A disgraced scholar running from her past and an entrepreneur chasing his future find themselves thrown together—and fall in love—on a Tolkien tour of New Zealand.
Allison Shire (yes, like where the Hobbits live) is a disgraced academic who is done with love. Her belief in “happily ever after” ended the day she discovered her husband was still married to a wife she knew nothing about. She finally finds a use for her English degree by guiding tours through the famous sites featured in the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies. By living life on the road and traveling New Zealand as a luxury tour guide, Allison manages to outrun the pain of her past she can’t face.
Jackson Gregory was on the cusp of making it big. Then suddenly his girlfriend left him—for his biggest business competitor—and took his most guarded commercial secrets with her. To make matters worse, the Iowa farm that has been in his family for generations is facing foreclosure. Determined to save his parents from financial ruin, he’ll do whatever it takes to convince his wealthy great-uncle to invest in his next scheme, which means accompanying him to the bottom of the world to spend three weeks pretending to be a die-hard Lord of the Rings fan, even though he knows nothing about the stories. The one thing that stands between him and his goal is a know-it-all tour guide who can’t stand him and pegged him as a fake the moment he walked off the plane.
When Allison leads the group through the famous sites of the Tolkien movies, she and Jackson start to see each other differently, and as they keep getting thrown together on the tour, they find themselves drawn to each other. Neither expected to fall in love again, but can they find a way beyond their regrets to take a chance on the one thing they’re not looking for?
Allison Shire (yes, like where the Hobbits live) is a disgraced academic who is done with love. Her belief in “happily ever after” ended the day she discovered her husband was still married to a wife she knew nothing about. She finally finds a use for her English degree by guiding tours through the famous sites featured in the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies. By living life on the road and traveling New Zealand as a luxury tour guide, Allison manages to outrun the pain of her past she can’t face.
Jackson Gregory was on the cusp of making it big. Then suddenly his girlfriend left him—for his biggest business competitor—and took his most guarded commercial secrets with her. To make matters worse, the Iowa farm that has been in his family for generations is facing foreclosure. Determined to save his parents from financial ruin, he’ll do whatever it takes to convince his wealthy great-uncle to invest in his next scheme, which means accompanying him to the bottom of the world to spend three weeks pretending to be a die-hard Lord of the Rings fan, even though he knows nothing about the stories. The one thing that stands between him and his goal is a know-it-all tour guide who can’t stand him and pegged him as a fake the moment he walked off the plane.
When Allison leads the group through the famous sites of the Tolkien movies, she and Jackson start to see each other differently, and as they keep getting thrown together on the tour, they find themselves drawn to each other. Neither expected to fall in love again, but can they find a way beyond their regrets to take a chance on the one thing they’re not looking for?
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Kara Isaac is a romantic comedy writer who lives in beautiful Wellington, New Zealand. Her debut romantic comedy, Close To You, is about a disillusioned academic-turned-tour-guide and an entrepreneur who knows nothing about Tolkien who fall in love on a Tolkien themed tour of New Zealand. When she's not working her day job as a public servant, chasing around a ninja preschooler and his feisty toddler sister, she spends her time writing horribly bad first drafts and wishing you could get Double Stuf Oreos in New Zealand. She loves to connect with readers on her website www.karaisaac.com, on Facebook at Kara Isaac - Writer and Twitter @KaraIsaac
Close to You is a well written novel. I could not believe that Close to You is Isaac's debut book. It always excites me when I have a chance to review a fresh new author. Isaac did not disappoint. The story was a fun romance that made me smile as I read. The story shows how a relationship with God should play a significate roll in our life. I love how the relationship with Allie and Jackson started with them disliking one another. I was hoping that they would wind up together before the book ended. This book is an excellent Contemporary Christian Romance. I really enjoyed reading it and I am sure you will also.
I gave this book 4 stars. I recommend this book.
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher for my honest review.
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I love this cover. I will see about this one. I like the sound of it.
ReplyDeleteOh this sounds like a great book from a great new author. THANKS!!
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DeleteThis is exciting. I get to introduce my wife to a new author that she will love.
ReplyDeleteI dont think I have heard of Kara Isaac but I'd give her a try . Blessings ,DanaGirl
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DeleteWe are going to the Library to pick up books today. I will add this one to my looooong list of books I want to get.
ReplyDeleteThis book has one of the best covers ever. I am ready to see what Kara has to say in this book. Thanks Mary
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DeleteI have never heard of this author. Good review.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a book that I would like to read. Thanks Mary for this review!
ReplyDeleteOh yes. I am ready for a new author. I really liked your review Mary. I sure do like this cover also.
ReplyDeleteEmma, You are a WINNER! I will get your book right out to you!
DeleteA new author always a good thing with a review like this.
ReplyDeleteI don't know this author, not sure about this one.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great sounding book! This author is a new one to me that I will certainly need to remember. Thank you, Mary, for sharing this one with us.
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DeleteWhat a great sounding book! This author is a new one to me that I will certainly need to remember. Thank you, Mary, for sharing this one with us.
ReplyDeleteI keep seeing this book everywhere! I love the cover and it sounds like a great read! Really want to get my hands on a copy. Thanks for this post and the giveaway!!
ReplyDeletesydneyjames68[at]gmail[dot]com
This sounds fabulous and because of your wonderful review I am now adding this to my want to read list. Thank you for the post and giveaway opportunity!
ReplyDeleteCnnamongirl at aol dot com
Wow!! This book sounds AMAZING!!! Thank you so much for your review on this new book because your review has definitely captured my interest!!! Also thank you for the opportunity to win a copy :) This is very exciting and im truly intrigued to dive into this new book.. Fingers crossed ;)
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