Thursday, May 14, 2015

Litfuse Publicity Blog Tour: A Love Like Ours

Here's a description of the book:

"Former Marine Jake Porter has far deeper scars than the one that marks his face. He struggles with symptoms of PTSD, lives a solitary life, and avoids relationships.

When Lyndie James, Jake’s childhood best friend, lands back in Holley, Texas, Jake cautiously hires her to exercise his Thoroughbreds. Lyndie is tender-hearted, fiercely determined, and afraid of nothing, just like she was as a child. Jake pairs her with Silver Leaf, a horse full of promise but lacking in results, hoping she can solve the mystery of the stallion’s reluctance to run.

Though Jake and Lyndie have grown into very different adults, the bond that existed during their childhood still ties them together. Against Jake’s will, Lyndie’s sparkling, optimistic personality begins to tear down the walls he’s built around his heart. A glimmer of the hope he’d thought he’d lost returns, but fears and regrets still plague him. Will Jake ever be able to love Lyndie like she deserves, or is his heart too shattered to mend?"

My Rating

Spring/Summer

My Review

Combine a childhood friendship, a bubbly heroine with a deep love of art and animals, a solemn hero with a gentle little boy living inside, a stubborn horse with plenty of racing potential, and a delightful cast of secondary characters. What do you get? A whole lotta sweet!

Younger brother Jake Porter stars in this third book of the Porter Family series. He has his work cut out for him when a lovely and lively vision from his past returns to Texas, especially when he harbors hurt from the way their friendship ended and the terrible blows life has given him in the meantime.

Lyndie is a very fun heroine, and I adore the way she's portrayed with her wide variety of interests and her enthusiasm for the people and projects she cares about.

Jake...well, just as he's a very conflicted character, he creates some conflicted feelings in me as the reader. Wade's books often feature troubled heroes, which can be engaging, but can also become bothersome when their love borders on the obsessive/obsessively protective side. I wouldn't say this character trait bothered me as much as it did in My Stubborn Heart. There's a lot going on with Jake's personality and the hardships he's experienced, and that's certainly understandable. But the way the relationship is portrayed in some respects is just something that gives me pause. I will say, though, that faith is a vital part of the story, as well as hope - which I'm glad to note.

The other characters really round out the story. I love Amber's journey of seeking love. (What can I say?) And Ty and Celia's cameos... Gosh, they're just so cute! Meant to Be Mine remains my absolute favorite of the series. But I believe A Love Like Ours comes in second, which is not a bad place to be in such a beloved and well-acclaimed contemporary romance series.

I'm definitely curious about the youngest Porter sibling, Dru. Bring on her story! I'm ready for some more Texas charm.

*With thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion, to be shared during the Litfuse Publicity blog tour.*

About the Author

Becky Wade is a native of California who attended Baylor University, met and married a Texan, and moved to Dallas. She published historical romances for the general market, took time off to raise her children, then felt God nudging her to pursue contemporary Christian fiction. Becky’s work has been a finalist for both a RITA and an INSPY Award.

To Learn More and Find Links to Buy the Book: click HERE

Blog Tour: Check out the review from other blog tour participants HERE.

Giveaway!

Fall in love with Becky Wade's new book, A Love Like Ours, a story of healing, romance, and cowboys. A glimmer of the hope Jake thought he’d lost returns when Lyndie lands back in Texas, but fears and regrets still plague him. Will Jake ever be able to love Lyndie like she deserves, or is his heart too shattered to mend?

To celebrate the release of her new book, Becky is giving away a $100 cash card and a book-inspired prize pack!

lovelikeours-400 
One grand prize winner will receive:
  • A $100 cash card
  • A copy of A Love Like Ours
  • A copy of the Secretariat DVD
  • A scarf
  • A dog-tag/cross keychain
  • A pair of earrings
  • A Texas-shaped cutting board
  • A Jake Porter mug
love like ours - prize pack 

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 26th. Winner will be announced May 27th on Becky's site.

lovelikeours-enterbanner

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great review Amber! I'm definitely excited about Dru's story coming up too! :)

Amber Holcomb said...

Laura,

Thank you!! And yes, won't it be so intriguing to see the tough baby sister of this bunch get her own story? :)

~Amber

Rissi said...

Beautiful review, Amber! I'm glad you enjoyed this novel. It really is lovely - and all I have to say about Dru is: she's going to be one sassy heroine. ;)

Amber Holcomb said...

Rissi,

Thanks so much! It was indeed another enjoyable read from Becky Wade, and I think you're spot-on about Dru. ;) Eager to see what sort of hero she ends up with! Hehe.

~Amber