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Book Review: Forgotten by Catherine McKenzie & Giveaway (US/Canada)

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If you had the chance to start over, would you?  Or would you just try to pick up the pieces of your life and move on?  Such is the dilemma facing Emma when she takes a trip to Africa to honor her mother’s dying wishes only to get trapped there by an earthquake. Upon finally returning home six months later she is stunned to find everything changed because of one very huge detail – she has been presumed dead.  In Forgotten, author Catherine McKenzie’s newest novel, she once again totally drew me into the lives of her characters.  I have been a fan of Catherine’s from her very first novel Spin, then Arranged, and now Forgotten.  She never disappoints me and always has me anxiously awaiting her next book.

Emma had everything she had ever wanted.  She was just about to become partner at the law firm she worked at when her mother passed.  Her mom had always dreamed of going to Africa but knowing she never would left a ticket for Emma to go.  Emma gives up a lot for this trip – her boyfriend and most importantly the partnership in her law firm but she wants to honor her mother.  Unfortunately for Emma she gets sick while there and then an earthquake hits leaving the area a disaster and with no communication to the outside world.  Being unable to contact anyone at home Emma stays with a couple she met there and ends up helping to build a school house. When she can finally get a plane back home she arrives only to find that everyone actually thinks she’s dead.

Emma had expected to come home and just slip right back into her old life but she finds that it’s anything but easy to do that.  It seems everyone has moved on including her boyfriend.  Even at the law firm her cases had been given to her enemy Sophie right along with her office and now she’s expected to start at the very bottom of the ladder again.  Well she’ll just have to take it – she loved her job and the firm… or did she?  Then there’s the boyfriend – Craig – they seemed to be the perfect couple and even Emma had thought Craig was the perfect boyfriend.  How could he move on so soon and even worse believe she was dead?  Should she fight to get him back?  Does she really want to?  Oh and let’s not forget the very gorgeous Dominic who just happened to sign a lease giving him her apartment.  Imagine her surprise upon learning that but he turns out to be a pretty decent guy and he is letting her stay on at the apartment until she can find something else.  Boy oh boy he’s hot though not to mention he cooks too – but can there be more between them?

Forgotten is a fantastic story with memorable characters.  I find Catherine always writes books that are humorous but also carry a message and Forgotten is no different.  It is a story of a woman who learns many things about herself in the most unexpected way and Emma is a fabulous character.  She’s one of those women you could totally picture yourself curling up on the couch with drinking a glass of wine and chatting it up.  I felt like she was an old friend by the end of the novel and I was sad to say good bye to everyone in the novel when I turned that last page.  Forgotten is another terrific novel from Catherine and as with all of her books, this one too comes highly recommended by yours truly!  You can pick up your own copy of Forgotten here in the US and here in Canada and be sure to visit Catherine’s website to learn more about her work!

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS (US/Canada)

I have two copies of Forgotten by Catherine McKenzie to share with my readers.  To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
  • For 2 entries, follow my blog.  If you already do let me know so I can pass the extra entry on to you as well.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway!

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winners on Saturday, November 3/12.  Good luck!

Source: Review copy received from the publisher via Edelweiss. No compensation was received for this review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Comments

  2. Wow, what would you do in a situation like that. It sounds like this book gives you a lot to think about. Thanks for the giveaway. I subscribe in Google Reader.

    kathy(at)bermudaonion.net

  3. I loved Arranged so this book is on my TBR list. If you highly recommend it I can’t wait to read it! Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

    I’m a google reader follower.

  8. Oh, this does sound good, and I imagine that Emma’s family and the world just moved right along without her. It gives me pause when I really stop to think about it. What would happen to my world if I was presumed dead for 6 months? Crazy intriguing, that’s what I think! Please, please enter me!!

    zibilee(at)figearo.net

  11. Terrific review! This book sounds excellent. Please enter me in your giveaway. I am a follower of your fabulous blog!

    suko95(at)gmail(dot)com

    I will post this in blog’s sidebar, Darlene. Thank you for hosting another wonderful book giveaway.

  13. Sounds like a great story here. The question you pose as to start over or pick up the pieces and go on is certainly a good one. I think that when one has a lot invested in a situation, it’s best to pick up the pieces and go on. If you have the ability to make a fresh start, then by all means, go that route.

    Thanks for the fun giveaway. You’re going to make two people very happy!

    conniecape@aol.com

  15. This book sounds really good and, while I haven’t read anything by the author before, I have her previous book Spin and have heard that she is a wonderful writer. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!

  47. Sounds like a good book! The premise of the book sounds interesting!

    I am already a follower.

    lafra86 at gmail dot com

  50. Sounds like a great story. Have added it to my TBR list. I follow by email.

    tmrtini at gmail dot com

  53. Sounds like an interesting read. I think it would be awful to come home and find that everyone thought that you were dead. I would love to read it. Thanks for having the giveaway.

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

  64. I’ve been trying and trying to win this one…maybe this is my time. thanks!

    I’m a blog follower – GFC – Sharn3960

    wait – is this closed?

    sharn3960 AT comcast DOT net