Book Review & Giveaway: Here to Stay by Melissa Tagg

“Some people have dreams their whole lives. Others discover their dreams along the way.”

After playing nomad for five years, Blake Hunziker has finally had enough of adventure. Not sure what reception he’ll get from everyone back in Whisper Shore, he’s stunned at not only a warm welcome from his hometown but also a job offer. The job is his if he can successfully pull off the annual Christmas Festival. If only he knew the first thing about coordinating events…

If there’s one thing Autumn Kingsley knows, it’s Whisper Shore. For years, she’s been stuck running her family’s inn when all she wants is to see the world. Now she has a visit scheduled from a potential investor who could take over the inn, as well as a dream job offer in Paris. But with just two weeks to whip the inn into shape, her chance at escape is a long shot.

The Hunzikers and the Kingsleys may not get along, but Blake knows Autumn’s the only one who can help him. She agrees to a trade–she’ll help with the Festival and he’ll help with inn repairs. But what was meant to be a simple deal quickly becomes much more than that when the guy who’s done running away joins forces with the girl who can’t wait to leave.

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“Melissa Tagg follows up her debut novel with a stellar sophomore read. With her charming wit and engaging prose, Tagg pens a story of hope in God’s dreams for us and ties it all together with sigh-worthy romance.

Truly a book and author not to be missed.”

~Rachel Hauck, award-winning, bestselling author of The Wedding Dress and Princess Ever After

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My Thoughts…

Every once in a while you find a character you love reading about, well.. Blaze Hunziker was that character for me in Melissa Tagg’s first book.  I loved Blaze and when I heard she was working on her second novel I couldn’t wait to read Blaze’s story.  He’s an enduring guy, because he has a soft side, but it comes at a cost. He lost his older brother in a tragic accident when in college. This accident from the past continues to haunt him in a way that he can’t seem to move past.  He is a wounded hero, aching for the right woman to come along and fix him up.

Enter Autumn Kingsley, a woman who has dreams of her own. The last thing she is thinking about is a relationship. She’s finally breaking free from her past and that includes this small town she grew up in. I loved a scene where her best friend just assumes Autumn has been praying about this big decision.  How often do we barrel through life knowing the right direction, without stopping to ask God if we are going the right way.  Autumn was afraid to ask God, because she feared His answer would be no.

I loved the ending. Melissa Tagg kept me guessing, which can be hard to do, while writing a story that made me laugh. I found myself re-reading a few scenes just for the pure joy of it. I highly recommend this book!

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Melissa Tagg, author of Made to Last and Here to Stay, is a former reporter and total Iowa girl. In addition to her homeless ministry day job, she is also the marketing/events coordinator for My Book Therapy, a craft and coaching commu

nity for writers. When she’s not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever, watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next book. She’s passionate about humor, grace, and happy endings. Melissa blogs regularly and loves connecting with readers at http://www.melissatagg.com.

You can find this book online at Amazon, B&N, or CBD.

 

In exchange for my honest review of this book, I was provided with a complimentary copy.

 

If you would like to receive my complimentary copy of the book, please leave a comment and I’ll draw a winner this Friday, May 16th. 

 

Here is another giveaway you can enter:

http://theengraftedword.net/interview-with-melissa-tagg-giveaway/