Finding Favor Blog Tour and Giveaway

In the eight years since seventeen-year-old Favor Miller’s father died, she’s had to endure her reluctant, self-righteous guardians the Browns. Every day for eight years, they've reminded her that she doesn't fit in, that she’s not one of them. Every day for eight years, she’s eagerly awaited the day when she’ll finally be free to live her life her way.

On the eve of high school graduation, Mr. Brown ambushes Favor with the offer of college funding and a to-die-for summer internship–with the one stipulation that she must discontinue her friendship with his son, Ethan.

Accustomed as she is to sharing everything with her best friend, this is one secret Favor must keep in order to protect Ethan. The distraction of his new girlfriend, her growing friendship with his older brother, and her need to understand her family history, add in further complications.

As Favor debates signing the contract, she must decide if she’s willing to give up her best friend in order to pursue her dreams. Will she have to stay in the place she’s so desperately wanted to escape in order to make the right decision and get what she really needs?

4 Stars, 0 Flames


Favor has never gotten along with anyone in the family except Ethan. The others either ignore her, or make her life hell, like Madison, the youngest Brown. She finds solace in the greenhouse tending her orchids and helping Mr. Rushworth with his chores. Many times she sits in the greenhouse reading the journals of her father and grandfather trying to learn something about her family, something to treasure. Summer break is about to begin and Favor is looking forward to Ethan coming home so they can plan her first year at college. Favor cannot wait to escape, the possibilities are endless. But that's before Mr. Brown makes her an offer she can't refuse...can she? Mr. Brown offers to pay for all her expenses and get her an internship if she will discontinue her friendship with his son, Ethan. She has no intention of signing the dreadful contract, except Ethan meets the Crawford's granddaughter, Mary. Suddenly its not Ethan and Favor against the world. Instead its Ethan and Mary and Favor feels abandoned. With her world feeling topsy-turvy, will Favor make the right decision?


Finding Favor is a modern rendition of Jane Austen's Mansfield Park. Is everything the same? No. But there are similarities with the main plot and the personalities are flavored with characteristics of their Austen counterparts. However, I think Ms. Long was able to write a wonderful story in her own voice, and while I was subconsciously looking for similarities between the original and Finding Favor, I enjoyed Favor's story. I don't know why, but I like the stories where the heroine is a wallflower who is longing for acceptance, for friendship. I guess it makes me remember the drama of middle school and high school and how I thought the world would end. So when I read Finding Favor I could relate to the embarrassment and humiliation she felt when Madison pulled nasty tricks on her or Mrs. Brown blatantly ignored her. Regardless of the way the Brown's treat her, Favor is strong, loving, and loyal; all she needs is courage to reach out and grab what she wants. I feel that this is a recurring theme of the book, life is short, true love is rare, so when you find it don't hesitate or let others dictate your actions. I think the only thing that bothered me was how long it took Favor to tell Ethan of her feelings. I understand that she needed time to come to the realization that yes, she loves Ethan, and yes, she should create her own possibilities. But even after she makes this discovery it drags on a little bit more, to the point I was thinking come on already and was tempted to skip ahead a few pages (I didn't, by the way). I guess it was drawn out so that we could shout FINALLY! Other than that I did enjoy this book and will probably re-read it again soon. I congratulate Ms. Long on her debut YA book and I am eager to read her next book.

Finding Favor is priced at just 99 cents as part of its special launch week sale. Pick up your copy on either Amazon US or Amazon UK now, and don't forget to stop by and participate in the special release week contest. Our big launch week prize basket includes: Journal with a cover inspired by Jane Austen's Mansfield Park (as is this novel), note cards with an orchid design (Favor's favorite flower), a hard cover edition of To Kill a Mockingbird (Ethan's favorite book), and a cool pen (who doesn't love cool pens?) Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win! Good luck!



About the Author:


As a devoted fan of young adult novels herself, Lana Long is thrilled to be gracing the YA world with her first novel, Finding Favor. Many years of daydreaming and several writing classes and workshops have contributed to the development of Finding Favor as well as to Lana’s inevitable future books. Through her experiences at Lighthouse Writers in Denver, the Big Sur Writing Workshop in California, and the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Colorado Gold Conference, Lana has learned an amazing amount about writing novels. Although writing serves as a relaxing process for Lana, she is also grounded by her family, by her work as a church treasurer, and by volunteering at her kids’ elementary school. She hopes that her books provide readers with the same entertainment she herself finds in YA novels.

If you enjoy a good coming-of-age story featuring enthralling characters, check out Finding Favor and read more of Lana’s thoughts at www.lanalongbooks.com or connect with her on
Goodreads or Facebook.

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I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.

posted by Emily