Saturday, October 16, 2010

Book Review and Giveaway: Safe Haven

By Melissa Amster



**Giveaway is now closed**

As you may already know, I am a huge fan of Nicholas Sparks. When I found out that "Safe Haven" was going to be released this fall, I knew I had to get a copy and I also knew that I'd want to share it with one of our loyal readers. Thanks to Brad Parsons at Hachette Group, I got to do both.

When "Safe Haven" arrived on my doorstep, I wasted no time in reading nearly 100 pages in one day. Even after that, I didn't want to put it down and kept thinking about the story when I wasn't reading it. Though different from most of Mr. Sparks' books, "Safe Haven," deals with an issue that is real to many women and should not be overlooked....domestic abuse. The story is about a woman who is beaten constantly by her controlling husband and finds a way to change her identity and escape to a place where he'll never find her again. In doing so, she meets four people who become important in her life: Jo, her next door neighbor and Alex, a potential romantic interest who has two kids to whom she becomes attached. In the meantime, her husband is slowly spiraling downhill and trying to find a way to track her down.

I liked the different perspectives throughout the story: Katie's (the main character), Alex's (her romantic interest) and Kevin's (her husband). Mr. Sparks found a way to combine them so that they fused together in such an intense way that the book was impossible to put down and completely unforgettable once it was finished. The only criticism I had was that this story hinged upon fantasy at one point, but I won't give details as to not spoil anything. I liked how it fit into the story, but also didn't buy into it that much. "Safe Haven" has a similar feel to "The Guardian," one of his previous novels. It also had some emotional moments, as most of his books tend to do. (Have some tissues nearby!) I definitely would rank this on my list of my favorite Nicholas Sparks novels.

Special thanks to Brad Parsons from the Hachette Book Group for the review copy and for providing one book to give away to a lucky reader in the US or Canada.

How to win "Safe Haven":
Please comment below with your e-mail address.
(Please note: Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page if you can receive messages there.)

1. Please tell us: What is your favorite Nicholas Sparks book (or which of his books are you most interested in reading aside from "Safe Haven")?
2. Please tell us: What (or where) is your safe haven?
3. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
4. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
5. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)

US/Canada only. No P.O. Boxes. Giveaway ends Thursday, October 21st, at midnight EST.

70 comments:

PoCoKat said...

The Notebook has always been my favorite!

littleone AT shaw DOT ca

PoCoKat said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
PoCoKat said...

I follow on GFC.

littleone AT shaw DOT ca

PoCoKat said...

Safe haven...my home.

littleone AT shaw DOT ca

Ruthie said...

I agree The Notebook is a favorite.

ruthiekb72@yahoo.com

Ruthie said...

We have a tiny beach house across the street from the ocean & all we have to do to relax is be there!

ruthiekb72@yahoo.com

Ruthie said...

FB follower

ruthiekb72@yahoo.com

Kritters Ramblings said...

I love the notebook.

kdurham2@gmail.com

Kritters Ramblings said...

I am a follower.

kdurham2@gmail.com

Unknown said...

My favorite book by Nicholas Sparks is The Notebook.
amandarwest at gmaildotcom

Myra C said...

The Notebook is my favorite

myra0502 AT yahoo DOT com

Myra C said...

I am GFC follower

myra0502 AT yahoo DOT com

Myra C said...

my home is my safe haven

myra0502 AT yahoo DOT com

BookHounds said...

No Need to enter me -- I just posted this at win a book!

http://winabook.westofmars.com/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=9682&message=6

Brittany Roshelle said...

My favorite book is The Notebook!

askbrittanyroshelle at gmail dot com

Brittany Roshelle said...

My safe haven is any hiking trail!

askbrittanyroshelle at gmail dot com

Brittany Roshelle said...

I follow this blog!

askbrittanyroshelle at gmail dot com

Brittany Roshelle said...

I'm a FB member

askbrittanyroshelle at gmail dot com

Brittany Roshelle said...

I posted it on Twitter!

askbrittanyroshelle at gmail dot com

BRN2SHOP9 said...

I haven't read any of his books yet, but they are on my list!

BRN2SHOP9 said...

2. Please tell us: What (or where) is your safe haven?

My house.

BRN2SHOP9 said...

I follow the blog via google follower.

BRN2SHOP9 said...

I follow via facebook.

Jane Cook said...

"Nights in Rodanthe" is my favorite so far, but "Safe Haven" sounds like it will be great.

My home is my 'safe haven'; having been in abusive situations in the past, I've made certain that my home is safe and I am never uncomfortable there.

Following blog, FB and Twitter!

Jane Cook said...

sorry, forgot!
jscites at hotmail dot com

Jane Cook said...

https://twitter.com/#!/DollyJ007

Anonymous said...

I love Nicholas Sparks!! I have read/seen The Notebook and The Last Song.

billiondollarprincesss@hotmail.com

Heather said...

I've only seen the movie the Notebook but I loved it. Reading his books are definitely on my list! Would love to win this one!
ra6352 (at) gmail (dot) com

Heather said...

At home with my husband is my safe haven!
ra6352 (at) gmail (dot) com

Heather said...

I am a member of Chick Lit Central!
ra6352 (at) gmail (dot) com

Heather said...

I shared on facebook!
ra6352 (at) gmail (dot) com

carole said...

Hi! I haven't read Safe Haven yet but like to for I like his books. My favorite book of Nicholas Sparks is Message in the Bottle. I love the beach, whenever I need to sort out things or meditate I go to the beach. If I can't go then I walk around our woods for its so peaceful. I follow you on facebook. carolfioreabshire54@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

oh man a favorite?? I loved the notebook... so sweet! However I own all of his books and I can't wait to read Safe Haven!

schlarmette[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

oh man a favorite?? I loved the notebook... so sweet! However I own all of his books and I can't wait to read Safe Haven!

schlarmette[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

schlarmette[at]gmail[dot]com

I am a follower of this blog

Unknown said...

schlarmette[at]gmail[dot]com

I am a follower via Facebook

Unknown said...

I always feel the safest cuddled up with my hubby. my escape is through a book in a comfy chair with a blanket and hot drink!

schlarmette[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

Putting this link on my sidebar
schlarmette[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

I like the Notebook and A Bend in the Road.

ncoliz AT gmail DOT com.

Unknown said...

My safe haven is my parent's home. Even as a grown woman the safest place for me is at home with mom and dad. Yup I still feel no harm can come to me as long as my dad is around to protect me.

ncoliz AT gmail DOT com.

Unknown said...

I follow this blog and am a Member on FB.

ncoliz AT gmail DOT com.

Anonymous said...

I am a follower and a FB member. I am a huge fan of The Wedding!
jessicalitwin (at) gmail (dot) come

Unknown said...

I would love to win this book!

I think my absolute favorite book was Nights in Rodanthe, but honestly I also compare the books to the movies and then I loved The Notebook, and Message in a Bottle.

Extexgirl2 AT aol DOT com

Unknown said...

I'm a blog follower, I follow on facebook, I'm a member of CLC on fb too.

BTW, I've not read some of Sparks more recent books, but this sounds less romancey, so to speak, and like something I will enjoy.
Extexgirl2 AT aol DOT com

Unknown said...

My safe haven is my home.....my comfy chair, something good to drink and either my lap top or my book in my hands. I feel so blessed to have my home and my family as my Safe Haven.

I posted about this giveaway on fb.

Extexgirl2 AT aol DOT com

Anonymous said...

I love all his books but my favorite is The Last Song just because I remember my dad.
I am a follower and will post this in twitter =)

StereoQueenBee said...

My email is queenofcrunk@gmail.com. I'd like to get this for my mom because she is my safe haven right now. My dad is fighting cancer and she has had a hard time of it. I posted this on twitter @stereoqueenbee and I follow you on Facebook..

Kassidy said...

The Notebook is my favorite book.

sydb06 AT hotmail DOT com

Kassidy said...

My safe haven is my bedroom.

sydb06 AT hotmail DOT com

Kassidy said...

I follow the Chick Lit Central blog.

Kassidy said...

I've joined Chick Lit Central on facebook.

sydb06 AT hotmail DOT com

Unknown said...

This is to get a chance to win the book written by Nicholas Sparks, Safe Haven. I read , The Notebook and The Guardian, both were excellent readings.
My safe haven is when I am reading.
Idel918@gmail.com
Thank you,
Irene

Sarah E said...

My favorite Nicholas Sparks book is The Notebook.

Please enter me in this giveaway!

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Sarah E said...

My safe haven is my home.

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Sarah E said...

I follow via GFC.

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Sarah E said...

I tweeted:

http://twitter.com/BookLoverSarah/status/28008291429

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Sarah E said...

Facebook group member (Sarah Emmerson)

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Heather R said...

I really like A Walk To Remember

thransom@gmail.com

Heather R said...

My safe haven is at my grandmother's house up north. I moved alot as a kid and that was the one place that always stayed the same.

thransom@gmail.com

Laura Rachel Fox said...

Wow! Thanks for the review!

I'd love a chance to win.

Lostlibrarygirl@sbcglobal.net

Heather R said...

I joined Chick Lit Central on Facebook.
(T.h.Ransom)

thransom@gmail.com

Laura Rachel Fox said...

1. "The Notebook" is my fave!

Lostlibrarygirl@sbcglobal.net

Laura Rachel Fox said...

2. My safe haven is with my husband. No matter where I am or in what circumstances I face, I know I can face anything with him by my side.

Lostlibrarygirl@sbcglobal.net

Laura Rachel Fox said...

3. I'm a follower!

Lostlibrarygirl@sbcglobal.net

Laura Rachel Fox said...

4. I tweeted.

http://twitter.com/#!/LostLibraryGirl/status/28036203091

Lostlibrarygirl@sbcglobal.net

Laura Rachel Fox said...

5. I'm a member of Chick Lit Central on facebook.

Lostlibrarygirl@sbcglobal.net

The Canady Family said...

I love The Wedding!

thecanadyfamily@gmail.com

The Canady Family said...

My safe haven is my home~ thecanadyfamily@gmail.com