I had the privilege of working with Liz Johnson several years ago for the Guidepost Books' "A Cup of Christmas Cheer" collection. I loved Liz's short story! And as I have found with other authors and their stories, when I met her in person, she was just as lovely a person as her stories are! When I saw the cover of The Red Door Inn, I had to get the book.
SPOILER ALERT: Because I do bibliotherapy reviews, I will be addressing a topic that is part of the book. Skip to the bottom to the comments section if you just want to enter the giveaway!
Review:
First of all -- I do not normally read contemporary fiction. I don't write contemporary fiction (other than as a favor for a friend for a recent serial.) But I loved Liz's writing and love the idea of going to Prince Edward Island one day so I ordered the paperback. Then I had two deadlines to complete. Fast forward a few months -- both books turned in to Barbour. I wanted my escape and now I'd acquired the Kindle version of this book.
The Red Door Inn
Book One in Prince Edward Island Dreams
By Liz Johnson
(Revell Publishing)
Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels
LOVED LOVED LOVED this story!!!
Five Stars *****
Marie Carrington is one of the most fragile heroines I've seen lately, yet she has a subtle tungsten steel thread of strength, in her faith. God is drawing her back to Him after she's betrayed both by her father and by an old school mate. Ms. Johnson does a great job of drawing you into the story by revealing only just enough to hook you and propel you forward in reading.
Seth Sloane starts out as a jerk. But, again, Ms. Johnson infuses enough information about Seth that the reader quickly understands why he's acting so wounded -- because he is. But his reaction to that utter betrayal is to throw walls up. As the story goes on, both Seth and Marie seek to overcome their animosity toward each other and a true friendship and caring grows.
The next book in the series has released and I'm looking forward to reading it! And another book due out in summer, 2017!
Bibliotherapy: I was a psychologist for twenty-five years. Marie's reaction is pretty extreme, but given the rape and then her father's betrayal, and everything else Liz Johnson has set up, her flight to Prince Edward Island is understandable. As is Seth's. These two are shown God's mercy via a widower, Jack, who is setting up a bed and breakfast to fulfill his wife's wishes before she died. This story would be a good bibliotherapy tool for: emotional abandonment, betrayal, rape, and manipulative relationships.
Giveaway: A paperback copy of The Red Door Inn. Leave a comment!
What a great story! Would love to read it!!
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Teresa, once you start reading The Red Door Inn, though, it is hard to take a break!
DeleteWell you will be getting a chance to read Liz Johnson's The Red Door Inn, because you just won it, Teresa Kander, per random.org! Congrats!!!
DeleteWow! I wanna read it!
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MARSHA, you will love The Red Door Inn!
DeleteLooks like a good one! Thank you for sharing.
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The Red Door Inn will be on my Best of the Year, Anne!
DeletePALS story for sure! I would love to read your stories-in-a-book together! Prince Edward Island Dreams are real and look forward to Book 3 and summer of 2017. Enjoy winter reading. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
ReplyDeleteA Cup of Christmas Cheer was such a wonderful collection and a lot of fun to do! You'll love The Red Door Inn, Half-Irish Kathleen!
DeleteWow this book sounds really good a few or maybe quite a few have been through these situations....iit would be interesting to see how Liz manages allot these traumatic situations...would love an opportunity to win....thanks so much
ReplyDeleteRORY, sadly, many people have been through these same situations addressed in The Red Door Inn. Blessings!
DeleteI was on the launch team for this. It is a wonderful book and love Liz writing style. PALs member.
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing to have been on the launch team for The Red Door Inn, LUCY!
DeleteThis is in my stack too! Looking forward to when it gets to the top :)
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MOVE The Red Door Inn to the top, Dee!!!
DeleteDefinitely want to read this one. :-)
ReplyDeleteMELISSA, you will not regret reading The Red Door Inn!!
DeletePALS !!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great read!! Love being part of the PALS!!
ReplyDeleteThe Red Door Inn is a super read, LADETTE!
DeleteSounds like a great book! Thanks for sharing, Carrie!
ReplyDeletePals!
The Red Door Inn is SO GOOD!!! Loved it REGINA and you will, too!
DeleteSounds like a great book! Thanks for sharing, Carrie!
ReplyDeletePals!
CARRIE, thank you for the great review! I have this on my Kindle and can't wait to read it! I plan on reading the whole series if I like this one as much as I think I will. How can one not like a story set on Prince Edward Island!? :-)
ReplyDeleteREAD The Red Door Inn now, Diana!!! It is so good, and the second one is out now. Hugs!
DeleteCarrie, this book caught my eye recently because of the beautiful cover. I'm happy to hear from your review that it is also an outstanding story. I read both historic and contemporary fiction. PALS
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll get a chance to read this wonderful book, Kay!
DeleteAwesome review, CARRIE! I have someone who could really benefit from this book if she would read it. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy. Love ya!
ReplyDeleteCalling u. TY for coming by!
DeleteLoved chatting!
DeletePALS
This sounds Wonderful! Carrie put it up on Her Pals website. I Love it that Carrie does it so I can learn more New To Me Authors! Be Blessed and Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteJustina, I think you'd love The Red Door Inn by Liz Johnson!
DeleteThis book sounds great. One I would love to read.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to everyone!
PALS
You would love Liz's "The Red Door Inn" Wilani, for sure! Merry Christmas!
DeleteGreat review Carrie, of course, I now have to add this book to my so very, very long TBR list!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Liz Johnson on your book The Red Door Inn! I love the cover and the story sounds very interesting. I really enjoyed your novella, A Star in the Night, included in A Log Cabin Christmas collection.
Great seeing more PALS here...
Blessings,Tina
I should read that story. I got a copy of A Log Cabin Christmas but haven't read it yet.
DeleteIt's really good Carrie.
DeleteBlessings, Tina
I so love the cover of this book and it sounds like wonderful read !
ReplyDeleteLinda Marie Finn
faithfulacresbodysoulspirit@ gmail dot com
Thanks for coming by Linda Marie!
DeleteOh, this sounds like a wonderful book and the cover is eyecatching! PALS
ReplyDeleteThanks, Andrea! This cover really is lovely! Reveal did a great job with this book for Liz.
DeleteI love the sound of this thank you.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Thanks, Mary! The beginning of a great series!
DeleteThis book sounds really good! I must read it, especially after your review, Carrie,and reading about how many others want to read it too! flowersmarylou85(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteSister Mary Lou, I think you'd love The Red Door Inn by Liz Johnson!
DeleteGreat review. I look forward to reading it. fishingjan(at)aol(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThe whole series set on Prince Edward Island looks great, Jan!
DeleteOh I would love to read this one!! Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletebettimace at gmail dot com
Best wishes, BETTI! Thanks for coming by!
DeleteWhat an interesting book. Thank you for this giveaway.
ReplyDeleteJoanEC128[at[AOL[dot]com
Thank you for the opportunity to win this exciting book.
ReplyDeleteMarionMPC[at]AOL[dot]com
This looks like a great read. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteMarilynDKC[at]AOL[dot]com
Thank you for the review. This sounds like a really good book.
ReplyDeletesusanmsj at MSN dot com
Glad to share it here, Susan! Very impressed by The Red Door Inn!
DeleteI would love to win this book. I've been watching this book for a while and have told myself I'm going to read it one day!
ReplyDeletePals
Would love to win! I am so drawn to the cover. PALS
ReplyDeletedebsbunch777(at)gmail(dot)com
The second book in this PEI series by Liz Johnson is wonderful, too, Chappy!
DeleteWonderful review - thank you, Carrie!! Love the bibliotherapy elements in 'The Red Door Inn' and looking for a spot to fit it in my reading schedule, for sure!!
ReplyDeleteYou have got to read Liz Johnson's new series!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a really good book.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! It sounds like a good read. Especially for those in need of spiritual healing.
ReplyDeleteThank you for being such a blessing to so many.
Congratulations Liz. I love the cover and it sounds so good. Thanks for such a good review Carrie. I would love to win it. GOD bless you both. Maxie > mac262@me.com <
ReplyDeleteCARRIE, thank you for the SPECTACULAR review! This series is on my must read list.
ReplyDeletepsalm103and138 at gmail dot com PALS
I've read some great contemporary fiction recently, but nothing by Liz!
ReplyDeletepattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
Whenever I think of this book, I wish I had made it to PEI when we were living in Quebec. Although, not a quick drive, it's much closer than where we live now - Western Washington. The book's locale is a big draw along with the compelling story line. tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com
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