Love's Sweet Beginning: Review and GIVEAWAY

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Scroll down toward the bottom of this post to learn how to enter the giveaway!

    I wouldn't say I'm exactly "starstruck"...or these days - as my girls would say, part of an Ann Shorey fandom, but I do feel blessed to have met author Ann Shorey in person.  She attends church with me, and several years ago, she was gracious enough to host a dinner at her home and provide a teaching/Bible devotional for younger women in our church.  It was a blessing to get to know her just a bit - and to hear that she was going to be releasing her first published book to the fiction world!  We were all so excited for her!

    That was back in the winter of 2009, and her first published novel would be released to the public the following August.

    Since that summer, it's been enjoyable for me to read each of Ann's books as it becomes available.  I feel blessed!

    Tonight, I'll be attending a small book signing/dessert event in our community as Ann celebrates her latest novel, Love's Sweet Beginning. 

    I think I'll bring along something chocolate to share.  Seems fitting, right?  Sweet = chocolate?  ☺

    Here's a little summary of Love's Sweet Beginnings by Ann Shorey:

    What will it take for a once-privileged young woman to make her way in the world?

    It isn't Cassie Haddon's fault that she has reached the age of twenty-five without possessing any useful skills. Until the War Between the States, she always had servants. Since then, she and her mother have been forced to rely on family to care for them. But now the well of human kindness has run dry, and Cassie must find work to support them.

    Unfortunately, leaving the past behind is easier said than done, and Cassie must summon all of her courage and wits to convince local restaurateur and grocer Jacob West that she's exactly what his business needs.

    With her signature sweet romance, Ann Shorey weaves a tale of two people from different backgrounds finding common ground and the hope of a bright future together.

Joy In Our Journey's review, by Julie:

    Here is an amazingly imaginative post-Civil War novel, with each chapter filled with trauma and drama, as well as having a sweet—though somewhat complicated--love story being intertwined.

    The story takes place in Missouri, beginning with a widowed woman, Eliza Bingham, and her grown but yet unmarried daughter, Cassie Haddon.  Cassie has been raised as a lady, never having had to dirty her fingers with any kind of housework or imagining she would have to learn how to provide an income for both herself and her mother.  Unfortunately, this is the very circumstance in which they find themselves. Cassie determines she will learn how to provide as they face this very difficult crossroad in their  lives.

    Cassie succeeds at the job she applies for in the small town’s grocery/restaurant.  Much to everyone’s surprise, she actually becomes very successful at it.  Her mother never gets over being horrified that her daughter would have to stoop to such a low life, and is even more disturbed as Cassie falls in love with her employer, Jake.

    Many surprises are revealed throughout this story having to do with every character presented.  It becomes somewhat complicated to figure out all the “mysteries” but needless to say, it eventually all turns out well.  A good read!

About Ann Shorey:

    Ann Shorey is the author of the At Home in Beldon Grove series, Where Wildflowers Bloom, and When the Heart Heals. She has also published selections in the Cup of Comfort series and in Chicken Soup for the Grandma's Soul. Ann and her husband make their home in southwestern Oregon. Learn more at www.annshorey.com.


    In addition to writing, Ann has won many prizes for her culinary skills. Her recipes have appeared in Country Woman magazine, and in several national cookbooks, including Taste of Country and Taste of Home. Recently author Patti Hill included one of Ann’s recipes in her  Garden Gates Cookbook, available on Patti’s web site. Ann has been privileged to present cooking demonstrations to young women from her church as part of the Apples of Gold mentoring program.

Ann and Richard share their home with a loveable Belgian Shepherd named Amber.

The Giveaway:

    To celebrate the novel, author Ann Shorey and Revell Publishers are pleased to present the SWEET BEGINNINGS Sweepstakes, and your chance to win one of three marvelous prizes, all closely connected to the story.

Click to enter the Sweet Beginnings GIVEAWAY!

Grand Prize

2nd Prize

3rd Prize

GRAND PRIZE:  our Grand Prize winner will receive a 6-month Pie of the Month Club Membership to the Grand Traverse Pie Company!

SECOND PRIZE:  Our Second Prize winner will receive a prize pack filled with some of Cassie's favorite things: a delicate, rose-colored lace shawl, a pewter pen and ink set, and a bath set filled with lavender and lilac soaps and lotion!

THIRD PRIZE:  our Third Prize winner will receive a complete, signed set of the Sisters at Heart series!

This giveaway ends February 20, 2014 at 11:59 pm (Pacific time). Entry is open to U.S. residents only, age 18 and over.

Winners will be selected Friday, February 21, 2014, and announced at AnnShorey.com.

Ann's other books:

The Edge of Light

The Promise of Morning

The Dawn of a Dream

Where Wildflowers Bloom

When the Heart Heals

Love's Sweet Beginning

Sincerely Yours

    I received a copy of this book for review, but was not compensated financially in any way. The opinions expressed are those of Joy In Our Journey.com and are based solely on experiences while reading this book.

     In the interest of full disclosure, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive an affiliate commission...without it costing you a penny more.   I only recommend products I use personally. Your purchases through these links help support Joy In Our Journey. I humbly thank you for your support!

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