Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Review/Giveaway: Genoa Bay

A WINNING READINGS GIVEAWAY!

Title: Genoa Bay
Author: Bette Nordberg
Genre: Christian contemporary fiction
How to enter: Leave a comment on THIS post right here! If you're a subscriber or a follower, leave a second comment for a second entry.
Entry deadline: March 25, 2010
Restrictions: Open internationally!

That's right, enter right here for this giveaway. This is my review copy, so it has been gently read.

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It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!


Today's Wild Card author is:


and the book:

Monarch (December 15, 2009)
***Special thanks to Cat Hoort of Kregel Publications for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



A professional author, Bette Nordberg has published many books, plays, and articles. Her previous novels have been published by Bethany and Harvest House; this is her sixth. Her best known, Serenity Bay, has sold over 22,000 copies. She lives in Washington and she and her husband, Kim, have four children.

Visit the author's website.

Product Details:

List Price: $14.99
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Monarch (December 15, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0825462967
ISBN-13: 978-0825462962

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:


Prologue:

February 8th 2004

God talks to me.

Now, hear me out. Before you put me in the same category as the loony folks who hear voices just before they go on a shooting rampage at the local shopping mall, remember: In general, I don’t have visions. I don’t hear voices, either—at least not audible ones.

Still, sometimes, even in the most mundane of moments, I hear the voice of God.

Most recently, it happened down at Waterfront Park at Navy Point, right here in Pensacola. I’d taken Gabby, my seven-year-old and Liz our golden-doodle for a walk. Gabby rode her new bike, a fluorescent pink Speed Demon complete with training wheels, and Liz trotted along on a leash. By the time we began the final loop toward the car, my daughter had begun a serious meltdown.

“I don’t want to ride anymore,” she said, climbing off the silver seat. “It’s too hard. The wheels get stuck.”

She had me there. It seemed her bike’s only demon resided in the five inch balancing wheels that wobbled and froze in every quarter-sized pothole along the trail. Her short legs had powered their way through nearly two miles of these freeze-ups; she’d had enough. Who could blame her?

If Timothy were still alive, he’d have figured out a way to fix the wheels. Me? I’m no tool man. Instead of fixing the bike, I hoped that Mags would out grow the need for wheels.

“We’re almost to the van,” I said. “You can make it that far, can’t you?”
Gabby shook her head as tears began to roll down her cheeks. Crossing stubby arms across her chest, she said, “Go get the car!”

Wanting to avoid yet another battle, I resigned myself to pushing the bike back to the parking area. I wrapped the dog’s leash around my wrist, threw my purse strap across my back, and bent over to push the bike down the pavement. Glancing over my shoulder, I discovered that Gabby and the dog had chosen not to follow. Instead, Gabby—with both arms around the dog’s neck—was enjoying a face washing of sloppy dog kisses.

“Come on you two,” I called. “We don’t have all day.”

By the time we reached the van, my back ached, and sweat rolled down the space between my shoulder blades. I unlocked the car, started the engine and turned up the air conditioning. After settling Gabby in her safety seat, I loaded the little bike inside the passenger compartment. At last, holding the dog’s leash, I opened the back hatch and called for Liz. “Come on Liz,” I called. “Jump!”

The dog circled around behind me, as if to gain speed for the leap into the cargo space. But, just as her front paws touched the bumper, she balked, as if to change her mind. Liz jumped back to the ground, and sat down, whining. “Come on,” I pleaded. “Just get in the dumb car. We’re already late!”

Once again the dog circled. This time, instead of leaping for the cargo area, she stopped dead and circled back the other way. Apparently changing your mind is not a prerogative saved only for women. “Please, just get inside,” I begged, losing what little patience I had. After two more false starts, I began to exert my position as leader of the pack. This time, as Liz approached the car, I dragged her forward by the leash. Why wouldn’t the stupid dog just get into the car? How hard could it be?

That’s when I heard God speak. “Don’t be so critical,” his voice clearly said. “You’re not all that different from the dog.”

The problem with hearing from God, I’ve discovered, is that sometimes, he gives you an answer before you are even aware of the question. Such was the case that day at waterfront park. From the day Liz refused to enter the van, until I clearly understand his meaning, nearly four months passed. And until I put the pieces together, I felt as clueless as a blind man at the bottom of a deep well.

My Review

I love Vancouver Island! My parents have a home there - what was once my grandparents' home - and I have fond memories of visiting there in summers past. And I thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful scenery described in the book, as the main setting is a bed and breakfast on Vancouver Island.

This book has a little bit of a dark, heavy feeling to it (kind of like the thick, heavy forests of the Pacific Northwest). It deals with a painful childhood, the death of a beloved spouse, strained friendships and in-law relationships, the challenge of raising a child on one's own with stretched finances.

At the same time, it is beautifully written. You can't help but fall in love with little Gabby. And appreciate how the challenges Brandy, the main character, faced have equipped her to help others. Kind of like the sunny days of the Pacific Northwest after months of rain - the sun always peeks through eventually, and when it does, it is the most beautiful place on earth. This is a book about grief... and happiness.

63 comments:

Linda said...

Have read several reviews, and this sounds like a book I'd like to read. Please enter me. Thanks.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Nancye said...

This sounds like a book I would enjoy. Please include me in the giveaway.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

mariska said...

i love to read this book ! count me in !

mariska said...

I'm a follower via GFC

uniquas at ymail dot com

Carole said...

Bette's books get very good reviews, but I have yet to read one. The description of Genoa Bay really appeals to me and I appreciate the chance to win a copy, Jane.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Carole said...

I'm also a follower, Jane.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Simply Stacie said...

Please count me in.

simplystacieblog at gmail dot com

adge said...

This looks like a good book. I have read a couple reviews and would like to be included in the giveaway. gasweetheart211[at]netscape[dot]net

adge said...

I am also a follower.

grannyvon said...

Pensacola in the first paragraph. I live about 50 miles from there so this should be intresting. Thanks for the chance to win. ybutler@oppcatv.com

grannyvon said...

I subscribe and follow both. Thanks for the extra entry. ybutler@oppcatv.com

apple blossom said...

Looks like a good book. Thanks

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

apple blossom said...

subscriber. Thanks

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Julia M. Reffner said...

Sounds great. Please enter me.

julesreffner(at)gmail(dot)com

Julia M. Reffner said...

I'm a follower through google.

julesreffner(at)gmail(dot)com

Linda Kish said...

Count me in please.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

please count me in...thanks

karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(Dot)com

Anonymous said...

i'm a subscriber :)

karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)Com

Benita said...

Please count me in.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

Email subscriber/GFC follower.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

409cope said...

This looks like an t=interesting read. cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

409cope said...

I am an email subscriber. cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

Jeck said...

I'd love to read this book. Enter me please.

pinkish5325@yahoo.com

Anita Yancey said...

Sounds really great. I'd love a chance to read it. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Anita Yancey said...

I am a follower, and subscriber!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Lady Araujo said...

I'd love to read this book.
Please, enter me.
marthanadnny(at)hotmail(dot)com

Lady Araujo said...

I follow you
marthanadnny(at)hotmail(dot)com

All Coming In My Way said...

Hi! I'm a follower.

All Coming In My Way said...

Enter me in your contest. I like the book. Here's my e-mail: zenks1023@gmail.com

Casey said...

This book looks great! Please enter me. :)

caseymh18(at)gmail(dot)com

Casey said...

follower

caseymh18(at)gmail(dot)com

Princess Golden Hair said...

what a great book. I'd love to read it

teechbiz at gmail dot com

slb3334 said...

looks good

mindy said...

this sounds awesome thanks for the giveaway minsthins at optonline dot net

misskallie2000 said...

Loved your review. This book is going to be a great read. Thanks for the giveway. Pls enter my name. Thanks

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...

I am a follower


misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Valerie Taylor Mabrey said...

Thanks for the contest and great pick of a book

Valerie Taylor Mabrey said...

google follower

Anonymous said...

It will be a good book to read. I am always in need of that.
debp
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

HORTON111@AOL.COM

MY DAUGHTER WOULD LOVE TO READ THIS

GALENA said...

great give away

McKim said...

Sounds like a good read for a spring day!

Jinxy and Me said...

Looks good Thanks for the giveaway!

Anonymous said...

Please enter me.

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Vera said...

What a great selection of books for giveaway you have! vvperesk@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I follow with google reader.

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

would love to win this

rugerpupies at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

follow on gfc

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Jodi said...

I love Christian Fiction, thanks for the chance.

purehrt555(at)Yahoo(dot)com

Jennifer Wilson said...

I'd like to read this. I like Christian fiction books that deal with tough situations.

jenndiggy at gmail dot com

LittleEagle said...

Thank you for your review and for hosting this giveaway.

Nickolay said...

awesome sounding book. Thanks for the chance

jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

Nickolay said...

follower

nickolay

jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

Merrie L. said...

Thanks for the chance at this. Sounds like a good read. I'm a follower.
lockwoodmerrie@yahoo.com

Merrie L. said...

I'm a subscriber.
lockwoodmerrie@yahoo.com

Melissa B. said...

I would love to read this.

fancyfeet48 said...

I would love to win this Thank You for this great giveaway fancyfeet45@earthlink.net

Anonymous said...

Great review would love to read it.
shawnac68@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I love to read Christain fiction

mjmeeks5@netscape.net

Betty C said...

Please add me to the contest.

SeahorseLady said...

Please count me in.

Anonymous said...

Happy Spring!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

It sounds like a great read. I would love to win it. garrettsambo@aol.com