The power of words . . .: Review + GIVEAWAY: Shenanigans by Heather Norman Smith

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour & Giveaway for Shenanigans by Heather Norman Smith, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOKS

Title: Shenanigans
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.

Lavinia is one of my favorite fictional characters – caring of family, a genteel southern lady to the core, and loves to have good-hearted fun. Although beloved by many in her North Carolina retirement community, not all appreciate her pranks. Like a very funny dear friend in real life, Lavinia had been “relying on things she could control, namely the jokes. The jokes distracted her from things she couldn’t change.”

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

Heather Norman Smith is a Christian Fiction and devotions author. Her goal is to use the written word to entertain and encourage while illuminating the redemptive love of God. She is proud to be a life-long North Carolinian and also aims to present the beauty of the Tar Heel State in her fiction. Heather's home is just outside Winston-Salem, NC, where she lives with her husband, their four children (currently including a foster son,) and several very spoiled pets. In addition to writing and spending time with her family, Heather enjoys singing about Jesus. Her "day job" is in the Information Technology field, and she is also involved in youth ministry with her husband. Heather's other novels include Grace & Lavender and Where I Was Planted.

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.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!