Virtual Book Tour: Meet Me in Barcelona by Mary Carter

About the Author

Mary Carter is a freelance writer and novelist. Meet Me in Barcelona is her eighth novel. Her other works include: Three Months in Florence, The Things I Do For You, The Pub Across the Pond, My Sister’s Voice, Sunnyside Blues, She’ll Take It, and Accidentally Engaged. In addition to her novels she has written six novellas: Return to Hampton Beach in the anthology, Summer Days, A Southern Christmas in the upcoming 2014 anthology Our First Christmas, A Kiss Before Midnight in the anthology, You’re Still the One, A Very Maui Christmas in the New York Times best selling anthology Holiday Magic, and The Honeymoon House in the New York Times best selling anthology Almost Home. Mary currently lives in Chicago, IL with a demanding labradoodle. She wishes she could thank her gorgeous husband, but she doesn’t have one. In addition to writing she leads writing workshops.

For More Information

• Visit Mary Carter’s website.
• Check out her writing workshop at The Writer’s Loft
• Connect with Mary on Facebook and Twitter.
• More books by Mary Carter.

About the Book:

A surprise trip to Barcelona with her boyfriend, Jake, seems like the perfect antidote to Grace Sawyer's current woes. The city is dazzling and unpredictable, but the biggest surprise for Grace is discovering who arranged and paid for the vacation.

Carrie Ann wasn't just Grace's foster sister. Clever, pretty, and mercurial, she was her best friend—until everything went terribly wrong. Now, as she flees an abusive marriage, Carrie Ann has turned to the one person she hopes will come through for her. Despite her initial misgivings, Grace wants to help. But then Carrie Ann and Jake both go missing. Stunned and confused, Grace begins to realize how much of herself she's kept from Jake—and how much of Carrie Ann she never understood. Soon Grace is baited into following a trail of scant clues across Spain, determined to find the truth, even if she must revisit her troubled past to do it.

Mary Carter's intriguing novel delves into the complexities of childhood bonds, the corrosive weight of guilt and blame, and all the ways we try—and often fail—to truly know the ones we love.

For More Information

• Meet Me in Barcelona is available at Amazon.
• Pick up your copy at Barnes & Noble.
• Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.
• Read Chapter One here.
  
  

  My Review:

  
  Let me start by saying this, I went into this book thinking I wouldn't be able to really get into it. It isn't my normal choice of reading material and I wasn't really sure what it was going to be like. I sat down to read it and the next thing I knew, I was over half way done with it. I couldn't put it down. 
  
  Now, usually, when I review I talk mostly about the characters. How well they are developed, how I felt about them, if they felt unique or generic, things like that. This time I am more into the story than the characters, if that doesn't sound too weird. 
  
  The story drew me in from the first chapter. I felt emotionally engaged and really wanted to know more. In the next few chapters the author managed to slip in yet another hook, and another. I was caught. I wanted to know about the main character, Grace, and about her mom. I wanted to know about the trip and what was weird about it. I wanted to know about what happened between everyone in the past. Mostly, I just wanted to know where the author was taking me.
  
  It didn't feel like a typical mystery or thriller, nor did it feel like a chick lit type of story. I couldn't quite figure out what the book would be, but I couldn't wait to find out. I devoured each page, searching for answers to many questions, with the biggest one being "what exactly is going to happen?" I am used to being able to tell from almost the beginning of a book how it is going to progress. I was kept guessing with this one.
  
  How would I classify this book now that I have read it? I still am not sure. It is a mysteriously thrilling story with deeply emotional tones that keeps a reader guessing up to the end about how everything is going to be resolved. The author weaves everything together really well and makes me want to read more of her work. 
  
  I give this book 5 stars and recommend it to anyone that enjoys a great book to get drawn into and who likes to be kept guessing and being thrown off balance. It was a fun read and I think it will stay on my shelf to be read again to see if I missed any clues during this first read through.
  
  
  
  Giveaway
  
  
  Mary Carter is giving away 3 books including My Sister's Voice, Three Months in Venice and Sunnyside Blues!
  
  
  Terms & Conditions:
  • By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
  • One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one set of three books by Mary Carter.
  • This giveaway begins August 4 and ends on October 31.
  • Winners will be contacted via email on Monday, November 3.
  • Winner has 48 hours to reply.
  Good luck everyone!

  ENTER TO WIN!

  
  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a free copy of the book above in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. I was not required to leave a positive review.