Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour & Giveaway for One Way Home by Melanie Campbell, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: One Way Home
Series: Whispers of Grace #2
Author: Melanie Campbell
Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink
Release Date: November 1, 2020
Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Women's Fiction
She’s hanging by a string—with only one chance left.
A recovering alcoholic and longtime widow, Sharon has struggled to build a new life. She’s made amends with her only daughter, Cassie, who’s been through a treacherous divorce. Cassie’s daughter, Renee, too young to understand her grandmother’s earlier mistakes, has become the light of Sharon’s life.
But Sharon can’t seem to escape from her past. Her mother’s deathbed confession haunts her. Convinced the answer to truly overcoming her addiction lies with her biological father, Sharon sends off a DNA test in the hope of finding him. When the results of the test aren’t as revealing as Sharon anticipates, she and Cassie team up to find the truth.
Meanwhile an old flame shows up. Sharon doesn’t think she can ever love again, but what Johnny offers seems like a dream come true. His charm and kindness shine so bright, Sharon can almost believe he’s changed.
As the search for her father continues to frustrate and tensions escalate with Cassie, Sharon wonders if leaving it all behind for a life with Johnny will save her crumbling heart.
Will the truth set Sharon free? Or it will it be the final blow to her sobriety?
My Review 💛
Mother/daughter relationships can be a challenge, especially when the roles are reversed, and the daughter is taking care of the mother while she faces the demons of her past, and struggles through sobriety. That's exactly where we find Sharon and Cassie.
In the first book of the Whisper of Grace series, we see Cassie's harrowing ordeal of leaving an abusive relationship, and her fight for a better life for her and her daughter, Renee. In One Way Home, this is Sharon's story and struggle, though Cassie plays a major role.
The entire novel is told from Sharon's perspective and frankly, is depressing. You hear her inner struggles of fighting alcohol addiction, and trying to get her life together, while also trying to mend the broken relationship with her daughter, and establish a bond with her granddaughter. There is a love interest that pops up out of nowhere, but that is not the focal point at all, but instead it adds more color and dimension to Sharon, connecting the reader to her character on an even deeper level.
Though it's Sharon's story, as told by her, One Way Home also puts a lot of focus on Cassie and Renee, the reader feeling the sadness for their situation as well, but also hope for their little family. Slowly you begin to see the small beams of grace penetrating their lives as the story continues to unfold. Little Renee is definitely the sunshine with her pure innocence and optimism, as well as a certain pastor that continues to help the family. The ending is soulful and satisfying, and I put down the book with a small smile on my face.
Although it's not a fast-paced read by any means, it has a good rhythm, with good writing, and is a glimpse into a true life situation that I'm sure many can identify with in some way.
My Rating: ★★★★
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Melanie Campbell’s debut novel, One Woman Falling, won the 2020 Oregon Christian Writer’s Cascade Award for contemporary fiction and is a finalist for the Selah Award for first novel. One Way Home, the second novel in her Whispers of Grace series, releases on November 1, 2020.
Melanie wrote her first story when she was eight-years-old and has been in love with the power of storytelling ever since. She is also passionate about social issues and holds a degree in Sociology from the University of Oregon, which she obtained during her stint as a single-mom. She’s now married and lives in Oregon’s beautiful Willamette Valley with her family and several spoiled pets.
When not writing, Melanie enjoys exploring Oregon’s beautiful outdoors by hiking, kayaking, and going for drives in the country. In less-than-favorable weather conditions, you will find her enjoying an intriguing book and a strong cup of coffee.
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a signed copy of One Way Home and a $25 Amazon gift card!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight November 10, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on November 17, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I read through Kindle Unlimited for JustRead Tours. All views and opinions are completely honest, and my own.
No comments
Thank you for visiting! :)