Samantha Moore has always hidden behind the words of others-namely her favorite characters in literature. Now, she will learn to write her own story-by giving that story to a complete stranger.
Growing up orphaned and alone, Sam found her
best friends in the works of Austen, Dickens, and the Brontë sisters.
The problem is that she now relates to others more comfortably as
Elizabeth Bennet and Jane Eyre than as herself.
Sometimes we lose ourselves in the things we care about most.
But life for this twenty-three-year-old is about to get stranger than fiction, when an anonymous benefactor (calling himself "Mr. Knightley") offers to put Sam through the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. There is only one catch: Sam must write frequent letters to the mysterious donor, detailing her progress.
As Sam's program and peers force her to confront her past, she finds safety in her increasingly personal letters to Mr. Knightley. And when Sam meets eligible, best-selling novelist Alex Powell, those letters unfold a story of love and literature that feels as if it's pulled from her favorite books. But when secrets come to light, Sam is--once again--made painfully aware of how easily trust can be broken.
Sometimes we lose ourselves in the things we care about most.
But life for this twenty-three-year-old is about to get stranger than fiction, when an anonymous benefactor (calling himself "Mr. Knightley") offers to put Sam through the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. There is only one catch: Sam must write frequent letters to the mysterious donor, detailing her progress.
As Sam's program and peers force her to confront her past, she finds safety in her increasingly personal letters to Mr. Knightley. And when Sam meets eligible, best-selling novelist Alex Powell, those letters unfold a story of love and literature that feels as if it's pulled from her favorite books. But when secrets come to light, Sam is--once again--made painfully aware of how easily trust can be broken.
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{My Review}
I've been on quite a streak lately, finding all kinds of GREAT debut authors who have written amazing first novels. I wasn't so sure about Dear Mr. Knightley at first because it was written in such a different way--almost entirely through letters written to an unknown beneficiary who wanted to be referred to as Mr. Knightley.
It took my reading through about a dozen of the letters to get into the groove. I think because the book was "technically" written from first person with such an open and honest voice, it quickly had me hooked. Not that I've grown up with anything like the same issues as Samantha Moore had... I related to her more than I can remember ever relating to a character in any Contemporary Romance book I've ever read.
I learned to love Samantha, was completely engrossed in her life and almost became desperate to find out who Mr. Knightley really was... and how exactly Alex Powell was involved--if he was at all. At one point in the book, I was actually crying happy tears because of what was all was happening in her life. I don't usually cry because of books... so that was definitely something to note.
I'm not sure if this author will be writing all of her books in the same manner as this one, but I do hope she keeps writing them in first person point of view. I am definitely looking forward to her next book. For more reader reviews of Katherine Reay's Dear Mr. Knightley follow the Litfuse Blog Tour here: http://litfusegroup.com/
Dear Mr. Knightley currently has a rating of 4.54 out of 5 stars (from 83 ratings) on Goodreads. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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Katherine Reay has enjoyed a life-long affair with the works of Jane
Austen and her contemporaries. After earning degrees in history and
marketing from Northwestern University, she worked as a marketer for
Proctor & Gamble and Sears before returning to school to earn her
MTS. Her works have been published in "Focus on the Family" and the
"Upper Room." Katherine currently lives with her husband and three
children in Seattle. "Dear Mr. Knightley" is her first novel.
Learn more about Katherine at: http://katherinereay.com/
{The Giveaway} Learn more about Katherine at: http://katherinereay.com/
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Debut author Katherine Reay is celebrating the release of her delightful novel, Dear Mr. Knightley, with a Kindle Fire HDX giveaway, a fun Favorite Austen Moments Pinterest contest, and an Austen-themed Facebook Party.
One winner will receive:
- A Kindle Fire HDX
- Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay
- Handmade Austen-themed items (scarf, mug, bracelet, and necklace)
Two ways to win! Enter today by clicking one of the icons below or participating in the Pinterest contest (see banner below)—or BOTH!
But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 3rd. Winner will be announced at the "Dear Mr. Knightley" Austen-themed Facebook Author Chat Party on the 3rd. Join Katherine (and Austen fans) for an evening of book chat, prizes, and an exclusive look at Katherine's next book.
So grab your copy of Dear Mr. Knightley and join Katherine on the evening of December 3rd for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)
Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST. Hope to see you on the 3rd!
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