Book Spotlight: Echoes of Family by Barbara Claypole White

Author: Barbara Claypole White

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing 

Date of Publication: September 27, 2016

Sometimes the only way through darkness is to return to where it began.

Marianne Stokes fled England at seventeen, spiraling into the manic depression that would become her shadow. She left behind secrets, memories, and tragedy: one teen dead, and her first love, Gabriel, badly injured. Three decades later she’s finally found peace in the North Carolina recording studio she runs with her husband, Darius, and her almost-daughter, Jade…until another fatality propels her back across the ocean to confront the long-buried past.

In her picturesque childhood village, the first person she meets is the last person she wants to see again: Gabriel. Now the village vicar, he takes her in without question, and ripples of what if reverberate through both their hearts. As Marianne’s mind unravels, Jade and Darius track her down. Tempers clash when everyone tries to help, but only by finding the courage to face her illness can Marianne heal herself and her offbeat family.

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

Praise for Echoes of Family:

“Claypole White’s gift is her ability to put us into the troubled minds of her characters in a way that helps us not only understand them but fall in love with them as well. We discover that while their minds may be different from ours, their hearts are the same.” —Diane Chamberlain, USA Todaybestselling author of Pretending to Dance

“Echoes of Family is a masterfully written novel that is both difficult to put down, and difficult to forget after the final page. In this powerful novel, Claypole White weaves that narrative that draws the reader into a personal relationship with the characters and has you rooting for them, in spite of their many flaws. This book kept my attention until all secrets were revealed in its dramatic conclusion. I look forward to many more from Claypole White.” —Sally Hepworth, bestselling author of The Things We Keep

“Barbara Claypole White has done it again—created a quirky cast of characters and then taken us along as they go on a journey through madness and out the other side. Music, England, love, loss, and nature all collide in this beautiful exploration of how the echoes of our past can sometimes drown out the present. Matthew Quick fans will feel right at home.” —Catherine McKenzie, bestselling author of Spin and Hidden

About Barbara Claypole White

A Brit living in North Carolina, Barbara Claypole White writes hopeful family drama with a healthy dose of mental illness. Her debut novel, The Unfinished Garden, won the 2013 Golden Quill Contest for Best First Book, and The In-Between Hour was chosen by the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance as a Winter 2014 Okra Pick. Her third novel, The Perfect Son, was a semifinalist in the 2015 Goodreads Choice Awards for Best Fiction.

Connect with Barbara

Website | Facebook | Twitter

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Barbara Claypole White’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS:

Sunday, September 25th: Writer Unboxed – guest post, “Ten Tips for Writing Through Family Stress”

Monday, September 26th: BookBub Blog – “Family Crises of the Month Book Club”

Tuesday, September 27th: Patricia’s Wisdom

Wednesday, September 28th: Just One More Chapter

Thursday, September 29th: BookNAround

Friday, September 30th: From the TBR Pile

Monday, October 3rd: Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Wednesday, October 5th: Bloggin’ ‘Bout Books

Thursday, October 6th: Broken Teepee

Friday, October 7th: Not in Jersey

Tuesday, October 11th: Thoughts on This ‘n That

Thursday, October 13th: Kritter’s Ramblings

Friday, October 14th: Books ‘n Bindings

Monday, October 17th: A Chick Who Reads

Tuesday, October 18th: The Baking Bookworm

Wednesday, October 19th: Bibliotica

Monday, October 24th: Mom’s Small Victories

Cover Reveal: Riveted by Jay Crownover

We are so excited to reveal the cover of the upcoming release of Riveted by Jay Crownover.  It's always exciting to see the cover of a new book.  It makes the anticipation that much more exciting.  It goes on sale February 14, 2017.  What a great Valentine's Day present idea!

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Marked Men books comes the next installment in the Saints of Denver series.

Everyone else in Dixie Carmichael’s life has made falling in love look easy, and now she is ready for her own chance at some of that happily ever after. Which means she’s done pining for the moody, silent former soldier who works with her at the bar that’s become her home away from home. Nope. No more chasing the hot as heck thundercloud of a man and no more waiting for Mr. Right to find her; she’s going hunting for him...even if she knows her heart is stuck on its stupid infatuation with Dash Churchill.

Denver has always been just a pit stop for Church on his way back to rural Mississippi. It was supposed to be simple, uneventful, but nothing could have prepared him for the bubbly, bouncy redhead with doe eyes and endless curves. Now he knows it’s time to get out of Denver, fast. For a man used to living in the shadows, the idea of spending his days in the sun is nothing short of terrifying.

When Dixie and Church find themselves caught up in a homecoming overshadowed with lies and danger, Dixie realizes that while falling in love is easy, loving takes a whole lot more work…especially when Mr. Right thinks he’s all wrong for you. 

Pre-order your copy today!:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2da9hlV
iBooks: http://apple.co/2d76qOu
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2dDic1L
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2drRVAe
Google:  tinyurl.com/hd2jzvf  

ADD RIVETED TO YOUR GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29992024-riveted

About Jay Crownover:

Jay Crownover is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men, The Point, and the Saints of Denver series. Like her characters, she is a big fan of tattoos. She loves music and wishes she could be a rock star, but since she has no aptitude for singing or instrument playing, she'll settle for writing stories with interesting characters that make the reader feel something. She lives in Colorado with her three dogs.  

Website: http://www.jaycrownover.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJayCrownover?ref=hl
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/JayCrownover
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/Crownover

Throwback Thursday: Banned Books Week

In honor of Banned Books Week, we are each doing a Throwback Thursday book that has been challenge in the past for various reasons. For more information about banned books, you can visit the ALA website. We hope you enjoy a banned book very soon!

Are You There God, It's Me Margaret? by Judy Blume was first published in 1970 and was frequently challenged having been deemed "sexually offensive and amoral", "profane, immoral, and offensive", as well as having "anti-Christian behavior". 

I was a HUGE Judy Blume fan when I was in middle and high school.  Her books just really resonated with me and I felt like I wasn't alone in thoughts and feelings after reading one of her books.  This one will always be one of my all time favorites.  Re-reading it as an adult with a 12 YO daughter, I still love the book.  For me, the content and feelings of the girls in the book are timeless.  I can't wait to share it with my daughter.

The Bridge to Terabithia was published in 1977 by Katherine Patterson.  It's been frequently challenged due to themes of magic and witchcraft.  Also, there is an issue with how death is handled in this book.  One of the characters does die and I found it was dealt with in a normal, logical way.

This book was required reading when I was in Middle School.  Having kids that have gone through middle school they don't require reading much anymore, but I wouldn't have a problem with any of my kids reading this book.  It's a good story and I think readers of this generation would still enjoy the story.

Blog Tour: Blame it on the Cowboy by Delores Fossen

Author: Delores Fossen

Publisher: Harlequin

Date of publicaion: September 2016

Every cowboy has a wild side—all it takes is the right woman to unleash it… 

All of Logan McCord’s carefully laid plans erupt the day he walks in on his would-be fiancée getting…well, not so carefully laid. Tonight, just once, Logan is acting on instinct. And that instinct is telling him to say “Happy to oblige” to the cute stranger looking for a no-strings fling with a Texas cowboy.

When chef Reese Stephens made her bucket list, she mistakenly thought she had weeks to live. Not that she regrets her one-night-stand with the gorgeous rancher. But she does regret leaving an heirloom watch as a parting gift. Tracking Logan down is easy. Walking away again is another matter. Because Reese’s crazy past and Logan’s battered heart are no match for the kind of chemistry that could turn one night into the start of a passionate lifetime.

Blame it on the Cowboy was a wonderful end to the trilogy about the McCord brothers.  This one is Logan's story.  He is the serious and most career driven of the brothers.  He picked up and kept the family company going after his parents died in a car accident.  Reese is always on the move, trying to keep away from her con artist mother.  A random meet in a bar and a one night stand changes things for both of them forever.

The story is full of laugh out loud moments and great characters.  I'm not sure I will look at a red clown nose in quite the same way after reading this book. The rumor mill in that little town was nuts but so funny.  I loved Logan with Reese. I was rooting for them the whole time.  Their love story kept me completely engaged and I flew through the book in no time.  Aside from the McCords and their women, Jimena was my favorite secondary character.  She was a breath of fresh air!  I would love to see her get her own book or at least a short story.  

I highly recommend this series.  It has all the elements that I love in stories about cowboys and the women they love.  I can't wait to see what this author comes out with next!

About Delores Fossen

USA Today bestselling author, Delores Fossen, has sold over 70 novels with millions of copies of her books in print worldwide. She’s received the Booksellers’ Best Award, the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award and was a finalist for the prestigious Rita ®. In addition, she’s had nearly a hundred short stories and articles published in national magazines.

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Connect with Delores

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Delores Fossen’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS:

Tuesday, September 27th: A Chick Who Reads

Tuesday, September 27th: The Bookish and the Romantic – spotlight

Wednesday, September 28th: From the TBR Pile

Thursday, September 29th: Dog-Eared Daydreams – spotlight

Friday, September 30th: Books a la Mode – author guest post

Friday, September 30th: Book Reviews and More by Kathy

Monday, October 3rd: The Sassy Bookster

Tuesday, October 4th: Back Porchervations

Thursday, October 6th: The Romance Dish

Friday, October 7th: Romancing the Readers

Monday, October 10th: Books and Spoons

Tuesday, October 11th: A Bookaholic Swede – spotlight

Wednesday, October 12th: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Thursday, October 13th: It’s a Reading Thing

Monday, October 17th: Mignon Mykel Reviews

Tuesday, October 18th: Musings of a Bookish Kitty

Wednesday, October 19th: Mom in Love with Fiction

Tuesday, October 25th: Books and Bindings

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

Book Spotlight & Giveaway Honor Bound by B. J. Daniels

Author: B.J. Daniels
Publisher: Harlequin
Date of publication:October 18, 2016

Protecting her life will mean betraying her trust 

Ainsley Hamilton has always been the responsible one of the family. As the oldest daughter of presidential candidate Buckmaster Hamilton, she’s also a potential target. For months she’s sensed someone following her. When an expedition to scout locations for a commercial takes a terrifying turn, she’s rescued by a natural-born cowboy who tempts the good girl to finally let loose.

Sawyer Nash knows just how reckless it is to fall for someone he’s gone undercover to protect. Yet masquerading as an extra on set, he starts to see beneath Ainsley’s controlled facade. And with the election—and a killer—drawing closer, Sawyer stands to lose not just his job and his life but the woman for whom he’d gladly risk both.

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

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About B. J. Daniels

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author B.J. Daniels lives in Montana with her husband, Parker, and three springer spaniels. When not writing, she quilts, boats and plays tennis.

Connect with B. J. Daniels

Website | Facebook | Twitter

B. J. Daniels’ TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS

Monday, September 26th: The Sassy Bookster

Tuesday, September 27th: From the TBR Pile

Wednesday, September 28th: Back Porchervations

Thursday, September 29th: A Bookaholic Swede

Monday, October 3rd: Books A La Mode – Author Guest Post/Giveaway

Tuesday, October 4th: Books and Spoons

Wednesday, October 5th: Romancing the Readers

Thursday, October 6th: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Monday, October 10th: What She Reads Blog

Tuesday, October 11th: Mom in Love with Fiction

Friday, October 14th: Dog Eared Daydreams

Monday, October 17th: Becky on Books

Tuesday, October 18th: Bookbub Blog – Author Guest Post

Thursday, October 20th: I Wish I Lived in a Library

Monday, October 24th: Reading Reality

Wednesday, October 26th: Broken Teepee – Spotlight

Thursday, October 27th: Books and Bindings

Book Spotlight A Christmas Bride by Hope Ramsay

We are excited to spotlight Hope Ramsay's latest book, A Christmas Bride.  The book hits the shelves tomorrow!  Make sure to come back next week for a review of the book!

Title: A CHRISTMAS BRIDE

Author: Hope Ramsay

Series: Chapel of Love, #1

On Sale: September 27, 2016

Publisher: Forever

Mass Market: $7.99 USD

eBook:  $7.99 USD

Add to Goodreads

A brand new contemporary romance series from USA Today bestselling author Hope Ramsay centered on a small-town wedding chapel!

A season of hope…'Tis the season in Shenandoah Falls and the first time Willow Peterson has been home in years. But she's determined to fulfill the wishes of her recently deceased best friend and restore Eagle Hill Manor to its former glory—all in time to host the perfect holiday wedding. She just has to get the owner of the historic inn to hire her. Unfortunately, that means dealing with Scrooge himself...

After the death of his wife, David Lyndon has a bah-humbug approach to Christmas. But as December counts down and the wedding planning is in full swing, it's harder and harder to stay immune to the charms of Willow, especially when he sees how much joy she brings his eight-year-old daughter. After a simple kiss under the mistletoe turns into something more, David is hoping he can turn the magic of the holiday season into the love of a lifetime.

BUY THE BOOK HERE

Amazon Barnes & Noble Books-A-Million Google Play iBooks Indiebound Kobo

THE CHAPEL OF LOVE SERIES

A Fairytale Bride, #.5

A Christmas Bride, #1

A Small Town Bride, #2

Series Page on Goodreads

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hope Ramsay is a USA Today bestselling author of heartwarming contemporary romances.  Her books have won critical acclaim and publishing awards. She is married to a good ol' Georgia boy who resembles every single one of her Southern heroes. She has two grown children and a couple of demanding lap cats. She lives in Virginia where, when she's not writing, she's knitting or playing her forty-year-old Martin guitar.

Website Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Goodreads

FOLLOW FOREVER ONLINE

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Twilight at Blueberry Barrens by Colleen Coble

Author: Colleen Coble
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Date of publication: September 2016

Kate Mason has devoted herself to caring for her family’s blueberry barrens. But after her fields stop producing fruit, she’s forced to come up with alternative ways to make a living.

Renting out the small cottage on her property seems an obvious choice, but it won’t be enough. When entrepreneur Drake Newham shows up looking not only for a place to rent but also for a nanny for his two nieces, it’s almost too good to be true. And maybe it is—because Drake brings with him dangerous questions about who might be out to kill his family.

The more time Kate spends with Drake and the girls, the more difficult it becomes to hide her attraction to him. But a family crisis isn’t exactly the ideal time to pursue a romance.

Meanwhile, Kate learns that her uncle—in prison for murder—has escaped. Add to that a local stalker who won’t leave her alone, and Kate is looking over her shoulder at every turn. With threats swirling from multiple directions, she wonders if her blueberry fields will ever flourish again . . . or if this twilight is her last.

Twilight at Blueberry Barrens is the third and I believe final book in the Sunset Cove series.  I really enjoyed this last one.  There is definitely more of a mystery here than there is a romance.  Kate Mason has a lot of things to worry about.  She needs money because her blueberry crops are ruined.  She seems to have a stalker and her felon uncle has escaped from prison.  Drake comes to Maine in search of answers for what really happened to his brother and sister-in-law.  

There was so much packed into this book that it kept my attention.  There are a few mysteries to be solved with a couple of twists.  I had fun trying to figure things out as I was reading. The romance between Kate and Drake was slow burning and subtle.  But I loved watching their relationship grow.  It was nice to see Kate find someone who would help her realize she was worthy of love.

This did hold up fairly well as a stand alone, but new readers may be a little lost with some of the references to past books.  The best remedy for that is to read the whole series from the beginning!  I highly recommend this book and the series to anyone who likes clean romantic suspense.

September Mini Musings

Among the Wicked-This is the eighth book in the Kate Burkholder series.  Once again, Linda Castillo writes a solid mystery/police procedural.  I haven't had anything bad to say about these books.  They're always a page turner with lots of twists and turns.

The Lynching: The Epic Courtroom Battle That Brought Down the Klan - I have been on a " true crime" kick lately.  I saw this on my library's new audiobook list and figured I'd check it out.  I thought it was informative and very interesting to read.  It is hard to believe this took place in the 80s. Highly recommend this one.

The Rogue Not Taken by Sarah MacLean

Author" Sarah MacLean
Publisher: Avon
Date of publication: December 2016

The youngest of the infamous Talbot sisters scandalized society at the Liverpool Summer Soiree, striking her sister’s notoriously philandering husband and landing him backside-first in a goldfish pond. And we thought Sophie was the quiet one…

When she finds herself the target of very public aristocratic scorn, Sophie Talbot does what she must to escape the city and its judgment—she flees on the back of a carriage, vowing never to return to London…or to society. But the carriage isn’t saving her from ruin. It’s filled with it.

ROYAL ROGUE'S REIGN OF RAVISHMENT!

The Marquess of Eversley was espied descending a rose trellis—escaping an irate Earl and his once-future countess. No lady is safe from Eversley’s Engagement Ending Escapades!

Kingscote, the Marquess of Eversley, has never met a woman he couldn’t charm, a quality that results in a reputation far worse than the truth, a furious summons home, and a long, boring trip to the Scottish border. When King discovers stowaway Sophie, however, the trip becomes anything but boring.

When I am in the mood for a historical romance, The Rogue Not Taken is exactly the type of book that I want to read.  I really enjoyed Sophie and King.  Sophie is the youngest of 5 sisters who have a certain reputation among the ton.  They are considered "new wealth" with a title but not the blue blood.  After standing up for her sister at a party, she is scorned by the ton and decides to flee the party.  What she didn't plan on was ending up in a carriage going to wrong way.

I found this story to be full of witty banter between Sophie and King.  I loved watching them fall for each other.   I loved how King kept trying to get Sophie to stop putting herself down.  He really saw through to who she was inside.  I wanted to kick him often, though.  He was a little stubborn in not wanting to trust Sophie.  But I was rooting for them the whole book.

One of the neat things that I liked about the book was the gossip column like titles at the beginning of each chapter. They were cute and added a lot of humor to the story.  I highly recommend this one.  The next book, A Scot in the Dark, is out now and I can't wait to dive right in.

Throwback Thursday: The Tower Treasure by Franklin W. Dixon

Author: Franklin W. Dixon
First published in 1927 by Grosset and Dunlap

A dying criminal confesses that his loot has been secreted "in the tower." Both towers of the looted mansion are searched in vain. It remains for the Hardy boys to make an astonishing discovery that clears up the mystery.

I read a lot of these books when I was in middle school.  It was fun to try one out again.  This is the first in the series and was first published in 1927.  It was later updated and revised in 1942 with a little change to the plot.  The book introduces the Hardy brothers, Frank and Joe.  The end up solving their first big case involving missing jewels and a death bed confession. 

I found the brothers less "Mary sue Sunshine" than I did Nancy Drew.  The boys definitely care about their friends and family. But they seemed more real to me. I will admit that I kept picturing Sean Cassidy and Parker Stevenson while I was listening.  I was a fan of the TV show growing up and I couldn't help myself. 

The audiobook version I listened to had sound effects and music sprinkled through out.  It took a little getting used to, but ended up feeling like I  was listening to one of those old radio mystery shows.   This is a wonderful series that has aged well.  

Security by Gina Wohlsdorf

Author: Gina Wohlsdorf
Publisher: Algonquin Books
Date of publication: June 2016

The terrible truth about Manderley is that someone is always watching.

Manderley Resort is a gleaming, new twenty-story hotel on the California coast. It’s about to open its doors, and the world--at least those with the means to afford it--will be welcomed into a palace of opulence and unparalleled security. But someone is determined that Manderley will never open. The staff has no idea that their every move is being watched, and over the next twelve hours they will be killed off, one by one.

I thought this book was actually kind of cool.  It's told through the eyes of an unknown watcher.  The watcher is seeing and hearing everything on security monitors that are scattered throughout the resort.   The way the story is relayed to the reader makes it feel as if you were sitting in the security office watching as well.  This concept worked really well in audio version.  The quick cutaways made the action move very quickly.

This book is pretty gory, so if that isn't your thing, you might not like it.  To me, it would make a good horror movie.  The staff at the Manderley Resort is getting ready for the grand opening.  Someone is killing them off one by one.  Who? or why? is never really answered, but the reason made sense.  Especially when the reader finds out who is watching.  I liked the ending as well.  It went along with how the tale was told and just made sense.

I'd recommend checking this one out.  It was a unique concept and one I thought was executed very well.

Interview with Denise Hunter, author of Just a Kiss

We are really excited to share an interview with author Denise Hunter.  She is promoting her latest book, Just a Kiss.  Make sure to pick up a copy today! Buy it at Amazon

Author: Denise Hunter

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Date of publication: September 2016

What Happens When You Fall In Love With Your Best Friend?

THE HAPPILY-EVER-AFTER, FEEL-GOOD FINAL STORY IN WIDELY BELOVED SUMMER HARBOR ROMANCE SERIES 

“Hunter balances the dark side of love and war with a winning combination: realistically exploring the role that faith plays in healing, deftly creating a potent romance, and giving significant space for the lively and lovable supporting cast of Summer Harbor friends. Fans will be sad to see the Callahans say goodbye, but this tale of recovery and bravery is a fine parting gift.” -- Publisher's Weekly, Review on 8/12\\

Welcome Denise!

Autumn & Kari: What inspired you to become a writer?

Denise: I’ve always been an avid reader. I wrote a bit throughout high school, poetry and such, but I didn’t start dreaming about writing a novel until I was in my early 20s. But I was married, taking college classes, and had young children so I thought it wasn’t the right season of my life. Time was so limited. 

But the sudden death of my grandfather inspired me to take my dream off the back burner. I didn’t want to finish life with regrets. So I started writing my first novel  during my boys’ nap time.

Autumn & Kari: Where do you come up with the ideas for your books?

Denise: Everywhere! Newspaper articles, songs, conversations, eavesdropping on conversations . . .  Hey, I work in a coffee shop—I hear things. :-)

Autumn & Kari:What exciting projects are waiting in the wings?

Denise: I have a stand alone novel coming out next June that I’m so excited about. It’s called Sweetbriar Cottage, and it’s a second chance story set in the North Georgia Mountains. Those characters came to me fully fleshed and practically breathing. Most of the story spilled out in note-form in a matter of days, and writing the novel felt almost like I was simply dictating someone’s story. I can’t wait to share it with readers!

Autumn & Kari: Who is your favorite literary character and why?

Denise: Wow, there are so many I love! I guess if I had to choose just one I’d pick Michael Hosea from Redeeming Love.

Autumn & Kari:Just for fun, if you could be any animal, what would it be and why?

Denise: Definitely a sea otter. They just seem so happy and relaxed. 

About the author:

Denise Hunter is the internationally-published bestselling author of over 25 books, including Dancing with Fireflies and Falling Like Snowflakes. Her novel The Convenient Groom premiered as a Hallmark Channel feature film in June 2016, and in December 2016, the Hallmark Channel will premiere another feature film based on Hunter’s work, A December Bride.

Denise Hunter’s Summer Harbor series has had contemporary romance readers across the globe swooning since the September 2015 release of the trilogy’s first installment, Falling Like Snowflakes. On September 6, 2016, with the release of the third and final Summer Harbor story, Just a Kiss [Thomas Nelson/HarperCollins], fans will at last find out whether Riley Callahan and Paige Warren – best friends and the most star-crossed of Summer Harbor’s sweethearts – get a happily-ever-after after all. Anyone who has ever secretly fallen in love with their best friend is all too familiar with the special kind of heartache it can bring.

Blog Tour: Finding Libbie by Deanna Lynn Sletten

Author: Deanna Lynn Sletten

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Date of publication: September 2016

Poring over a dusty hatbox of photographs in her grandmother’s closet, Emily Prentice is shocked to discover her father was married to his high school sweetheart before meeting her mother.

In the summer of 1968, Jack and Libbie fall in love under the spell of their small town, untouched by the chaos of the late sixties. Though Libbie’s well-to-do parents disapprove of Jack’s humble family and his aspiration to become a mechanic, she marries Jack a year after they graduate high school. But soon their happiness crumbles as Libbie’s mental state unravels and she is drawn to alcohol and drugs. Despite his efforts to help her, Jack loses the woman he loves and is forced to move on with his life.

Now that Emily’s mother has passed away, Jack is alone again, and Emily grows obsessed with the beautiful woman who had given her father such joy. Determined to find Libbie, Emily pieces together the couple’s fragmented past. But is it too late for happy endings?

Finding Libbie is a compelling and heartbreaking book that also manages to leave you with a feeling of hope in the end.  I ended up liking this book a lot more than I thought I would.  I'll admit that it was slow for me to start, but I ended up being drawn into the tragic love story of Jack and Libbie. Emily finds out that her father was married before he married her mother.  After hearing their story from her grandmother, she sets out to try to find Libbie.

As I said, I ended up really liking this one.  It's not an easy read because it's so sad at times.  I had to keep reminding myself that the majority of the tale takes place in the 60s and 70s when women's mental health was often swept under the rug or largely misdiagnosed.  It would be a much different story if Jack and Libbie's love story took place in present time  I wanted to scream at Libbie's family throughout the story.  Through her quest to find Libbie, Emily also figures out what she wants for her life.  I liked that part of the book as well.

My only wish for this book would have been to see more interaction between two of the characters toward the end.  It would have rounded out the story even more for me.  I do recommend this one.  It will break your heart and make you smile at the same time.

About Deanna Lynn Sletten

Deanna Lynn Sletten grew up on the sunny coast of Southern California before moving to northern Minnesota as a teenager. Her interest in writing novels was sparked in a college English class, and she has been writing in some form or another ever since. In 2011, Deanna self-published her first novel and has since published several more, both on her own and with Lake Union Publishing.

Deanna enjoys writing heartwarming women’s fiction and romance novels with unforgettable characters. She has also written one middle-grade novel that takes readers on the adventure of a lifetime. She believes in fate, destiny, love at first sight, soul mates, second chances, magic, and happily ever after—all of which are reflected in her novels.

Deanna is married and has two grown children. When not writing, she enjoys walking the wooded trails around her home with her beautiful Australian shepherd or relaxing on her boat in the summer.

Connect with Deanna

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books a Million | Barnes & Noble

Deanna Lynn Sletten’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS:

Tuesday, September 6th: Bookchickdi

Thursday, September 8th: Reading Reality

Thursday, September 15th: Back Porchervations

Friday, September 16th: A Chick Who Reads

Monday, September 19th: Ms. Nose in a Book

Monday, September 19th: From the TBR Pile

Wednesday, September 21st: Mama Vicky Says

Monday, September 26th: All Roads Lead to the Kitchen

Tuesday, October 4th: Kahakai Kitchen

Wednesday, October 5th: Books and Bindings

Thursday, October 6th: Patricia’s Wisdom

Friday, October 7th: View from the Birdhouse

Monday, October 10th: Snowdrop Dreams of Books

Wednesday, October 12th: Write Read Life