Book Review & Giveaway ~ "A Man of Honor" by Loree Lough

I am pleased to say that I am taking part in the above blog tour!  You can click on the picture to go find out more details about the book, the author and other tour stops.  You can also watch the trailer! 

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion about the book.

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Now, my review:

Title:  "The Things I Do For You"

Author:  Loree Lough
Publisher:  Abingdon Press
Publication Date:  8/2012

Pages:  352

Buy From Amazon:  HERE

Book Description:

On a steamy spring morning, Dusty Parker—part-time pastor, part-time search-and-rescue team member, and full-time administrator of a school for troubled boys—joins the search for a missing teenage girl. He partners with volunteer and inner-city school teacher Grace Sinclair, and what they find bonds them in ways neither could have expected.

As they begin to build their lives together, a visitor from the past causes Dusty and Grace to further open their hearts and home. But a threat is looming on their seemingly perfect lives and in one terrifying night, everything changes.

My Overall Feeling of the Book:

I was little nervous reading the third book of a series without reading the first two books first, but the author seemlessly makes this a strong stand-alone book.  Characters from previous books were introduced, but with just the right amount of time spent on them.

I do have to say that this is a pretty heavy book.  A lot of hard issues are covered from the very first chapter to the very last chapter.  Those two chapters were the most emotional for me.

All the chapters in between were a sweet love story that was anything but conventional but at the same time very heart-warming.


My Favorite Character:

Dusty was my favorite character.  He's a Harley-riding, preacher raising over 10 orphan boys from all walks of life.  I love how he does everything from search and rescue work to making the boys PB&J for supper when the funds are running low. 

My Favorite Scene:

My favorite scene is  Dusty's first impression of Grace and how quickly his opinion about her changes.

My Favorite Sentence/Paragraph:

A few minutes into the search, a soft voice near Dusty's elbow said, "Mind if I follow you?"

Young and wide-eyed, her expression told him she belong with the "never did anything like this before" group.  He had a notion to ask, "Why do I get stuck with all the newbies?"  Instead, he said, " Does Jones have your contact info?"

"He does."

He gave her a quick once-over.  Wasn't likely she'd keep up with him on legs that short, but even if she did, her to-the-piont answer gave him hope that she wouldn't hammer him with inane chatter.

It Would Have Been Better If:

To be honest, I really wish the ending had been different.  I won't go into details and I understand why the author wrote it the way she did, but it was not what I was expecting.  At all.  It really brought the book down a notch for me.

Also, I'm still curious about the murder mystery that brought Dusty and Grace together in the first place.  I'd like to know who dunnit.

I Would Recommend This Book To:

Harley riders and wannabes, foster parents, volunteers, preachers and their wives, farmers, teachers, homeschoolers, people who don't like stereotypes.

Rating

3/5

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Now, for the giveaway!

To enter for a chance to win my review copy of this book:

*Mandatory-  Please leave a comment telling me what about this book appeals to you most.

*Extra-  Follow my blog and leave a comment telling me you do :)

The giveaway will run until August 11, 2012 at 11:59pm.  The winner will be announced on August 12th.

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On to the next book,