Review (+ Tour GIVEAWAY): Runaway Romance

About the Book

Name of book: Runaway Romance  
Author: Miralee Ferrell  
Genre: Contemporary romance with Amish thread
Release Date: October, 2017

When a reality TV star meets the reality of life, will it be her downfall or her salvation? 

Ann Stanway had it all—a starring role in a reality show, an adoring boyfriend, and a sparkling future with limitless possibilities. Until the rules changed and the life she’d thought was real no longer existed. Leaving L.A. seems like her only option, and she lands in Kentucky at a quiet Amish inn—as far removed from her past as possible. Now she knows what was missing in her life–peace, true friendship and, dare she hope, a man who accepts her for who she is–or at least who he thinks she is. 

Hunter Lewis is intrigued by the new woman staying at his friend’s Amish inn. Annie appears to be what she claims, but she’s secretive and won’t open up. He’s been burned by a woman before and can’t tolerate deception. But his interest in Annie is growing, and the attraction seems to be mutual—until something happens that makes Hunter question everything he’d thought was real. Dare he risk his heart, when he’s certain Annie is keeping secrets? 

Can their new romance withstand the pressure, or will Ann choose to run again?

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My Thoughts

Runaway Romance is a thoroughly enjoyable contemporary romance, which just happens to have an upcoming TV movie on the UP channel in January. Ferrell’s writing moves at a steady pace, characters are well developed, the plot is fresh, the Amish thread adds richness, and I loved the theme of hope and renewal.

Cave City, KY

Annie’s disillusionment with the reality TV show in which she starred spurs her to flee LA and leads to a journey of self-discovery in an Amish community in Cave City, Kentucky. As the name implies, Cave City is home to a fascinating complex of caves and I enjoyed learning about this area – one of my favorite scenes being when Hunter took Annie into one of the caves.

Some parts are a little predictable, for I recognized early on who the betrayer would be and what element would drive a wedge between Annie and Hunter, but that didn’t detract from my enjoyment overall. The contrast between the lifestyles of Hollywood and the Amish couldn't be sharper. A strong group of secondary characters added depth … Sarah, an innkeeper conflicted between honoring Amish traditions and following what she feels is God’s leading; Carla, a homeless woman with a past begging to be discovered; the bishop, whose desire to protect bordered on legalism; an Amish driver determined to become somebody, but at what cost?

Ferrell beautifully weaves spiritual elements into the story – trust, forgiveness, being the person God created you to be, following God’s plan for your life. Runaway Romance is a refreshing romance that is much more than a light romance. There’s lots of room for further development, so I hope this will be the beginning of a series.

Recommended.

I was provided a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

About the Author

I love life, love my family, love writing Christian fiction–reading, riding my horse and puttering in my garden are all ways I relax. I often have my little 7 lb Chihuahua, Lacey, on my lap when I’m working–there’s nothing like a warm ball of love on your lap to act as a stress reliever! 

First and foremost I’m a child of God and daughter of the King. I’ve been involved in women’s ministries for years, I’m married to a wonderful man, have two grown children, two cats, two dogs, 10 chickens and ride my son-in-law’s Arabian mare since my old mare passed in 2013. We live about 9 miles from the nearest town on 11 acres, in a peaceful setting surrounded by trees. 

I started writing shortly after I turned 50, and discovered I loved it so much I don’t want to stop. I have 15 novels out & a five book set of horse novels for middle-grade girls. I write both women’s contemporary fiction, historical & contemporary romance, and horse/mystery novels for girls. One of my Western romances, Love Finds You in Sundance, WY, was awarded the Will Rogers Medallion for Western Fiction, three books have been optioned as movies, and several books have been on the ECPA best seller list. 

You can find out more about me and my books at http://miraleeferrell.com/

Guest Post from Miralee Ferrell

In the spring of 2015, I received an email from a Hollywood producer, followed by a phone call. Imagine my surprise when she asked if I’d be willing to write a book for them. They were no longer producing the Love Finds You books into movies and were working on a different project for UP TV, a possible three-movie series, and she hoped I might be able to work with them. She explained that she’d optioned Love Finds You in Sundance, Wyoming, two or three years earlier, and loved it. Of the thirty-five or so titles she’d read of the line, that was her favorite. However, UP TV didn’t want to make historical or old west movies, so she’d shelved it for now. 

During that time period, I’d gotten my rights returned to all of my LFY books and had retitled them Finding Love in Last Chance, California, Finding Love in Tombstone, Arizona, and Finding Love in Bridal Veil, Oregon. Sundance became Outlaw Angel, and all four are still in print. 

Here’s the amazing part. I came very, very close to turning down that contract offer with Summerside for Sundance. I was disappointed in the advance and royalty rate, and shortly after they released it, they sold the line to Guideposts, and that company didn’t continue the line much longer. Understandably, sales waned on their final releases, and I was disappointed with my sales from that final book as my others had done quite well. For a long time, I wished I hadn’t taken that contract and instead held out for one with another company for a three-book series. However, had I done that, I doubt Runaway Romance would ever have been written. It was Sundance that grabbed Chevonne’s attention and caused her to contact me. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Blog Stops

Blogging With Carol, November 28

Reflections from my bookshelves, November 28

Janices book review, November 29

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Blossoms and Blessings, November 30

Have A Wonderful Day, December 1

Inklings and notions, December 1

Christian Chick’s Thoughts, December 2

Texas Book-aholic, December 2

History, Mystery & Faith, December 3

Bigreadersite, December 4

The Power of Words, December 4

Kat’s Corner Books, December 5

Reading Is My SuperPower, December 5 (Interview)

Baker Kella, December 6

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 6

Splashes of Joy, December 7

Karen Sue Hadley, December 7

Quiet Quilter, December 8

Red Headed Book Lady, December 9

Just the Write Escape, December 9

Cafinated Reads, December 10

Remembrancy, December 11

Carpe Diem, December 11

Giveaway

In honor of her tour, Miralee is giving away a grand prize of a Kindle Fire! Click on the image above or the link below to enter! Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! (Contest ends December 13)

https://promosimple.com/ps/c31a