Books are food for my soul! Pull up a beach chair and stick your toes in the sand as the Jersey surf rolls in and out, now open your book and let your imagination take you away.

Saturday, May 25, 2013

The Face of the Earth by Deborah Raney (Book Review / Contest Giveaway)

In association with Litfuse Publicity, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the virtual book tour event for The Face of the Earth by author Deborah Raney!


Win a “Date Night” Prize Pack from Deborah Raney and RSVP for her 5/30 Facebook Party!











Book Review



The Face of the Earth by Deborah Raney
Publisher: Howard Books / Simon & Schuster
Publication Date: May 14, 2013
Format: Paperback - 368 pages / Kindle - 1147 KB / Nook 4 MB
ISBN: 1439123659
ASIN: B008J27JAK
Genre: Christian Fiction / Romantic Suspense


BUY THE BOOK: The Face of the Earth


Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Litfuse Publicity. 


Book Description:

When Mitchell Brannon’s beloved wife of twenty years kisses him goodbye one autumn morning, he has little idea that his life is about to change forever. Mitch returns from work early that evening, surprised Jill’s car isn’t in the garage. Her conference in Kansas City is only a few hours’ drive from their little town of Sylvia, Missouri. But her voice on the answering machine makes him smile. “Hey, babe, I’m just now checking out of the hotel, but I’ll stop and pick up something for dinner. Love you.”

Mitch sets the table with their best china and lights some candles, looking forward to their first weekend as empty nesters. But at eight o’clock, the candles have burned to stubs and Jill still hasn’t shown up. Mitch tries her cell phone only to get her voice mail over and over again. Their two college kids haven’t heard from their mom either.

At midnight, Mitch’s irritation turns to dread. And later, when the police and Missouri Highway Patrol have turned up nothing, the Kansas City hotel calls to say they’ve found property belonging to Jill in a hotel maid’s possession.

Mitch enlists the help of their next-door neighbor, Jill’s best friend, Shelley, and together they search for clues to Jill’s disappearance. As days turn into weeks and weeks into months, Mitch and Shelley’s friendship grows ever closer—and decidedly complicated with Jill as the tie that binds them together. Just when Shelley decides to finally reveal her feelings for Mitch, a clue to Jill’s whereabouts is uncovered. But every lead seems to be a dead end, and Mitch wonders how he can honor the vows he made to a woman who has seemingly disappeared off the face of the earth.


My Book Review:

The Face of the Earth is the captivating story about a woman who has mysteriously disappeared without a trace, and her husband's agonizing and frantic search to find her. Written in the third person narrative and set in Sylvia, Missouri, the reader follows Mitchell Brannon's heart wrenching search for his wife Jill, who mysteriously disappeared on her way home from a three-day conference in Kansas City.

This riveting and complex story draws the reader in as they feel the panic, fear, anxiety, and heartbreak that Mitch endures for almost a year as the search and investigation into Jill's disappearance takes on many dramatic clues and twists and turns that produces very little answers. And if that isn't enough, as time goes by Mitch fights the temptation to seek comfort in the arms of Shelley Austin, Jill's best friend and their neighbor, who helps Mitch in the search.

The story realistically portrays the traumatic challenges that families go through when a loved one disappears without a trace or any concrete clues, leaving them to question everything in their relationship, feeling the full gamut of emotions, especially despair when all hope seems lost with a lack of closure. This story engages the reader to ponder how long does one wait before it is acceptable to move forward with their life. The reader can't help but get drawn into this poignant story, the mystery of Jill's disappearance and Mitch's traumatic journey to seek answers is simply a riveting page turner that will keep you in suspense until the conclusion of the story. This emotional story will make you wonder how you would react if you were in Mitch's shoes. This is a traumatic nightmare situation that you pray will never occur in your family.

The Face of the Earth is a gut wrenching, emotionally intense, and moving story that will simply stir your soul.


RATING: 5 STARS *****





About The Author




Deborah Raney is the award-winning author of several novels, including A Nest of Sparrows and the RITA award winning Beneath a Southern Sky and its sequel, After the Rains. Deborah's first novel, A Vow to Cherish, was the inspiration for World Wide Pictures' highly acclaimed film of the same title, which in December 2004 aired on prime time network TV for the second time. Deb's novella, Playing by Heart, was a National Readers Choice Award winner and a 2004 Christy Award finalist. Her novel for Howard/Simon & Schuster, Yesterday’s Embers, appeared on the ECPA Christian fiction bestseller list. Known for her sensitive portrayal of family struggles and relationships, Deb has also written nonfiction books and articles and often speaks at women's retreats and writers' conferences around the country. She and her husband, illustrator/author Ken Raney, have four children and make their home in Kansas.


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Virtual Book Tour Contest Giveaway

Win A $200 Visa Cash Card!



Win a “Date Night” Prize Pack from Deborah Raney and RSVP for her 5/30 Facebook Party! Deborah is celebrating with a fun "Date Night" Giveaway (win a $200 Visa Cash Card!) and an Author Chat Party on Facebook on 5/30!



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One winner will receive:
  • A $200 Visa Cash Card (Use that to catch up with a loved one – your spouse, friend, sister, mom…whomever!)
  • The Face of the Earth by Deborah Raney

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 29th. Winner will be announced at the "The Face of the Earth" Facebook Author Chat Party on May 30th. Connect with Deborah for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Deborah will also be sharing a sneak peek of her next book and giving away books and fun gift certificates throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of The Face of the Earth and join Deborah on the evening of May 30th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)


Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP todayTell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on May 30th!




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