The Romance Cover: Blog Tour ~ Review & Giveaway ~ The Face in the Mirror by Barbara S Stewart

TITLE: THE FACE IN THE MIRROR

AUTHOR: BARBARA STEWART

RELEASED: APRIL 16, 2014

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Book Description:

Loss brings things home. You reflect on what you had, and what you’ve lost.
What if you met the love of your life... Again?
What if he never fell out of love with you?
And you realized that you were still in love with him.
Could you push the past aside…
And focus on the future?
Relive what was good…
And learn from the bad?
What if you found a secret…
That revealed that everything about your family was a lie…
Changed your thoughts on love and commitment…
And turned all that you believe in upside down...
What if a mirror reflected what you loved…
And what you lost?

Our Review:

**ARC received for honest review**

Reviewed by Donna ~ 4 Stars

“We never live so intensely as when we love strongly. We never realize ourselves so vividly as when we are in full glow of love for others.”

One of my favourite genres is “second chance romance” and this book is one of those stories that capture this beautifully. This quote always comes to mind…

“Sometimes, life gives you a second chance because just maybe the first time you weren't ready.” – Unknown

This is not one of Barbara’s angst filled, tear jerking, gutsy reads, yes it does have some teary moments but as I said above, this is predominantly a book about finding love again, with the same person for the second time, even more romantic was that this was also a first love. Learning from past mistakes, forgiveness for those mistakes and using that as a foundation to build a more solid relationship than before, learning the art of communication, being a partnership and moving forward together as one, as a unit, united. This is also about the bond between mother and daughter, a bond so special that it never dies, no matter what happens in life, your mum is always your mum and that tie will never be broken. Through hard times and heartache they will always be there, whether it be in body or spirit, you can always feel them and hear them and you can always rely on them for advice, whether it is wanted or not.

Renee and Mitchell met when they were teenagers thanks to a lot of conspiring by Renee’s granny, they were perfect for each other and from the moment they met they were inseparable. Despite family objections because of feelings of grandiose, Renee and Mitchell battled the odds and eventually married. Life always has a way of throwing curveballs and Mitchell studying, trying to be the best that he could be and Renee trying valiantly to study to meet her father’s expectations meant that they spent little time together. Renee being a little naïve to a certain extent and gullible fell for her families railroading and walked away, leaving behind the man that she loved and has always loved. No man since had been able to fill Mitchell’s shoes and she was always left wondering “what if,” she missed him constantly and if she had one regret, then he was it, not that they met, but that she ever walked away.

Fate has a way of bringing those that were meant to be together, together. Renee’s life was no different, an event happens and their paths cross again, having been given this second chance it was now up to them to take it and make it. Would their past dictate their future, or now that they are that much older, are they older and wiser?

“I realized that not many times are we offered a mulligan to make something right.”

Mitchell was adorable and perfect, of the two he had the hardest time when they split. He never knew the whys, they had never communicated their problems, and he didn’t think they had any. In hindsight he could see things were not perfect but not enough for Renee to give up and walk away without warning. He was devastated and he too never recovered. Nobody could fill Renee’s shoes either and his heart just couldn’t move on, but now as fate has drawn them together again, could his heart manage to love again or will the overwhelming need to protect himself prevail? He too missed her constantly and if he had one regret, then she was it, not that they met, but that he should have fought harder.

“There’s no way I could make it without you, there’s no way I’d even try.

If I had to survive, without you in my life, I know I wouldn’t last a day.” – There’s No Way by Alabama

This is a fast paced book, it does cover from their teenage years to their adulthood, but all their important milestones are covered. I would have liked a bit more, because I am greedy like that, but what I did read I loved. I loved the characters, I loved the story. It is one of those stories that you read and you fall in love with, a true traditional romance story that leaves you with that warm and fuzzy feeling at the end. You feel as if you have taken the journey with them and lived and breathed it.

I love Barbara Stewarts writing style, you know that you are not going to get the hot and steamy, cussing filled erotica book, but you will get the beautiful, the hearts and flowers, the romance and this book delivers that in spades.

“In the words of Shakespeare – ‘And though she be but little, she is fierce’.”

Another fab read!

Buy Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.com/B00JPTMIJ8
Amazon CA: http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00JPTMIJ8
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00JPTMIJ8

About the Author:

Barbara S Stewart (7/13/1959) - Is a yankee-billy. She was born in Havre de Grace, MD, but raised a BRATS (you’ll find it in the book!).

Residing in Middleburg, FL with her husband, Gene, they share their home with a fat cat named Kooky. She’s worked in the electronics industry, and most recently in healthcare. In 2009, she was awarded the American Cancer Society’s HOPE award for volunteerism.

She writes love stories, and the ideas usually evolve from music – a song she hears that ‘paints a picture.’ She refers to her writing as ‘the sound-track of her life.’ Sprinkled through her stories are humor and sadness based on experiences shared with family and friends. If you know her you may read something and think, ‘is that me?’ You never know… She loves books by Adriana Trigiani and Nora Roberts, and loves exploring new, self-published authors like her.

The third book in the Rock and Roll Trilogy – Feel Like Makin’ Love will be released later in 2013. She also has another work in progress, The Face in the Mirror that she hopes to release sometime in 2013, as well.

She loves to hear from readers, and you can find her at:

FACEBOOK | WEBSITE | TWITTER | GOODREADS

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