Holding My Breath ~ "The Shadow of Your Smile" by Susan May Warren ~ Review

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“The Shadow of Your Smile” is one of those novels that twines itself around your heart. Its hurting characters and their struggles make you stop and think: what I would do in this kind of situation?

            So much history and dynamics play into this family and it shows how one person’s bad choices have nearly ruined an entire family’s relationships. Noelle and Eli might have been married for years, but after the tragic death of their daughter, they might have been in the same house. But they haven’t really lived.

            Their changing love story impacted me in the heart. I wanted to see them come together. I wanted to see them change. But there was SO much going against them. And when Noelle loses her memory and a gun-toting bad guy, can anything put them back together?

            Several times during the book, I held my breath, hoping, hoping that the characters would make the right decisions. Those are the kind of stories that engage the emotions and bring the reader into the story.

            There were quite a few subplots (even though everything did tie neatly in the end), it felt a bit quick and I’m hoping we can return to a few in future books set in the charming Deep Haven.

            It’s a novel about relationships. Relationships with our family, loved ones and friends, with God more than anything.

            This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to Litfuse for my copy to review.

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More about the novel....

A beautiful blanket of snow may cover the quaint town of Deep Haven each winter, but it can’t quite hide the wreckage of Noelle and Eli Hueston’s marriage. 

After twenty-five years, they’re contemplating divorce . . . just as soon as their youngest son graduates from high school. But then an accident erases part of Noelle's memory. Though her other injuries are minor, she doesn’t remember Eli, their children, or the tragedy that has ripped their family apart. What’s more, Noelle is shocked that her life has turned out nothing like she dreamed it would. As she tries to regain her memory and slowly steps into her role as a wife and mother, Eli helps her readjust to daily life with sometimes-hilarious, sometimes-heartwarming results. But can she fall in love again with a man she can’t remember? 

Will their secrets destroy them . . . or has erasing the past given them a chance for a future? Read the story behind the story here: http://www.susanmaywarren.com/books/the-shadow-of-your-smile. 

**CONTEST INFO!!**

Sometimes love requires a little forgetting ... Come back to Deep Haven and find out what's been happening in your favorite quaint hamlet. If you're new to the Deep Haven series - this is the perfect book to start with - each book in the series is a stand alone story.

Susan is celebrating the release of The Shadow of Your Smile by giving away a prize pack worth over $200 from 1/9-1/28.

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A $200 Visa Gift Card (Use that to rekindle a little romance, treat yourself to a spa day, snap up those shoes you’ve been eyeing, or purchase a few great books!)

• The entire set of Deep Haven Books 

The winner will be announced on 1/30/12 on Susan’s blog, Scribbles! Just click one of the icons below to enter and tell your friends about Susan's giveaway on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.