Happy New Year to all, especially to Vannetta Chapman!

Vannetta is the winner of Give My Love to the Chestnut Trees by Beverly Varnado. And anyone with a US mailing addy who leaves a comment during the month of January will be eligible to win a copy of Dry as Rain by Gina Holmes, so leave a comment on this post and the rest of the month for more chances!

Here is the review I posted for Dry as Rain in Nov. 2011:

Dry as Rain by Gina Holmes

A book review by Rose McCauley

When I first started, I wasn't sure I would like this book, but I ended up loving it! It is written in 1st person which I don't read a lot of and was written solely in the POV of the male character, but it works well! Gina Holmes is a master at getting you inside the POV character's head, and his POV was the perfect one for this story.

I don't want to give away a lot of the details because I want you to read this book for yourself, so I will share some of the back cover blurb: "When Eric and Kyra Yoshida first met, they thought their love would last forever. But like many marriages, theirs has gradually crumbled, one thoughtless comment and misunderstanding at a time, until the ultimate betrayal pushes them beyond reconciliation...A richly engaging story of betrayal and redemption, Dry as Rain illuminates with striking emotional intensity the surprising truth of what it means to forgive."

One additional thing I want to say is that I disagree with another review I read that said this kind of book should not be published by a Christian publisher. If that is true, they better be careful reading their Bible, because they will be exposed to a lot worse! The story of David and Bathsheba has a less satisfying ending than this story does!

So, bottom line, I hope you will give this book a try so you won't miss out on a great read from a great writer! I give the book and lovely cover both 5 stars!

Monday Book Review--Give My Love to the Chestnut Trees by Beverly Varnado

I've read several books lately, but haven't had time to post reviews due to all the travelling I have been doing both to Georgia and places here in KY to hold booksignings and cyber-appearances on other people's blogs to promote Christmas Belles of Georgia.

Starting today I plan to post more reviews of books as I read them. I read two books and started a third while on our trip to Georgia, so will review one of them today.

Give My Love to the Chestnut Trees is the debut novel of author Beverly Varnado. She tells the coming of age story of fourteen-year-old Mary Helen Reynolds the summer she spends with her elderly aunt on St. Simon's Island, GA while her mom has cancer surgery. Ms. Varnado writes in a lyrical, artsy style which fits the genre. The Georgian poet, Sidney Lanier, and his poems are woven into the story like fine silk threads, adding beauty and grace to the design of the story.

Saint Simon's Island is a character itself in this story, with many hours spent on the "wonderful marshes of Glynn." Several other characters are highlighted as the "chestnut trees" of Mary Helen's young life. In her "author's notes," Ms. Varnado encourages us to thank the "chestnut trees" in our own lives.

A lovely story which will be enjoyed by young adults and older adults alike, Give My Love to the Chestnut Trees needs to be in your TBR pile!