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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

3 Delightful Ways This Romance Made Me Swoon

by Chautona Havig · 8 Comments

Driftwood Dreams turns a delicate, delightful romance into a deep, spiritual lesson in the steadfast, tender, paitent love of the Lord. via @chautonahavig

Sometimes, waiting until the last minute to read a book is the best way to read it. Other times, it’s the worst. See, there’s always this temptation to rush through as the clock ticks closer and closer to deadlines. Sometimes, it’s also this waste of time, because as soon as the review is written, I turn around and read it again. Savor it. Revel in the words.

It’s been a hard few weeks. Mid-May, I lost four friends, one after the other in the span of three days. One of those friends has been a huge support to me over the years, and this morning, I had to delete her from my newsletter so her family wouldn’t keep getting emails to her every week. At about the same time, I learned that a woman whom I’ve loved since I was fourteen went home to Jesus this week.

To say I wasn’t in the mood to read anything was an understatement.

Still, I’d promised myself that I was going to try a book by T.I. Lowe, and since I’d requested a free review copy of Driftwood Dreams, I kind of needed to honor that commitment.

“I’ll just read fast,” I told myself.

Read fast. Sure… I chose to do it with a book steeped in Southern sweet tea and lazy, muggy summer days. Didn’t happen, as you can imagine.

Can you say frustrated? Here I’d waited until the last minute to read Driftwood Dreams and now… now I couldn’t even speed-read. I didn’t have time for a slow, leisurely read. I’ve got obligations, baby!

And what had threatened to be a frustration in needing to get something done became an unexpected delight that soothed my heart, wooed my spirit, and reminded me Who the Author of romance really is. Let’s talk about this book.

3 Delightful Ways This Romance Made Me Swoon

Note: this post likely contains affiliate links that tosses a bit of change at me whenever someone makes a purchase. No worries, those coins come from Amazon’s accounts rather than yours. (so to speak).

3 Delightful Ways This Romance Made Me Swoon

I’m not a swooner. In fact, “sap,” as I like to call it, doesn’t warm the cockles (revolting sounding thing if I’ve ever heard one) of my heart. Romantic gestures are just that—pantomime for the sake of an audience watching or reading the relationship’s genesis.

Not my thing.

This book? With this book, I swooned. With all the beauty, tenderness, reserve, and intensity of the restraint shown by Margaret Hale and John Thornton in North & South, this story festoons every page with such delicate, deliberate, and determined romance that I should have run screaming.

Instead, I slowed my reading pace, drank in every word. Every look. Each moment.

I don’t know how she did it, but T.I. Lowe made me believe in romance in the span of one, delightful, tender novel that made me love and care for the characters who lived it.

How did it make me swoon? Let me count the ways.

I swooned over August’s steadfastness.

He’s loved her since high school, and now he’s returned home to win her heart—no matter how long it takes. Despite her insecurities, her determination to go a different direction for reasons he can’t grasp, and her constant pushing back, he’s there waiting, ready, loving. Sounds like someone else I know. Or is that Someone?

I swooned over August’s tenderness.

I’ve only watched one movie or TV kiss in my entire life. Well, I watched a certain spit string in a certain horrible version of a beloved classic book about four sisters, once, but I don’t count that. In books, I skip the kissing scenes, too. They’re not my thing, (although one other book has a fun twist on them that I read most of—just keeping it honest). I don’t do kisses.

I read every line of this book. Somehow, Lowe manages to write out the tender, intimate details of that sort of private moment so that you live it with the character without feeling like you’re intruding or worse, participating in their private moment. I don’t know how she does it, but I’ll be rereading several spots to learn from her. This book. NAILED IT.

Reduced to its simplest form, I believe the tenderness that August shows, the patience, the deep love and care that waits for acceptance and encouragement—those are the things that make even kissing scenes beautiful. Again, the whole thing reminded me of the tenderness the Lord shows when He woos broken, hurting, skittish people back to His tender embrace.

I swooned over August’s patience.

By the end, August doubts his own ability to be patient, even as he waits. The entire book is the story of August waiting for Josie to yield and trust. Kind of like another Book I know of… that I love.

You know, the spiritual element in the book is rather understated, but for me, it glowed in neon lights.

“You are loved,” it says. “I will be here.  With you. I will never leave or forsake you.” If that weren’t enough, with heavenly hands cupped around your face, it whispers assurances that all will be well. “My love will never fail you. I’ll keep you close. Always,” He says.

And T.I. Lowe shows that on every page of Driftwood Dreams.

I have only one tiny complaint. At one point, Josie wishes she could let her heart lead all the time as if following one’s heart is a good thing. Scripture says otherwise. I know what the author meant, but it’s such a dangerous turn of phrase that it jerked me out of the story while I stamped down my frustration. It wasn’t enough to make me regret requesting and receiving the free review copy I got. I’ll be buying a few more of hers this weekend.

Recommended for anyone who loves romance done right. No trumped up drama, no insta-love, no ridiculous “misunderstandings.” Only life lessons and a picture of the Lord’s love for His people shown in the flawed actions of one very fine character.

About the Book

Book: Driftwood Dreams

Author: T.I. Lowe

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Release Date: June 1, 2020driftwood dreams

Josie Slater has allowed the circumstances anchoring her in Sunset Cove to become a life sentence. Since her mother’s death years before, she’s spent most of her waking hours helping her dad run the Driftwood Diner. As her best friends, Opal and Sophia, make their dreams come true, Josie watches her own art school aspirations drift on by. But when a French-speaking Southern gentleman from her past moves back from Europe, Josie is launched into a tizzy of what-ifs and I-sure-do-hope-sos.

August Bradford left Sunset Cove six years ago to sow some life oats and conquer his ambitious career goals. Finally ready to lay down some roots, the successful artist is back in town and determined to win Josie’s heart. When he enlists Josie’s help in the preparations for a children’s art camp, Josie finds herself unleashing her artistic side in a way she hasn’t since before her mother’s death. August hopes to convince Josie to paint a life with him, but the problem is convincing her to let go of her apprehensions and give him—and her dreams—a fair chance.

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Comments

  1. Melissa Wardwell says

    June 5, 2020 at 5:31 am

    I loved this book. Well, really, I love all her books so far….lol

    Reply
  2. James Robert says

    June 5, 2020 at 12:30 am

    I am enjoying these tours and finding all the terrific books my family is enjoying reading. Thanks for bringing them to us and keep up the good work.

    Reply
  3. Julie Waldron says

    June 4, 2020 at 3:35 pm

    I enjoyed your review, this sounds really good.

    Reply
  4. Patty says

    June 4, 2020 at 2:21 pm

    Fellow Carolina girl, I am sorry that I am just discovering T. I. Lowe. I read the first in the series and have downloaded another one of hers to read sometime soon.

    Reply
  5. Paula Shreckhise says

    June 4, 2020 at 11:26 am

    You have sold me! I won a copy if her Beach Haven. Now to squeeze it in!

    Reply
  6. Andrea Stoeckel says

    June 4, 2020 at 10:58 am

    Ms. Lowe looks vaguely like a cousin of mine. When I saw Chautona’s post on my Goodreads feed and then here, it was time to see what the deal was, and I’ve been “hooked”

    Reply
  7. T.I. Lowe says

    June 4, 2020 at 10:08 am

    Your lovely words make me want to go read this book! And I wrote it! Ha! Thank you so much for taking a chance on it in this trying time. I understand the difficulty to read right now. I truly appreciate your honesty about Josie.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      June 4, 2020 at 10:14 am

      I’ve got all your books in my Amazon cart. As soon as the family tells me that they do/don’t need anything ordered, they’ll be on their way to my house. I feel a podcast coming on. Sarah Monzon told me to read your books. She’s not steered me wrong yet. But wow. Just… thank you. I needed your book TODAY, and I truly believe the Lord held me off until this moment #becauseLove.

      Reply

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Episode 155: Chatting with Heather Day Gilbert & Jen Cudmore
byChautona Havig

To Love a Viking by Heather Day Gilbert and Jen Cudmore has been released, and I got to chat with them about it last week. Guys, this series!  If the Christian influence on Viking history isn’t enough, what about adventure, fight scenes, and romance that won’t make you blush? How about that a damsel is in distress and… gets rescued by another woman instead of the stereotypical DUDE! Listen in!

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

Are You Ready for an Exciting New Viking Series from 2 Great Authors?

 

One of the biggest surprises I recall from researching books by different authors was that the cozy mystery and suspense author I liked and respected, Heather Day Gilbert, had also written historical Viking books! I made the erroneous assumption that they were romance and skipped them (for the time being… I knew I’d read them some day), and then something happened.

A few months ago, I saw this cover.  With Heather’s name on it.  And some other gal I hadn’t heard of–Jen Cudmore.  What is this deliciousness?  The cover was AMAZING… not stereotypical nor was it inauthentic.  It was just GOOD (not to mention gorgeous) and with the Celtic frame (the Vikings did go over to Scotland/Ireland after all), I just felt like it hit all the sweet spots.

Well… the book is here, folks.  And I’ve got a copy in my hot little hands.  No, really. It’s July. And I live in the desert.  My hands are totally hot and in totally all the wrong ways. Just throwin’ that out there.

Anyway, Heather and Jen chatted with me about To Love a Viking, and oh my!  This book sounds fabulous. We know Viking women were strong. Even those that weren’t warriors had to survive Nordic winters. Ergo, strong.  But what about strong enough to build a new society with people they’d once fought against. Oh, and rescue a damsel in distress #BecauseYeah!

I’m ready to dive in to To Love a Viking myself, and I hope you’ll grab a copy, too. It promises to be incredible.

To Love a Viking by Heather Day Gilbert and Jen Cudmore

Get swept up in an enthralling new romance series featuring women who rule the hearts of Viking men.

ELLISIF Forced into a financially advantageous marriage that spirals into a nightmare, Ellisif cannot help but imagine what might have been and ache for what was lost. The only lights in her life are her daughters and the friendships she’s forged with the household servants.

Though seven years have passed since Ellisif wed another man, Dagar still cannot forget the woman who captured his youthful heart. As the Viking warrior battles for his country’s future, he finds himself entangled in a personal war for Ellisif’s freedom that could cost his family their reputation and standing with the king. If he risks all, can he save the woman whose face still haunts his dreams? And if given another chance, will she choose him?

INARA Escaped slave Inara is determined to start a new life. Under the guidance of warrior and shipbuilder Håkon, her sword skill grows, as does her confidence that the Viking men will accept her as a warrior in her own right.

When she is selected to lead a perilous rescue mission to protect Ellisif, Inara finds herself blindsided by feelings for Håkon…and by threats to her freedom far closer than she feared. As dreams and desires collide, she wrestles against the lies holding her captive. Can she conquer her doubts before all that she’s hoped for slips from her hands?

Written by award-winning historical author Heather Day Gilbert and fresh voice Jen Cudmore, two love stories entwine in this sweeping Viking-era romance, the first novel in the Tavland Vikings series.

You can find out more about the series and the authors on Heather’s WEBSITE.

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Episode 155: Chatting with Heather Day Gilbert & Jen Cudmore
Episode 155: Chatting with Heather Day Gilbert & Jen Cudmore
July 1, 2022
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