Friday, March 16, 2012

Giveaway & Review ~ Beauty for Ashes by Dorothy Love

About the Book


She’s a beautiful young widow. He’s a   Southern gentleman with a thirst for adventure. Both need a place to call home.
After losing her husband in the Civil War, Carrie Daly is scared she will never have the family she longs for. Eligible bachelors are scarce in Hickory Ridge, Tennessee, but Carrie has found love. Not the weak-in-the-knees kind, but something practical. Still, she isn't quite ready to set a wedding date with Nate Chastain.
Griff Rutledge is a former member of Charleston society, but has been estranged from his family for years. He’s determined to remain unattached, never settling in one place for too long. But when asked to train a Thoroughbred for an upcoming race in Hickory Ridge, he decides to stay awhile.
Despite objections from the townsfolk, and her fear that true happiness has eluded her, Carrie is drawn to Griff's kindness and charm. It will take a leap of faith for them to open their hearts and claim God's promise to give beauty for ashes.
My Review
Beauty for Ashes is a story of hardship and loyalty. Siblings Henry and Carrie have been dependent on each other for a number of years, holding the family farm together after the death of their parents, and Carrie's husband. It works well for them, even if life is not as exciting as she wishes it could be.
Shortly after the story opens, Henry is getting married to Mary, a widow with two young sons. Both boys are extremely rude and disrespectful towards Carrie. Needless to say, since they are all living in the same home, this causes some serious problems between the three adults.
Griff Rutledge is old money from Charleston, and has no plans to settle down in any town, any time soon. He's a wanderer. You know what that means. When he meets Carrie he decides he might need to hang around a while. It helps that he's asked to train a beautiful piece of horse flesh for a race that will rival the new Kentucky Derby. A race that will hopefully bring new people and growth to Hickory Ridge.
Due to the authors word artistry in describing the area, I had no problems visualizing the scenes but the pacing of this drama was too slow for me. On several occasions I found myself putting it down to do something else. It lacked the level of excitement that I prefer in my reading material. However, if you like an unhurried pace then this book will appeal to you. It does have some interesting historical details that will intrigue most historical fiction fans. I also think the cover is lovely and does a good job conveying the essence of the book.
BookSneeze provided a copy of this book for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review, just my honest opinion of the book, which I have done.
You can purchase Dorothy Love's  books at Amazon, CBD, or Thomas Nelson. (also available as an Ebook)
I'm giving away my copy. Leave a comment* to be entered. Ends March 22nd. Continental US Only!

♥ Cover love ♥
Here's a sneak peek of the next book :)
Coming Fall 2012. Sophie Robillard Caldwell has spent a lifetime guarding her heart.... and a life changing secret. Hoping to follow in the footsteps of the newspaperwomen she has come to admire, she returns to Hickory Ridge from Texas to revive the local paper, the Gazette. Ethan Heyward, son of a Georgia planter has come to town to build and manage Blue Smoke, a luxury resort soon to open at the top of Hickory Ridge. He, too, is harboring a secret too painful to share with anyone...even Sophie.

43 comments:

  1. I have just found this author and really like the sound of this story, I am hoping to win but will look for it if I dont. Another new author and more books, TBR pile getting larger...
    Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)

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  2. *Not an entry* I just wanted to say your blog is so attractive and this is a great post. :)

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  3. I have this author's previous book. Her upcoming one does have gorgeous cover. Looking forward to that one now. This book has been on my wishlist for sometime. Please enter me. Thanks

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  4. I like the Review of this Book and would like to enter in the giveaway.
    Blessings
    Ingrid


    ingrids62448(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  5. Anne, I had no idea you'd moved to wordpress! I was wondering why I wasn't getting your updates through blogger anymore. Well, I must say that I love the blog look!
    Lovely review. Sounds like a beautiful book.

    crazi.swans at gmail dot com

    Yay! I'm a new subscriber :D

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  6. I like the review and love to have a chance to win.

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  7. Since Google ditched the GFC for non-blogger blogs I guess no one has been getting them. I sent out a couple of posts dealing with that but maybe they didn't go through in time. Stinky Google :)

    I'm glad you signed up though! Always nice to see you!!!

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  8. This book sounds promising for fun historical fiction. I'm always looking for new authors to read!

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  9. This is entry is for Rick, who had trouble leaving a comment:

    Thanks for entering me into the contest. I run the library for my church so I try to get new books however I can :)

    Rick Estep, Media Director
    HeavenBound Media Center

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  10. Anne - another new author for me! Please put my name in the hat.
    Sharon
    smoore at tcq dot net

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  11. Please enter me for your copy of Beauty for Ashes by Dorothy Love! Thank you.
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  12. Hi, this book sounds really good.
    Please enter me in the contest, I would love to win a copy of the book.
    Blessings, Tina

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  13. I would love to win this book! Thanks for giving away a copy!

    marissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com

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  14. I love the cover,beautiful! Please include me in the drawing, Beauty For Ashes sounds like an interesting story. Thanks!

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  15. Great review! It convinced me this is a book I'd like to read. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  16. Please sign me up. I am anxious to read this book. :) Thanks.

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  17. I can't wait to read Dorothy's book and have it as well as her next book on my wish list. I love stories about the Civil War, both before and after. Looking forward to reading both of Dorothy's books. Thanks for the opportunity to enter giveaway.

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  18. This books sounds like something I would enjoy reading. Please enter me in your giveaway and thank you for the opportunity to sign up!

    God Bless,
    Lori

    triplel(at)evertek(d0t)net

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  19. Hey Margaret, Thanks for the compliment! It's an ever evolving process for me :)

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  20. Hi Paula,
    Thanks so much for coming by and entering. It's a good story! I know all about that large TBR pile :)

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  21. Hi Amy, I didn't get to read the first one but all the covers are lovely. Thanks for coming by! Your'e entered :)

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  22. Thank you, Margaret! Best wishes :)

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  23. Ingrid, Thanks! You're entered :)

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  24. Hi Carole,
    You might want to check into the first book in the series, Beyond All Measure. I haven't read it but hear it's a good one too!

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  25. Hi, You're entered! Thanks for taking time to come by.

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  26. Oh Sharon, I think your TBR pile might be getting a bit tall huh? You're entered :)

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  27. Marissa, Nice to see you. Best wishes!

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  28. Hello Tina, I think you'd enjoy this one. Glad you came by and entered!

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  29. Thank you Pegg! Glad you came by :) You're in!

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  30. Merry! Yes, I love the cover and the other two in this series are lovely as well :)

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  31. Hi Salena,
    I'm so delighted that you took time to come by and enter! I think you'll enjoy this this story.

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  32. Lori! I've got you entered and thanks for signing up :) Best wishes!

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  33. Hey! I am drooling over the next book already, just seeing the cover :) Love the winter scene!

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  34. Looks good! Can't wait to read it!

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  35. Great review! Would love to win this book. Will have to check the library if I don't win. Thank you for the opportunity.

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  36. Would love to read Beauty for Ashes!

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  37. This books sounds really good and the cover is beautiful! I've never read any of Dorothy's books but I've read some really good reviews fot this one and can't wait to read it. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  38. Love seeing so many comments in the entry for Dorothy's book! She's such a beautiful lady, and I'm so honored to call her friend!

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  39. Hi Candice, Thanks for coming by. Best wishes!

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  40. Thank you, Karen! I think you'll enjoy this one and definitely check the library if you don't win :)

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  41. Hi Liz, This was my first one by her but she has another one out, Beyond All Measure, that is the first in the Hickory Ridge series :)

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  42. Howdy Miss Ronie! I always see good reviews for her books so I know she is popular. I think my favorite part of the story is all the history :) Thanks for coming by!

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I am so delighted that you've taken time to come by and comment. Blessings for a joy-filled day!

1 Corinthians 1:3 ~ Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.