Thursday, April 24, 2008

Winter Haven Review and Book Giveaway!


This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Winter Haven

(Bethany House April 1, 2008)

by

Athol Dickson


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Athol Dickson's university-level training in painting, sculpture, and architecture was followed by a long career as an architect then his decision several years ago to devote full time to writing.

Athol Dickson’s writing has been favorably compared to the work of Octavia Butler
(Publisher’s Weekly), Daphne du Maurier (Cindy Crosby, FaithfulReader.com) and FlanneryO’Connor (The New York Times).

His They Shall See God was a Christy Award finalist and his River Rising was a Christy Award winner, selected as one of the Booklist Top Ten Christian Novels of 2006 and a finalist for Christianity Today's Best Novel of 2006.

He and his wife, Sue, live in Southern California. Visit AtholDickson.com for more information.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Boys who never age, giants lost in time, mist that never rises, questions never asked...on the most remote of islands off the coast of Maine, history haunts the present and Vera Gamble wrestles with a past that will not yield. Will she find refuge there, or will her ghosts prevail on...Winter Haven

Eleven years ago, Vera Gamble's brother left their house never to be seen again. Until the day Vera gets a phone call that his body has been found...washed ashore in the tiny island town of Winter Haven, Maine. His only surviving kin, Vera travels north to claim the body...and finds herself tumbling into a tangled mystery. Her brother hasn't aged a day since last she saw him.

Determined to uncover what happened in those lost years, Vera soon discovers there are other secrets lurking in this isolated town. But Winter Haven's murky past now seems bound to come to light as one woman seeks the undeniable and flooding light of truth.


The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764201646

MY REVIEW:
This was a really interesting book, I wasn't sure what to think of it at first, but I was drawn into the mystery and intrigue surrounding Vera's brother and his disappearance and the fact that he showed up 13 years later dead and looking just like he did the day he left home. The book kept me guessing and I kept wondering if what I was thinking would turn out to be the case. I was partially right. Athol does a great job of giving you just enough information that you COULD figure it out, but disguising it in such a way that you probably won't :-) I recommend this book as a really good whodunit and so I will be giving away a copy of it... to enter leave a comment with your email and I'll do a random drawing to determine the winner!

20 comments:

Karin said...

A mystery in Maine-- Sounds very intriguing! Please enter me--thank you!

ChristyJan said...

Your review and the information about this book have me very interested. It sounds like a wonderful read.

Please enter me for a chance to win a copy:

hawkes(at)citlink.net

Carole said...

I haven't read anything by Athol Dickson, but I know he's been nominated for several awards, so I would like to try this one. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy, Janna.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

anne said...

I am interested in this wonderful novel set in Maine, a favorite locale of mine. The novel sounds enthralling and unique. Thanks for this great giveaway. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

ruth said...

What a great review! I am capivated with this special novel. Thanks for the chance.
saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

ellie said...

This intriguing novel interests me greatly. Love the entire preview and location is the best ever. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

diane said...

Thanks for the fascinating review. This book is a great giveaway which I would appreciate greatly. This author is so well known and writes beautifully. bencanada1(at)yahoo(dot)com

windycindy said...

Happy Saturday, I think the cover of his book is a little haunting/
mystical. I, too, am interested in how her brother looked the same as when he disappeared. It kinds of reminds me of Peter Pan and the Lost Boys! I really enjoy reading suspense/mystery books. Please enter me in your book drawing. I appreciate
it.....Thanks,Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Donna said...

I love that you are so honest in your reviews. Thank you for the chance to win this mystery.

Runninmama[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

Anonymous said...

sounds like a great read!
please enter me :)

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a cool book! Please enter me!

writer_weaver@yahoo.com

hippmom said...

I love a book that keeps me guessing!

Please enter my name.

pearl said...

Wonderful and impressive novel that I would appreciate greatly. Loved reading the intriguing background. Thanks.

ReadingRobin said...

Please enter me! cmrobin at bellsouth.net
Thanks;)

petite said...

Excellent novel which appeals to me greatly. The setting, story and writing is intriguing. Great interview which provided me with even more background.

The Book Club Network - TBCN said...

This book sounds really interesting. I haven't read anything by him before. Please put my name in for the drawing.
Thanks

www.psalm415.blogspot.com

Bethany said...

This sounds like a great, intriguing book! It has been on my list on the library website for a while, and after reading the review I'm very anxious to read it!

Bethany
momofjimmy [at] yahoo [dot] com

lollipops said...

I love his books. Please enter me in this contest.

Laura
vernet lh@ yahoo. com

annie said...

I have enjoyed reading about this extraordinary story. It is captivating since the story reaches out to me and the setting is lovely. Thanks for this giveaway.
sauble(at)tennis(dot)com

Janna said...

Thanks to all who participated - please remember to leave an email on your comment or I redraw and the winner is...

Anna! Congratulations!