Review & Giveaway: The Memory of You by Catherine West

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Title: The Memory of You

Author: Catherine West

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release Date: March 28, 2017

Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Fiction

Thirteen years ago, Natalie lost a part of herself when her twin sister died. Will traveling back to the family winery finally put the memory to rest, or will it completely destroy her?

When Natalie Mitchell learns her beloved grandfather has had a heart attack, she’s forced to return to their family-owned winery in Sonoma, something she never intended to do. She’s avoided her grandparents’ sprawling home and all its memories since the summer her sister died—the awful summer Natalie’s nightmares began. But the winery is failing, and Natalie’s father wants her to shut it down. As the majority shareholder, she has the power to do so.

And Natalie never says no to her father.

Tanner Collins, the vintner on Maoilios, is trying to salvage a bad season and put the Mitchell family’s winery back in business. When Natalie Mitchell shows up, Tanner sees his future about to be crushed. Natalie intends to close the gates, unless he can convince her otherwise. But the Natalie he remembers from childhood is long gone, and he’s not so sure he likes the woman she’s become. Still, the haunted look she wears hints at secrets he wants to unearth. He soon discovers that on the night her sister died, the real Natalie died too. And Tanner must do whatever it takes to resurrect her.

But finding freedom from the past means facing it.

My Review

This is the first book I've read by Catherine West and I was pleasantly surprised! I somehow assumed that the book would fit more in the women's fiction genre, but there was a great romantic relationship that grew throughout the story as well as complex family dynamics. Natalie and Tanner are both hurting from painful experiences in their pasts that make it take time for them to rekindle their childhood friendship. I loved the depth of emotion in the author's writing and her lovely way of describing the setting and its influence on the characters. While there is drama, pain and angst during this transition season in the characters' lives, there is also healing, hope, and blossoming love. I felt like the responses and reactions of Natalie and Tanner were realistic instead of idealized, and it made their personalities and relationship more genuine. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more by the author!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

About the Author

Catherine West is an award-winning author who writes stories of hope and healing from her island home in Bermuda. Her first novel, Yesterday’s Tomorrow, released in 2011 and won the INSPY for Romance, a Silver Medal in the Reader’s Favorite Awards, and was a finalist in the Grace Awards. Catherine’s second novel, Hidden in the Heart, released in September 2012, was long listed in the 2012 INSPY’s and was a finalist in the 2013 Grace Awards.

When she’s not at the computer working on her next story, you can find her taking her Border Collie for long walks or tending to her roses and orchids. She and her husband have two grown children. Catherine is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America, and is represented by Rachelle Gardner of Books & Such Literary. Catherine loves to connect with her readers and can be reached at Catherine[at]catherinejwest.com


CONNECT WITH CATHERINE: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Tour Schedule
Many thanks to the publisher, Thomas Nelson & Zondervan Fiction 
for providing review copies to our bloggers.

7/17 - Running Through the Storm
7/18 - Moments Dipped in Ink
7/19 - Favorite Christian Books
7/20 - Joy's Blog
7/21 - Happy When Reading
7/22 - Splashes of Joy
7/23 - Reading is My SuperPower
7/24 - Bibliophile Reviews
7/25 - By The Book
7/26 - Reader's Cozy Corner
7/27 - All of a Kind Mom
7/28 -  Smiling Book Reviews
7/29 - Savings in Seconds
7/30 - Heidi Reads...

Giveaway

(1) Winner will win a gourmet gift basket + a signed copy of The Memory of You, 

courtesy of the author, Catherine West.

(US mailing addresses only for the gift basket & print book prize. 

International winners will win a digital copy of the book.)

Enter here:

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Review: Lies and Letters by Ashtyn Newbold

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

After a season in London, Charlotte Lyons is still regrettably unattached. With her family’s finances in peril, she is sent away with her sister to a bleak coastal town where she is expected to pursue a wealthy earl. Beautiful and talented, how could she possibly fail? But when her heart is captured by someone entirely unexpected, Charlotte finds herself caught up in a web of lies and intrigue. Between hardship and sorrow, she finds more than she bargained for, forced to choose between the life she once wanted and a new love she never imagined.

My Review

This is a great story, but it was difficult to get into because Charlotte is such a stinking brat in the beginning! I much preferred her plainer and sweeter younger sister Clara, but I was stuck in Charlotte's first person perspective POV. The author does a good job of demonstrating why Charlotte makes the choices she does, having a piece of work for a mother whose approval she is trying to earn. Their banishment to the north country gives Charlotte the opportunity for growth and change, and once she began tapping into her own inner goodness it was easier to like her and hope for good things for her. I liked the teasing way James pushes her buttons and their banter as they attempt to barter for secrets. He is more than he seems, and sees Charlotte's potential for making better choices as he challenges her. There are subtle dynamics in play during Charlotte's slow transformation, including a passion for music for releasing pent-up emotions she doesn't understand, a neighbor who is an example of genuine kindness, sincerity, and motherly love, a new relationship with her sister, and experiences that make Charlotte humble and vulnerable. I loved the remote coastal setting and even though Charlotte is often blinded by her ambition to please someone impossible to please, it was interesting to watch her eyes being opened to a different way of thinking and living. The story reminded me of A Heart Revealed by Josi Kilpack, where the main character is extremely flawed and through unexpected struggles, sheds vanity, selfishness, and meanness to discover the deeper joy found in compassion, kindness and love.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

“Lies & Letters” blog tour schedule:

• July 18: Blooming with Books
• July 19: Compass Book Ratings || Robin Echols Books || Books & Benches
• July 20: Getting Your Read On || My Book A Day
• July 21: Bookworm Lisa || Wishful Endings
• July 22: LDS and Lovin’ it
• July 23: Jorie Loves A Story
• July 24: Bookworm 2 Bookworm
• July 25: Katies Clean Book Collection
• July 26: Mel’s Shelves || Singing Librarian Books
• July 27: Literary Timeout || Kindle and Me
• July 28: My Love For Reading Keeps Growing || Why Not? Because I Said So
• July 29: Heidi Reads
• July 30: Inklings and Notions
• July 31: Min Reads and Reviews

Book Blitz: Courting the Country Miss by Donna Hatch

Donna Hatch is the author of the best-selling “Rogue Hearts Series,” and a winner of writing awards such as The Golden Quill and the International Digital Award. A hopeless romantic and adventurer at heart, she discovered her writing passion at the tender age of 8 and has been listening to those voices ever since. She has become a sought-after workshop presenter, and also juggles freelance editing, multiple volunteer positions, and most of all, her six children (seven, counting her husband). A native of Arizona who recently transplanted to the Pacific Northwest, she and her husband of over twenty years are living proof that there really is a happily ever after.

Connect with the Author here: 

~ Facebook ~ Website ~ Amazon ~
~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~

Cynical and broken-hearted, Leticia banishes dreams of marriage. When her childhood friend, Tristan, wagers he can find her the perfect husband, she hopes the challenge will coax him to forgo his devil-may-care lifestyle. Meanwhile, Leticia throws herself into forming her charity school but meets opposition—even from the people she’s helping.

Guilt-ridden that his past mistakes robbed Leticia of true love, Tristan vows to set it right, but match-making has its pitfalls for a repentant scoundrel. When he finds two ‘perfect’ gentlemen to court her, he discovers his own deep feelings for the lady.

Though Tristan seems to reform, Leticia doesn’t dare risk heartbreak with a notorious rake. When opposition for the school takes a deadly turn, can Tristan protect her from a madman bent on destroying their dreams and their lives?

~ Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ Amazon UK ~ 

~ Amazon Canada ~ Amazon Australia ~

Come check out her other books and see what's new!

And she has even more books we have not featured!

Be sure to check them out on her website!

Snippets:

Before Leticia got tempted to do something unladylike, such as crack her fan over his head, Tristan turned to Wynn. “Please allow me to introduce you to Mr. John Wynn. He’s here with his family, including a rather spirited sister, I understand.” He hoped Wynn heard the warning in his voice.

Wynn flashed a debonair smile, but at the last second, his gaze flitted toward Tristan as if he feared Tristan might reveal a secret.

After a last look of challenge, Tristan said, “Mr. Wynn, meet one of my oldest and dearest friends, Miss Wentworth.”

“A delight to make your acquaintance, Miss Wentworth.” Wynn bowed low.

 Leticia smiled as if she’d found a missing puzzle piece. “Wynn? Oh, yes, I met your sister. Spirited, indeed.”

Wynn wasted no time. “Miss Wentworth, if I may be so bold, will you do me the honor of standing up with me?” He gestured toward the dance floor where dancers lined up for the next set.

“I’d be delighted.” As she placed her hand on Wynn’s proffered arm, she glanced at Tristan as if to say, ‘I know you’ve put him up to this.’

Tristan would take the earliest opportunity to ensure she knew he did not put Wynn up to it, and that the scoundrel failed to meet the criteria for a suitable husband, by Leticia’s own list. And his own.

Perhaps this matchmaking business would be a greater challenge than he first supposed.

To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page 

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Enjoy our selection of New Releases / Free & Bargain Books this week

Authors please feel free to add your own books
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This weekly link up is hosted by Beck Valley Books & these awesome book loving blogs...
Monday
 Leels Loves Books | IrishdaisylovesRomance | Book Babble | Traci Hayden
Tuesday
Celticlady's Reviews | First Time Mommy Adventures 
Wednesday
Beck Valley Books | Jude Ouvrard
Thursday
Miki's Hope | Heidi Reads...
Friday
Ebook Addicts | I Love Romance | Colorimetry | J.C. Clarke
Saturday
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Sunday

Ali - The Dragon Slayer | Deal Sharing Aunt | Magic of Books Book Blog

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