old faithfuls, But I think I need to stretch my horizons😁

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's such a conundrum -- keeping up with the authors we already love and want to stay faithful to and finding new author who are destine to become authors we love and want to stay faithful too! A reader's balancing act! Good luck, Patty.

      Delete
  15. Sounds like a great book!
    Best wishes for 2018 everyone!

    samanthabis23 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It definitely is. Happy New Year, Samantha and good luck!

      Delete
  16. It is amazing how family dynamics play such a big role in people's lives. Love to read this.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So true and this story really illustrates that. Good luck, rubynreba.

      Delete
  17. sounds like a good book!! Shelia sheliarha64(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete