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Monday, November 19, 2018

Saving Anna by Sharon Struth - Book Tour - Book Review - Giveaway - Enter Daily!


Hello lovelies!  It gives me great pleasure today to host Sharon Struth and her new book, “Saving Anna”!  For other stops on her Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tour, please click on the banner above or any of the images in this post.

Be sure to make it to the end of this post to enter to win a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card!!  Also, come back daily to interact with Sharon and to increase your chances of winning!

Thanks for stopping by!  Wishing you lots of luck in this fabulous giveaway!


Saving Anna
by Sharon Struth

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GENRE: Women's Fiction

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BLURB:

Germany’s sparkling Rhineland is the perfect place for a fresh start…

Warming people’s hearts with true accounts of kindness is what columnist Anna Kelly does best. But no one knows the private misery she endures in her abusive marriage. Still, leaving is difficult—until a deeply personal bequest from a beloved elderly neighbor compels Anna to travel to Germany. There she begins an unexpected adventure of paying it forward that will take her far from her complicated life in Brooklyn.

Arriving in the historic and picturesque city of Mainz, on the breathtaking Rhine River, Anna settles in at a cozy guesthouse filled with colorful residents. But fulfilling her task will require the help of a translator and knowledgeable guide.

Josef Schmitt will gladly shuttle the American visitor around if it distracts him from his dark thoughts. Ever since a serious accident sidelined him at the local excursions company, he’s been unable to forget the pain he caused or forgive himself. Now, accompanying Anna on her mission takes them both to surprising places—and they just may find the courage to truly set themselves free…

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EXCERPT THREE:

In two days, Patrick would return to LaGuardia airport and take a cab directly to his office at Goldman Sachs. The lawyer said he’d have the divorce papers served there around lunchtime. By then, she’d already be on another continent. Far away from the physical abuse he’d want to inflict on her once the papers were in his hands. Of that, she felt certain. He’d smacked her around for lesser infractions, starting just days after they’d returned from their honeymoon.

Even though she would be leaving the country to stay safe, he deserved a note. A note would be easier than a conversation.

At the kitchen island, she found a pad and steadied a pen on the paper.

Dear Patrick,
If you’re reading this, it means you’re back from Florida and have realized I’m not here.

Anna ripped the page off the small legal pad, crumpled it into a ball, and tossed it on the marble island. She wrote for a living and could do better.

Dear Patrick,
For the past two years, I’ve begged you to get help. I understand your father hurt you, but I can no longer accept your past as an excuse for hurting me. ME! The person who always loved you, tried to help you, accepted your many, many apologies. You say you love me, but your actions speak otherwise. I no longer love you. You bully me, make me afraid, and refuse to let me to see my friends and family—

She ripped the paper off the pad and tore it in half. Too much. She’d spoken these words to him many times after he’d calm down, her speeches always soliciting remorse-filled apologies she’d blindly believed for the first year of their marriage. The second year, she’d grown skeptical, but continued to cover the bruises and lie to anybody who happened to see one. Now, she despised him.

The clock on the wall showed it was time to leave. She pressed the pen to the paper and the words flowed easily this time.

Dear Patrick,
By now you’ve been served the divorce papers and know I’m leaving you. Please seek help and do not look for me. If you are calm when I return, we can talk. Otherwise, you will deal with my attorney.
Anna

She propped the note next to a bowl of fruit, where they always left messages they wanted the other to see…

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BOOK REVIEW:


When I first read the book blurb, I knew I just had to read this book.  Not only was this book written by one of my favorite authors, Mrs. Struth – as I had previously read, reviewed, and totally loved her book last year, Bella Luna – I felt an instant draw to this book.

This book is about Anna, who is getting away from an abusive marriage and is leaving the USA for a trip to Germany.  Anna’s elderly neighbor, Isaak, also, helping to get Anna away from her abusive husband, had tasked her with a dying request to help him find the man who had long ago saved his family from the Nazi’s.  Anna’s been looking for the perfect out and with Isaak’s help and him relying on her, she knows now is the time she must go.

Anna arrives in beautiful Mainz, Germany and quickly realizes she will need help getting around the city.  Anna hires Josef to drive her around town and translate for her.  After some interesting adventures and long hours together, Anna and Josef seem to hit it off.  It seems obvious that Josef is also hiding some of his own past emotional demons, but that shared bond only brings them closer as these two characters find love, healing, and so much more in one another.

I really liked the main characters, Anna and Josef!  They were realistic, genuine, and relatable.  I really enjoyed watching these two characters develop a relationship.  They both were severely emotionally damaged and were drowning in their grief and heartache.  But the more time they spent together you could see a glimmer of light get through as they started to heal.  They were good for each other.  And isn’t that what we all want in a partner?  Someone that makes us whole?  Makes us a better person?   

It is clear Mrs. Struth does not know how to write a boring, cookie-cutter character.  She writes her characters with depth, that have emotional baggage, are dealing with real-life struggles, and are working on over-coming personal obstacles.  She writes real-life characters that face real-world problems.  Which is one of the reasons I love her books, because I know when I read it, I will be able to easily connect with the characters and possibly even grow with the characters in the story.

As someone who has personal experience with Domestic Violence, I appreciate books, like this one, that provide an honest insight into that world and even shine light on how walking away isn’t as easy as some people think.  I appreciate that Anna’s and Patrick’s abusive relationship was not downplayed or sugar-coated.  Also, that this book showed how Domestic Violence doesn’t just affect the couple – it also affects the family, friends, neighbors, and other loved ones.

I enjoyed the history lessons that were weaved throughout the book and learning more about WWII and the impact of the Nazi’s in Germany.  There were some very sad stories that were hard to hear.  It’s still unbelievable what happened there!

I loved the detailed scenes and beautiful descriptions of the landscape that made me feel like I was right there in the car with Anna and Josef overlooking the Rhine River!  I have never been to Germany, but I think after reading this book it will definitely be on my travel bucket list!

Furthermore, I also enjoyed reading the passages with the German customs and traditions.  It is clear, Mrs. Struth is familiar with German Culture and was able to add them into fun and interesting scenes while showing a strong knowledge of the area.

This book hits on so many topics such as friendship, love, romance, hope, faith, kindness, growth, healing, forgiveness, new beginnings, second chances, fresh starts, overcoming obstacles, support, determination, domestic violence, respect, compassion, integrity, and so much more.

This book is book three in the A Sweet Life Novel Book Series.  However, it can be read as a standalone.  I had not read the first two books before reading this book, however, as much as I’ve enjoyed reading this book I definitely wish I had.

I would absolutely recommend this book, this book series, and this author as I was truly impressed with the quality of writing, intriguing storylines, and excellent character development!  I will definitely be checking out the other books in this series and other works by this author!

**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations.**

Did you find this review helpful?
If so, please, please, please mark it as helpful on Amazon here:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/review/RJW7BCM1ELJ6U

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AUTHOR BIO:


Sharon Struth believes you’re never too old to pursue a dream. The Hourglass, her debut novel, was a finalist in the National Readers’ Choice Awards for Best First Book. She is the author of the popular Blue Moon Lake Novels, which include Share the Moon.

When she’s not working, she and her husband happily sip their way through the scenic towns of the Connecticut Wine Trail, travel the world, and enjoy spending time with their precious pets and two grown daughters. She writes from the friendliest place she’s ever lived, Bethel, Connecticut. For essays, please visit www.sharonstruth.com or visit her blog, Musings from the Middle more information, including where to find her published Ages & More at www.sharonstruth.wordpress.com.

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BOOK BUY LINKS:

Amazon Kindle:

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Barnes and Noble:

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The Book Depository:

BAM! Books-A-Million:

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

Sharon will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.


**This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a purchase made I may receive a small commission to help support this blog.  This does not cost you anything, it just helps pay for all those awesome giveaways on here.**

This contest is sponsored by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish Promotions.  Prizes are given away by the sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.

7 comments:

  1. Sharon ~ Welcome back! It is great to have you here again! Congrats on your new book and good luck on the book tour! I really enjoyed reading and reviewing your book, thanks for providing the copy! :)

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    1. Hi Ally! It's wonderful to be back! Thank you for taking the time to reviewing Saving Anna, and for hosting me today. I'm so glad you enjoy my books. It really makes my day when someone shares that with me <3.
      And I'm especially thrilled you enjoyed Saving Anna so much. It was a book very close to my heart as I have German family and have heard first hand what it was like during the war, even stories of my father-in-laws family helping their jewish friends get out. Thank you again :-)

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  2. Great book, loved reading the exerpt. Thanks for sharing it with us

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  3. Great post and I appreciate getting to find out about another great book. Thanks for all you do and for the hard work you put into this. Greatly appreciated!

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