Review and giveaway: The Long Road Home
Facing financial ruin, Michael MacKenzie commits suicide in front of the one person he despises the most in the world, his banker, Charles Blair. Forced to pay off her estranged husband’s debts, Nora MacKenzie finds herself having to auction off most of their possessions. She chooses to keep their sheep farm in Vermont since it will give her a place to live and, hopefully, earn a living.
When she gets to the farm, Nora finds CW, the hired hand, in her home. She also finds locals who are resistant to outsiders and lots of work that need to be done around the house and the farm. Even though there’s an immediate attraction between CW and Nora, he remains aloof and reveals little about his past. Once he sees that Nora doesn’t realize who he is, he starts to come around. Nora has to figure out if she’s got what it takes to make the farm profitable.
The Long Road Home by Mary Alice Monroe was published in 1995, and has recently been re-released in trade paperback. It was Monroe’s first published work and she has come a long way since then. I enjoyed this book, but didn’t love it. I found it a little too predictable and felt there was on overuse of adjectives.
I thought the plot was solid and the characters were great, though. Readers know who CW is long before Nora does, adding some tension to the story. Nora is a great character – she’s confused and determined. Her world has fallen apart and she’s determined to make a new life for herself. I think most readers can relate to her in some way. The people of Vermont are great as well – they are plain, hard-working people with dreams of their own.
If you’re looking for a comfort read, you might want to check out The Long Road Home. I think those who enjoy romance novels will particularly enjoy this book. Thanks to the generosity of the author, I have 5 autographed copies of the 1995 mass market version of this book to give away. To enter to win one of five copies of THE LONG ROAD HOME by Mary Alice Monroe, simply fill out this entry form. Contest is open worldwide. I will use random.org to determine the winner. Contest ends at midnight EST Friday, March 25, 2011. The winner will be announced on Saturday, March 26, 2011. Comments are welcome (and appreciated) but will not get you an entry in the contest.
The Long Road Home has been on my wishlist for a long time. Thank you for the giveaway!
Funny, I don’t read many romances, but with summer vacation looming, I was thinking of trying something a bit lighter. I spent vacations in Vermont when I was a kid, and I just love it there. Thanks for the giveaway, Kathy!
What I love is how you were able to see the growth in the author’s writing. The storyline sounds like it would be good!!! I’m always up for a comfort read
I’ve never read any Mary Alice books, but it sounds like it would be a good one to read for my romance writing class. Thanks for your review.
This book sounds interesting. I’m trying to recollect where I heard about this title recently. I will have to check it out.
It does sound comforting and I bet the author will grow with the next book!!!
A comfort read is always good to have. I like romance like that
Never read this author so I should the first one first
And I love romance comfort reads sometimes. Maybe more now that I have so little time to read.
I dont think I have ever read this author.
I was going to say that the cover looks dated or perhaps a throwback to times gone by. Good luck to the people who are entering the giveaway
This one sounds interesting. Good luck to those entering, i’m swamped with books! Feeling a little overwhelmed…
Not sure that cover really helps it out!
I always find it interesting when I read an author’s earlier book…
I agree she has come a long way since this book. I am just about finished listening to it. I definitely like the cover used on my audiobook better than this one.
Thought the cover of this book suggests a genre that I am not totally comfortable with, it sounds like the story inside is quite good. Once again, a cover has mislead me! Glad to hear that you mostly liked it!
Predictable and comfortable are my kinds of books. I can handle all the adjectives. I’ll put my name in your form.
Sounds like a nice romance.
My husband actually mentioned the other day that he would like to travel to Vermont some day – it really caught me by surprise as he isn’t really a traveler, but he thinks it is a beautiful and historic area that he would like to visit. And to make it even more fun, I graduated high school in 1995 – the date just sticks out for me. LOL
Always love a good light read. I have 2 young kids who give me zilch amount of alone or quiet time. I NEED this.
Thanks
Thanks so much!
I’ve got this posted at Win a Book for you Kathy.
As shallow as it sounds, I’m really put off by the cover.
This sounds like a book I would enjoy. I have just added it to my “tbr’ list!
Ooooh great! This is one I can still participate. I like the sound of this one!
No need to enter me! I have this one for review, but didn’t realize it was a re-release. I was thinking “Hmm, I have a book by the same author and with the same title, but that is NOT the cover of the book!” I think they definitely improved on that cover in the rerelease.
Filled out the form for your giveaway. Thanks for the chance to win this.