Adele has been lost for a long time now …
Adele Collier has sought a carefree lifestyle ever since her tragic childhood. Determined to never allow anyone or anything to control her life or emotions again, she consistently seeks distraction in gaiety. But shaking her ghosts isn’t as easy as she’d like.
Troy Kee has been alone in the world since the Great War took his parents and left him in care of his younger sister. When she marries, he’s left to seek after his goal of a healthy, complete family. But how can he focus on his dream when trouble plagues his family vineyard?
When Adele and Troy meet, a whirlwind romance begins—but can two lost souls have a healthy relationship?
Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ A Special Review Defining the Content Level ~ My Website
Yay! I’m super excited for todays post. One of my favorite authors, Kellyn Roth, is publishing a new book! And it’s not just any book, it’s Adele and Troy’s back story.
(If you aren’t familiar with “The Lady of the Vineyard”, you should probably skip the next paragraph.)
I have an absolute love for Adele and Troy, though I must say my relationship with Adele I more of a love/hate relationship. In all honesty, Adele (sadly) reminds me of myself, and I usually can’t stand characters that I can see my reflection in. But that being said, Troy is amazing, and that is why I have asked him to join me…After I write a review about the beautiful Souls Astray.
Can we first swoon over the cover?! Please, the colors, the poppies, the beauty?!?!?! I want this book on my bookshelf dreadfully. It’s just so…so beautiful!
Anyway, on to my review. I need to fangirl, so this might be fan girlish instead of a normal review.
I would rate it 5 stars, honestly. It was a Kellyn Roth original that didn’t disappoint me in the least.
When I pick up Kellyn’s books, I expect magic to happen, to love and hate the characters with a passion. Because Kellyn’s books are passionate, full and just dripping with passion.
But it’s not the bad kind of passion, not the kind of passion that makes an innocent, Christian, homeschooled teenage girl cringe. It’s the kind that takes you out of the world you’re in, and takes you into the time period she’s writing. It’s the kind of passion that makes you forget where you are and makes you feel what the characters are feeling.
Souls Astray didn’t disappoint me in the least.
But first I want to say that this was probably the bluntest of Kellyn’s books I’ve read. It dealt with a very different worldview than her Alice and Ivy series, and I expected that. It was beautiful, because she showed us two different worldviews, their consequences, and said, “You choose. But just so you know, this isn’t the end of the story. There’s a second book.”
So if you’re squeamish with romance, this probably isn’t your book. It deals with partying, divorce, and love at first sight…But if you’re not, this book is one you must read.
And with the love at first sight…Kellyn did an amazing job making it real. Of course, I read a part to my mom and asked her if she ever felt that way for my dad, and she answered in the negative. But I expected that. 😉 I’m not sure if I believe in love at first sight, but Kellyn did a good job making it believable.
Honestly, my heart felt so bad for Adele all throughout the book, and with Kellyn rewriting The Lady of the Vineyard, Adele has become more of “a lost person” instead of “The monster” that I assumed she was when I first read The Lady of the Vineyard.
So? The plot was engaging, the characters real, their struggles engaging, and the Christian message clear. This book is amazing, and you should all read it AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. And once you do, email me so I can fangirl about it with you. 😂
And now it tis time for me to bring in two people that I’m impatient to interview. First off, please welcome Mr. Troy Kee!
As a man, what is the hardest part about waiting for a woman to get ready?
Knowing that she was already ready when she got started! You women. You really don’t need makeup or perfect hair or an outfit that matches. Or jewelry. Jewelry is quite distracting. Don’t get me started on perfume! It’s the bane of my existence.
So yes, it’s all unnecessary. You don’t see me putting on lipstick to impress Adele, do you? And you never will! (Although I think she might have me thrown into an asylum if I did that.) (Double standards…)
What is one book (besides the Bible) that has changed your life?
Ahh, tough. Because I don’t like reading! But I loved Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. I know, I know. Saying a silly adventure story changed my life is kind of stupid. But a sense of adventure is important! Life is a bit of a wild ride. And the story talks a lot about heroes and how they tend to disappoint, which is something I can relate to.
What is the most painful thing someone has said to you?
“No, you cannot have chocolate every minute of every day.”
Really, I don’t have words to describe the emotional agony.
Okay, if I’m going to be serious it might be along the lines of (and I quote):
“You may think you’ll be some fantastic father who’ll, I don’t know, teach your son to shoot or ward off scary suitors from your daughter, but in reality, being a father means nothing.”
Frightening.
Would you consider yourself good with children?
Good with children as in children like me, I like children, and we have a good time together … or good with children as in I do what’s best for them all the time and never, for instance, let them have too much chocolate or stay up all night telling them stories?
Because yes if it’s the first and no if it’s the second. Chocolate and late-night stories are important.
What takes place in owning a vineyard?
Lots of frustrated arguing in French.
Okay, really, I spend more time on paperwork and traveling about speaking to restaurant owners and the like than I’d like. I’d rather stay here, overseeing the harvert and making sure all the vines are healthy. But I’m in charge here now, so there ’tis!
What is your favorite verse of Scripture?
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all Creation will be able to separate us from the love of God who is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
What are your thoughts on society?
It’s best avoided at all costs!
Would you ever consider moving to America?
Actually, I have! It sounds like an adventure. I could never leave my vineyard, but I would love to visit some day. Though it would be lonely to travel alone. Still, I’d like to see the world some day!
Thank you, Mr. Kee, for joining us. Our second guest is Mr. Harrington.
Nothing.
Could you give me a brief story of your life?
No.
Do you prefer grape juice or orange juice?
Neither. Coffee.
What was the worst thing Troy did as a child?
Exist.
Does Judy look more like Troy or more like Adele in your opinion?
Troy. Unfortunately.
What is your favorite pastime?
Reading.
Do you think you get enough credit in the books?
No.
What is your middle name, sir?
My full name is Millard None Of Your Business Harrington.
Hehe, thanks, Mr. Millard None Of Your Business Harrington.
The next exciting thing is the giveaway! Enter the giveaway to win a signed paperback copy of Souls Astray and a $20 Amazon gift card. Open to international entries.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cbb544c914/?
And now this is where I go and read another book. Adios, amigos!
~~Amie~~
Amie Anne 