Sunday, July 17, 2011

A Writer's Review of “Surrender Bay" by Denise Hunter


Denise Hunter's books are blowing me away one book at a time. First I read A Convenient Groom years ago. I loved it, but I have always been more into historical fiction, so regrettably, I did not look the rest of her books up.

Regrettably, being the key word.

A while back I was chatting online with a few fellow writer friends from ACFW. The topic was my use of a prologue instead of flashbacks in the book I am writing. In this discussion, my friend Sheri Salatin mentioned Denise Hunter's use of flashbacks was amazing. So, I went straight to the library and borrowed her book, Driftwood Lane... Which I loved and reviewed on this blog in June.

The last book I read was her book called Surrender Bay. I have to admit, I started it in June and it took me a while to finish... which was the first clue that I loved it. I had to put it down just to dwell on what the characters were going through. Such turmoil! Such conflictions! Such love! And such an ending!

Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you... It's a love story about the past, present and future of Samantha Owens and Landon Reed. It has tension, passion and mystery. With every page, you find out more about the reasons Samantha is bound up so tight.

Then it all comes out. Your jaw drops. You might even scream - or at the very least gasp. You put the book down, "It's over. The love story is over. He won't love her now. Not now."

But then you pick the book back up... Believing.

He must. He must!

And that's all I'm going to say.

Except for that even with all the reading I've done in the last few years, I just haven't come across many books using flashbacks in a way that seemed completely natural... Until now. I don't remember there being any in A Convenient Groom, but they are a fundamental part of both Surrender Bay and Driftwood Lane.

Thank you, Denise Hunter, for using your God-given talent to create such amazing books. And thank you for showing me, by example, how the use of flashbacks can enhance a story.

I borrowed this book from my local Allen County Public Library. I give it 5 STARS and will consider it one of my favorite books for the rest of my life.

Dawn

9 comments:

Amy Deardon said...

Dawn, I just linked you to my blog -- thanks so much for stopping by! Happy writing :-) and I'll definitely come back to visit!

Sheri Salatin said...

I'm so glad that you enjoyed the book. Denise Hunter is an amazing writer. I love all of her books!!

Sheri Salatin said...

by the way, thanks for the shout out!! I have moved to http://www.sherisalatin.com. :o) Might want to update your link if you get a chance! I have you linked on my sidebar.

Jackie Layton said...

I don't know how I missed this book. I'll have to find it. I enjoyed Driftwood Land and Convenient Groom.
Thanks for posting about this.

Katie Marie said...

Nice review, Dawn!

I just wanted to let you know that I've just award you and your lovely blog the Liebster Blog Award. Check out my blog for details!

http://katie-mccurdy.blogspot.com/2011/08/liebster-blog-award.html

Unknown said...

love your blog! Katie over at Legacy of a Writer sent me! i am following you via GFC. i'm not blog or even computer literate, so not sure how to link or any of that stuff. Thanks Dawn. glad to meet you.

Casey said...

I LOVE this book and Seaside Letters and The Convenient Groom, excellent, excellent story! One of my all time favorites. :)

Hey Dawn, I have a blog award for you over at my blog if you choose. You can pick it up here: http://enjoyingthewritingcraft.blogspot.com/2011/08/blog-award-and-special-message-from.html

Katie Marie said...

Hey Dawn! Guess what? Your blog won another award! lol!!

Yup! You won the lovely blog award over on LoaW. Follow the link to find out how to claim it!

http://katie-mccurdy.blogspot.com/2011/09/another-award.html

Melanie said...

New follower! I would love it if you would follow my blog - Christian Bookshelf Reviews