Book Review/ Giveaway: Still the One by Robin Wells

** THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED **

 

Synopsis: Robin Wells takes us back to Chartreuse, Louisiana, for a deeply moving story of forgiveness and second chances.


After Katie Charmaine's husband is killed in Iraq, all she has left is a closet full of his clothes, a few pictures, and fond memories. She not only lost her love, but her last chance to have the children she's always wanted. Until Zack Ferguson shows up in town . . . with the daughter Katie gave up for adoption nearly seventeen years ago.

Zack Ferguson has never forgotten Katie, or the one magical night they spent together. Seeing her again brings up a tidal wave of emotions: regret over the way he left her, anger at the secret she kept, and desire he hasn't felt in years. But he's in town for Gracie. Their daughter is sixteen, angry at the world, and-worst of all-pregnant. She needs the love of her two parents now more than ever. Can these three forgive the hurts of the past and open their hearts to each other?

Author Info: Robin Wells is an accomplished romance author, having written over a dozen titles for Harlequin. She is the author of Baby, Oh Baby (Lovespell, 7/03), which won the National Readers' Choice Award. Robin Wells has won the prestigious National Golden Heart Award from the Romance Writers of America, and her novels have been translated into more than a dozen languages.
Become a Friend on Facebook,  Follow @RobinWells on Twitter,
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Five Fun Facts from the Author Herself!

1. I always know a lot more about my characters and fictional settings than I have room to put into a book. One thing about the fictional town of Chartreuse, Lousiana that didn’t make it into either Between the Sheets or Still the One: it has a sign at the city limits that reads: “Welcome to Chartreuse, the most colorful town in Louisiana.” (most towns in Louisiana have signs like this- it's like you're not a real town unless you do!)
2. The town of Chartreuse is loosely modeled on a town about thirty minutes from my home called Pontchatoula. Pontchatoula is very eccentric: it has a giant strawberry on the roof of the police station and a caged pool in the middle of town that houses an enormous WHITE alligator. (it's a tradition- they had a funeral when the last one died! We have friends that are long- time residents there- I would call it quirky rather than eccentric! The pictures on this blog from the St Patrick's Day parade are from the one in Pontchatoula!) The concept of the Chartreuse Cafe as a local gathering place comes from a cafe in Pontchatoula. When you walk inside, it’s like entering a time warp to the fifties.(they also have the best strawberry beignets and breakfasts in town!)
3. I decided to create a fictional town instead of setting my stories in an actual one because I mention local politicians. I didn’t want anyone to think I was referring to actual people.(Louisianians can talk about our politicians, but we don't like reading about them in National news or fiction!)
4. I love writing about small towns because they have such a rich sense of community. People’s lives and histories are intertwined, which can make for some interesting dynamics. When one person changes, it can be hard for the other people to accept (after all, they remember what you were like in high school!), but then every change has a ripple effect throughout the whole community.(it's either good or bad, depending on if you want stuff hidden or not!)
5. I started thinking about Katie’s story the moment she appeared as a secondary character in Between the Sheets. I wanted her to be married so that she could offer Emma experience-based advice about love, but I wanted her to be able to hang out as a single, unencumbered by a husband. I decided Katie’s husband would be in Iraq. Then I started wondering what her life would be like when he returned - or if he would return. And that’s when the story of Still the One took off. (and that also makes the book SO current and applicable!)

Review: Mom actually wanted to read this book as soon as it came in and as I was bogged down with other review books, I decided to let her review it! So here's her review-  This is the perfect summer/beach read! The story has all the drama, real life situations and romance that makes a good summer/beach book. Plus it's a very quick read! (Mom got thru it in ONE day!). The story being placed in a Louisiana small town makes it interesting and the author got alot of the details of small town living right. if you live in a small town, you'll find yourself nodding at some of the nuances, and remembering times in your town that were the same! If you're not used to small town inter-connectiveness, some of the side tangents may seem excessive, but they are all part of the story, so stay with them! If you're looking for a 'Lifetime Channel Movie' type book for a summer read, this it your book!

The Giveaway

FIVE Winners will win their copy of Still the One!

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Contest will end on June 15th, at midnight. Winners will be picked by Random Number (random.org) on June16th, and emailed. As soon as winners' info is received, .

Disclosure: This book was sent to me free of charge, for review purposes, by Newman Communications. I was not told how to review it however.