The Restaurant at The Mill - Giveaway and Review

Like ducklings to the water’s edge,
They come, hungry and expectant
To take in the ambience
And linger awhile in The Restaurant.

A melting pot of emotions
And chatter fills the air,
As we busily ferry plates
To and from the kitchen.

Toasts and tears,
Celebrations and sadness,
We’ve seen it all and know
It goes full circle.

The delights of each course
Make them stop for a moment,
Conversation forgotten,
To savor that first heavenly taste.

Success and smiles,
Empty glasses and plates,
Hunger satiated and more,
Another pleasant evening at The Restaurant.

For me, most memorable times and conversations have always taken place around a wonderfully prepared meal and delightful company, whether at family gatherings, holidays or just a special occasion. In the novel by Linn B. Halton, The Restaurant @ The Mill which used to be a flour mill at Huntingbridge in Gloucestershire involves the owners, Hilary Marks and Ben Adams and six different encounters with six very delightful and unique couples. This book is truly like getting six books in one beautiful written novel. The book opens with a brief history about each of the owners, first beginning with Hilary and her meeting with Ben Adams, her business partner.

Hilary had what she believed was the perfect marriage with Josh, but then after a heartbreak she now views things from a different perspective looking back on things. She initially saw what she wanted to see instead of the reality of what was really happening and who Josh was after all. In hindsight, it's always easier to look back and see where the mistakes were made. How falling in love too fast often comes with blinders on. Had she taken a different approach to this relationship and slowed things down, perhaps she might have seen the signs that he was cheating on her. Perhaps she could have prevented opening her heart too quickly but once again love is blind when you are deeply involved. Now if she could simply find a way to trust a man again and realize they are all NOT like Josh! For now, she simply has chosen to immerse herself in work and running a restaurant. It is through this experience that her and Ben met and decide to become partners.

The novel then moves into introducing us to the couples, first Sarah Lemington and her husband Michael Caringdale who received the Inn as a wedding present in the early 1800's. It is Sarah's ghost that the customers feel still lives at the Inn. It was called Huntingbridge Mill during their time as the first owners of mill before Sarah died in Michael's arms. He vowed never to remarry. It is believed that she remained at the Inn in spirit because it's where she feels closest to Michael and she was simply here to visit him. She didn't even realize she has passed on.

The book goes on to detail the lives of the other couples at the mill during the seven years that Ben and Hilary have been the owners and how they each have had an impact on one another as well as a connection to the Mill; Charlotte and Nick, Grace and Lawrence, Isobel and David and Sadie and Sam. But you'll have to pick up a copy of this book to get to know their stories and how they are all intertwined in a most delightful way!

I received The Restaurant @ The Mill by Linn B. Halton compliments of Reading Addictions Blog Tours for my honest review and have to say, I really enjoyed this one. I could completely imagine owning an rennovated flour mill in the heart of a hamlet in England and could hear the babbling stream that Linn describes as they were beginning their business. A kitchen has always been the heart of a home and for me as a book lover, this one really appealed to my book lover's heart as well with the warmth and love she spent creating her characters and each of their personal stories! I rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars and can only hope Linn will write more like this in the future.

Thanks to the generous folks at Reading Addiction Blog Tours and Linn B. Halton, they are providing a giveaway copy to (1) lucky follower of Reviews From The Heart. Here's all you need to do to enter:

1. Be a follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart.

2. "Like" my Facebook page, Reviews From The Heart and leave me a comment there. If you already "Like" my page, then simply leave a comment there telling me what kind of restaurant you would like to own and why!

3. Be a resident of the US or have a US Shipping address. Please remember No P.O. Boxes!

4. Leave a comment below telling me why you'd love to win a copy of this book along with your email address. You can use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols, however without an email, I can't notify you if you're the winner.

The giveaway will end on September 8th and I will notify the winner by email and also post this to my Facebook page. Enter as many times as you'd like!

For more information on The Restaurant @ The Mill, Linn B. Halton or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Restaurant @ The Mill by Linn B. Halton

You can also become a follower of Linn's on Facebook by clicking here.

To read more reviews from Reading Addictions book tour, please click here.

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing LLC (July 16, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1938404149
• ISBN-13: 978-1938404146
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches