Wednesday, July 2, 2014

For the Longest Time (Harvest Cove, #1) by Kendra Leigh Castle ~ Review Author Interview & Giveaway

Source: Received paperback from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

For Samantha Henry, it took a ten-year absence to appreciate the close-knit New England town with an appeal all its own....

After a perfect storm of events leaves Sam high, dry, and jobless, she has to head home to Harvest Cove to regroup. Growing up, she was the town misfit, and a brief high school romance that resulted in heartbreak made her realize she was never going to fit in. But now with the support of her mother and an unexpected circle of allies, Sam starts to wonder if she’s misjudged the town all these years.

Life’s been good to Jake Smith. He transitioned from popular jock to town veterinarian without any trouble. But Sam’s homecoming makes him question his choices. The sharp-tongued beauty was never a good fit for the small community, but he’s never forgotten her—or how good they were together. While she makes it clear she’s not about to repeat the past, Jake’s determined to convince her to give him—and Harvest Cove—a second chance.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19486408-for-the-longest-time

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0451467582http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/for-the-longest-time-kendra-leigh-castle/1117745946



 Review...


I love second chance stories especially when the first chance was during high school and mixed up with growing up.  This story is that perfect kind of second chance story.

Sam has a different style growing up and the other kids made her pay for it.  But the more they picked on her the more different she was.  It drove her out of the town to New York for college and to make her way.  When that town throws her out, she head home but only till she figures things out.  She's not counting on Jake.

I love the name Jake and him being a vet just adds to his yummy charm.  He made a choice when he was in high school that he still regrets.  That choice pushed Sam away when they had a budding friendship.  He's not about to make the same mistake again.  Patience and determination will be his lot as he tries to get back what he threw away all those years ago.

The story pace is perfect.  I never like things are going to fast or too slow.  They run into each other and the sparks are still there.  He chases and she resists.  His annoying friends that never grew up make him question a few things and there's some bumps in the road.  But it just felt right.

Yummy sparks and heated passion are definitely a part of this book.

I love first books in a series.  They set the stage for so much story goodness.  This one does a great job of setting up the small town of Harvest Cove with all it's charm.  Lots of potential for more to come with this little town.

If you love a great romance story where the second chance is right and it unfolds perfectly then this one is sure to satisfy. 



Author Interview...



·      How do you go about starting a whole new series?  Is it one story at a time or have you plotted out the whole thing?

I’m definitely not much of a plotter! When I start a new series, I usually come up with the sort of “big idea” behind the books and work from there. With Harvest Cove, I knew I wanted to set everything in a small, coastal town in New England. So I nailed down a few important details about the town (like the name, exact location, things like that), then got to work on For the Longest Time. I got to know the town and the characters as I wrote the book, which is always a lot of fun for me. I always have a basic idea of where things are heading, but I don’t like knowing exactly what’s going to happen—the surprises along the way are what keep me interested in each story!

·      What is it about writing a second chance story that appeals to you?

After writing a lot of books in which the hero and heroine were initially strangers thrown together by (really weird) circumstances, I wanted to write a story where the characters already had some history.  At the start of For the Longest Time, Sam and Jake have plenty of preconceived notions and baggage related to each other—it pulls them together even as it presents some big obstacles for them, Sam in particular. I loved working with the idea that even people who are perfectly suited might not be ready for each other the first time around. Writing a couple who had to grow and change on their own first, so that years later they would get to rediscover each other when the time was right, was something I really enjoyed.   

·      Tell us something about Sam and Jake that we don't learn in the story.

At Sam’s request, Jake agreed to teach her to play Call of Duty with him, thinking it would be a fun way to spend some time together. She is now famous in their circle of friends for both her skill and her cheerfully vulgar smack talk, and when not playing as his ally, Sam routinely kicks Jake’s butt. 



About the Author...


Kendra Leigh Castle is the author of numerous paranormal romances, including the MacInnes Werewolves trilogy, the RITA award-nominated Renegade Angel, the Dark Dynasties series, and the Hearts of the Fallen series. 2014 will see the release of her first contemporary romance, For the Longest Time, which will be the first in her Harvest Cove series. Kendra lives in Maryland with her husband, children, two Newfs, and one obnoxious cat.

https://www.facebook.com/authorkendraleighcastlehttps://twitter.com/KendraLCastlehttp://www.kendraleighcastle.com/https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1180263.Kendra_Leigh_Castle




Giveaway...



US only


 a Rafflecopter giveaway

16 comments:

  1. My favorite hero profession is probably scientists working on cures for diseases. Thanks!

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  2. I love vets :) Thanks for sharing!

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  3. I really enjoyed this one, too! I loved the second chance, and the personal growth they both experienced. And, I seriously wanted to smack some of his old friends! I want a story for Zoe and Jason!

    Great review, pal!

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    1. YES! Zoe & Jason need a book. Ellie is next, I think.

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  4. My favorite hero is a policer officer or detective. Thanks for having the giveaway.

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  5. I really don't have a favorite. :-)

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  6. I read a lot of regency romance I love the soldiers and sailors plus the clergyman in those books.

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  7. I love these second chance reads too! It is always interesting to see how they get over their pasts! Great review!

    Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace

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  8. Ooh, I don't really have a favourite but I like heroes in law enforcement or the military :)

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  9. My favorite hero's or policemen and fireman. They risk there lives for us and I don't think they are appreciated enough or paid enough.

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  10. My favorite hero profession is a cop or someone in the military. (signed up as Amber M)

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  11. My favorite heroes profession is a roofer.

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  12. Sounds like the kind of romance I enjoy. I'll have to check it out. Great review.

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  13. My favorite hero profession private detective. I've never heard a book about a veterinarian. Sounds good!

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  14. Firefighter is my favorite hero profession!

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