Tuesday, January 2, 2018

The Space Between Words

GIVEAWAY
PHOENIX MICHELE
THE SPACE BETWEEN WORDS

"There were seconds, when I woke, when the world felt unshrouded. Then memory returned."

When Jessica regains consciousness in a French hosptial on the day after the Paris attacks, all she can think of is a fleeing the site of the horror she survived. But Patrick, the steadfast friend who hasn't left her side, urges her to reconsider her decision. Worn down by his insistence, she reluctantly agrees to follow through with the trip they'd planned before the tragedy.

"The pages found you," Patrick whispered. "Now you need to figure out what they're trying to stay."

During a stop at a country flea market, Jessica finds a faded document concealed in an antique. As new friends help her to translate the archaic French, they uncover the story of Adeline Baillard, a young woman who lived centuries before -- her faith condemned, her life endangered, her community decimated by the Huguenot persecution.

"I write for our descendants, for those who will not understand the cost of our survival."

Determined to learn the Baillard family's fate, Jessica retraces their flight from France to England, spurred on by a need she doesn't understand.

Could this stranger who lived three hundred years before hold the key to Jessica's survival?

My Review:

I'm bordering on speechless as I grapple for words to explain the impact this book had on me. It's left me feeling raw and exposed, like my nerve endings are all on high alert and I can't quite settle the rapid beating of my heart. Because Jessica's journey is powerful and emotional and ultimately triumphant. It's full of unexpected twists. There was one startling moment when I gasped out loud and had to put the book down. What just happened? I read and reread until understanding seeped into my heart. And then I got goosebumps.

This is the kind of book that is impossible to describe. I can tell you it's about a 21st century woman who goes on a quest to discover what happened to a persecuted Huguenot family centuries ago. I can tell you that in the process Jessica finds the missing pieces of herself. What I can't tell you is how exceptionally moving that story is. Phoenix is such a gifted storyteller. Sometimes the beauty in her words is almost unbearable. And the takeaways are astounding.

 "God layers good over bad." (p 239)

"Though our lives have been dismantled by the cruelty of man, God in his faithfulness has scattered flecks of gold amid the debris of our loss." (p 123)

This is the kind of indefinable treasure meant to be savored not just during the read but for a long time afterwards.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would liek a chance to win a copy of The Space Between Words, 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 it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 7 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

46 comments:

  1. Oh this is one I had my eye on when we did the reader's choice!!! It just sounded so good. From your review, it's much more than good or excellent or poignant...just my kind of read. WOW! Now I must read it :-)

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. It's really....in a league of it's own. As you can tell, I loved it! Good luck, Trixi!

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  2. Wow Sounds Great!
    I Love a Good Emotion Tingling Book
    Thanks for sharing and for the chance to win
    iamabho AT gmail DOT com

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    1. This one is walloping good that way. :-) Good luck, Linda.

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  3. Sounds like a must read! KAV, thank you for the great review and chance to win a copy.
    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

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  4. Wow this sounds like a book I not only want to read but I must read. 2017 was a rough year for me as I lost my Mom/Best Friend. Changes have happened and are still happening. Thank you for your review Kav and thank you for the chance to win a copy.

    Blessings,
    Cindy W.
    countrybear52 AT yahoo DOT com

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    1. Ah, sorry to hear that, Cindy. Sometimes life is just plain hard to do which is why I love gems like this book. There's a kind of healing found within the pages. Bibliotherapy can be powerful. Good luck!

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  5. Oh wow this sounds like a fantastic read. I have had a tough last year. I look forward to a New and Happy year. This book sounds like it would be a big help
    quilting dash lady at Comcast dot net

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    1. Looking forward to something fresh and new is a great way to shake off the tough of last year -- especially with new and exciting books to read. Good luck, Lori.

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  6. The title alone pulls you into this book. Wow! The Space Between Words sounds like a must read and. I am certainly ready. Thank you for the opportunity, Kav!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. Interesting title, right? Good luck, Melanie.

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  7. This has been on my to-read list. So excited to see you're giving it away here, Kav. And love the impact it had on you. Can't wait to read it!

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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    1. It's a book worth being excited over! Hope you get to read it soon. Good luck, Cheryl.

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  8. Sounds like a must-read! Thank you for the chance to win.

    melodybissonnette AT gmail DOT com

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  9. Have not heard of this book/author! Wow, Kav ..YOU and the other commenters here are challenging me to read it! Thanks for your giveaway.
    jacsmi75 at gmail dot com

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    1. I hadn't either. We can thank a Reader's Choice weekend for bringing it to light. Plus she has several other books out. I've put two on hold at my public library so look for them in future retro Saturdays. Good luck, Jackie.

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  10. This book has been on my to-read list since before it even released! Sounds so good!

    samanthabis23 at gmail dot com

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    1. It's soooooooo good! Good luck, Samantha.

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  11. This book sounds incredible! I haven't read this author yet. Thanks for the recommendation!

    colorvibrant at gmail dot com

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    1. It really is! Michele Phoenix is a new to me author as well but I'll definitely be backtracking to read more by her. Good luck, Heidi.

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  12. Wow, what a review! I'm not familiar with this author or this book, but I'll be adding it to my list. Thanks so much for the review!
    pwestfall7 at hotmail dot com

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    1. You're welcome, Pam -- it's well worth the read. Good luck.

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  13. Have been wanting to read this one. Thanks for the review!
    mindyhoungATmsnDOTcom

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  14. I have French Huguenot in my background. I’ve been eyeing this since it started showing up on blogs. Please enter me! paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet Thanks Kav.

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    1. It's a fascinating and horrifying time in history. Good luck, Paula.

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  15. What a totally awesome book THE SPACE BETWEEN WORDS sounds to be from both the write up and your review. I know it has bound to affect one to read such a book. I'l love to read it and explore the emotions it evokes me in. Thank you for the chance to win a copy!
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. It's certainly unique and I loved it. Good luck, Kay.

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  16. I haven't yet read any books by this author though I have heard good things about her work. The Space Between Words sounds like another book to add to my "want to read" list. Thanks for the review and giveaway.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. Yep, put it on your list for sure! Good luck, Pam.

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  17. I absolutely loved this book. Powerful! Good luck ladies.

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  18. I know how it is to have to put a book down while in the midst of reading. Sometimes it's because I worry about what's coming next in a suspense novel or I'm yelling "Nooo" when I can't handle one more effecting plot turn. Yet, even if I have to put it down for one or a few moments, I inevitably pick it back up. We readers love to be tortured like this. Bwahaha!

    tlhcoupon(at)Hotmail(dot)com

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    1. I know, it's such a delicious conundrum! :-) Good luck, Terrill.

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  19. Pinning this one now, and will look for it at the library. I love antiques and flea markets, so this is the type of story I just love!
    Dianna

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    1. This is definitely the book for you, Dianna.

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  20. Very, very interesting. teshawATsbcglobalDOTnet

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  21. This would be a great book to read as we start out 2018! It is sure to be on my "must read" list.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. I think it's one of the must reads of 2017. Very unique and challenging. Good luck, rubynreba.

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