The end of the world is only the beginning. A waterborne disease has contaminated the world’s fresh water, decimating the human race. Seventeen-year-old Eli McShane and his friends flee the chaos and violence in Phoenix and journey north toward the rumored location of a safe water source. They add several to their number, including the mysterious Hannah, who is being hunted by a dangerous man. Desperation brings our the worst in many of the travelers, infecting even those closest to Eli. When division comes, will he be able to hold his group together or will each fall victim to their own thirst for survival?

Join some old friends from Glenrock and Jack's Peak in this thrilling first book of the Thirst Duology. Best-selling author Jill Williamson has brought back the breathtaking suspense of the The Safe Lands series in this chilling prequel that will leave readers panting for the next installment.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AAAND HERE WE GO........

.....

.....

.....

That's not it....

.......

.....

.........

......

There we are! 

Isn't it cool? I love the guy's profile combined with all the colors. 

Don't forget to preorder your copy of this epic-looking novel HERE!

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Rating: ♥♥ Two out of five hearts= okay

Book one in the Restoring Heritage series

About: 

Ever since they were kids, Hannah Thornton and Luke Johnson have always been there for each other. Through Hannah's mom's disappearance and Luke's struggles with being a foster child, they know they can rely on each other. However, each is now grappling with navigating adulthood- and their mutual (if also mutually unknown) attraction for each other. 

Real estate agent Hannah loves this little town of Heritage she calls home, with all its quirks and historic features. A history lover, she is horrified when a prominent member of the community starts to buy out property in a historic area of town, in order to build a strip mall. If nobody will stand up to him and save their town, it's up to Hannah (with help from Luke, of course). 

As Luke assists Hannah in her preservation schemes, he begins to question who he is- where he came from, where he's going... and if he really ever will have a shot with Hannah. 

My Review:

Okay, so there's no denying- the cover on this book is just beautiful! I had never heard of the author before, but the cover did an amazing job of attracting me to the story and drawing me in, so I just had to own it. It's just so gorgeous!

  

Now, cover aside, I had a problem getting into this book. As soon as I started reading, I felt as if I was thrust into a world I had never been in, and yet I was being pummeled with information from all sides. It took me a bit to understand what was going on, and once I had pieced it all together, the writing style bothered me. Things were just- said, and I feel like there should have been more "show, not tell". Plus I feel that as an author, you need to develop your voice and your own unique turn of phrase, and while Mrs. Faris definitely has talent, I just didn't see that special way of wording here. 

Hannah and Luke were a couple you hoped would succeed, and I was rooting for them (as well as for the side characters, whose POV was also shown frequently throughout). Hannah was bubbly and slightly naive, while Luke tended to be more grounded and a realist, making them perfect together. I was actually more invested in the secondary characters' love story, but that might just have been a personality difference thing. Pastor Nate was kind of cool, but as a pastor's daughter, I tend to closely examine these characters. He was different from your usual literary pastor, but still typically the same, as he tended to bring up everything to a spiritual lesson, something I'm pretty sure my dad, as well as most other pastors, don't do during all social settings. (Sorry, pastor's kid pet peeves!)

Don't get me wrong- I really, really wanted to like this book. Its cover was just so alluring, and I'm proud to own it. However, I'm only giving it two stars because it just seemed too predictable. 

I received this book from Revell in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

About: 

No one wants to be sidelined, stuck, shamed, or silenced. But the difficulties of life have a way of putting us in a corner, and we often don't know how to move forward. It's so easy to blame ourselves or our circumstances, to get bogged down in discouragement and toxic thinking. But that's not what we were meant for, and that's not how God wants us to live.

Leeana Tankersley has good news if you're struggling: each new day is an opportunity to begin again. In her warm tone and welcoming style, she offers one hundred short readings to encourage and motivate you to begin again in your relationships with God, your family, your friends, and yourself. 

Because there is always a hand reaching toward you, there is always grace available, and there is always a chance to begin again.

Back cover description

My Review:

The first thing I thought after pulling this book out of its package was how gorgeous it looked. Really, I want to start this review with a shout-out to whoever designed it- it's SO CUTE! Not too small, not too large, this little hardcover book shines. The inside looks just a good, making it the perfect gift. I admit, all too easily I judge a book by its cover- first impressions count, right? And Always' design is perfection! I just want to buy copies of it and pass them out to all the special ladies in my life. 

Okay. And now for my thoughts on the written word inside. 

Leeana feels strongly about what she's writing about; you can tell that as soon as you read the introductory note at the beginning. What she's been through, as well as the struggles she faces every day, she has turned into a ministry to help those facing similar challenges. Pretty admirable! While the main topic of the book is new beginnings, many other themes are touched as well. Things such as being vulnerable, letting go, approval vs. love, and much, much more. And the way she writes is truly lyrical, honest and heart-felt.

Looking at the book as a whole, it would be a great gift for any the ladies in your life, or for yourself. The book's overall message is encouraging and inspiring, and Leeana Tankersley's words are sure to inspire many who read them.