Book Review and Giveaway: EMBER ISLAND by Kimberley Freeman. Three winners possible!

EMBER ISLAND is the second "grownup" book I've read in a long time and boy am I glad I did. I'm going to have to do this more often! It's told from the perspective of three people: One in the present and two from the past. I thought I may not like this or get confused, but with careful reading from the beginning to make sure you've got the three characters straight in your head, it's a tour de force! Each segment ends on a major point, a cliffhanger, so you have to find out what happens with each of the women...well, one is a pretty feisty young girl, but she's a trip! Check out the description of EMBER ISLAND...

In a compelling, complex story from the bestselling author of Wildflower Hill and Lighthouse Bay, two women separated by a century discover long-buried secrets in an Australian manor house.In 1876, Tilly, a recently married young English woman, is reeling with shock and guilt after her tempestuous marriage ends in horrific circumstances on the remote Channel Islands. Determined to get as far from England as she can, she takes on a new identity and a job on Ember Island in Moreton Bay, Australia, where she becomes the governess to a prison superintendent's young daughter, Nell. Tilly fights her attraction to the superintendent, Sterling Holt, and befriends one the few female inmates, Hettie Thorpe, and a dangerous relationship develops. She doesn't know that Nell is watching her every move and writing it all down, hiding tiny journals all over Starwater, her rambling manor home.

More than 100 years later, bestselling novelist Nina Jones is struggling with writer's block and her disappointing personal life. Her poet boyfriend has recently broken up with her, and a reporter who is digging into her past insists on speaking to Nina about her great-grandmother, Nell. There are some secrets Nina may no longer be able to hide. Retreating to Starwater, she discovers Nell's diary pages hidden in the old walls and becomes determined to solve the mystery. Though Tilly and Nina are separated by many years, Starwater House will change both their lives.

Deeply affecting and beautifully written, Ember Island is a sweeping novel of secrets, second chances, and learning to trust your heart.

I couldn't describe the book better myself. You can't put it down because there are too many questions to be answered and you have to know! If there are three of you that want a chance to see for yourself, just leave a comment with your email address. Please DON'T FORGET YOUR EMAIL! That's the only to contact you if you win.

My sincere thanks to Maria from Simon & Schuster for making such a generous giveaway possible.

The giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada.

EMBER ISLAND released April 18, 2014 by Touchstone/Simon & Schuster