About the Book

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Book Review

Contemporary romance is not my favorite genre, however, I thoroughly enjoyed Persuade Me Not by Joanne Markey. There are themes of forgiveness, faith, redemption accompanied by suspense and romance.

Elizabeth Elliot is not the most likeable character at the beginning of the novel, but as you continue to read, you realize why. She’s holding on to a secret, one that weighs heavy on her shoulders. As the story continues on, it gets easier and easier to sympathize with Liz and all you want is for Liz to be able to turn to God and be able to forgive herself.

It took me a while to like Michael Page, too, but that could also be because when we first meet him is through the eyes of Liz, who strongly dislikes him in the beginning of the book. But as you get to know him, the more he grows on you and you realize he has Liz’s best interest at heart.

The more Liz’s secret comes to light, the more her life is in danger. A mystery unfolds, however, I feel that the middle of the book could have been more suspenseful, and I felt that the story slowed down. However, that didn’t take too much away from the novel and it allowed me to be able to get to know Michael and Liz more.

An enemies-to-lovers trope with faith and suspense, I would recommend this book, especially to those who love contemporary romance.

I had received a copy of the book as part of the Celebrate Lit Blogging Team and was required to give an honest review.

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About the Author

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More from Joanne

I don’t remember exactly when it was that I first started thinking about writing Persuade Me Not. I know I was still writing Persuade Me, the first book in the Daughters of the Bush series. At the time I started writing, I only planned to write one book in that setting. However, the more I wrote, the more I thought about the other characters. And somewhere along the way, I started thinking that, if Liz ever got her happily-ever-after, it would have to be with someone unexpected.

That idea slowly took hold. It would have to be a man as unlike her father as it was possible to be. Someone humble and down-to-earth. Someone with both the integrity to dig deeper to find the truth, and the stubbornness to knock down all the walls Liz had put up.

Right about then I came across an interesting coffee table book about old shearing sheds in Australia. Being an Aussie living in the US and finding that book on the shelves in a store here meant I instantly bought it. And after flicking through the pages, another idea started to form…

At one point in time, Clermont—the town where my book is set—had a substantial wool industry. Which meant sheep. Which meant it could theoretically be possible for there to be a run-down shearing shed on one of the cattle stations in that area. And, to Walter Elliot, what could be worse than running sheep in cattle country?

As far as Walter Elliott is concerned, he is a cattleman with a long and illustrious heritage. Therefore, only those who emulated his lifestyle would be worthy of the attention of his daughter. (Obviously, no other man would rise to the heights of perfection as he, but they could try.)

I don’t know if there are any sheep in the Clermont area now, but if there are, they’re not a big thing. I don’t remember ever seeing any when I lived there as a kid. It was cattle country, and sheep were something we saw when we were driving to visit my grandparents in Victoria (south of the dingo fence, in other words).

With all of that in mind, if, for the sake of the story, one man brought sheep back… and that one man ended up being stubborn and determined to uncover the truth… we’d have a book.

And that is how Persuade Me Not came to be.

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Blog Stops

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 5

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 6

Simple Harvest Reads, May 7 (Author Interview)

Christina’s Corner, May 7

Texas Book-aholic, May 8

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 9

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 10

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 11

Artistic Nobody, May 12 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 12

Guild Master, May 13 (Author Interview)

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, May 14 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, May 15 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, May 16

Blossoms and Blessings, May 17 (Author Interview)

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, May 18

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Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Joanne is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

Giveaway