Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Happy Fourth of July! Book Review & Giveaway - In Honor by Jessi Kirby

WinterHaven Books would like to wish our followers and everyone from the States a Happy 4th of July! We’re thankful to our service men and women and wanted to dedicate a post to those around the world that sacrifice their time and sometimes their lives in serving their country.

I’ve chosen to post a review on a book that touches on the subject of military service. I’m reviewing In Honor by Jessi Kirby because I recently attended her signing event during her Summer Lovin’ Tour. Lastly, I’m excited to offer one lucky winner a signed copy of this book along with some of the swag I picked up at the signinig. Good luck!


Title: In Honor
Author: Jessi Kirby
Release Date: May 8, 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Purchase Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Hours after her brother’s military funeral, Honor opens the last letter Finn ever sent. In her grief, she interprets his note as a final request and spontaneously decides to go to California to fulfill it.


Honor gets as far as the driveway before running into Rusty, Finn’s best friend since third grade and his polar opposite. She hasn’t seen Rusty in ages, but it’s obvious he is as arrogant and stubborn as ever—not to mention drop-dead gorgeous. Despite Honor’s better judgment, the two set off together on a voyage from Texas to California. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn’s memory—but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences?
My Thoughts
During the Summer Luvin' Tour, Kirby read an excerpt of this novel and upon hearing that it involved a road trip I was all sorts of excited.  However, I was quickly grounded when I discovered why Honor, the protag, embarks on this road trip in the first place.  See, Honor should be planning for the most exciting time of her life… her freshmen year in college; however she is dealt a devastating blow when she learns that her brother is killed while fighting in Iraq. Hours after her brother’s funeral, she opens a letter that Finn sent to her before he died. In the letter she finds two tickets to a farewell concert for one of her favorite musicians and his wish to her is that she have the time of her life. So, she takes off from Texas to California with the unwanted company of Finn’s best friend Rusty. Along the way, they attempt to find a way to move passed the pain of losing Finn and mending their once close friendship while they journey toward a new chapter in their lives. 

In Honor is my first experience with Kirby’s writing; and I have to say it had a quiet strength about it that I really enjoyed. The characters weren’t over the top, the plot was engaging yet surreal, and the flow was constantly moving. Gather these elements in one novel and I’d like to call that impactful. One thing I liked about Kirby is that she doesn’t use excessive descriptors and long flowing paragraphs to get her point across. She keeps her story short and to the point which adds that element of a brief but powerful journey with her characters. Where this novel is light on the romance, it is heavy on self discovery and true heart, which worked perfectly for In Honor.

I have to say I love road trips but more importantly, it was the military service theme that provided the emotional punch I was hoping for. I commend Kirby for taking on this topic that surprisingly not many YA authors attempt. To remind us that there are men and women sacrificing their time and lives to protect our freedom and the luxuries I often take for granted, is a topic I hope more writers incorporate into their contemporary works. So I applaud Kirby enthusiastically for her well written novel that does a great job tackling this topic along with the subjects of friendship, loss, and self-discovery… to do so in such a succinct novel was impressive. Great job!
Song Choice
In My Remains - Linkin Park
4 Snowflakes

Summer Lovin' Tour

Jessi Kirby was on tour for her book release, and let me tell you... the swag was awesome! I was fortunate enough to get a copy of her book and have it signed as well as a couple little extras, which I'd like to give away to one lucky follower. Good luck and Happy Fourth of July from WinterHaven Books!
Follow Jessi Kirby:
Goodreads  Website  Twitter  Facebook 

Enter before July 25, 2012 to win this!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

62 comments:

  1. Wonderful review! YA novels with military themes (and a bit of romance) are ones I've been in the mood to read lately. So, looking forward to reading this one; it sounds great. :)
    Thank you for the giveaway!

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  2. Can't wait to read this! It'd make my day if I ever won a copy :D

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  3. @ A.J. Thank you so much! Me too. I was so glad to get my hands on this one. I hope you enjoy it to. You're welcome and good luck on the give-away. :D

    @ Anonymous. I hope you like it when you read it. Good luck on the give-away as well!! XD

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  4. I really want to read this book. It sounds emotional and like a story that will resonate with me.

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    1. There is definitely an emotional pull to the story Na. I really enjoyed this book. I hope you do too. :)

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  5. I absolutely loved Moonglass. I've had this book on my wishlist for months!

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    1. I got Moonglass at the signing as well and I can't wait to read it Vivien! Oh I hope you enjoy In Honor when you read it. :)

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  6. Great review! I've heard so many wonderful things about this one so I am looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the giveaway! :)

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    1. Thank you sarabara081! I really enjoyed reading this book so I hope you do too. You're welcome and good luck! XD

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  7. In Honor sounds like a great book :)

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    1. It really is Hwa Sun Kang. I hope you enjoy it too. :)

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  8. Great review Arlene and such a nice giveaway! I'm not going to enter as I already have a copy but yay for you meeting Jessi. I always love the story more after meeting the author. They seem to add insight that makes the story more enjoyable. :)

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    1. Thank you Rachel! It was great meeting Jessi. I completely agree! Meeting the author really adds to the experience of reading the book. She was very sweet and so was her book. :)

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  9. I want to read this book so bad!
    thanks for the giveaway!

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    1. You are more than welcome Jess! Good luck with this give-away. I hope you get the chance to read In Honor soon!! :)

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  10. Yay! I'm so happy you enjoyed In Honor! Your review is lovely. Moonglass was an awesome read, so I'm dying to get my hands on In Honor.

    Thank you for the awesome giveaway!

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    1. Thank you Linda!! So glad to hear you enjoyed Moonglass. I have that at the ready and can't wait to read it. Good luck with the give-away and thank you for entering!

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  11. So exciting! I hope to win so I can share with my students. I teach 11th grade English and my kiddos devour

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    1. That's great to hear Cari-Bella Creations! Good luck to you on the give-away!

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  12. I've heard so many good things about this book. I need to get my hands on a copy :-). Thanks for the giveaway!

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  13. Thanks so much for the giveaway.

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  14. Thanks for the chance to win :D

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  15. What a great giveaway. I think this book looks great. Thanks for the opportunity to win. :)

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  16. Thank you for doing this giveaway. This book has been on my TBR list! Have a great day!!

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    1. Thank you! You're welcome for the give-away contest. :)

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  17. The story looks promising :) Thanks for doing the giveaway ^^

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    1. It's a really good story! You're welcome! XD

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  18. Been wanting to read this for a while... It'd make my day if I ever won :D

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    1. Thank you for entering the give away!! Good luck and I hope you get to read this soon. :)

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  19. I have been dying to get my hands on this book for a while. I was going to check it out at mt local library but they didn't have it (I was so crushed)

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    1. This was a really good book. I hope you get to read it soon. Good luck with the give-away Gaby! :)

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  20. Love the dress on the cover :D

    It seems to be a cute book, so I'd be more than glad to be able to read it ;)

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    1. I agree! That dress is very cute =) Good luck!

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  21. Love the cover the book seems awesome can't wait to read it :)

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    1. Me too! I am a total coveraholic lol. Good luck!

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  22. I've been dying to read this book! I've heard great things! Thanks for the chance :)

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  23. I want this book! Looks and sounds so good!

    -Cathee

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  24. I have had this book on my list forever and still haven't read it! I have got to read it now : )

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    1. LOL and if you win it will be signed yay! Good luck!

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  25. I've seen this book around on book blogs and have been curious to read it ever since! And that swag looks awesome! :)

    Thank you for the wonderful giveaway!

    Ashlee / taleswithtea.com

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    1. Thanks for entering and good luck! That swag was some of the best I have ever seen lol.

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  26. Very curious to read this book. love the review and it sounds very interesting.

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    1. Thanks again Danna!! We really appreciate you stopping by! Good luck!

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  27. I want want want to read this books so bad! It looks amazing! I love the cover!

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  28. Congratulations on your win Danielle! I mailed it off today. You should have it by Monday. Happy reading and I hope you enjoy it. XD

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