Book Review: Guarded By Angela Correll AND A GIVEAWAY PACKAGE

GUARDED

By: Angela Correll

Published: December 1, 2015

Publisher: Koehler Books

Fiction/Christian



Readers may remember I reviewed Correll's first book, GROUNDED in the fall of 2013. See it HERE. Correll writes from her Kentucky home surrounded by farm animals and gardens. She is passionate about farming and has her own farm-to-table restaurant as well as a shop that sells natural beauty products. These passions, as well as her faith, come through in the stories she writes. 

In GUARDED, Correll picks up on Annie's story from GROUNDED. Annie had been laid off by her job as a flight attendant and dumped by the man she expected to marry. So, rather than going back to the crazy life she led in New York City, she returned home to her grandmother's farm in Kentucky. Move forward a few months, and Annie is now trying to find a way to fix up the family stone house that was damaged in a fire. While fixing it up, she finds letters hidden in the floorboards. The letters hold a family secret that will take her to Italy and back in time to WWII to find out the answers. 

Since Annie’s return to Kentucky, she has been reunited with childhood friend, Jake. Their romance has been developing slowly and now that Annie feels like she is ready for a life with Jake, something from her past begins to put a wedge between them. With all these secrets, Annie isn't sure there is a future for her on the farm in Kentucky.

I appreciate how Correll has connected her two books while also allowing them to stand alone. Fans of her first book will enjoy reading about the same characters and new readers will enjoy her casual writing style that makes you feel like you are sitting at the table with Annie and her grandmother enjoying pie and coffee.  The conversations flow and when their faith is weaved into the story, it is natural and not overbearing. 

The historical piece in this novel was my favorite, especially the telling of the story through letters sent during the war. My mother's family also has a historical stone house and this story made me wonder about the secrets and memories that house also holds in its walls.  

Correll did a beautiful job telling a story from the war that is not readily talked about. Her descriptions of Italy, the food, and the people made me want to book a trip there. This part of our war history has been ignored and her twist to this piece of our history was handled delicately and with love. This easy weekend read is perfect for cuddling up with a cup of coffee and a fire….and don’t forget the pie. 

Angela Correll - source

Angela Correll lives on a farm with her husband and an assortment of grass-fed cattle, horses, goats and chickens. She is the owner of a retail shop and co-owner of a farm-to-table restaurant. Her debut novel GROUNDED was an Amazon bestseller and was adapted into a play by Chelsea Marcantel and premiered in July 2015 to record-breaking crowds at the Pioneer Playhouse. For more on Angela Correll, check out her website, HERE where you can also find out more about her restaurant and her shop. You can also find Correll on Facebook, HERE, and Twitter, HERE. 

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED, THE WINNER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. THANKS FOR ENTERING. 

One lucky reader will win a package from the author including a body cream, hand soap, bar soap, and scrub. I was lucky to get my own gift set and I am loving every single product. To enter to win this gift basket as well as a copy of her newest book, GUARDED, fill out the form below. This giveaway is open until Tuesday, January 19, 2016, at 11:59 PM. I will choose a winner on Wednesday, January 20, 2016, and email the winner. The winner will have 48 hours to respond before I choose a new winner. This giveaway is sponsored by the author and I am not responsible for prizes not received, but I will do my best to make sure all prizes are delivered. One entry per person and US residents only, please. 

If you would like to purchase a copy of GUARDED, click the photo below:

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Thanks to the author for sending a copy of the book as well as the gift basket to me for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any way for this review. The author is providing all products for the giveaway. If you choose to purchase the book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com.