Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour & Giveaway for Shenanigans by Heather Norman Smith, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOKS
Author: Heather Norman Smith
Publisher: Every Season Books
Release Date: April 1, 2020
Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Fiction
You're never too old for fun, faith, or love.
Lavinia Lewis is a wealthy southern widow who enjoys a good prank. But when a resident at her posh retirement community in Southport, North Carolina gets sick at a potluck, Lavinia's reputation as a jokester lands her in big trouble. How can she clear her name when her own daughter doesn't believe she's innocent?
Neville McGrath is a long-in-the-tooth lawyer, afraid of being put out to pasture. Torn between his nephew's offer to move to Maine to live with him and his desire to keep working, Neville discovers other options when he takes Lavinia's case.
The jokes keep her young, but Lavinia remembers the true source of joy as she faces criminal charges. Can she help Neville find his faith for the first time, and can they both find love at eighty-years-old?
A humorous and inspirational story with lovable characters, a beautiful setting, fun mystery, sweet romance, family drama, and an ending that will leave you sighing in satisfaction.
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
MY THOUGHTS
Heather Norman Smith is quickly becoming one of my favorite writers. Her stories are well written, rich in character depth, filled with gentle romance and spiritual themes applicable to daily living, and always entertaining.
Smith’s newest release, Shenanigans, is pure delight. The lead characters may be 80 years old, but the story will appeal to readers of all ages. The first sentence in the book’s description – You’re never too old for fun, faith or love – couldn’t be more relevant.
Lavinia had always had at least three things in common
with Scarlett O’Hara, her personal hero. She was sometimes childish, she loved
a good party, and after a brief, cathartic fit of self-pity, she preferred to
put off worrying until another day.
Neville, a lawyer who doesn’t want to retire and agrees to represent Lavinia when one of her supposed jokes goes horribly wrong, is a complete contrast to her and the chemistry between them works beautifully. I loved this gentle man and enjoyed things about him that were revealed as the story progressed, such as the reason behind his coldness toward God.
Lavinia comes to realize that she has distanced herself from God over the years, which leads to one of my favorite scenes as she and her family visit a church recommended by Neville’s secretary. The church service, filled with people of varied ages and cultures “reminded her of flowers, picked from all over the garden, bunched together, and placed in a crystal vase to make a gorgeous bouquet.”
Shenanigans is a heartwarming story to which every reader can relate and goes on my favorites list. I look forward to many more stories from the talented hand of Heather Norman Smith.
Highly recommended.
Please click on the title to see my review of Smith’s previous story, Grace & Lavender.
I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
CONNECT WITH HEATHER: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a print copy of Shenanigans and a story inspired glass ornament! Plus (1) additional winner will receive a print copy of Shenanigans!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway will begin at midnight March 30, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on April 6, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US mailing addresses only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.