"Runaway Romance" by Miralee Ferrell

As a general rule, I don't like Amish romances ... and that buggy on the cover of Runaway Romance certainly makes it look like an Amish romance! (It's not really, by the way, but it looks like it!) I would've given the book a hard pass had I not recognized Trevor Donovan (of Hallmark's Marry Me at Christmas and the CW's 90210 reboot) on the cover. Then I realized it was being made into a movie, and, well, I've been all about that lately!

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When a reality TV star meets the reality of life, will it be her downfall or her salvation?

Ann Stanway had it all—a starring role in a reality show, an adoring boyfriend, and a sparkling future with limitless possibilities. Until the rules changed and the life she’d thought was real no longer existed. Leaving L.A. seems like her only option, and she lands in Kentucky at a quiet Amish inn—as far removed from her past as possible. Now she knows what was missing in her life–peace, true friendship and, dare she hope, a man who accepts her for who she is–or at least who he thinks she is.

Hunter Lewis is intrigued by the new woman staying at his friend’s Amish inn. Annie appears to be what she claims, but she’s secretive and won’t open up. He’s been burned by a woman before and can’t tolerate deception. But his interest in Annie is growing, and the attraction seems to be mutual—until something happens that makes Hunter question everything he’d thought was real. Dare he risk his heart, when he’s certain Annie is keeping secrets?

Can their new romance withstand the pressure, or will Ann choose to run again?

Genre: Contemporary romance with Amish thread
Release Date: October 2017

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Runaway Romance is about Ann/Annie, a supporting player on a family reality show (think Keeping up with the Kardashians) who escapes her glamorous Hollywood lifestyle once she realizes the show wasn't as real as she thought. She ends up in a small Kentucky town, staying at an Amish inn and rediscovering her true self.

I really liked Annie, though I did question how she could've been part of a reality show for three years without realizing just how scripted/contrived it was. That said, I really enjoyed watching Annie grow and reconnect with her faith as she spent time in Cave City. Her friendship with Amish inn owner Sarah was sweet, and I loved the minor plot line revolving around Carla, a homeless woman Annie and Hunter befriended. In fact, I thought the Carla story line was the strongest plot thread in the novel, and I wish it would've been more prominent!

As for the romance, it was fine, but I didn't really connect with it. Part of that may have to do with the dialogue, which I felt was a little stilted. Also, while the novel is mainly written from Annie and Hunter's perspectives, certain sections shifted to Scott's (Annie's ex), his mother's, and a few others' points of view, and I found the shifts to be a bit jarring.

I did like the premise of the novel, and I think it will make a really enjoyable film. (It's airing on UP TV in January, and, according to the synopsis, will differ from the novel in multiple ways. I think I sense another "Book or Movie" post in my future 🙂.) I'm discovering that I'm pickier about my books than my movies—maybe because the act of reading makes me feel more closely connected to a book and more judgmental of its flaws. So while Runaway Romance the novel wasn't my favorite, you can bet there'll be a viewing of Runaway Romance the movie in my future! 3 stars.

Buy the book.
Follow the blog tour:
Blogging With Carol, November 28
Reflections from my bookshelves, November 28
Janices book review, November 29
Books, Books, and More Books., November 29
Books n baubles, November 30
Blossoms and Blessings, November 30
Have A Wonderful Day, December 1
Inklings and notions, December 1
Christian Chick’s Thoughts, December 2
Texas Book-aholic, December 2
History, Mystery & Faith, December 3
Bigreadersite, December 4
The Power of Words, December 4
Kat’s Corner Books, December 5
Reading Is My SuperPower, December 5 (Interview)
Baker Kella, December 6
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 6
Splashes of Joy, December 7
Karen Sue Hadley, December 7
Quiet Quilter, December 8
Red Headed Book Lady, December 9
Just the Write Escape, December 9
Cafinated Reads, December 10
Remembrancy, December 11
Carpe Diem, December 11

In honor of her tour, Miralee is giving away a grand prize of a Kindle Fire!

Click the link below to enter! Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c31a

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About Miralee Ferrell: I love life, love my family, love writing Christian fiction–reading, riding my horse and puttering in my garden are all ways I relax. I often have my little 7 lb Chihuahua, Lacey, on my lap when I’m working–there’s nothing like a warm ball of love on your lap to act as a stress reliever!

First and foremost I’m a child of God and daughter of the King. I’ve been involved in women’s ministries for years, I’m married to a wonderful man, have two grown children, two cats, two dogs, 10 chickens and ride my son-in-law’s Arabian mare since my old mare passed in 2013. We live about 9 miles from the nearest town on 11 acres, in a peaceful setting surrounded by trees.

I started writing shortly after I turned 50, and discovered I loved it so much I don’t want to stop. I have 15 novels out & a five book set of horse novels for middle-grade girls. I write both women’s contemporary fiction, historical & contemporary romance, and horse/mystery novels for girls. One of my Western romances, Love Finds You in Sundance, WY, was awarded the Will Rogers Medallion for Western Fiction, three books have been optioned as movies, and several books have been on the ECPA best seller list. You can find out more about me and my books at http://miraleeferrell.com/

Guest Post by Miralee Ferrell

In the spring of 2015, I received an email from a Hollywood producer, followed by a phone call. Imagine my surprise when she asked if I’d be willing to write a book for them. They were no longer producing the Love Finds You books into movies and were working on a different project for UP TV, a possible three-movie series, and she hoped I might be able to work with them. She explained that she’d optioned Love Finds You in Sundance, Wyoming, two or three years earlier, and loved it. Of the thirty-five or so titles she’d read of the line, that was her favorite. However, UP TV didn’t want to make historical or old west movies, so she’d shelved it for now.

During that time period, I’d gotten my rights returned to all of my LFY books and had retitled them Finding Love in Last Chance, California, Finding Love in Tombstone, Arizona, and Finding Love in Bridal Veil, Oregon. Sundance became Outlaw Angel, and all four are still in print.

Here’s the amazing part. I came very, very close to turning down that contract offer with Summerside for Sundance. I was disappointed in the advance and royalty rate, and shortly after they released it, they sold the line to Guideposts, and that company didn’t continue the line much longer. Understandably, sales waned on their final releases, and I was disappointed with my sales from that final book as my others had done quite well. For a long time, I wished I hadn’t taken that contract and instead held out for one with another company for a three-book series. However, had I done that, I doubt Runaway Romance would ever have been written. It was Sundance that grabbed Chevonne’s attention and caused her to contact me. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."