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Never Say Never Editorial Reviews
Source: Product Description
Kai Miller floats through life like driftwood tossed by waves. She's never put down roots in any one place--and she doesn't plan to. But when a chaotic hurricane evacuation lands her in Daily, Texas, she begins to think twice about her wayfaring existence. And when she meets hometown-boy Kemp Eldridge, she can almost picture settling down in Daily--until she discovers he may be promised to someone else. Daily has always been a place of refuge for those the wind blows in, but for Kai, it looks like it will be just another place to leave behind. Then again, Daily always has a few surprises in store--especially when Aunt Donetta has cooked up a scheme.
Never Say Never Customer Reviews:
Average Rating: 4.0 (76 reviews)
Rating: 5 (Wowza!) Was helpful to 6 from 8 votes
It doesn't happen often, but when it does, I feel like shouting from the rooftops. Finding a great book--a truly great book--is tough work. They are, as we are prone to say in Texas, "few and far between." So, when I stumble across one, I must tell everyone I know. (I feel like an evangelist, spreading the good news of a truly good book!)
This morning, I finished one of the best books I've ever read. That's really saying something. I read a LOT of books. This book captivated me from page one and took me on a ride like never before--up, down, in, out, around and through. It taught me, once again, that brilliant writing does matter as much as brilliant story. And when you're blessed enough to stumble across a book that contains both, you've been given a gift. I feel like this story was a present, wrapped up and handed to me "for such a time as this." The gift that I'm referring to is Lisa Wingate's new book, "Never Say Never" (a February 1st, 2010 release from Bethany House).
The characters are truly unforgettable (especially Kai and Donetta) and the story (as mentioned above) is beautifully plotted, carefully woven, and tenderly written. Each page delighted me with something new. Laughter. Tears. Sighing. That warm tingly feeling. I truly found myself caught up. Calgon, take me away!
Okay, so I must admit, I was a little envious at first. All writers want to write like this. Just a few pages into the book, I told my friend Kathleen Y'Barbo (a fellow writer), that after reading Lisa's first chapter, I'd decided to give up writing altogether. After all, Lisa's words were so clever, so engaging, that I saw a glaring difference between her writing and my own. (I have since repented and told both Kathleen and the Lord that I will keep on writing. I know He needs all of us!)
I must confess something else, too. I don't know that I've ever been tempted to steal before, but there are SO many fun/amazing phrases in this book that I wanted to put them in a file and use them, myself! (I know, I know. . .that would be wrong. I finally repented on that one, too.) Best of all (and this is how you KNOW Lisa is brilliant) the phrases are SO cleverly placed that you never see them coming and they never feel contrived. (Oh, come on. You know what I mean. Sometimes we writers drop in rehearsed phrases strategically and it doesn't work. Been there, done that.) These phrases work 100% of the time.
Here's the kicker. This book doesn't have an in-your-face spiritual message, but the final pages will (literally) have you weeping. Interesting, in light of the fact that you're just laughing/celebrating a few pages before the weeping. (Hence my earlier comment about the roller coaster ride.)
Do I recommend this book? Oh yes. Until today, my top Christians novels were Coldwater Revival (Nancy Jo Jenkins), At the Scent of Water (Linda Nichols) and Some Wildflower in my Heart (Jamie Langston Turner). I now proudly (and happily) add a fouth: Never Say Never. Pick up a copy and savor every word.
Rating: 5 (Comments) Was helpful to 10 from 11 votes
"Never Say Never" by Lisa Wingate is an exciting and stimulating book! It sweeps the reader through the evacuation and dangers of a category 4 hurricane to Radar's (one of the dogs) trying to get sticky rat trap boxes off his face and feet! One of the rescuers, Kemp riding up top of the post drill with a chain saw in his hand will be long remembered. The reader once again gets to enjoy the goings on in Daily, Texas with Donetta, Imagene, and Lucy whom we met in another of Lisa Wingate's books "Talk of the Town".
Donetta, Imagene and Lucy are on their way to join the cruise ship when the hurricane changes course causing them and others to get caught in evacuation traffic along the coast. Kai Miller works on the cruise ship but the hurricane causes her to get caught in the evacuation traffic also and she ends up in Daily, Texas where she meets and enjoys the friendship of Kemp Eldridge.
Two beautiful love stories holds the reader's interest long into the night.
I really enjoyed the book and am reading it again.
I highly recommend this book!
Ed
Rating: 5 (Great Fun!) Was helpful to 11 from 13 votes
Kai Miller floats through life like driftwood tossed by waves. She's never put down roots -- and she doesn't plan to. But when a chaotic hurricane evacuation lands her in Daily Texas, she begins to think twice about her wayfaring existence. And when she meets hometown boy Kemp Eldridge, she can almost picture settling down in Daily -- until she discovers he may be promised to someone else.
Daley has always been a welcoming place of refuge for those the wind blows in, but for Kai is looks like it will be just another place to leave behind. Then again, Daily always has a few surprises in store -- especially when Aunt Donetta Bradford has cooked up a scheme.
About Lisa: Lisa Wingate is a popular inspirational speaker, magazine columnist, and national best-selling author of several books including Tending Roses, A Month of Summer, and The Summer Kitchen.
My Take: This is a story about two women from different generations who meet during an evacuation of a hurricane. They are thrown together in a difficult situation but before long they strike up a bond. Aunt Donetta is a character that has appeared in the other books of Lisa's. She is from the small town of Daily, Texas. I really like Donetta's character, she is a strong woman with a wonderful sense of humor. She will keep you laughing throughout the book even during times of trouble.
The other main character is a young woman who has had a troubled background. Her name is Kai Miller and she works for a cruise line that has left port early because of the hurricane. She casts to evacuate and along the way she spots three women on the side of the road who are in trouble. She stops to pick them up and they both continue on a journey of ups and downs before they reached safety and are able to go back to Donetta's hometown of Daily, Texas where Kai meets Donetta's nephew Kemp and a bond is formed between them. Of course, like any good romance story the relationship has a few bumps along the way before it is smooth sailing.
One thing I have noticed about Christian fiction, especially suspense, is that it is told from the viewpoint of two different characters. It usually goes back and forth between a female and male character. However, in this book each chapter goes back and forth between the two main characters Donetta and Kai. This kind of writing takes a little bit of getting used to, but it is worth it because story is shown from two different views. If you are in the mood for a little bit of laughter that this is the book you want to pick up and read.
Rating: 2 (Not feeling this book) Was helpful to 2 from 8 votes
Kai Miller works for a cruise ship. While out on a cruise, a hurricane blows through causing the cruise ship to set port for safety in Daily, Texas. Kai can't wait for the hurricane to pass, so she can get moving again. Kai is not one to stick around in one place too long. Kai may have a change of heart when she meets good looking Kemp Eldridge. In addition to what plans Aunt Donetta has cooked up for Kai.
This book sounded good but for me, I never really became fully immersed in the book or the characters. Though, I thought Kai seemed nice. I could see why Kai felt an attraction to Kemp. He is handsome and the kind of guy you know you could he safe with. The people of Daily, Texas are friendly and down to earth. If only Daily, Texas was real. Each chapter alternates between Kai and Donetta. I wish I could say I liked this book as it seemed that other readers did. One thing I can say is that I will Never Say Never about giving Mrs. Wingate a second chance.
Rating: 5 (Wingate outdoes herself again!) Was helpful to 2 from 2 votes
Never put Never Say Never down-- at least I didn't until I finished the book. As I've come to expect from Wingate, the book tells a compelling story, woven together from the eyes and hearts of a younger and an older character. The two come together in the most improbable circumstances involving a planned cruise, a hurricane, and a wrangle in the small town of Daily, Texas. A romance buds slowly and realistically between Kai and Kemp, while Donetta Bradford puts on a brave face as she feels unloved by long time hubby. The tender and touching resolution to both the budding and waning romance sees lots of action as the town takes in hurricane victims. We despair along with Donetta and friends when the town busybody wants to send those people on their way and threatens to enforce building codes to move out the "undesirables". Without giving up the plot, I'll just say that Wingate, once again turns adversity into triumph. There is no telling, telling, telling in a Wingate novel. It is action, conversation, and sometimes poignant reflection where we really get in the heads of characters. After reading her recent, The Summer Kitchen, this is a bit of a change of pace-- a little more humor and characters more quirky. Both books deal with serious issues such as homelessness and aging, but NSN is in a lighter vein and TSK more serious. Always inspirational and often turning a phrase I can quote, I eagerly await her books and am always rewarded with a good read.
