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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Where Two Hearts Meet: a book review

by Chautona Havig · 17 Comments

Liz Johnson’s Red Door Inn was one of my favorite books of 2016.  So, when I heard that the next book was releasing this fall, I knew I HAD to get it, and Liz was gracious enough to send me one (and a gorgeous PEI ornament as well!).  Where Two Hearts Meet might even be a better book than the first. I love it when an author does that.  So often, the middle book of a trilogy (or more) is a bit lackluster.  This is not true of Where Two Hearts Meet.

Where Two Hearts Meet Review

Note: links in this post may be affiliate links and will provide me with a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for the infusion to the Denny’s fund!

Publisher’s Synopsis:

In her kitchen at the Red Door Inn, executive chef Caden Holt is calm, collected, and competent. But when her boss asks her to show off their beautiful island to impress a visiting travel writer and save the inn, Caden is forced to face a world much bigger than her kitchen–and a man who makes her wish she was beautiful.

Journalist Adam Jacobs is on a forced sabbatical on Prince Edward Island. He’s also on assignment to uncover a story. Instead he’s falling in love with the island’s red shores and Caden’s sweets.

When Caden discovers Adam isn’t who she thought he was, she realizes that the article he’s writing could do more than ruin the inn’s chances for survival–it might also break her heart.

Readers will discover hope for the hurting, joy for the broken, and romance for the lonely at the enchanting Red Door Inn.

So… what’s up with Where Two Hearts Meet?

As with the first in the Prince Edward Island Dreams series, this book takes place on Prince Edward Island in Nova Scotia, Canada.  You know, Anne Shirley’s stomping grounds. Right there we’ve got kindred spirits. Just sayin’.  And, even better, you’ll find Caden, the wonder baker from the first book working now at Rose’s Red Door Inn.

Can I just say that it was beautiful to read of a young woman who isn’t model perfect?  When almost all American women are over size 2, it’s nice to see someone as a character who is definitely in the double size digits.  And I loved her showing what I’ve heard men say often—that a woman who is curvy is just as attractive as one who is thin.

Adam’s character appealed to me for similar reasons. He’s flawed. He’s attractive, but through her eyes.  I can’t even remember if there was a description of him that made me think he is or not.  I see him through her eyes and through his self-perception. He’s dealing with some seriously deep and horrible issues that add richness and depth to the story.

But that’s not all!

The supporting characters in this book are richer than we often get.  I loved the couple staying at the inn and how they helped Adam work through things. Their backstory made me laugh and want to cry, both.  Speaking of laughter, one of the best elements was the humor that Johnson interjected at perfectly timed intervals.

Yes, if you’ve noticed, I’m having a hard time avoiding spoilers!!!  I can’t say much more than that I loved this book. It’s almost the best that I read in 2016. I highly recommend the book to lovers of Christian romance.

I italicized that for a reason. If I have one complaint about this book it’s part of the romantic element. It’s not that it isn’t realistic or believable.  It is. But there was at least one scene, possibly two, that I found um… very well described.  Ahem. I know that there’s a fine line between writing realistic fiction that shows who we are, how our perceptions can skew reality, how God created us, and how we live that as Christians… and writing what merely stirs emotions and such. I think that line is going to be very different for people and this book may cross it for some. Just a heads-up there!

On Love's Gentle ShoreEven with the slight discomfort with the physical affection, the story was so good and most people probably wouldn’t be bothered by it, so I’m giving this five full stars.  Can’t WAIT for the next one, On Love’s Gentle Shore.

Funny note:

Liz Johnson has a terrible habit of sending me books to review that, upon receipt, send my heart racing and beads of despair (otherwise known as perspiration) across my forehead. It all started with The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn. In that book, someone is kidnapped for her own good.  Sound familiar?  I read that book with more dread than excitement at first.  It turned out to be nothing like the book I’d just finished.  Justified Means.  Then I read the Red Door Inn. Again, one element in there was so similar (and yet so different) from something I’d planned, that I immediately sent Liz an email and said, “You’ve done it again.”  We agreed that while there’s a similar element to it, Liz’s book and mine were vastly different. This book, it happened again—but kind of in reverse.

In Caden, I saw a lot of Grace from Noble Pursuits. The aloneness and yet surrounded by friends. The culinary bent. The lack of “perfection” by the world’s body standards.  But where Grace was reasonably confident in her choices and her life (if a bit overly freaked-out about mice), concern for others, even more than herself, makes Caden a bit insecure.  And that was kind of a nice reason for someone to be insecure, you know?  Anyway.  Thought you might enjoy that.

*WINNER*

Sharon Q!  Thanks for participating all!

 

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Comments

  1. Marleen V says

    January 4, 2017 at 5:44 am

    Have not read her books, but this one looks like a great read! Thanks and will add it to my wish list! :O)

    Reply
  2. Sharon Quillman says

    January 3, 2017 at 9:05 am

    I’ve not read any of Liz’s books but I will be looking now.

    Reply
  3. Michelle Kenworthy says

    January 2, 2017 at 3:59 pm

    I have read the Red Door Inn and Where Two Hearts Meet. My favorite is Where Two Hearts Meet.

    Reply
  4. Elissa says

    January 1, 2017 at 10:51 am

    I haven’t read anything by Liz Johnson (but I did go to college with a girl by the same name :D). I have a feeling I’d like it, because I recently started reading another author you suggested and have really enjoyed her work! So thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  5. Tina says

    December 29, 2016 at 12:02 pm

    I never seem to have enough time to read, but I will add Liz Johnson’s books to my list!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      December 29, 2016 at 4:04 pm

      I NEVER have enough reading time but I make time for hers It’s how I decided she must be my new favorite author!

      Reply
  6. Deborah G says

    December 29, 2016 at 10:19 am

    I haven’t yet, but just got The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorne and The Red Door Inn to try her books.

    Reply
  7. Laurel Stein says

    December 29, 2016 at 5:05 am

    I really enjoyed Red Door Inn!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      December 29, 2016 at 4:07 pm

      I’ve read several people say they liked book two even better. And the snippet from book 3 at the back of the book. AAAAK! It might be the best of them all!

      Reply
  8. Mary Welch says

    December 29, 2016 at 5:03 am

    I have not read any Liz Johnson books but I would like to.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      December 29, 2016 at 4:08 pm

      I think the first I read was Kenzie Thorn.

      Reply
  9. Emma Filbrun says

    December 28, 2016 at 8:00 pm

    I’ve never read any of her books, but they sound interesting.

    Reply
  10. Sarah K says

    December 28, 2016 at 7:14 pm

    Our library got Where Two Hearts Meet just in time for me to enjoy it over my Christmas break! I liked it better than Red Door Inn for many of the reasons you mentioned in your review. I’ve read several of Liz Johnson’s books and have never been disappointed by her storytelling. One that stands out in my memory as a favorite is _A Promise to Protect._

    Reply
  11. Melissa W says

    December 28, 2016 at 7:01 pm

    I read Red Door Inn and looooved it! I’ve green looking forward to the next one…and after your review I really can’t wait!

    Reply
    • Melissa W says

      December 28, 2016 at 7:02 pm

      *been
      Not green. Sheesh

      Reply
  12. Emily says

    December 28, 2016 at 5:19 pm

    I’ve never read any Liz Johnson books, but from your review they sound great !

    Reply
  13. MS Barb says

    December 28, 2016 at 5:10 pm

    I read Liz Johnson’s novella in “Log Cabin Christmas Collection”

    Reply

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Episode 48: A Chat with T.E. Price
by Chautona Havig

What happens when you combine domestic violence with suspense?  A hair-raising ride you won’t want to miss.

On March 2, T.E. Price ‘s book, Take Flight, releases on eBook, and boy is this one excellent story.  Join me as I talk with Tiffany about her book, the inspiration, and all the excellence you’ll find within the can’t-put-it-down pages.

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

The 3 Best Things about This Domestic Abuse Suspense Novel

A new author to me, T.E. Price knocked her suspense (and almost thriller) out of the park with three excellent elements to the book.  

Aside from wonderful and realistic characterization and edge-of-your-seat storytelling, T.E. Price also digs deep into a subject Christians sometimes like to pretend isn’t a thing.  And boy does she do it well. 

So if a great story that grips you and won’t let you go isn’t the best thing, what is?  Well… I’ve got three.

First, the writing is stellar.

Let’s face it, domestic abuse victims have cyclical thought patterns and actions that can feel redundant and become boring when you see it on the page, but Tiffany managed to avoid that while still showing how real and confusing it can be both for the person going through it and for those watching from the outside.

Second, her laser focus on her subject.

Domestic abuse is a multi-layered and faceted subject that spans so many different aspects of life. It would be easy and natural, even, to try to show it all with the one person who experienced it all, but T.E. Price keeps her focus on one woman’s escape from that life and how it affects her relationship with the Lord and others. That’s it.  

Third, T.E. Price shows her heart for the Lord and His people in every word on the page.

While not preachy at all, and while often just the undercurrent of the story, there is no doubt in the reader’s mind that Price wants the reader to learn both how to overcome as the victim of domestic violence and how to aid others in the church going through it.  Additionally, that steady reminder of Who the only true support we truly have touches every aspect of Hallie McClain’s life.

There are so many other excellent elements to Take Flight, but I’d be chatting all day with Tiffany (and nearly did!) if I kept going.

Don’t forget!

T.E. Price’s book releases March 2, 2021 and on March 5, 2021  from 7-8 pm (EST) she is having a Facebook launch party with prizes and lots of information about it.  HERE is a link to that party and I hope to be there to celebrate with her!  Please join her and maybe you’ll win an eBook copy of Take Flight!

You can find more about T.E. Price (Tiffany) at her WEBSITE where you can also find her other novel, Love’s True Colors.

Title:  Take Flight Author: T.E. Price Synopsis:  

Within Take Flight, readers follow Hallie McClain as she is faced with numerous fight-or-flight decisions in her attempt to escape her abusive husband, Jonathan McClain.

Hallie has made the decision to leave him for good, but Jonathan has no intentions of complying. During their separation, Hallie grapples with trusting those closest to her, the gossip-mill of her small town, and her wavering trust in God. Living alone in a secret, secluded cabin in the woods, she is thrust into multiple circumstances where she has to balance her safety with the reality of inescapable encounters with her soon-to-be ex-husband. Jonathan soon discovers Hallie’s whereabouts, forcing her to escape to the city while awaiting the divorce, but her move isn’t the solution as her safety is still compromised.

Hallie has to learn to trust God with her safety while leaning on the church body for support. The tantalizing storyline of Take Flight weaves through one “fight-or-flight” scenario after the next, filling Hallie with angst regarding her constant need for escape. Take Flight addresses the ugliness of domestic abuse and the need for support from the church community. Furthermore, it affirms God’s trustworthiness in the midst of difficult, sometimes even life-threatening, situations.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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You can find the Blog post HERE.

Episode 48: A Chat with T.E. Price
Episode 48: A Chat with T.E. Price
February 23, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 47: The Drew Farthering Mysteries
February 16, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 46: What Romances Do I Think Are Perfect for Valentine's Day?
February 9, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 45: A Gush about Things We Didn't Say
February 2, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 44: A Chat with Carolyn Miller
January 26, 2021
Chautona Havig
Episode 43: A Chat with Allison Pearl
January 19, 2021
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Episode 42: A Chat with J'nell Ciesielski
January 13, 2021
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Episode 41: A Chat with Jennifer Pierce
January 5, 2021
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Episode 40: My Favorite Book of 2020
December 8, 2020
Chautona Havig
Episode 39: A Chat with L.K. Simonds
December 1, 2020
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