Firefly Island by Lisa Wingate, Book review & GIVEAWAY

 

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (February 1, 2013)

ISBN-13: 978-0764208232

Synopsis:

At thirty-four, congressional staffer Mallory Hale is about to embark on an adventure completely off the map. After a whirlwind romance, she is hopelessly in love with two men--fortunately, they're related. Daniel Everson and his little boy, Nick, are a package deal, and Mallory suddenly can't imagine her future without them.

Mallory couldn't be more shocked when Daniel asks her to marry him, move to Texas, and form a family with him and motherless Nick. The idea is both thrilling and terrifying.

Mallory takes a leap of faith and begins a sweet, mishap-filled journey into ranch living, Moses Lake society, and a marriage that at times reminds her of the mail-order-bride stories. But despite the wild adventure of her new life, she discovers secrets and questions beneath her rosy new life. Can she find answers on Firefly Island, a little chunk of property just off the lakeshore, where mysterious lights glisten at night?

My thoughts:

Lisa Wingate's novels are described as 'Fiction Good For The Soul' and rightly so! Once again we discover what it means in 'Firefly Island'. There is something about her light and airy style which brings to mind fluffy white clouds in a deep blue sky, gurgling clear water in a stream, the wind playing softly with the tree canopy and a child's happy laugh in the background...
Poetic? Perhaps. Let me just say her writing brings such a warm feeling, it inspires happiness!

At times witty, at others verging on emotional, delving even in the mysterious, the plot line is witty, hopeful and reflects wholesome goodness! If I had to describe its colour, I would chose bright yellow...sunny!

When Daniel proposes Mallory tells us: "I met his gaze, tumbled in and saw the future. Not in the crisp clarity of photos - because I couldn't picture this over-the-rainbow life he was describing, or me in it - but in shades of colors. The soft grays of mornings, the muted rose and violet of sunsets, the stark, blinding yellows and  whites of middays. I saw holidays and seasons and years. Growing up, growing outward, growing old. I didn't want to live one year, one season, one day without Daniel and Nick."

Congressional staffer Mallory Hale is on her way to Moses Lakes, Texas after a whirlwind romance with the two men who won her heart: Husband Daniel and his three years old son Nick. Leaving her job, her family and hauling a U-Haul requires a leap of faith but armed with her Grand-Mother's wedding quilt and Fostoria glasses, she is certain the future is going to be bright until she sees her new surroundings and she fears losing the modicum of self control she is hanging on to!

Scientist Daniel anticipates James West's offer to participate in crops advance research on his ranch, his only opportunity to make a difference in the world but it is soon apparent there are conditions to the position. Amongst those is Firefly island's forbidden access and a mysterious disappearance.

The lamentable housing conditions offered by his new employer has his bride on edge as well. Armed with steel wool and bug bombs, Mallory fights mice, bugs and even scorpions whilst taking on Nick's care who takes to their new surroundings like a fish to water! 

Trying to retain some measure of sanity Mallory relies heavily on emails and texts to keep in  touch with family and friends for support, leading her sisters to suggest writing her considerable adventures (o.k. corral stand off betwixt brown mouse and scorpion?) in a blog to release some of the tension.
In doing so, Mallory uncovers a dangerous secret and must decide how far she will go to protect her new family and this ranch life she has come to love.

Only Lisa Wingate could have come up with such a witty approach to the insecurities Mallory experiences in the middle of 'nowhere' Texas! I found myself looking forward to what comes next in the 'Wild Kingdom' surroundings of Mallory Hale as ranching takes on a new meaning in this lively tale guaranteed to have you chuckle!
That said, Lisa includes an inspirational  lesson in her warm hearted storytelling sure to leave you with contentment: God is always near!

Firefly Island is Book 3 in Lisa Wingate's Moses Lake series but is one of those (happily) stand alone read!

5 stars for the joyful entertainment and perfect antidote to boredom!
Buy a copy for yourself and a loved one (and check out the other two books, Larkspur Cove and Blue Moon Bay)!

Landing page: 

http://litfusegroup.com/author/lwingate 

About the Author:

Lisa Wingate is a popular inspirational speaker, magazine columnist, and national bestselling author of several books, including Tending Roses, Talk of the Town, Blue Moon Bay, and Larkspur Cove, which won the 2011 Carol Award for Women's Fiction.

For additional information visit her website (HERE)

Lisa Wingate is celebrating the release of Firefly Island with an iPad Mini giveaway and a fun Facebook Author Chat Party (March 19th).  

  One fortunate winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini
• The Moses Lake series (Firefly Island, Blue Moon Bay and Larkspur Cove)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 18th. Winner will be announced at the "Firefly Island Author Chat Party on March 19th. Connect with Lisa, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at the trivia contest, and chat with readers just like you. There will also be many fun giveaways -- gift certificates, books, and more!

So grab your copy of Firefly Island and join Lisa on the evening of the March 19th 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. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 19th!

I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.