Book Review: The Rhythm of Secrets (blog tour) and information on a Nook eReader giveaway

I grew up as a voracious reader, but as life took over, the amount of time I had to read for myself (as opposed to reading picture books to my little ones) diminished to very little.  Then I discovered blogging, and better yet, I began to meet people that blessed me with opportunities to review books.  It was the impetus I needed to begin leisurely reading again and I am so grateful that I am.  Once again, I am here as a stop on a blog tour for the litfuse group.  This time, I was fortunate to read The Rhythm of Secrets by Patti Lacy.

Here is the publisher's description:
Since 1955, Sheila Franklin, a talented musician, has perfectly performed the role of devout pastor’s wife, locking away her past as Sheba Alexander and Sylvia Allen. Her carefully constructed façade crumbles with a single phone call from a young Marine named Samuel, the illegitimate son she secretly put up for adoption. Samuel begs Sheila to use her government contacts to get his fiancé, Mali, a Thai prostitute, into America. A dangerous mixture of love and guilt spurs her to help her only child even though it devastates her husband Edward and exposes her questionable past. After a quarrel with Edward, Sheila and Samuel board a C-130 for Thailand and then search Bangkok’s steamy streets for a Madonna-faced prostitute. The two whisk Mali from a brothel but are seized by a warlord who considers Mali his “number one girl.” In a teak “ghost house,” Sheila discovers God’s grace and gains the freedom she needs to find her own identity—Sheila, Sylvia, and Sheba. A framed story, this novel has roots in the bohemian 1940s New Orleans French Quarter and spans three decades, including the turbulent Vietnam era.

My take:
I thoroughly enjoy any good book that can paint a vivid picture of sex and violence without going into sordid details.  I also enjoy historical fiction and unexpected twists.  This book combined all of these things into one.  It also had something I do not typically enjoy, flashbacks that occur throughout the story.  However, in this instance the flashbacks are well done and do not leave you trying to figure out which setting you are in.  I also enjoyed the musical references sprinkled throughout the book and the role that music played in the novel.  While I personally have very little musical talent, I love being around those who have been blessed with musicality.

My recommendation:
I had a difficult time putting this book down.  I was drawn into each era that Sheila lived through, as well as into the lives of her loved ones.  When I finished reading the book, it took on all new meaning when I learned it was based on a real person.  If you enjoy historical fiction, stories about inner struggles, and unexpected surprises, you will love this book.

About the author:
Patti Lacy is a Baylor graduate, who taught community college humanities until God called her to span seas and secrets in her novels, An Irishwoman's Tale and What the Bayou Saw. She has two grown children and a dog named Laura. She and her husband can be seen jog-walking the streets of Normal, Illinois, an amazing place to live for a woman born in a car. For more information, visit Patti's website at www.pattilacy.com, her blog at www.pattilacy.com/blog, and her Facebook daily Artbites

How you can enter to win a Nook eReader:

Patti and her publisher, Kregel, are giving away a NOOK prize package worth over $150 to one lucky winner!!!!

Enter the Nook eReader Giveaway and you could win:
* A brand new Nook eReader with Wi-Fi
* $25 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble
To enter, simply click on the icons below to fill out the entry form/s, then tell 5 or more friends about the contest. Oh, and enter soon! Winner will be announced on February 16th at Patti's Rhythm of Secrets Facebook Party.

But, wait there’s more! Come to the Rhythm of Secrets Facebook Party on February 16th!
Patti will be announcing the winner of The Rhythm of Secrets NOOK giveaway at her Party on FB February 16th! She’ll be hosting a book club discussion of The Rhythm of Secrets and giving away other fun prizes! (signed copies of her books and gift certificates to Barnes & Noble, Starbucks, & iTunes!). Don’t miss the fun at Patti’s FB Author Page on February 16th at 5pm PST ( 6 pm MST, 7 pm CST, & 8 pm EST)!

***Disclaimer***
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through the litfuse group in exchange for my honest review.  No monetary compensation was received and all opinions are my own.