WV Stitcher: Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell ~ Litfuse Blog Tour with review and giveaway

Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (March 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0764207970
ISBN-13: 978-0764207976

This book is also available as an e-book.

Lucy Kendall returns from a tour of the Continent, her luggage filled with the latest fashions and a mind fired by inspiration. After tasting Europe’s best confections, she’s sure she’ll come up with a recipe that will save her father’s struggling candy business and reverse their fortunes. But she soon discovers that their biggest competitor, the cheat who swindled her father out of his prize recipe, has now hired a promotions manager–a cocky, handsome out-of-towner who gets under Lucy’s skin.

Charlie Clarke’s new role at Standard Manufacturing is the chance of a lifetime. He can put some rough times behind him and reconnect with the father he’s never known. The one thing he never counted on, however, was tenacious Lucy Kendall. She’s making his work life miserable…and making herself impossible for him to forget.

Purchase a copy here.

Read an excerpt here.

Why not follow along on the Litfuse tour to read what other reviewers are saying about "Unrivaled."

My take on this book:

"Unrivaled" takes place in St. Louis Missouri in 1910. Lucy Kendall's family owns the City Confectionery candy company, but it looks like that might change. Their company had struggled financially, but after Lucy's father has a heart attack, it looks like the answer might be to sell out, or at least that's what Lucy's mother wants to do. Lucy doesn't want to see that happen and begs her mother to reconsider. When her mother agrees to give Lucy a month to try and save the business by creating a new candy, there is one stipulation attached. Lucy must also go to the Veiled Prophet Ball, because Lucy's mother thinks it's well past time that Lucy find a husband and settle down. Lucy agrees but her plan is to unveil her new candy at the ball.

Charlie Clarke's father left the family when he was only seven years old, so he had grown up hating his father, but not really knowing him. Now at the age of twenty-two after getting into a bit of trouble his mother contacts his father who offers him a job working for him in the Royal Taffy company in St. Louis. When he arrives in town he literally runs into Lucy, and she feels something too, but thing is neither one knows who the other is. Will the company rivalry keep the two apart, or ultimately bring them together?

"Unrivaled" easily pulled me back in time, allowing for a unique glimpse of the candy making business during the early 1900's. We see the story unfold thru the eyes of two main characters. The author alternates between Lucy and Charlie's perspective, but does it in a smooth easy to follow way. Lucy sincerely wanted to keep the family business, even though during the time period women in business wasn't the norm. Thing is Lucy didn't seem to care how her actions affected others, although as the story progresses it is nice to see Lucy grow and change. I really could understand and empathize with Charlie more because he was struggling with issues from the past. There were a few secondary characters that really added to the story.

Overall, I think my favorite parts of this story actually revolved around the candy making, I could just imagine Lucy as she was making taffy. I also got a few laughs when things didn't turn out quite right. If your a fan of historical fiction with romance, inspiration, along with a company rivalry and a bit of mystery woven into the mix then your in for a sweet treat with "Unrivaled' by Siri Mitchell.

Meet Siri:

Siri Mitchell is the author of nearly a dozen novels, among them the critically acclaimed Christy Award finalists "Chateau of Echoes" and "The Cubicle Next Door". A graduate of the University of Washington with a degree in business, she has worked in many different levels of government. As military spouse, she has lived in places as varied as Tokyo and Paris. Siri currently lives in the DC-metro area.

Visit www.sirimitchell.com

Celebrate with Siri Mitchell by entering to win a Kindle Fire and joining her on April 18th for a Facebook Author Chat Party!

One “swooning” winner will receive:

A Kindle Fire
Vintage Candy Kit
Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell (one for you and one for a friend!)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 17th. Winner will be announced at the “Unrivaled” Author Chat Facebook Party on 4/18. Connect with Siri, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at a trivia contest, and chat with readers just like yourself. There will also be gift certificates, books, vintage candy kits, and more!

So grab your copy of Unrivaled and join Siri on the evening of the April 18th for a chance to connect with Siri and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book – don’t let that stop you from coming!)