Never Say Never

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt "Thank you" to Lisa Wingate and her publisher for sending me a copy of "Never Say Never" to review for them. I have always been grateful for this generosity, and I am trying to improve at being consistent in taking the time to thank these wonderfully giving individuals in a public forum. I really appreciate your time, effort and expense in making a reviewer copy available to me. Lisa Wingate's latest novel, "Never Say Never", is a captivating work of fiction that transports the reader to the laid back western setting of Daily, Texas with its authentically twangy narrative. If the town sounds familiar, that's because Wingate has two other novels set in this locale: "Talk of the Town" and "Word Gets Around". In this latest offering, Kai Miller is a confirmed and habitual drifter with no plans to settle down anytime soon. Who would have dreamed that it would take a tropical storm to lure her away from her nomadic lifestyle? Of course, such a story wouldn't be complete without a complicated bit of romance to spice up the plot. I've just started this book, yet I'm invested in the storytelling and the characters to such an extent that I may have to go back to Wingate's other novels in this setting.

I just finished reading Never Say Never. I loved this book and couldn't put it down. I really enjoyed the way Lisa Wingate tells the story with the different character points of view. I am going to order her other books.

Never put Never Say Never down-- at least I didn't until I finished the book. As I've come to expect from Wingate, the book tells a compelling story, woven together from the eyes and hearts of a younger and an older character. The two come together in the most improbable circumstances involving a planned cruise, a hurricane, and a wrangle in the small town of Daily, Texas. A romance buds slowly and realistically between Kai and Kemp, while Donetta Bradford puts on a brave face as she feels unloved by long time hubby. The tender and touching resolution to both the budding and waning romance sees lots of action as the town takes in hurricane victims. We despair along with Donetta and friends when the town busybody wants to send those people on their way and threatens to enforce building codes to move out the "undesirables". Without giving up the plot, I'll just say that Wingate, once again turns adversity into triumph. There is no telling, telling, telling in a Wingate novel. It is action, conversation, and sometimes poignant reflection where we really get in the heads of characters. After reading her recent, The Summer Kitchen, this is a bit of a change of pace-- a little more humor and characters more quirky. Both books deal with serious issues such as homelessness and aging, but NSN is in a lighter vein and TSK more serious. Always inspirational and often turning a phrase I can quote, I eagerly await her books and am always rewarded with a good read.

Kai Miller floats through life like driftwood tossed by waves. She's never put down roots -- and she doesn't plan to. But when a chaotic hurricane evacuation lands her in Daily Texas, she begins to think twice about her wayfaring existence. And when she meets hometown boy Kemp Eldridge, she can almost picture settling down in Daily -- until she discovers he may be promised to someone else. Daley has always been a welcoming place of refuge for those the wind blows in, but for Kai is looks like it will be just another place to leave behind. Then again, Daily always has a few surprises in store -- especially when Aunt Donetta Bradford has cooked up a scheme. About Lisa: Lisa Wingate is a popular inspirational speaker, magazine columnist, and national best-selling author of several books including Tending Roses, A Month of Summer, and The Summer Kitchen. My Take: This is a story about two women from different generations who meet during an evacuation of a hurricane. They are thrown together in a difficult situation but before long they strike up a bond. Aunt Donetta is a character that has appeared in the other books of Lisa's. She is from the small town of Daily, Texas. I really like Donetta's character, she is a strong woman with a wonderful sense of humor. She will keep you laughing throughout the book even during times of trouble. The other main character is a young woman who has had a troubled background. Her name is Kai Miller and she works for a cruise line that has left port early because of the hurricane. She casts to evacuate and along the way she spots three women on the side of the road who are in trouble. She stops to pick them up and they both continue on a journey of ups and downs before they reached safety and are able to go back to Donetta's hometown of Daily, Texas where Kai meets Donetta's nephew Kemp and a bond is formed between them. Of course, like any good romance story the relationship has a few bumps along the way before it is smooth sailing. One thing I have noticed about Christian fiction, especially suspense, is that it is told from the viewpoint of two different characters. It usually goes back and forth between a female and male character. However, in this book each chapter goes back and forth between the two main characters Donetta and Kai. This kind of writing takes a little bit of getting used to, but it is worth it because story is shown from two different views. If you are in the mood for a little bit of laughter that this is the book you want to pick up and read.

"Never Say Never" by Lisa Wingate is an exciting and stimulating book! It sweeps the reader through the evacuation and dangers of a category 4 hurricane to Radar's (one of the dogs) trying to get sticky rat trap boxes off his face and feet! One of the rescuers, Kemp riding up top of the post drill with a chain saw in his hand will be long remembered. The reader once again gets to enjoy the goings on in Daily, Texas with Donetta, Imagene, and Lucy whom we met in another of Lisa Wingate's books "Talk of the Town". Donetta, Imagene and Lucy are on their way to join the cruise ship when the hurricane changes course causing them and others to get caught in evacuation traffic along the coast. Kai Miller works on the cruise ship but the hurricane causes her to get caught in the evacuation traffic also and she ends up in Daily, Texas where she meets and enjoys the friendship of Kemp Eldridge. Two beautiful love stories holds the reader's interest long into the night. I really enjoyed the book and am reading it again. I highly recommend this book! Ed