To celebrate the release of To Love Anew, I’m running a huge contest for my readers. To enter, all you need to do is read the story, and then post a comment here on my blog telling me the name of your favorite character, and why you liked him or her.I’ll put all the names of the people who post into a (very classy) hat, and then draw one winner.
The winner of the contest will receive a huge basket of goodies, including chocolate, gourmet coffee, hot chocolate, a coffee mug, and a full set of my Matanuska series. If that doesn’t cause you to feel Love Anew, I don’t know what will (GRIN!)
All comments must be added as responses to this post by September 30th, so buy your copy of To Love Anew soon, and then submit your comment.
I look forward to hearing about your favorite characters, and to sending one of you a FABULOUS basket of goodies!
Bonnie
P.S. IMPORTANT: We will announce the winner of the basket right here on the blog on October 1st. To claim the prize, the winner must provide a complete mailing address through Bonnie's contact form no later than October 12th!
Hi Bonnie,
ReplyDeleteIt was so fun to see you at the conference! I enjoyed getting to eat breakfast with you that morning and talking with you at the book signing.
I just finished reading To Love Anew--a great story! I had no idea about the life of prisoners in those days.
If I had to pick a favorite character (a hard call because there were so many I was rooting for) I would say it was Lottie. She endeared me because of her innocence and courage to endure under such hard conditions. No one was more deserving of a happy ending.
Thanks for writing such a heart-tugging story. I'm looking forward to the rest of them in the Sydney Cove series!
Blessings,
Lynetta
Lynetta,
ReplyDeleteI love Lottie too. Just as you said, she's courageous.
Because I don't have your email address, make sure to check back to see who the winner is on September 30th.
Bonnie
Hey Bonnie, I just finished it. The first book of yours that I've read so far. Have a bunch more that I bought there at the conference. THANKS for being my coaching class instructor, you're an inspiration to me.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of inspirations, I think I like Lydia the best in To Love Anew. I wanted to know her more. Why was she so positive in the midst of such degrading and dark circumstances? I'm a believer but don't think I'd respond with as much hope and grace in those circumstances as she. I also like the allusions to Perry's character and wanted to see more evidence of his mischief and stubbornness, especially in regards to his feelings for Lydia. I hope you really play that clash of the titans up in the next book. Great tension leads to exercising those hand muscles in turning pages faster!
-Barbara de Vos
Barbara,
ReplyDeleteThat's one of the great things about writing series. There is more than one book to build the story, the characaters, and the tension between characters.
You'll see a lot more of your favorites in book two.
Bonnie
This is a very difficult question as I truly cannot choose simply just one character whom stood out above all the others ... I liked Hannah, Lydia, Lottie and Mrs. Atherton equally but for all different reasons. But to give this a try, I will narrow my selection down to Hannah. Hannah was a dear and loveable character and I related to her on many deep levels, making her most endearing to me. Hannah had so many setbacks in her life in which one could not fault her for abanonding her faith in God or to simply give up on her will to live ... and yet, through it all, she endured. With the help of some truly loveable characters, Hannah was able to overcome the hardships and traumatic events of her past and grew into quite a lovely young lady who was bestowed upon with many blessings. Hannah's beautiful and unselfish heart was very admiring, the way in which she took it upon herself to comfort those around her and to lavish her love onto them.
ReplyDeleteSo there you have it, my many reasons for adoring the character of Hannah.
Leah Mast
P.S. -- John is a lucky man, no?!
Hi, Bonnie....
ReplyDeleteI had told you about my favorite character who is Lydia. I chose Lydia because of her strong faith in the Lord and she definitely was an encourager with one exception when she seemed "down" toward the end of the book. Hannah was able to return the favor, for the many times Lydia had encouraged her. There was such a wonderful bond between them.
The endurance of Hannah, John, and even Lottie as well as Lydia, was remarkable under incredible circumstances. It made me shudder reading all they endured. As you see, I truly did “get in to it” It was fun to have Mrs. Atherton making an encouraging appearance periodically. In spite of all the heartaches and “unfair” treatment, the underlying support was that the Lord was in control, even though it would be almost impossible to remember that in the various situations they encountered..
I am having trouble being patient for the next one of this series I am sincerely looking forward to it.
Many blessings,
Gloria
Hi Bonnie,
ReplyDeleteWonderful first book of your new series, To Love Anew. It was hard to put the book down as I felt hooked from the first page on! God has blessed you with a wonderful talent and we, your readers, are so fortunate that He did bless you for our enjoyment as well.
My favorite characters would have to be Hannah and Mrs. Atherton. They both had their own trials and tribulations they endured and yet knew God was there beside them. Hannah was blessed with trust, hope and courage and at the end, truly knew God never left her. Mrs. Atherton was an angel of mercy to the women prisoners and through her kindness and examples, these women knew they were loved by her.
Can't wait for book 2 of the Sydney Cove series. Nancy
Hi Bonnie!! loved seeing you at Lindon's Books in Enumclaw friday!!! I bought the book that nite...finished reading it by Sunday nite!! my favorite characters were Lottie & Lydia!!such horrible conditions they were in and yet Lydia being the encourager and reminding Hannah to keep thier thoughts on God's promises WOW!!such faith!!This story kept me hooked to the end! darn it now I have to wait to find out what heppens, will John be as forgiving of Hannah's past ?
ReplyDeleteBonnie,
ReplyDeleteIt is so hard to pick a favorite character, but I would have to say it is Lydia. She is a gutsy gal with a strong faith; just the kind of girl I like. I would have liked to know more of her and hope you have included her in book two. I also really like Mrs. Atherton. She is a woman of quiet faith and loved the many "children" God had given her.
Thanks for writing such a great story!
Love you tons and ton,
Myrn
p.s. hope I win...I'll share :o)
Hi Bonnie,
ReplyDeleteMy favorite character is Lydia. (You already know this!) I love her outspoken, practical nature. She's a great contrast to Mrs. Atherton, who is kind and gentle. Must be something in me that prefers the rough, outspoken types!
Ann
Hi Bonnie,
ReplyDeleteYou signed a couple of books for me in Roseburg, I really enjoy your work. When I started reading "To Love Anew", I wanted to keep reading; each character had so many trials. When John realized the truth about his cousin and his wife, I felt sorrow for him. I was so happy in the end when he trusted God to take revenge instead of trying to take justice into his own hands.
I really like how you make readers understand that God loves everyone, no matter what happens in their lives.
Cheryl
My favorite characters were the Athertons. They really seemed sincere about helping the convicts and trying to find better lives for them. They did not show prejudice or prejudge them for their crimes but instead took the time to listen to why they were in there.
ReplyDeleteI also wanted to let you know that I've posted a review of To Love Anew on my blog! Really really enjoyed it.
Dear Bonnie,
ReplyDeleteTo Love Anew was difficult to put down. My fave character was
Hannah, of course. I could truly
relate to her and her struggle with
her past, her "unpardonable" sins
and her lack of faith.
I am joining a book club this month, and To Love Anew is the first book we will be discussing!
Blessings,
Dottie Brandt
Veneta, Oregon
To chose one character over another is hard. Hannah Talbot I can relate to where a miscarriage is returned. But now that my oldest daughter is facing divorce, I hope she can find love anew. I was so sure God was in her marriage and I know He had a plan. But now her roads are taking her away from me and someone anew.
ReplyDeleteI also loved John Bradshaw because after the Jim Bakker scandal, he found love anew and finding new beginnings is such a good thing.
God Bless.
Jane Squires - jrs362@hotmail.com
I thought all the characters really were brought to full life. As I was reading, I was proud of you, Bonnie, for writing such a great book. You didn't shy away from showing the worst in life and explaining how God uses those dark times.
ReplyDeleteI'm going with Lydia as my favorite character because she was so encouraging, yet needed encouragememt herself near the end.
Well golly--good book now that I finally started it I don't wanna
ReplyDeleteput it down. I like your friends, Bonnie. You write so well, and the
characters are real people, just in another interesting time and place. But
as the bathwater grew cold, so did my dear husband out in the family room
waiting for me to leave Bonnie's friends so I couldn't find out what
happened to Hannah at her new digs--does she meet John? See Lottie again?
Re-hook up with Lydia? It is great--but not the wondering--the anticipation
of crawling into bed and getting back to Bonnie's friends! Ok, husband time over and I stayed up tll I finished. Ohhh, and they all lived happily ever after...? No, Bonnie, your friend's lives are too real and life just isn't happily ever after until our Ever After with Jesus. So it will be delicious to see what all you get your friends into in the next story. Write on, dear
girl! Love,patti Iverson ps--mmmmm, I liked John! He's like my own hunky man... :)