Book Giveaway – The Air We Breathe by Christa Parrish – see rules below
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While I typically don’t read straight romance, I do enjoy a romantic undercurrent in novels. Last night I finished The Air We Breathe by Christa Parrish (a heart-breaking, heart-reviving story–Highly recommended). While it wasn’t about romance, the potential for romance gave the reader hope in what could have been very dark tale, instead it was one of redemption.
Perhaps that’s the appeal of romance. It offers hope. It shows that despite all odds, despite all the stumbling blocks tossed in the way, love will overcome.
Out of all the books I’ve read, two immediately come to mind as stories I’ve read numerous times and will read again: JANE EYRE by Charlotte Bronte and A VOICE IN THE WIND (Tyndale) by Francine Rivers. As I revisited these two books, I realized that they have much in common.
In both books the heroines (Jane and Hadassah) are considered plain if not ugly, and both heroes (Mr. Rochester and Marcus) are masculine and brooding. Both Jane and Hadassah are servants who speak their mind to their master, though they otherwise seem to be shy. Jane and Hadassah are wise and passionate, but not always confident.
Mr. Rochester and Marcus are intrigued by their wise servants, and that intrigue entices them to seek conversation–conversation that leads to a softening and then yearning of the heart.
Both Jane Eyre and A Voice in the Wind take the hero and heroine through dark times, but in the end those trials serve to strengthen the bonds between passionate, relatable characters. They give us a shadowed glimpse of God’s love and offer hope that love endures.
Perhaps enduring love is the ultimate appeal for the romance reader.
*** Contest Info ***
If you’d like to win a copy of THE AIR WE BREATH by Christa Parrish, tell me in the comments below what your favorite romance novel is. This contest ends Sunday, February 17, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. (CST). I will post the winner on Monday, February 18, 2013. The contest is open to residents of the contiguous United States.
Also, it would be super-nice if you’d Subscribe to my blog, but it’s not required.
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Comments 14
Whoa. You know me and “favorites”, Bren. Can never pinpoint just one. So I’ll give you a brief collection of favorites if you don’t mind:
Redeeming Love (Francine Rivers) Secrets; Unforgotten (Kristen Heitzmann) The Famous One (moi) and more recently My Stubborn Heart (Becky Wade).
Oh, I agree that it’s difficult choosing favorites, but the two books I listed above tend to be my go-to reads when I’m dissatisfied with everything else I’m reading and I yearning for quality.
Unforgotten & My Stubborn Heart would probably be in my Top 10. And, like you, I’d probably list my novel, Chain of Mercy, too. 🙂
a novel that touched my heart was ‘the mountain between us’ by charles martin.
Oh, I love anything by Charles Martin! He knows how to write romance!
It’s so hard to chose just one book, but I always go back and read Jane Austen’s books like Pride and Prejudice or Emma.
Those seem to be many romance reader favorites, Karen. 🙂
There are so many good ones. I loved the “NoteBook’, by Nicholas Sparks. A real love story! I would like to win this book. I am a subscriber to your blog. Thanks!
Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com
I think Nicholas Sparks is a favorite of many romance readers.
I think my favorite might be Pride And Prejudice. I like so many books though, its hard to choose just one favorite.
Jasmine A.
montanamade(at)gmail(dot)com
I know many people who would agree with your choice, Jasmine. 🙂
Oh, my! Choosing only one is so difficult. There are so many wonderful love stories. In Christian fiction, I would choose Redeeming Love, because that book touched me more than any other that I’ve read. From secular fiction, I always go back to Gone With the Wind. Thank you, Brenda, for an opportunity to win The Air We Breathe. BTW, I loved A Voice in the Wind, also.
Redeeming Love is up there for me, too, Kay. As for Gone With the Wind, I’ve never read it! I LOVE the movie, but haven’t picked up the book. I really need to add it to my to-read list.
I love both of these books! I think my favorite romance is As time goes by-Lori Wick. I just realized it’s similar to these because Robbie is also plain and was hurt by the guy when she was younger. As he gets to know her, he falls more in love with her personality. There’s so many others I love by her, such as Hawk and the Jewel. I loved My stubborn heart also. I’m also a subscriber.
I’ll have to look into As Time Goes By. That sounds exactly like what I love to read.
My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade is another favorite of mine. I can’t wait till her next book comes out!