Sunday, June 21, 2015

Review + GIVEAWAY: Two Roads Home


Two Roads Home
By Deborah Raney
Chicory Inn Series, #2
Abingdon Press, 2015


Summary

What if it’s too late for dreams to come true?

Minor-but-nagging setbacks continue to sour Grant and Audrey Whitman’s initiation into the world of innkeeping, but larger challenges brew when an innocent flirtation leads to big trouble for the Whitmans’ son-in-law, Jesse. Jesse Pennington’s friendly, outgoing personality has always served him well, especially in a career that has earned him and his wife Corinne a very comfortable lifestyle. But Corinne and Jesse are both restless—and for similar reasons, if only they could share those with each other. Instead, too many business trips and trumped-up charges of harassment from a disgruntled coworker threaten their marriage and possibly put their three precious daughters at risk.

With their life in disarray, God is tugging at their hearts to pursue other dreams. Can Corinne and Jesse pick up the pieces of what was once a wonderful life before it all crumbles beneath them?


My thoughts

Deborah Raney's Chicory Inn series is excellent - well written with lots of family drama that kept me eagerly turning the pages. Women's fiction is one of my favorite genres and I wish there was more of it in the CBA. This series reminds me of the family saga format that I have always loved - the exception being that instead of following a family through several generations, the stories are grounded by the parents, Grant and Audrey Whitman, and each sibling gets their own story.


Trumpet Vine
Two Roads Home, book #2 in the series, returns us to the Whitman family that we met in Home to Chicory Lane (click on title for my review), and focuses on the oldest daughter, Corinne, as she and Jesse deal with their first real crisis. With themes of greed, lust, jealousy, and lack of total communication within marriage, this story mimics real life, but in an honest and uplifting way. Even Audrey, often caught between the pressures of running an inn and the demands of her children, isn't immune from conflict . . . "She hated how often she felt torn between her new career and her family - most of whom were supposed to be grown and independent, but apparently some of them had yet to get the memo."

Corinne and Jesse live in a beautiful house and have three precious girls, giving the outward impression that they have it all - but does anyone ever really "have it all"? Jesse has the outgoing qualities that are an asset in sales, yet he feels trapped in his job and craves a major career change, one which will require a lot of lifestyle sacrifices for his family. Corinne is devoted to Jesse and her girls and especially loves being the stay-at-home mom that his income affords. I was frustrated with Corinne for a large part of the book, until I stopped to wonder if there were times in life where I hadn't been all that different.


Chicory Inn
This is one of those novels where you won't find a lot of overt spiritual references, yet I felt God's presence throughout the story. Sacrifices are made, battle wounds result in greater strength as a couple, and unfulfilled dreams lead to a seeking of what God's dream or will might really be. Love and commitment to family is also a major theme and I think it would be a blast to be present one Tuesday night when the whole Whitman clan gathers for a meal in their charming Chicory Inn.

Two Roads Home reaches a satisfying conclusion, but it's obvious there is a lot more to come. I greatly enjoyed this story and the only thing I wished for was greater character depth for Jesse and Corinne. I look forward to book #3, Another Way Home, which releases in October 2015. Highly recommended.

Thank you to Deborah for creating a lovely Pinterest board for this series (from which I borrowed a couple of pictures).


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Deborah Raney’s books have won numerous awards, including the RITA, National Readers Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, and the Carol Award, and have twice been Christy Award finalists. She and her husband, Ken, recently traded small-town life in Kansas—the setting of many of Deborah’s novels—for life in the (relatively) big city of Wichita, where they enjoy gardening, antiquing, movies, and traveling to visit four children and a growing brood of grandchildren who all live much too far away.

Connect with Deborah online at deborahraney.com, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.


Litfuse landing page:

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GIVEAWAY

To enter the drawing for Two Roads Home . . .

1) If you're on Facebook, please visit ThePowerofWordsBookReviews and "like" my page if you would care to (not required).

2) Answer the following fun question:

How do you plan to celebrate the July 4 weekend?

If you'd like to receive e-mail notifications of reviews, author interviews and giveaways, please subscribe to my blog in the upper right corner.

BE SURE to leave your name and your email address in a safe format - [at] and [dot] - for the drawing. E-mail required for entry. Contest ends at midnight PST on Monday, July 6. Winner will be chosen by Random.org and contacted by e-mail. 

Eligibility: US residents, 18 and older

52 comments:

  1. Carole, this is in my TBR stack. I believe I need to pull it out because it sounds wonderful. I'm looking forward to reading it. Thank you for sharing. Blessings

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  2. Love your blog Carole , I did read the first one in this series and would love to have my name out into the drawing . Thanks
    lizd225(at)gmail(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. Liz, I've got the giveaway up now, as I mentioned to you previously. As always, thanks for visiting.

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  3. Thanks for linking up with #JoyHopeLive

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    1. Hope, I'm so glad you shared #JoyHopeLive with us on Litfuse. Love your sweet spirit!

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  4. I love this series, and I'm looking forward to reading this book very soon!
    Thanks for sharing your wonderful review!

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    1. Melissa, I love women's fiction and Deborah is doing a great job with this series. If you've read the first book, I'm pretty sure you will enjoy Jesse and Corinne's story, which will leave you eager for the next book. Thanks for taking the time to visit, Melissa.

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  5. I plan to celebrate 4th of July weekend by reading. I'm so excited for the release of TWO ROADS HOME. :)

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    Replies
    1. That's a great way to celebrate, Caryl! I'll probably do a good bit of that also. Have you read the first book in this series?

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    2. Hey Carole, I've not read the first book. It's in my TBR stack.

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  6. I plan to spend a quiet July4th--do have a Wedding on the day itself..otherwise quietly alone and reading..Loved the first book in the series, looking forward to the continuing stories.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Our July 4th will be quiet also, which is how I like it. Love to reflect and then read as time allows. Be sure to leave your name and email address for the drawing.

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  7. My husband and I will be attending the Detroit Tigers game on the 4th!! Go, Tigers!!

    andrealschultz at gmail dot com

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    Replies
    1. Sounds like you and your family are sports fans, Andrea! Hope you enjoy the game - and that the Tigers win! Best wishes in the contest, Andrea.

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  8. Family Reunion. redeemed1ru(at)comcast(dot)com

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    1. Holidays are great times for families getting together, Ann. May you have a great time and good weather. Good luck in the drawing.

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  9. I haven't read any of this series, but I know Deborah writes very good books.
    We are having BBQ on the 3rd and going to see a minor league baseball game with fireworks after on the 4th.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love to watch professional fireworks shows, Patty. A friend of mine lives on a lake and always invites me over to watch their beautiful fireworks show. Lots of fun and good fellowship. Enjoy your baseball game tomorrow - and may you have good weather.

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  10. I plan to spend the day on our friends boat :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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    Replies
    1. Now that's something I could really enjoy doing, Karen! Have a great time - and don't get sunburned.

      Delete
  11. I plan to celebrate the 4th with my family, taking my 2 year old granddaughter to see the fireworks for the first time.
    grace_soo_amazing (at) yahoo (dot) com

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    1. What a great way to celebrate, Tonya! I'm sure your granddaughter will have fun - and you too! Best wishes in the drawing.

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  12. I'm not sure yet how I'll spend the July 4 weekend. I'm waiting to hear from my daughter before finalizing plans. My small town has a musical celebration in the park Saturday evening so I may go to that
    I read the first book in this series and enjoyed it, so it would be great to win Two Roads Home. I always like reading Deb's books.Thanks for the book giveaway.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. Pam, what you described makes me remember a trip my daughter and I took to New England several years ago. Band concerts in the park were an every Friday night event for the community and that was one of our favorite outings. They wore uniforms similar to those in The Music Man. So much fun! Hope you get to go, Pam.

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  13. The 4th weekend will be spent in a beautiful part of our state watching a grandson in a baseball tournament. sonja dot nishimoto at gmail dot com

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    Replies
    1. Can't think of a better way to celebrate, Miss Sonja! May your grandson's team do well in the tournament.

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  14. I plan to spend 4th of July having a family bbq and squeezing in some reading and prepping for vacation bible school.
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
    Merry

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VBS is such a great outreach, Mary! I loved it as a child and also working in various programs as an adult, often in teaching. The weather may be hot, but I pray God will bless your efforts.

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  15. I plan to spend it with my all of my children eating, playing and watching fireworks. tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Sounds like you'll have a great family time, Terrill. Enjoy!

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  16. I plan to spend the day with all of my children eating, playing and watching fireworks. Terrill Rosado tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  17. We're going to a friend's on Saturday for lunch, then to a family get-to-gether in the evening!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Holidays are such a great time for families getting together, Danielle! May you enjoy your day and have great weather.

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  18. We always have a get together at our church with plenty of food, games & fellowship! It's a great time to spend with each other outside of church. And then, since it's practically on the beach, we watch the fireworks from the parking lot. Always a fun time :)
    I have already "liked" ThePowerOfWordsBookReviews on FaceBook. Thanks for the giveaway!
    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Good to see you again, Trixi! Your day sounds delightful. And to be close to a beach . . . Trying not to be envious here! Enjoy your day, Trixi.

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    2. LOL....Carol! Don't be because the traffic is an absolute nightmare!! You're talking about 20,000 in a town of about 7500!! People parking every which way they can....thankfully we have the church parking lot blocked off! However, we have thought about charging a fee for them to park and put that money towards the children's church fund :-) I know people would pay whatever we charged....lol!

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  19. My 4th of July will be very quiet. I've had a very busy 2 weeks taking care of sick relatives so need to take it easy.
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Miss Janet, I hope your loved ones are better now and that you get some much-needed rest. Best wishes in the drawing.

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  20. I plan on celebrating my birthday early and going to fireworks and reading as much as I can! katie07edgar@gmail.com

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    1. Sounds like a perfect day, Katie. Happy "early" birthday to you!

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  21. We don't have any specific plans for the July 4th weekend.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same here, Nancy. We just enjoy a relaxing family time. Thanks for stopping by today.

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  22. Packing for a trip to Florida!

    ~Charis
    gracelz1(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  23. We are spending our 4th with friends and family, but very casually. I enjoy low key holidays.

    Terrill tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  24. We plan on having quiet family time. We also look forward to the fireworks in the evening.
    tsotela (at) cox (dot) net

    ReplyDelete
  25. We enjoyed some much needed family time!
    froggy0521 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  26. I spent it with friends watching fireworks and celebrating their anniversary. It was wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I spent the evening with friends watching fireworks and celebrating their anniversary.
    Thereadmaster(at)me(dot)com

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  28. We had family BBQ with our family in-state, s'more and fireworks. The 4 and 5 yr old grandkids spent the weekend w/ the promise of some beach time on Monday.
    anne at rightler dot come

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  29. We celebrated by a quiet BBQ with family and going to bed early as fireworks were banned here for fire safety. It was nice! martha(at)lclink(dot)com

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  30. we celebrated by having a cook out and setting fireworks off already liked your fb page under Amy Tolley

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  31. I haven't read any of Deborah Rainey's books yet, but they sound really good. Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday!
    Tina

    ReplyDelete