Calling All Readers and Chocolate Eaters!

Well, if there's one thing I really like to do, it's read. I know quite a few of you do, too! A while back I got a request from a publisher who asked if I would read a book one of his authors had written and review it on my blog. I agreed to do so and decided to make it a giveaway.

To be honest, when I first received the book, I was really skeptical. The title - Song of Renewal - reminded me of a Harlequin Romance...something I'm not fond of. I like something with a little bit more substance. So, I set it aside and finished my book club selection first.

But, once I finished my book club book I had to fulfill my commitment. I had promised to review this book. So, I picked it up and began what I had already determined would be a chore...
and I couldn't have been more off base.
You have to read this book! You will love it. I promise!
I really believe we'll be hearing from the author, Emily Sue Harvey, more. I read that she has another book coming out in March of 2011...and I intend to check it out. (I also read in her bio that she has contributed to several volumes of "Chicken Soup" and "Chocolate for Women" and these are the types of anthologies that I get things published in...so there's hope for me yet! Maybe some day you'll be asked to be reviewing my book on your blog!)
This story is a book about Liza and her husband Garrison. Their beloved teenage daughter Angel gets into a car accident while driving in the rain with her boyfriend after her father (Garrison) told her she couldn't go because it was too dangerous, but then her mother (Liza), out of spite gave her permission. All sorts of feelings come to the surface in this already rocky relationship as the couple fight to resolve their issues while their daughter clings to life. The characters are well developed and I'm sure you'll see bits of yourself in them all! Some of the most interesting parts are those written from the point of view of the comatose daughter Angel who is hovering between the worlds of life and death. (Something particularly interesting to me, so soon after my own father has died - and we've had a bit of an eerie spiritual experience with his passing that I've posted in length about...)
This story is about the undying strength of love. It is also a warning about the stronghold that unforgiveness has if we choose to give it power and the bondage it will bring into our lives - both physical and spiritual. It's also a strong book about faith and hope. It was really beautiful. I loved the ending. It was also not as predictable as I thought it would be...the true sign of good writing.

I love a good book as much as the next person! Anyone who comments to this post will be entered into a drawing...you could win it! (I'll be picking on Friday.) Trust me...you'll like it! I'll send it to you - just tell me the title of your favorite book. And remember, if you don't win - go to your nearest book store and ask for Emily Sue Harvey's book Song of Renewal . You won't be sorry. It's a great read!

Oh - and those who comment also have a chance to win a box of chocolates from H&S chocolates (see ad at top of blog). You'll love 'em! Just in time for Valentine's Day! Again - I'm picking a winner from those who comment...on Friday...so comment away! I'll notify you via email, so if I don't have your email, include that in your comment, also! ;) Good luck!