Tuesday, February 12, 2013

SAFE HAVEN: A GREAT VALENTINE'S GIVEAWAY AND REVIEW

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 one of the world’s most beloved storytellers. All of his books have been New York Times bestsellers, with nearly 80 million copies in print worldwide, in over 45 languages, including over 50 million copies in the United States alone, and his popularity continues to soar. He lives in North Carolina with his wife and children. You can visit the author's web site HERE to find out more about his life and work.
MY THOUGHTS/ 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 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.
 

SOME OTHER NICHOLAS SPARKS BOOKS...HOW MANY HAVE YOU READ?
                     

                     

                      

                      
GIVEAWAY
I AM EXCITED TO HAVE ONE
COPY OF NICHOLAS SPARKS' BOOK
OUT IN THEATERS THIS MONTH,
SAFE HAVEN, TO GIVE AWAY TO ONE
LUCKY FOLLOWER OF MY BLOG 
 
--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
 

COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!


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


+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE WAY THAT YOU FOLLOW MY BLOG. IF YOU FOLLOW MORE THAN ONE WAY, ENTER EACH WAY SEPARATELY IN ORDER TO GAIN MORE ENTRIES

GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, FEBRUARY 28!

GOOD LUCK!

70 comments:

debbie said...

I am a gfc follower
debbie
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Karen B said...

A Nicholas Sparks' book made into a movie is sure to be a winner!

kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

traveler said...

I am an e-mail subscriber. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

This one sounds great. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

A walk to remember looks wonderful. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Misusedinnocence said...

It sounds good! Nicholas Sparks is such a great author!

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Misusedinnocence said...

I follow on gfc.

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Misusedinnocence said...

I subscribe via email.

misusedinnocence@aol.com

petite said...

An appealing book which I would enjoy. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I am a follower. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I am an e-mail subscriber. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

His books are all special. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I've read lots of his other books and think I'd like this one as well.
Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I've read lots of his book, The Notebook was a favorite.
Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I follow with google reader.
Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Pamela Keener said...

I absolutely love page turners and a tad of suspense. This book sounds like a winner
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Sue Farrell said...

I like that you say this is an edgier novel that the author's other books.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Sue Farrell said...

I am an email subscriber.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Sue Farrell said...

I follow on facebook as Suzan Morrow Farrell.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Sue Farrell said...

I read A Walk to Remember and thought it was just a little too sweet for me.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Sue Farrell said...

I follow on GFC as Suekey.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Wendy Rozema said...

because this sounds like a great book to read!
wendywynsma(at)gmail(dot)com

Margie said...

Sounds like a great book. Sparks always tells a good story, and the location in the South is intriguing. Thanks for the giveaway.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

I have read several Sparks' books, but my favorite was The Guardian.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

FB 3
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Margie said...

FB 4
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Margie said...

email subscriber
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Margie said...

Facebook fan
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Margie said...

RSS in Google Reader
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Margie said...

Networked Blogs follower
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Margie said...

GFC follower
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Steve Capell said...

I went to an advance screening of the Safe Haven movie last night and it is awesome. This reason alone is the reason I am interested in reading the novel so thanks for the opportunity.

steven.capell@gmail.com

Connie said...

Hi! I watched the video. I would like to win this book because I have read a lot of Nicholas Sparks and enjoy his books.

Connie said...

I would also like to read his book "The Best of Me".

Connie said...

I am a loyal GFC follower. :)

Unknown said...

I love Nicholas Spark. I can't wait to read the book and see the movie. It sounds really good. Thanks for the giveaway. Please enter me. I am a follower and email subscriber. Tore923@aol.com

meredith m said...

I follow your blog on GFC

meredith m said...

hmm i dont know where my initial comment went - sorry if I repost - but I want to read this book b/c the plot looks great

meredith m said...

I like your blog on fb

meredith m said...

I also want to read the choice by NS

meredith m said...

tweeted https://twitter.com/mermont84/status/301778112126013441

Pat L. said...

Follow thru gfc
patoct@yahoo.com

Pat L. said...

Read several of NS books - a Walk to Remember is one and have seen many of the movies.

patoct@yahoo.com

Pat L. said...

Always enjoy a NS book and this one is a little diff with some intrigue.

patoct@yahoo.com

Deanna said...

watched video
want to win because I saw this movie in the theater and LOVED it
deannalw47 AT hotmail DOT com
xo

Deanna said...

read the notebook
deannalw47 AT hotmail DOT com
xo

Deanna said...

tweet
https://twitter.com/dlw447/status/302564555895214080
deannalw47 AT hotmail DOT com
xo

Deanna said...

GFC
deannalw47 AT hotmail DOT com
xo

Deanna said...

like you on FB as deanna time
deannalw47 AT hotmail DOT com
xo

Deanna said...

follow on networked blogs - deanna time
deannalw47 AT hotmail DOT com
xo

Deanna said...

google reader subscribed to blog
deannalw47 AT hotmail DOT com
xo

Margie said...

Entered Out of Circulation
mtakala1@yahoo.com

Linda Kish said...

I would like to know what she is running from.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I have read and enjoyed The Notebook.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I am a GFC follower

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I am an RSS subscriber

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

+5 February facebook

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Linda Kish said...

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rubynreba said...

I enjoy everything by Nicholas Sparks.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

email subscriber
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

GFC Follower
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rubynreba said...

+5 February facebook
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rubynreba said...

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rubynreba said...

+5 February facebook 4
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Margie said...

entered Saturday Night Widows
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

entered Peach Pies
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