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Hi, reader friends! Today, we welcome back our author friend, Rachel Hauck, as part of a book tour for her new novel!
about the book
Title: The Love Letter
Author: Rachel Hauck
Release Date: June 12, 2018
Genre: Contemporary
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Dress comes a story of long-lost love and its redemption in future generations.
Romance has never been actress Chloe Daschle’s forte—in life or on screen. But everyone knows who to call for a convincing death scene . . . and it might be killing her career.
When Chloe is given a peek at the script for an epic love story, she decides to take her destiny into her own hands and request an audition for the lead female role, Esther Kingsley. The compelling tale, inspired by family lore and a one-page letter from the colonial ancestor of scriptwriter Jesse Gates, just might break her out of this career-crippling rut. Jesse would rather write about romance than live through it after his past relationship ended in disaster. But once on-set together, the chemistry between Jesse and his leading lady is hard to deny.
Centuries earlier, in the heart of the Revolutionary War, Hamilton Lightfoot and Esther Longfellow wrote their saga off the silver screen. Esther’s Loyalist father opposes any relationship with Hamilton, but Esther must face her beloved father’s disapproval and the dangers of war in order to convince Hamilton of their future together. Hamilton has loved Esther for years, and on the eve of battle pens the love letter she’s always wanted—something straight from the heart.
Set in stunning upcountry South Carolina, The Love Letter is a beautifully-crafted story of the courage it takes to face down fear and chase after love, even in the darkest of times. And just maybe, all these generations later, love can come home in a way not even Hollywood could imagine.
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my thoughts
Hauck treats readers to a delightful journey of faith and love with authentic, complex characters and cleverly entwined storylines. This book is an exceptional reading experience… emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually engaging and satisfying.
The Love Letter balances the stark hot and cold contrasts of tension and conflict with warm friendship, attraction, and budding faith. The characters are relatable and the story flows smoothly throughout the point of view transitions and time period shifts. I love the way both Chloe and Jesse refer to themselves as old souls. I think the world needs more old souls with traditional values, honor, and integrity.
This exquisite story fully captured my heart within the first seventy pages and I eagerly indulged in blissful reader decadence to the end (then proceeded to wipe away tears of reader joy). I highly recommend this story it is without a doubt one of my favorite books of the year and all-time.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
about the author
Rachel Hauck is an award-winning, New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author.
Her book The Wedding Dress was named Inspirational Novel of the Year by Romantic Times. She is a double RITA finalist, a Christy and Carol Award Winner.
Rachel sits on the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers, and is the comical sidekick to Susan May Warren at the amazing My Book Therapy. She is a worship leader and speaker.
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guest post from Rachel Hauck
I’m always looking for story ideas. My husband does a standard disclaimer when I start drilling into a conversation with questions like:
“Really? So why did you do that?”
“Have you sought help?”
“Was it love at first sight?”
Hubster says, “Warning, anything you say can end up in a book.”
Of course, stories abound! Interesting people abound!
Then again, sometimes ideas just hit out of the blue. A few years ago I had the idea of a young, contemporary couple meeting by “accident” only to learn that their great-grandparents were in love but time, life, family, war, or society made their love impossible.
I suppose there are a hundred ways to tell such a story but when it came time to write The Love Letter, I was slightly infatuated with the Poldark series on PBS.
Set in 18th century Cornwall, the story and the characters were so dynamic I had to write my own version of Poldark.
But could I write a split time with a 240 year difference? I mean, they didn’t have electricity or phones in 1780! They didn’t even have a postal system. Letters were carried by traveling friends or family.
What possible conflicts could my historical characters face? What event could be so dark and tragic to keep them apart?
The Revolutionary War created a perfect backdrop for my young lovers.
I set the story in upcountry South Carolina not realizing the battle I chose for the backdrop, the Battle of Cowpens, was the inspiration for the movie The Patriot. (A fav movie of mine!)
For the contemporary story, I started with shoes. I mean, doesn’t everything start with shoes?
“Nice outfit but what shoes are you wearing?”
“You’re going on a date? You need new shoes.”
What we “walk in” can either empower or defeat us. There’s a spiritual metaphor I’ll meditate on for a while.
However, the shoe angle didn’t quite work so the contemporary story ended up in Hollywood with an actor/screenwriter and an actress.
Both worlds—1780 upcountry South Carolina and contemporary Hollywood—were a bit out of my southern bailiwick.
I did a lot of research on the war and the colonial south. Where I couldn’t find details, I filled in with my imagination.
As for Hollywood, I talked with a screenwriter friend, read books, watched interviews, and then, you know, made the rest up. Don’t you know I eventually ended up on a movie set—Once Upon A Prince—four days after I finished reading the galley proofs for The Love Letter!
One of the hardest parts of the story was the actual love letter. What did it say? Who wrote it and why? Was there more than one? No, only one. But why only one?
I must have written and rewritten the letter five different ways to Sunday before I settled on the magical one.
During the course of the book, I realized I’d never written a love letter. Have you?
I’ve written sentiments to my husband on an anniversary or birthday card. I speak my love and affection out loud all the time. But a bonafide love letter?
A love letter is its own art form. They range from sickly sweet with a lot of “darlings” and “sweethearts” to Shakespearean sonnets.
There’s a vulnerability that comes with writing a love letter. Putting one’s heart on the page creates a new level of commitment with your affections.
Will the reader receive your words? Will the reader respond in kind?
It’s fascinating to consider the purpose of a love letter. Have we lost something intrinsic to the human heart with our instant texting and email society?
Can you imagine Romeo texting to Juliet in 2018?
Saw you at your window. You looked hot.
Doesn’t quite have the same ring as: “But soft! what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east and Juliet is the sun.”
Scripture is a continuous love letter. “For God so loved the world—”
Whether you write love letters or poems, or quick texts, or put XO’s on cards to loved ones, write a love letter this month.
Write one to yourself, to Jesus, a spouse, child, parent, friend, foe—
See how it will bless your heart! Off to write my love letter…
giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Rachel is giving away the following prizes:
Grand prize of a Kindle Fire 7
Semi-Grand prize of a book basket
2nd – 4th place prize of a copy of The Love Letter!!
See what other readers are saying by checking out other stops on the tour schedule!
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Say hi to Rachel and share your thoughts, reader friends!
I loved The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck and can’t wait to read this new book!
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Thank you so much for your wonderful review on “The Love Letter” by Rachel Hauck. I enjoyed reading about both book, author and the author’s guest post. I loved her statement “Scripture is a continuous love letter. “For God so loved the world—”
I would love the opportunity to read this book!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
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Love all of Rachel’s books.
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This sounds like a good read, thank you for the chance to win a copy.
wfnren at aol dot com
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I enjoy stories by Rachel Hauck. Thank you for the info.
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I’m really excited to read this book! My grandparents wrote letters back and forth and they are precious. So this story really strikes a chord for me!
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This sounds like a wonderful story. I still have all the letters my husband wrote to me while he was in the Navy and stationed in Spain and other ports, precious all!
blessings, Tina
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I was so lucky to have read this book as an ARC, and it was outstanding! For anyone who wishes to follow on Pinterest, the correct link is https://pin.it/wsxx2v4655yd4n (the one above is broken)
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I so want to read this.
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I love the cover, this sounds like a great read. Thanks for the chance!
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This book looks and sounds fantastic. Thanks for the review and post!
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Hi Rachel! Thank you for the post Beth!
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I have never read a book by Rachel but I would love to. Thanks for the giveaway!
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Oh, this book sounds absolutely delightful!!!
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Super review, Beth! I’m excited to read The Love Letter!
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never read this author
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The more I read about this book the more I have to read this book!
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I love Rachel’s books and can’t wait to read this new one. The cover is beautiful and the storyline sounds intriguing.
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I love reading Rachel’s books they are the best. Have added it too my books that I would like to read.
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Wow! Great review! I love reading books that engage their audience on all levels – emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. They are few and far between. I’ve only read a novella by Rachel Hauck, but now, I’m even more eager to check out her novels after reading such a glowing review.
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This sounds like an awesome read! Cant wait to read the rest of the story!
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