Monday, October 11, 2010

SAFE HAVEN: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
SAFE HAVEN
BY NICHOLAS SPARKS
 

ABOUT THE BOOK:

When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with Alex, a widowed store owner with a kind heart and two young children; and another with her plainspoken single neighbor, Jo. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family.  

But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her . . . a past that set her on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to the sheltered oasis of Southport. With Jo's empathic and stubborn support, Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety and one of riskier rewards . . . and that in the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nicholas Sparks is the author of 15 books. He lives in North Carolina with his wife and children. You can visit the author's web site at www. nicholassparks.com.




ABOUT MY REVIEW:  

For readers seeking more excitement who may have shied away from Nicholas Sparks‘ work before, being known for his enduring love stories, SAFE HAVEN may be the book that will gather more fans with this slight change of pace new novel. SAFE HAVEN is a love story but also is edgier, suspenseful, and not all hearts and flowers. It still possesses the author’s trademark setting in North Carolina and the power of love and all that entails, but it also includes a gripping tale of a darker side to relationships and love.

Centered around Katie, a woman of mystery to the townsfolk where she has come to live, readers will find an attractive, unassumingly quiet young woman who seems to just want to live her own life without any connections or attention. Taking on a job as a waitress, nobody realizes how happy she is to have a job around food after going without for several days. This pretty, short haired brunette does draw attention, however, as she is new, easy on the eyes, and has an air of mystery about her as she keeps to herself. Katie slowly slips into life in Southport and fixes up a rental on the outskirts of town that she feels somewhat secure in located at the end of the somewhat isolated rocky road. Katie isn’t alone for long as a neighbor returns to a nearby bungalow nearby. Jo comes by to introduce herself and although Katie can’t afford to trust anyone she finds herself becoming friends with this woman. It feels good to have someone to feel close to. Later on, Katie will discover how important this friendship will be to her.

As with all Nichols Sparks books, there is the love interest and this comes in the form of Alex, who owns the local shop where Katie shops. Alex is a widower of a year now, having lost his beloved Carly, and has no interest in romantic ties as he runs his shop and raises his two young children. Nonetheless, Alex is intrigued by this quiet, new stranger to town and he likes that when she is in the store his daughter gravitates to Katie. When a dangerous incident occurs that could have been quite serious, Katie is there and involved and it brings the two together. Katie find herself weakening as her attraction to Alex builds and her barriers slowly give way a little as she begins to trust a man again. But what keeps this Nicholas Sparks book from being like his others is wrapped up in the reason for Katie’s secrecy and reluctance to open up. What horrible thing has happened to her in the past and, we find out, is it still a threat to her? 

Little by little, Sparks reveals the horror of what Katie had endured and why she has disguised herself and tried to run away to a SAFE HAVEN. Katie’s terrifying, abusive past is never out of her mind or far behind her, especially as Kevin enters the picture. Reminiscent of the thrilling Julia Roberts movie, “Sleeping with the Enemy”, the chilling tension mounts and Sparks successfully brings suspense and sheer terror to SAFE HAVEN. The story builds nicely from the start as the sense of foreboding builds, and is a real page-turner once readers discover the secret past that Katie is hiding from. The twist at the end will surprise readers somewhat and I think for Sparks’ first foray into this genre, he does a fine job and will certainly please his many followers and add several new fans as well.

GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO BRAD AND FRIENDS 
AT HACHETTE BOOK GROUP, I 
I HAVE THREE COPIES OF THIS
WONDERFUL NEW NICHOLAS
SPARKS
BOOK TO GIVE AWAY!
 
THE RULES:

--U.S. AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES, PLEASE
--INCLUDE EMAIL ADDRESS IN COMMENT
--ALL ENTRIES/COMMENTS MUST BE
SEPARATE IN ORDER TO COUNT
AS MORE THAN ONE ENTRY



HOW TO ENTER

+1 ENTRY: READ ABOVE AND LISTEN TO THE VIDEO. THEN COMMENT ON WHY YOU WOULD LIKE TO WIN THIS BOOK

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK AND LEAVE A LINK

+1 MORE ENTRY: GO TO NICHOLAS SPARKS WEBSITE HERE AND LOOK AT THE DIFFERENT BOOKS HE HAS WRITTEN. NAME ONE YOU HAVE READ, OR PERHAPS WOULD LIKE TO READ, BESIDE SAFE HAVEN

GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, OCTOBER 30!

GOOD LUCK!

92 comments:

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

I would like to win this book because I am a big fan of this author.

cenya2 at hotmail dot com

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

The Wedding would be a good book to read.
I didn't know he had that many books.

cenya2 at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I would like to win this book because I absolutely love Nicholas Sparks' novels. I have every published novel of his and cannot wait to read this one.

- Carmen
carmentsang12 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I tweeted about this giveaway here: http://twitter.com/#!/carmentsang/status/27047711359

- Carmen
carmentsang12 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Another Nicholas Sparks novel I had read is Message in a Bottle. It was my first Nicholas Sparks novel. And it made me cry my eyes out. And from then, I always came back for me. :)

-Carmen
carmentsang12 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I would love to read this book because I really enjoy his work.
amandarwest at gmaildotcom

Unknown said...

Tweeted http://twitter.com/amandawk/status/27047991531

Unknown said...

My favorite book by him is The Notebook.

fredamans said...

I'm a fan of Nicholas Spark's love stories, that's why I'd like to win.

freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca

fredamans said...

tweet; http://twitter.com/#!/fredalicious/status/27048930755

freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca

fredamans said...

I've read The Notebook, The Last Song and Dear John. The Notebook was my favorite.

freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca

Deb said...

I love this author...love to read his books ;)

deborah150 at hotmail dot com

Deb said...

Hands down his best book is The Notebook.

deborah150 at hotmail dot com

PoCoKat said...

Huge fan of Nicholas Sparks...would love to win!

littleone AT shaw DOT ca

PoCoKat said...

Would love to read The Notebook to see how different it is from the movie which was so good!!!

littleone At shaw DOT ca

petite said...

This author's novels are wonderful and this new one sounds compelling. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

The Notebook is my favorite. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I would like to read The Wedding since I liked The Notebook. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

Safe Haven sounds unique and interesting. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Andi said...

I would love to win a copy of this book as I've read all of his other works.
andinewberry at yahoo dot com

Jodi Webb said...

I'm a sucker for Nicholas Sparks(even though I always say I don't like romances I secretly love his)

webbJM AT verizon DOT net

Jodi Webb said...

#2

I read A Walk to Remember

webbJM AT verizon DOT net

Steve Capell said...

I haven’t read any of this author’s books, but your review sounds like a book that I would take pleasure in reading. They say love concurs all ... so maybe this is case with this book. Thanks you so much for hosting this giveaway.

steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com

Charleydog said...

This story reminds me of the movie starring Julia Roberts where she ran away (pretended to drown) but her husband found the wedding ring in the toilet and started looking for her. The memorable words as she faced him after he broke into her home, "I have just killed an intruder."

Please enter my name in the giveaway for the book. Thanks!

pboylecharley AT hotmail DOT com

debbie said...

I would like to win this book, because I have read one of his other books. This one sounds like I would enjoy it.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I would love to win this book! I have the audio book of Dear John and I loved it, so I would love to read his latest book. Please enter me!

lead[at]hotsheet[dot]com

holdenj said...

I would love to win this because I'm kind of glad he's made this book a little more edgy and mysterious! It's nice to have a little of that once in a while.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I read The Lucky One and really enjoyed it. It was my first Sparks book ever!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

Id like to read this because I have yet to read a book by him that hasn't been good so I'm sure this one will be awesome too!

unforgetable_dreamer_always (at) hotmail.com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

This is a very different book for Nicholas Sparks!! I would love to read his version of someone who has had a terrifying past and is trying to get a "Safe Haven".

Please enter me!

dancealert at aol dot com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

I posted the giveaway to my blog
dancealertreads.blogspot.com

http://dancealertreads.blogspot.com/2010/10/bookin-for-bingo-is-giving-away-3-books.html

dancealert at aol dot com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

I've read all of his books except the latest - my favorite is
The Notebook!

dancealert at aol dot com

Connie said...

Hi! I like reading his books because they bring out so many emotions in me when I read them. I like the fact that he always has a twist in his books. :)

aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

StephTheBookworm said...

I would LOVE to win this because he is one of my favorite authors. I also like the fact that you said this book is a bit different and more suspenseful/edgier. I think it'll be interesting to see his slight writing style change in this book.

stephaniet117 at yahoo dot com

StephTheBookworm said...

I've read quite a few of his books (but not all... YET) but my favorite is The Notebook. It's such a beautiful book.

gcpeach17 said...

I love all of his books! I cannot wait to read this one and I appreciate the chance to win it. to become an author....well 1 out of 3 isn't bad, I read alot. Maybe I will try to write something. I used to write letters alot. I was told once by a card reader that I will write childrens books...because they are short??:)

gcpeach17 at aol dot com

gcpeach17 said...

I visited his website and the only book I do NOT have and read is Three Weeks with my Brother. How did I miss that one? I think my favorite is still the 1st one I read,,,,The Notebook.

gcpeach17 at aol dot com

Edna said...

I like the video and I really like Nicholas Sparks, he is a great author

I follow you

I tweeted@mrsred50 about this giveaway

mamat2730 at charter dot net

Linda Kish said...

Sometimes you just have to read a romance novel.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I'd like to read The Lucky One.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I really enjoy suspense books and Nicholas Sparks is a wonderful writer. Very easy to read and enjoyable to curl up with and get lost in a great book!

Tina "The Book Lady"
contact(dot)thebooklady@gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

Tweeted at:
http://twitter.com/#!/familyliteracy/status/27104604437

contact(dot)thebooklady(at)gmail.com

Beth said...

Love Nicholas Sparks...as far as this book...would love to see his work in suspense...the story sounds intriguing!
baileypoo[at]gmail.com

Beth said...

I think I've read everyone of his books the week it comes out...but one of my faves is The Guardian!
baileypoo[at]gmail.com

Unknown said...

The last book of his that I read was "The Notebook". It's been quite a while ago so I could read it again.

Tina "The Book Lady"
contact(dot)thebooklady@gmail(dot)com

Beth said...

Tweet!
http://twitter.com/monkeyswashtub/status/27104970962
baileypoo[at]gmail.com

Ruthie said...

I have heard so much about this book that I just have to read it. Please enter me, thanks.

ruthiekb72@yahoo.com

Ruthie said...

I would like to read The Wedding.

ruthiekb72@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I've read and seen the movie The Notebook and loved both. I've also read The Wedding.

I would love to read this. Romance with a touch of danger.

monagarg@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I visited his website and signed up for his newsletter.

There are so many of his other books I would like to read, especially Nights in Rodanthe(I have the DVD on loan from the library) and The Guardian(recently purchased from library sale).

monagarg@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Visited his site and signed up for newsletter. There are so many of his books on my TBR list. I would especially like to read Nights in Rodanthe(have DVD on loan from library) and The Guardian(recently purchased from library sale).

monagarg@yahoo.com

justpeachy36 said...

I would like to read the book for several reasons. Nicholas Sparks is one of my favorite authors, but this book is an edgier more suspenseful tale than we are used to from him. Should be interesting.

Please enter me in the giveaway.

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

justpeachy36 said...

I have read all of Nicholas Sparks' other book. My favorites are The Notebook, and The Guardian and Nights in Rodanthe is next on my list.

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I would love to read this book because I am a fan of Nicholas Sparks. I enjoyed his book a Walk to Remember. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

Sandee61 said...

I'd love to be entered in your giveaway for Nicholas's book, Safe Haven. I've been a fan of his since his first book came out, and have all of his books, except this new one. My favorite is The Notebook.

Thank you for the entry!

Blessings,
Sandee61

Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

LeAnn said...

I want to read Safe Haven because Spark's says it is more suspenseful and edgy than his typical style. I like all of his books but mysteries/suspense are my favorite genre and this sounds like it might fall in this category!

sunshine9 at imonmail dot com

LeAnn said...

The one Spark's book that I have not read is The Guardian. Spark's said Safe Haven is going back to his suspense style last used in The Guardian.

sunshine9 at imonmail dot com

hendy said...

Besides the fact that I love everything Nicholas Sparks writes, I'm dying to know what Katie's secret is and is her and Alex get together in the end...will this book become a movie too?
hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com

hendy said...

I have not read The Lucky One but it looks like a great book that I want to read
hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com

hendy said...

tweeted this giveaway
http://twitter.com/HendyMartin/status/27224867114
hmhenderson At yahoo DOT com

bison61 said...

I love this author and what is Katie's secret?

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Lu said...

Something in your review that intrigued me was that there is some suspense, not all hearts and flowers! I read a lot of suspense and thrillers. I also love Nicholas Sparks. I would love to read a book written by him with some element of suspense to it! I own all of his previous books, except for The Lucky One. I didn't enjoy that one as much as the rest, so I lent it out (I Never lend out his books!), and of course it was never returned. (good reminder of why I don't lend out books by favourite authors!) Please enter me!

lusravesandrants AT gmail DOT com

Lu said...

I have read all of his previous novels. I highly recommend any one of them. The Wedding , and The Choice are my 2 favourites!!

lusravesandrants AT gmail DOT com

Natalie A. said...

I would love to win because he is a great author. I learned he put some "danger" in this book by watchig the video! Thanks!

coolnatty12 at yahoo dot com

Natalie A. said...

I would love to read The Notebook! THanks!

coolnatty12 at yahoo dot com

Natalie A. said...

I tweeted this giveaway!
http://twitter.com/natdey/status/27407838895

coolnatty12 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

LOVE, LOVE LOVE Nick Sparks!! Have read all his books and would love to win this one!
smpearce@cfl.rr.com

Reading said...

I love Spark's books. They are always so sweet. This one sounds a little edgier. I would love to give it a try.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Reading said...

I have read The Notebook, A Walk to Remember, The Last Song and Dear John.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Laura H. said...

I would like to win this book because I've read all of Nicholas Sparks' other ones and he knows how to tell a good love story with conflict.

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Tweeted giveaway: http://twitter.com/#!/MamaHendo3/status/27778374151

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

I've read them all!!! My particular favorite is "The Notebook". The movie isn't too bad either! :-)

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Sarah E said...

I would like to win this book because the storyline sounds like a great one.

Please enter me in this giveaway!

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Sarah E said...

Tweeted:

http://twitter.com/BookLoverSarah/status/28005421306

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Sarah E said...

I would like to read The Choice.

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Jolee said...

I'd like to try this because I like the romance, twists and emotions in his books. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

Read Message in a Bottle. Loved. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Chelsey said...

I would like to win this book because I enjoy Sparks' books. I like that this one is edgier more along the lines of "The Guardian". Thanks for the giveaway. mybabyappleseed(at)yahoo(dot)ca

Chelsey said...

I recently read "Dear John". mybabyappleseed(at)yahoo(dot)ca

Chelsey said...

I tweeted http://twitter.com/SowDandelions/status/28619122763 mybabyappleseed(at)yahoo(dot)ca

misskallie2000 said...

I love Nichols Sparks books and Know I will enjoy reading Safe Haven. Have read several.
Thanks for this opportunity to enter giveaway.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...

I loved the Notebook and have read several times.

Read his bio and he has had a very busy life. I lost count of children so either 4 or 5?

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...

Tweet
http://twitter.com/misskallie2000/status/28631922201

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

minishoes1 said...

I would love to read this book since he is going to add a bit of danger in it. That sounds even better. Glad I watched the video!Thanks! jacquecurl1(at)gmail(dot)com

minishoes1 said...

I would like to read -The Resue. There's just something about firefighters that are romantic! jacquecurl1(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I love Nicholas Sparks' books! The stories he creates are so great and often tearful!

Sally
bellsandunicorns(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

My most favorite book from Nicholas Sparks is "The Guardian." I don't know if it was the dog, or what, but this book made me BAWL! But, it was really good! I also love "The Rescue."

Sally
bellsandunicorns(at)gmail(dot)com

Giant Sis said...

I'd love to win because I really enjoy Nicholas Sparks books! He really knows how to get to my emotions!
wilburnnewsome atyahoodotcom

Giant Sis said...

I read The Notebook.
wilburnnewsome atyahoodotcom

Nancye said...

I would like to win this book because I am a HUGE Nicholas Sparks fan. I love all of his books!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I have read "The Notebook"--one of my all-time favorite books!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Tweet! Tweet!
@NancyeDavis

http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/29219414410

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

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