Tuesday, January 15, 2013

"Secret Smitten" by Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Denise Hunter, and Diann Hunt (Review & Giveaway)

Secretly Smitten


Summer, fall, winter, spring-Smitten, Vermont, is the place for love . . . and mystery!

There's a secret in Grandma Rose's attic-a forgotten set of dog tags belonging to her first love. But David Hutchins was killed in action and never returned to Smitten. How did the dog tags end up in the attic?

The mystery intrigues Rose's three granddaughters-Tess, Clare, and Zoe-and they decide to investigate, though their mother, Anna, warns against meddling. But as the seasons turn and the mystery unravels, the three young women and their mother encounter some intriguing mystery men of their own. Has a sixty-year-old puzzle sparked something new for this close-knit family of women?

My thoughts:  In Secretly Smitten we visit the charming old village that is a modern day remnant from the hey day of logging 200 years ago.  The local residents are descendants of loggers and are an independent, hearty group of individuals.  Their little town is dying and they want to bring life and vitality back to it via a return of the railroad line coming into town. They want Smitten to be know as a romantic get-a-way town.

The story of Smitten is written as 4 novellas by 4 fiction authors who collaborate beautifully without error to bring the characters together into one smooth flowing story.
  1. "Love Between the Lines" by Colleen Coble
    A set of World War II dog tags is discovered between the cracks in the floor of the attic.  The name on them is that of a former sweetheart of Grandmother Rose.  Tess (Rose's granddaughter) begins to investigate.  Meanwhile Tess meets Ryan who lives where the family of the former GI lived, and Tess begins to rummage through Ryan's attic in order to find clues to the old romance of Grandmother Rose.
  2. "Make Me a Match" by Kristin Billerbeck
    In this section of the book, Zoe is beginning her start up business as matchmaker for Smitten residents.  But the new city manager, William Singer, throws curves at her that threaten to shut down her just opened business. 
  3. "Knit One, Love Two" by Diann Hunt
    Anna Thomas is the owner of a yarn shop and holds classes for beginner and advanced knitters and crocheters.  She meets Michael whose mother needs yarn and he comes into Anna's shop to acquire it. The discovery of more secrets and information continues in the Grandmother Rose saga as Anna and Michael discover each other and Anna learns to overcome previous hurts.
  4. "Love Blooms" by Denise Hunter
    Clare is the sister in the family who is gifted with the art of growing plants and planting gardens.  She is not gifted in relationships, though, and shies away from commitment.  Into the picture arrives a wanderer who is looking for work in the nursery and who finds a spot in her heart.
The entire book is a delightfully light read of good, clean fun and relationships.  You'll grow to love the little town of Smitten and the various characters who live there.  You'll love the relationships between each and every one and even laugh at the spat between the seniors in the book. "Secretly Smitten" is a sweet, good, clean read.

Novellas are fun reads and this set of 4 is especially fun in that it is so beautifully interwoven to flow as through written by a single author. 
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ GIVEAWAY ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Begins Jan. 15 & ENDS Jan. 31 @ 12:01 a.m. EST
Open in USA addresses only

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DISCLOSURE: I was provided an advanced reader copy of this book by Litfuse Publicity Group on behalf of Thomas Nelson Publishing and the authors in return for a non-biased review. Opinions expressed are solely my own and I was provided no compensation for this review.

60 comments:

  1. Yes, I was when I was smitten by someone at 15. My sister was dating a pipeliner, and he introduced me to a younger friend. He was about 19 or 20 I think, He was the most handsome guy I'd ever seen. We hit it off right away. Then I had to go to NM for a visit, and I slept with his picture under my pillow. I could hardly wait to return home. Shortly after that he quit coning to see me. No calls either and my heart was broken. Later I found out that another guy I'd been dating before him had told him I was his girl and if he weren't real serious to leave me alone. So, I quit seeing this guy who I had dated before because of this, but the other one had left town. I was very much smitten with my pipeliner. :)
    MAXIE mac262(at)me(dot)com

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  2. I have not read a book by any of these 4 authors yet, but would love to win this book and change that fact. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com

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  3. I have been smitten by someone but that was when I was a teenager. Ah, young love.

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  4. I have not read any of these authors before but this is just the type of book that I look for to celebrate Valentine's Day.

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  5. I have not read a book by them but would love too.

    I have been smitten by someone before, my hubby.

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  6. I haven't read any of their books yet.

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  7. Aaahhhh, fun authors all in one book? I'm in! Sounds like an excellent mix of stories!

    I've been smitten since my 18th birthday when my husband gave me a dozen roses. :)

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    Replies
    1. Don't forget to click the "Smitten" RSVP button in my sidebar and join the Facebook party on Feb. 5th. Are you in???? :)

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  8. Yes, I have been smitten by someone before.

    sonflower277 at gmail dot com

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  9. I've read a book by Diann Hunt

    sonflower277 at gmail dot com

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  10. I was smitten by a boy in high school. However, he completely ignored me!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  11. I have not read any books by these authors.

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  12. I love these authors and am so anxious to read this book!
    Thanks for the giveaway.
    Jackie Smith

    jackie.smith[at]dishmail[dot]net

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  13. Sounds like a great book. To answer the questions yes I have been smitten with someone and I have read Colleen Cobble's books. My favorite were the Lonestar Series.
    Katie J.

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  14. Oh, yes at thirteen I was smitten and thought the junior in high school hung the moon. :)
    Thanks for a chance to win the second book in the series.
    Worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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  15. I've read several of Colleen Coble's books!
    Nancee
    quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  16. Of course I've been "smitten." I married him!
    Nancee
    quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  17. I've enjoyed wonderful books from all the authors.

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  18. Haven't we all, lol, at one time or other I probably have but right now my mind is a blur, a lot going on since last Wednesday when we found out my husband has to have surgery this Tuesday for a malfunction part they implanted in his back last July.

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

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  19. I read Smitten and enjoyed it so much I passed it on to a friend to read.

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

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  20. I was smitten by my husband, before we married--and then throughout our marriage.
    may_dayzee(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  21. I've read Home for Christmas--Colleen contributed to that collection. I do have a couple of Colleen's books that I haven't read, yet. One of them is Lonestar Sanctuary. I am looking forward to reading that series. I've read Love Online, which Kristen co-authored. I have Kansas Brides by Denise Hunter, but haven't read it yet.

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  22. Yes I have been smitten by someone. One summer when I was just 14 years old I went to church camp. This boy I liked went to. I spent a lot of money buying him candy and treats from the camp store. He accepted everything with a smile. The bad thing was he was sharing it all with another girl!! Speaking of being stupid and embarrassed. I was mortified!!

    Blessings!
    Judy
    sweetpea.judy(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  23. I have not read any other books by these authors! Looking forward to doing so!

    Blessings!
    Judy
    sweetpea.judy(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  24. I love Colleen Coble books. I received the first book for Christmas, and it would be nice to have the second one as well. Thanks for having the giveaway.

    Rose
    harnessrose(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  25. I know this may be cliche, but I was smitten with my husband from the first day I met him. And from smitten it grew to be more. He was my first guy friend, and someone who allowed me to be myself.
    I've read several of Colleen Coble's books...Rock Harbor Series; Lonestar Series; Abomination; and Anathema.

    Rose
    harnessrose(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  26. I would love to win this sequel!!! The first one was a lot of fun. Thanks for the giveaway.
    -Emily
    emily_reynolds(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  27. Yes I have been secretly smitten by someone
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  28. I have not read any books by these authors
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  29. of course! so many high school crushes hehe eclairre(AT)ymail(DOT)com

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  30. I am completely smitten with my newly adopted Dog, it has only been one week and he has stolen my heart
    love_jellybean_love at hotmail dot com

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  31. I have not read any of these authors, but I am excited to give them a try
    love_jellybean_love at hotmail dot com

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  32. Yes!! I have been smitten! :)

    ladettek[at]gmail[dot]com

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  33. I have read books by both Denise Hunter and Colleen Coble (just finished one by her today!). Love them both!!

    ladettek[at]gmail[dot]com

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  34. Yes, I was back in my teenage days.
    :)Jeanne Bates Tennant

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  35. I've been smitten back in my teenage days! My grandma used to use that word with me whenever I would have a new crush :-)

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  36. No, I have not read any of these books.

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  37. Yes - smitten by my husband
    hrddiana556@gmail.com

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  38. I have never read any of these authors
    hrddiana556@gmail.com

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  39. Great authors. I would love to read this one.
    godblessamerica.jan(at)gmail(dot)com

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  40. i love book about place i have visited i love going to vermont- i also love books with different stories
    thanks i have definatly been smitten before

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  41. i have not read any by these authors but i love to read so i'll look into them some more :)

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  42. absolutely! I have been crazy about my man since we were 15 years old!
    onecheaplady@yahoo.com

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  43. During high school I think you are always "smitten" by someone

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  44. I haven't read any of these authors but they all sound great

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  45. These all sound like such great reads!

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  46. I haven't read any books by these authors. I would love to though :)

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  47. I was smitten by my husband. No I have never read the books

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  48. I have not yet read a book by those authors

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  49. TheSavySue@yahoo.com no I have not read any other books by any of these 4 authors.

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  50. TheSavySue(at)yahoo(dot)com yes I have been "smitten" by someone, my husband!

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  51. I was totally smitten by my hubby. Guess that's why it's been 21.5 years!

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  52. Haven't read any other titles by these authors--but sounds like I want to.

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  53. I was smitten by a teacher in college:)

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  54. No, I have not read any yet but I sure hope to:0

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  55. I have never read any of these other books.

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