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Saturday, November 12, 2011

Book Review and Giveaway(s): Blackberry Summer by RaeAnne Thayne

I think this story would make a really nice Hallmark movie.
by RaeAnne Thayne
  • Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
  • Publisher: HQN Books; Original edition (May 24, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0373775938
  • ISBN-13: 978-0373775934
     Genre:  Contemporary Romance
     My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0
Book Description
Hqn May 24, 2011
Claire Bradford needed a wake-up call.
What she didn't need was a tragic car accident. As a single mom and the owner of a successful bead shop, Claire leads a predictable life in Hope's Crossing, Colorado. So what if she has no time for romance? At least, that's what she tells herself, especially when her best friend's sexy younger brother comes back to town as the new chief of police.
But when the accident forces Claire to slow down and lean on others—especially Riley McKnight—she realizes, for the first time, that things need to change. And not just in her own life. The accident—and the string of robberies committed by teenagers that led up to it—is a wake-up call to the people of Hope's Crossing. The sense of community and togetherness had been lost during those tough years. But with a mysterious "Angel of Hope" working to inspire the town, Riley and Claire will find themselves opening up to love and other possibilities by the end of an extraordinary summer…
Review:  This is a very warm and engaging romance.

Claire is a divorced mother with two children. He ex-husband was her high school sweetheart but after 10 years of marriage he decided he had fallen out of love. Shortly after their divorce he married his young, beautiful secretary.  Claire keeps herself busy with the children and by operating a beading business.

Riley is the new Chief of Police. He has returned home after leaving LA where he served as an undercover cop and saw an unsavory side of society.  Riley is three years younger than Claire and the younger brother of Claire’s best friend. He has always had a secret crush on Claire but now he thinks that she is too good for someone with his disreputable reputation and his rough experiences. Yet he is drawn to her sweet, fresh and loving spirit.

Claire and Riley meet in her store after a break in. She is surprised to feel interest in him as a man but she figures he would not be interested in a divorced woman. His reputation says he is not one to settle down. There is some coming together and walking away between the pair and I was pulling for them to get over their fears and get together already.

Tragedy strikes the community when Chief Riley pursues teenage thieves.  There is an accident that results in the death of one teenage girl and leaves another teenage girl in a comatose state. Riley blames himself as the town council questions whether they should release him after his probationary time. Claire comes up with an event to pull the town together and give them hope. It is nice to see the neighbors pull together to help each other after the tragedy brings sadness and guilt to the community.

The characters are very likeable and could be real people. Even the unlikeable characters are developed appropriately with the circumstances explained. The writing style flows well, is natural and real to life. The dialog has some sass to it yet is very natural. The romance has just a little zing to make it interesting but not overtly sexual. 

There are one or two questions remaining at the end of the story - maybe there is a sequel? - but still this was entertaining.
This is an engaging story that I recommend for a light, easy read. I would be interested to read more by this author.
This book was sent to me by TellHarlequin to read for a survey. I am glad to have read it and hope it's okay that I pass it on to another eager reader to enjoy.
TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR THE PRINT COPY and TO ENTER for a ***BONUS giveaway to another commenter a Kindle ebook copy of the author's Christmas book:

Alternative win would be one of the author's other Christmas 
books for Nook from B&N.

***PLEASE MAKE SURE TO LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE ENTERING ONLY FOR THE PRINT, ONLY FOR THE KINDLE/NOOK CHRISTMAS BOOK (Open Internationally) OR ENTERING FOR BOTH.
1.Mandatory entry: Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you find there. DON'T FORGET TO read the instructions in green at ***.

2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

4. For two extra entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

(Four total entries possible.)
It is not necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

* The print portion of this contest is open to US and Canada only; but the Kindle or Nook copy is OPEN INTERNATIONALLY.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on November 25, 2011.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on November 26. 
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

11 comments:

  1. I really liked this book.Its a bit of a lighter read than I'm use too but I loved Claire and Riley.

    Please enter me for the Christmas book

    Something interesting I found at her site..there will be two more books in this series.(YAY)

    Already a GFC follower

    tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/elaing8/status/135457690817277952

    facebook
    http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=288089201225779&id=100002220731504

    elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  2. I like the mountain scene on the author's website. Beautiful! Please count me in for only a print copy of Blackberry Summer. Thanks!

    Margaret
    singitm@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm a follower

    Margaret
    singitm@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for the giveaway! I'm interested in the Kindle version, since I'm located internationally.

    On the author's website, I enjoyed the short story, The Secret.

    And I follow your blog with GFC.

    Have a wonderful day!

    etrabelsie[AT]gmail[DOT]com

    ReplyDelete
  5. RaeAnne has a degree in journalism from college
    I'd be interested in any of the books.

    I follow on gfc

    msboatgal at aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. RaeAnne has a degree in journalism. I'd prefer either book.

    I also follow on gfc

    msboatgal at aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love the current contest she is running :) edysicecreamlover18@gmailDOTcom
    GFC Krystal Larson I am entering for the print copy, I don't have an ereader yet :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I also enjoyed her short story called The Secret.
    I learned she had actually wanted to be a teacher, actress or lawyer before she found her love of writing. The Print copy is what I'm entering for. Thanks for the opportunity.
    I'm already a GFC follower under Lucky47.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I would like to be entered for the Print only, thanks.

    RaeAnne has been writing since 1995 and has written over 30 books.

    I follow you via gfc - mamabunny13

    Facebook share - mamabunny shelor http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001199655476&ref=tn_tinyman#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=270883906280769&id=10000119965547

    tweet @mamabunny13
    https://twitter.com/#!/mamabunny13/status/136095778459500545

    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. she was a Winner, 2010 RT Reviewers’ Choice for best Silhouette Special Edition
    print copy

    tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am a follower.
    Please enter me for the kindle...christmas in cold creek. I loved Blackberry Summer.
    Thank you. Love Rae Anne's writing.

    reinaknits
    xstitcherlv@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete

Your comments are always appreciated!