Hurricanes in Paradise, by Denise Hildreth (Review & Giveaway!)

 5 Stars!!!!!

ABOUT THE BOOK -
When Riley Sinclair stepped into her new job as director of guest relations at a posh resort on Paradise Island, she felt the final pieces of her once-broken life coming together. But the waters become choppy when Riley discovers that some who come to the Atlantis Hotel are accompanied by paralyzing secrets and overwhelming fears. Riley and three guests are in desperate but unknowing need of each other, eventually forging unlikely yet powerful friendships. With a hurricane headed straight for the island, together they embark on a journey of laughter, heartache, and healing.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR -

Denise Hildreth Jones is a novelist and international speaker. She has spoken for the last thirteen years to women's ministries, churches, and for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Denise began her career over seventeen years ago writing for other people. She eventually ventured into the world of fiction with her first novel, Savannah from Savannah, and has since published several books, including her latest novel, Hurricanes in Paradise. Her novels have been featured in Southern Living; hailed as "smart and witty" by Library Journal; and chosen for the Pulpwood Queen's and Women of Faith book clubs. And has just released her first non-fiction book Flying Solo: A Journey of Divorce, Healing and a Very Present God" the journals chronicling her painful divorce. She makes her home in Franklin, Tennessee with her husband, five "bonus" children and two dogs. And every now and then she has a Coca-Cola.
Visit Denise at her wonderful website - HERE



MY REVIEW -
It is no wonder Denise Hildreth is one of my favorite Authors! With books like this one you can't help but love her! Oh my goodness, this book had me on such a roller-coaster. The highs had me giggling, the awwws had me in "happy tears" and the lows had me sobbing. I have read every one of Denise's books (except her newest non-fiction one) and I have loved every single one. It started with the "Savannah from Savannah" series which I just loved. And surprise surprise! The character Savannah and her mother were in this book at the end! I just loved that. I love it when authors include characters from their other books.

This is a very complex story, how each of the character's individual stories are woven into each other. Each one is broken in their own way, each one needs some kind of healing and forgiveness. They are are running away from something and came to Paradise Island to escape. All these women have a secret past and they seem to find each other and bond together as they help each other out in their time of need.
Riley - Wonderful, sweet, great mother, dedicated to her job, lonely but her memories haunt her, she is broken.
Tamyra - Sweet, young, beautiful, hurt, sick, hiding, alone, afraid and broken.
Winnie - Southern to the core, loud, mothering, outspoken, lonely, afraid to get on with her life, and broken.
Laine - Successful, smart, Sassy, demanding, hiding behind her rough exterior, lonely, unable to forgive herself, and broken.
All these women need healing in different ways. All these women need forgiveness, they already have God's, now they just need to forgive themselves.
Each of these characters are unique in their own way and I loved every one of them. I also loved Gabby, Riley's daughter. This is one time where the Author got the child's character right!
This is such a powerful book that makes so many powerful statements.

It is also very cute, funny and quirky in a way only Denise Hildreth can deliver.

Near the end of the meal, Winnie put her fork down and looked at Tamyra. "You don't eat meat?"
"I'm a Vegan."
"You're a what?" Winnie leaned across the table, her blue eyes wide. "Vegetarian, I know. Vegan, I'm clueless. I teach kids who would be grateful for a pack of peanutbutter and cheese crackers, and I come from a family who thinks fried foods are a food group. So help me out with Vegan."

"He must think I'm dumber that all get-out."
"Than what?"
"Get-out!" she hollered at Laine. "All get-out! My word woman, have you never heard a southerner talk?"

So in between bouts of tears there were a few giggles, but let me warn you, you will need a whole box of tissues with this one! Not one measly tissue, I'm talkin the whole box!
This is a wonderful, clean, Christian story about the lives of 4 women who vacation in the Bahama's and end up finding God and his healing powers.

Buy this book from Amazon - HERE
and from B&N - HERE

THE GIVEAWAY! I am giving away my copy of the book "Hurricanes in Paradise"

To win this book - fill out the form below.

* Please US & Canada only.

And please only enter once -  (I go through and delete double entries).

* Winner will be chosen on July 25th.

* Winner will have 48 hrs. to respond.