The Lost Manuscript + Giveaway

A priceless manuscript could be one woman’s key to finding her missing grandmother—and to her own second chance.

It’s not just Ellora Lockwood’s home that’s being emptied as she prepares to sell—her heart seems to be empty too. Since the mysterious disappearance of her beloved Grandma June and separating from her husband, Alex, Ellora has felt adrift. Then comes an invitation from Alex to teach history at a summer program at Alnwick Castle in England. He’s even found information about the location of a medieval manuscript that was her grandmother’s obsession before she vanished.

Warily, Ellora accepts Alex’s offer. Surrounded by lush English countryside and captivating history, she pieces together clues about the manuscript’s whereabouts—and uncovers new questions. Could someone have been sabotaging her grandmother’s work? Anonymous threats lead Ellora to suspect she too may be in danger, but as she and Alex work together, she’s finding strength, new purpose and the courage to see this quest through, wherever it may lead…

My Review:

First off, I’ll say that I’m not really a fan of estranged marriage romances. It’s not a trope I gravitate towards, and, in fact, will go out of my way to avoid. BUT — wowzers! did Mollie Rushmeyer ever bowl me over with all the emotional nuances of Ellora and Alex’s love story. I felt as raw and bruised and hurting as both of them did — but I had the added bonus of being party to their inner most thoughts so I could really understand how things fell apart in such a spectacular fashion. And that just made me all the more emotionally invested in their love story. Let’s just say Rushmeyer isn’t particularly kind to her characters. 🙂

Totally captivated by Alex! And if you told me I’d be fan-girling over the guy who walked away from his marriage I’d have uttered an emphatic ‘pshaw!’ But, I’d have been wrong. There are so many reasons to love Alex and I can’t tell you any of them without posting spoilers. You just have to meet him for yourself. But have a fainting couch handy for when you do.

And Ellora is as old-fashioned quirky as her name. She’s not only a history professor, but she rocks vintage fashion with flare! And she’s nursing a mountain load of hurt that’s turning into a grudge bordering on bitterness. But, somehow, she’s still lovable!

This is very much a redemption story — the redeeming of a marriage and the author writes with such beauty and truth that it brought tears to my eyes.

“They hadn’t chosen love or at least the type of selfless, truth-giving love they were called to as God’s children and husband and wife to each other. And when they inevitably messed up, they did not forgive as God forgives…” (p 121-122)

Then there’s the lost manuscript quest and the missing grandmother mystery and a summer in England to try to figure it all out…and learn how to fall in love all over again, this time with Christ as their foundation!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

ebook available to anyone, anywhere who has a .com (US) Kindle account

US — paperback or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada — paperback or ebook (via a gift card to Canadian Amazon) or audible (.ca)

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Lost Manuscript, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday September 16, 2023

44 thoughts on “The Lost Manuscript + Giveaway”

  1. Thanks for your review and opportunity to read this. The cover and title caught my attention. I haven’t read anything by this author. It sounds intriguing on many levels.
    nora finding hope at yahoo

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  3. Thank you for your review on “The Lost Manuscript”! Boy have you sold me that this book is a must read. It sounds amazing and my fainting couch is ready and waiting with the necessary supplies. Can’t wait!

    Greatly appreciate your generosity with the chance to win a copy.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  6. I bought the Audible with my August credit. Just the sample alone intrigued me and I loved her first book. I have that one in paperback. The one thing that I noticed is that the narrator has a nice voice but doesn’t change much between characters. I’m a bit concerned about that but we will see how it goes. I just felt this was a good one to have on audio.

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    1. I would have gone the audio route as well but my library got the paperback in super early and I was first on the holds list so that’s what I went with. I think we’re getting spoiled by some of the incredible narrators out there. I’m currently reading…er listening…to a Regency with an American narrator…might even be the author reading? Will have to check. At first it was jarring because she doesn’t even do the dialogue with a British accent, but the story’s good enough that I’ve adapted. 🙂 Happy listening, Tammy!

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  7. I’m like you Kav, I very much don’t like marriages gone wrong stories, not to say that it can’t happen but in today’s society it seems it is too common to push aside reconciliation and forgiveness. So when that happens it can turn into a beautiful story. Looking forward to reading this one.

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  10. I have her debut novel “The Bookshop of Secrets” (in fact it was a Carol Award finalist, if I’m correct), and I am super excited for this one!!

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  18. This sounds like another intriguing book from Mollie Rushmeyer! You’ve definitely whet my reading appetite! Thanks for the great review, Kav!

    Alison Boss
    nj(dot)bossman(at)gmail(dot)com

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