Litfuse Publicity Blog Tour: You Don't Know Me

Here's a description of the book:

"Sometimes the secrets we keep to protect ourselves can be our undoing.

To all who know her, Annalise Decker is a model wife and mother. She’s a permanent member of the PTA, never misses a sporting event, and is constantly campaigning for her husband’s mayoral race.

No one knows that Annalise was once Deidre O’Reilly, a troubled young woman whose testimony put a dangerous criminal behind bars. Relocated through the Witness Security Program to the quaint harbor town of Deep Haven, Deidre received a new identity and a fresh start, which began when she fell in love with local real estate agent Nathan Decker.

Twenty years later, Annalise couldn’t be more unprepared for her past to catch up with her. When Agent Frank Harrison arrives with news that the man she testified against is out on parole and out for revenge, Annalise is forced to face the consequences of her secrets. Will she run again, or will she finally find the courage to trust those she loves most with both her past and her future?"

My Rating

Spring/Summer

My Review

For those who have already fallen in love with Deep Haven and the characters that populate the place, You Don't Know Me is a wonderful addition to the series as it meets expectations for a story of heartfelt character and characters with heart. Of the three I've read, this one follows more along the lines of The Shadow of Your Smile rather than My Foolish Heart - it has a similar suspense and similar themes regarding falling in love again, forgiving, and truly desiring to know and understand another. (If you have yet to experience Deep Haven, any of the these three books can be enjoyed as a stand-alone.)

You Don't Know Me is part contemporary romance, part romantic suspense - but mostly it's a character(s) study, getting into various characters' thoughts and showing why they act the way they do and why they are all in need of grace and love. Warren does a fantastic job of creating flawed characters whom the reader can care about and sympathize with. And it's not just about one couple - it's about multiple couples and family members and friends, showing how much we need others and how much our choices affect others. (I was especially intrigued by one of the younger secondary characters in this story. It's easy for many of the other characters to judge him, but I love the glimpse we get into his heart.)

This particular story is well-crafted, well-rounded, and boasts its own great cast of characters. The storyline is certainly unique, although some of the elements I perceived to be similar to The Shadow of Your Smile - along with the rather slow and somber progression of events and the drawn out, painful revelations - kept it from being a favorite of mine. But in my growing list of experiences with Warren's books, I've discovered that if you enjoy meaningful and romantic stories with fabulous characters, it doesn't appear that you can go wrong with one of hers!

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

About the Author

"Susan May Warren is the RITA award-winning novelist of over thirty novels. A five-time Christy award finalist, a two-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Carol Award.

A seasoned women’s events speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!

Find out more about Susan May at http://www.susanmaywarren.com/."

To Buy the Book: click HERE

Blog Tour Schedule: Check out all of the other reviews scheduled by clicking HERE.

Contest

Welcome to the campaign launch for Susan May Warren’s latest offering in her beloved Deep Haven series, You Don’t Know Me. Susan is celebrating with a $200 Weekend Getaway Giveaway and hosting a fun video Author Chat Party!

 

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A $200 Visa Gift Card (Use that to catch up with a loved one and “Get to Know” your spouse, friend, sister, mom…whomever!)
• The entire set of Deep Haven Books

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 22nd. Winner will be announced at the "You Don’t Know Me” Author Chat Facebook Party on 10/23. Connect with Susan for an evening of book chat, Deep Haven trivia, and a live video chat! There will also be info about Susan’s BookShout read-along and a chance to win gift certificates, books, and other fun prizes!

So grab your copy of You Don’t Know Me and join Susan on the evening of the October 23rd for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the books – don’t let that stop you from coming!)

*Note: The Facebook Party/Video Chat has been rescheduled for 12/12/12.*