About Me I am a retired librarian and I now support books and authors through my reviews.

I have always loved to read and I was able to share that love through my work as a public librarian for 22 1/2 years. I now promote literacy by reading, and then writing reviews. I love to support authors by sharing my reviews with others!

Saturday, January 29, 2022

Reclaiming Hope by Carolyn Miller: Review & Giveaway with Celebrate Lit

ABOUT THE BOOK

Reclaiming Hope

Author: Carolyn Miller

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release date: December 7, 2021

Callie Steele might be a bit… focused on work, but despite what her employers say, she enjoys her well-ordered, productive life.

When she’s sent to meet the owners of an estate requiring post-hurricane landscaping, Callie meets their son, Kai Brody, a super-chilled pro surfer, who is as opposite from her as they come. Though initially smitten, Callie knows a relationship with Kai is a bad idea—a very bad idea.

Kai, however, can’t help but be intrigued by someone who challenges him to make something of his life again. He’s determined to pursue her, if she’ll give him half a chance.

The more time they spend together, negotiating the challenges of work, illness, and family, the more their opposing outlooks clash and connect. What do these unlikely friends really want from life?  Is it best to focus on work or recreation?

As Kai and Callie answers from the Lord, they also must consider if such complete opposites have enough in common to make a relationship last.

Reclaiming Hope concludes the Hooper Island stories of the Independence Islands Series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

The Independence Islands Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

MY THOUGHTS.....


In 2017, I read Carolyn Miller's first book, and her Regency romances have given me many hours of reading pleasure. She's now ventured into the contemporary romance genre, and these books are equally enjoyable. Reclaiming Hope is the third book that Miller has written for the Independence Islands Series, and she takes readers back to Hooper Island to reunite us with familiar characters. Author Max Fairhaven, his wife Samantha, and their trusted assistant Callie Steele are still involved in the Greener Garden landscaping business, and newcomer Kai Brody is in need of landscaping services. Kai is a free-spirited surfing pro who wants nothing to do with his family's business, and Callie excels in business management and organization. He has been used to wealth, and she fully understands poverty. They are nothing alike, so how can theirs be anything but a business relationship?

'Being so different didn't mean more difficulties, but rather there was so much life to explore. So much more of life to learn and appreciate and know. So much more to discover beyond her safe boundaries....'

I love that Miller creates realistic characters, with human failings, and shows them working through true to life situations. Callie and Kai bring out the best in each other, and a common bond of friendship and respect develops, but there's conflict in the form of Kai's mother and her apparent dislike for Callie. Kai wants a future with Callie, but how can it ever happen?

Reclaiming Hope is a lovely story with a strong theme of faith and forgiveness. If you enjoy Christian contemporary romance, you don't want to miss reading Reclaiming Hope. Do yourself a favor and grab a copy!

I received a copy of this book from the author via Celebrate Lit. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carolyn Miller is an Australian author of inspirational romance, particularly that of the Regency era, and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds where flawed people can grow in faith, hope and love through stories that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives.

 

More from Carolyn

For Reclaiming Hope, my next book in the Independence Islands series, I was thrilled to finally turn the spotlight onto Callie Steele, whose sassy attitude and words of wisdom in earlier books have made a mark on the other employees at Greener Gardens – and has already endeared her to readers who have been begging to read Callie’s story.

Callie needed a special someone who could help this hyper-organized checklist-loving woman see that there is more to life than meeting a deadline. Enter Kai Brody, a super-chilled and laidback surfer whose enviable travels around the world broaden Callie’s horizons, and watch sparks fly. I consider Reclaiming Hope to be one of my most humorous books yet, as these two trade banter as opposites who attract – but can they last?

And yet Reclaiming Hope isn’t merely froth and sea-foam, bigger questions concerning family, identity and whether God’s plans can be considered good when people are forced to live with the consequences of poor choices. I really enjoy writing fiction like this, fiction that is grounded in truth, with realistic, flawed characters who are on God journeys to find faith, freedom, and hope.

I’m so glad people are really enjoying my new contemporary books, where I can bring my love of gardens (& my horticulturalist hubby’s expertise!) to a new audience. Check out my website www.carolynmillerauthor.com to see what’s growing in my garden here in my corner of Australia.

If you enjoy stories of hope, heart and humor, then you’ll be sure to enjoy this novel about a workaholic and the broken surfer as together they find renewed hope for their hearts.

Happy reading!

Carolyn

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 21

Blossoms and Blessings, January 21

lakesidelivingsite, January 22

Texas Book-aholic, January 22

Inklings and notions, January 23

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, January 23 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, January 24

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 24

Daysong Reflections, January 25

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 25

Aryn the Libraryan, January 26

Lots of Helpers, January 26

deb’s Book Review, January 27

Blogging With Carol, January 27

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 28

Simple Harvest Reads, January 28 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 29

Older & Smarter?, January 29

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, January 30

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, January 30

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, January 31 (Spotlight)

Lis Loves Reading, January 31

SusanLovesBooks, January 31

She Lives To Read, February 1

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, February 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 2

Kayem Reads, February 2

Splashes of Joy, February 3

Connect in Fiction, February 3

GIVEAWAY

To celebrate her tour, Carolyn is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/186ba/reclaiming-hope-celebration-tour-giveaway


View all my reviews

4 comments:

  1. Yikes—the couple has more challenges than I first thought with their very different lifestyles and personalities. Kai's mother is certainty another obstacle.

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  2. Thanks so much for sharing your kind words Connie! I’m glad you enjoyed x

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  3. Connie, Thank you for sharing your wonderful review!

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