Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: Enchanting Nicholette by Dawn Crandall

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for Enchanting Nicholette by Dawn Crandall, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Enchanting Nicholette  
Series: The Everstone Chronicles #5  
Author: Dawn Crandall  
Publisher: Whitaker House  
Release Date: October 9, 2018  
Genre: Historical Romance

In this captivating novella by Dawn Crandall, Nicholette Everstone is already a widow at the age of twenty-two: her husband was murdered on their wedding day. She has just returned to Boston after two years of mourning in Europe. Although her husband was loving, the marriage was an arranged one, and Nicholette would like to wed again–this time for love…and to someone safe.

As she acclimates to life in Back Bay again, Nicholette meets someone she can’t help but fall for. But when she learns of the danger and sacrifices Cal Hawthorne takes on for the safety of others, will her heart be strong enough to keep her fears of “what if” at bay?

LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository | BAM! | Christian Book

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 MY REVIEW

5 stars / It was amazing

Fans of The Everstone Chronicles series will absolutely love this addition to the series! Cal Hawthorne and Nicholette Everstone are pleasant and charming together, but Cal has secrets and Nicholette struggles with any sort of danger that puts loved ones at risk. I enjoyed their friendship and loved the chemistry as they are instantly attracted to each other. The themes of trust and overcoming fear are well-executed and powerful. There is a good pace to the story and it felt longer and fuller than a novella with its full plot and character arc. It can be read on its own but the reader will definitely want to pick up the other books in the series to read the lovely stories of all the characters they meet!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions expressed in this review are my own)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dawn Crandall‘s debut Gilded Age Victorian romance, “The Hesitant Heiress,” was a 2015 ACFW Carol award finalist in the debut category and received the 2015 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, the 2015 Write Touch Reader’s Choice Award and the 2015 Romancing the Novel Reader’s Choice Award. Her follow-up novel, “The Bound Heart,” received the 2016 Laurel Award from Clash of the Titles. Dawn earned a BA in Christian Education from Taylor University. She’s been balancing books and babies lately as her two sons were both born as the four books of her Everstone Chronicles series were being released from Whitaker House from 2014 to 2016. Dawn lives with her husband and two young sons on a hobby farm in her hometown in northeast Indiana.

 CONNECT WITH DAWN CRANDALL: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) Winner will win:

• A print copy of Enchanting Nicholette
• A library card zipper bag
• Two pairs of Jane Austen socks
• Two hand poured candles
• A historically accurate soap from Austen’s time
• A Jane Austen set of playing cards
• A set of Jane Austen notecards
• 6 magnets with Jane Austen quotes

(US Mailing Addresses Only)  

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight October 29, 2018 and lasts through 11:59pm November 12, 2018. Void where prohibited by law. US addresses only. Winners will be notified within a week of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

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Follow along at JustRead for a full list of stops!

Splash Into Summer Giveaway Hop!

 I'm spotlighting the new addition to Dawn Crandall's Everstone Chronicles series, the novella Enchanting Nicholette! Be sure to enter the giveaway at the bottom for a print copy of the second book in the series that includes Nicholette's backstory, The Bound Heart. 

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

In this captivating novella by Dawn Crandall, Nicholette Everstone is already a widow at the age of twenty-two: her husband was murdered on their wedding day. She has just returned to Boston after two years of mourning in Europe. Although her husband was loving, the marriage was an arranged one, and Nicholette would like to wed again--this time for love...and to someone safe

As she acclimates to life in Back Bay again, Nicholette meets someone she can't help but fall for. But when she learns of the danger and sacrifices Cal Hawthorne takes on for the safety of others, will her heart be strong enough to keep her fears of "what if" at bay?

My Review

Fans of The Everstone Chronicles series will absolutely love this addition to the series! Cal Hawthorne and Nicholette Everstone are pleasant and charming together, but Cal has secrets and Nicholette struggles with any sort of danger that puts loved ones at risk. I enjoyed their friendship and loved the chemistry as they are instantly attracted to each other. There is a good pace to the story and it felt longer than a novella with its full plot and character arc.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions expressed in this review are my own)

About the Author

Dawn Crandall’s debut Gilded Age Victorian romance, The Hesitant Heiress, was a 2015 ACFW Carol award finalist in the debut category and received the 2015 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, the 2015 Write Touch Reader's Choice Award and the 2015 Romancing the Novel Reader's Choice Award. Her follow-up novel, The Bound Heart, received the 2016 Laurel Award from Clash of the Titles. Dawn earned a BA in Christian Education from Taylor University. She’s been balancing books and babies lately as her two sons were both born as the first four books of her Everstone Chronicles series were being released from Whitaker House from 2014 to 2016. Dawn lives with her husband and two young sons on a hobby farm in her hometown in northeast Indiana.

GIVEAWAY

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Review: Timeless Love: Romantic Stories that Span the Ages by Andrea Boeshaar, Kari Trumbo, Misty M. Beller, Stephenia H. McGee, Dawn Crandall, Pepper D. Basham, Sarah Monzon

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

This 7-novella romance collection will only be available until the first week of July for 99 cents, and then it will be "unpublished" from sell sites. (The digital edition of the collection will remain on the buyer’s device after the ebook is disbanded). Then all of the novellas and short stories in the collection will be published separately in print and ebook! 

All proceeds from the sale of this collection will be donated to the LiveStrong Foundation.
Enjoy seven romances through the ages in this Timeless Love limited time ebook. An open invitation to fall in love with the writing styles of a few new-to-you multi-published authors of your favorite Christian romance eras.

Synopsis

Give Me Thine Heart 1812 Andrea Boeshaar
Moira loathes the man she is set to marry. But when she meets Samuel Stryker, she soon guesses that he's from the colonies. When she finds a deep secret, Sam must make the decision: kill her or take her with him.

This Freedom Journey 1833 Misty M. Beller
Adrien Lockman left France to finally live life on his own terms, but when he discovers a half-starved and half-frozen woman in the treacherous Canadian mountains, the truth soon becomes clear--the only way they'll survive is together.

The Heart of Home 1865 Stephenia H. McGee
Opal Martin aspires to scrub the remnants of the War Between the States from her tattered life. When a nearly drowned soldier appears and asks if he can die on her porch, she must guard against the sudden revival of her heart's hope for love. Tristan Stuart wants to escape the pain of war. He wakes up at a house that's too much like home, with a woman determined to mend him he may discover a life worth fighting for. To save the last of what Opal holds dear, will he become the man she needs or let the troubled waters carry him away?

Enchanting Nicholette 1893 Dawn Crandall
Young, widowed, and newly out of mourning, Nicholette Everstone is an heiress yearning to be loved. Her parents had arranged for her to marry her loving late husband, but the marriage ended tragically on her wedding day. Returning to Boston after being away, she finds there's someone new to her set of friends and family she can't help but fall for. But when she learns of the danger and sacrifices this man takes on, will her heart be strong enough to keep her fears at bay?

Teach Me To Love 1899 Kari Trumbo
Izzy Lawson has taken her last abuse. When her husband dies, she rushes to Belle Fourche to stay with the only friend she has. The wall she's worked so hard to build crumbles in the arms of a man so different from her husband. Conrad Oleson can't read and it's shamed him for longer than he can remember. As Izzy reveals her painful past, he can't stay away. He'll do about anything, to get closer. Including, teach her how to love.

Façade 1942 Pepper D. Basham
Olivia Rakes has excellent observations skills for facts and details, but stumbles through matters of the heart. When her brother goes missing in German-occupied France, Livy enlists her services with a group of search-and-rescue spies, who not only thrust her toward espionage, but...romance. Agent Christopher Dawson has avoided Livy since she broke his heart. When the search for his best friend brings them together, the heart takes on a mind of its own. In a world where war changes the rules of life and love, can they work together to complete their rescue mission before the enemy catches them?

Bookishly Ever After 2018 Sarah Monzon
It all started with a bet and a book.
Emory Blake is the ultimate bibliophile. She'd take curling up with a novel over a night on the town any day. But then her best friend, Tate Woodby, accuses her of living between the pages of her paperbacks instead of the real world, and he makes a bet that will force her to experience the adventures of her fictional friends...instead of just reading about them. With her face no longer buried in books, Emory must confront the pain of the past.

My Review

Give Me Thine Heart by Andrea Boeshaar - 3 stars
This was a quick paced adventure that didn't seem entirely realistic, but was entertaining.

The Heart of Home by Stephenia H. McGee - 4 stars
I always find stories set in the South during Reconstruction after the Civil War to be fascinating. While it's easy to vilify the people on that side of the conflict, they are people with families and heartache as well. I loved that Tristan was able to find healing with Opal and her mother and they could lean on him for support as well. A sweet romance.

This Freedom Journey by Misty M. Beller - 5 stars
I always love the rugged wilderness settings in this author's stories. Being snowed in together while also dealing with loss and loneliness accelerates the developing relationship between Adrien and Mary. I loved Adrien's gentle nature and Mary's appreciation of his kindnesses. She is hardly a damsel in distress, proving herself strong and willing to do the hard work it takes to survive. They come to rely on each other and with the various trials they encounter during the harsh winter, their mutual support builds a solid foundation.

Enchanting Nicholette by Dawn Crandall - 5 stars
Fans of The Everstone Chronicles series will absolutely love this addition to the series! Cal Hawthorne and Nicholette Everstone are pleasant and charming together, but Cal has secrets and Nicholette struggles with any sort of danger that puts loved ones at risk. I enjoyed their friendship and loved the chemistry as they are instantly attracted to each other. There is a good pace to the story and it felt longer than a novella with its full plot and character arc.

Teach Me To Love by Kari Trumbo - 5 stars
I really enjoyed this story. Isabella is easy to feel sympathy for, and Conrad's compassionate and protective nature brings him closer to the young widow, even with his initial resistance. The help she is able to provide him with learning to read helps her confidence bloom again and it was lovely to see her repressed personality begin to shine through. Some conflict on the ranch brought an element of danger and suspense, and with the yearning romance, it's a well-rounded novella.

Façade by Pepper Basham - 5 stars
What a rollercoaster ride this story took me on in the middle of WWII France with two spies who have a second chance romance, once they untangled the miscommunications that ended their friendship. My eyes were opened to the sacrifices of the citizens during the turbulent and uncertain times of war, and made me even more thankful for those that risk and give their lives for the cause of freedom.

Bookishly Ever After by Sarah Monzon - 5 stars 
Seriously so cute! A contemporary romance of unrequited love told from the perspective of the clueless one, Emory. She has some hang-ups from her past that makes her avoid conflict and deeper feelings that have the potential for future hurt and vulnerability. Tate is so patient with her, and I loved the little observations clue the reader in that he's carrying a serious torch. The setting of Seattle was awesome, I love that city! Combine that with a soulful musician and reclusive bibliophile stretching outside their comfort zones and this story was a perfect blend of angst, humor, and sweet romance. 

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Review & Giveaway: The Cautious Maiden by Dawn Crandall

Be sure to enter both giveaways at the bottom of the post!

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Violet Hawthorne is beyond mortified when her brother Ezra turns their deceased parents' New England country inn into a brothel to accommodate the nearby lumberjacks; but when Violet's own reputation is compromised, the inn becomes the least of her worries. In an effort to salvage her good name, Violet is forced into an engagement with a taciturn acquaintance; Vance Everstone. As she prepares for a society wedding, Violet learns that her brother had staked her hand in marriage in a heated poker game with the unsavory Rowen Steele, and Ezra had lost. Now Rowen is determined to cash in on his IOU. With danger stalking her and a new fiancé who hides both his emotion and his past, Violet must decide who to trust and who to leave behind.

My Review

I've been anxiously anticipating THE CAUTIOUS MAIDEN, the newest book in one of my favorite series, The Everstone Chronicles. Dawn Crandall has a unique writing style which lends a compelling voice to her characters. Her skills are once again manifested as she expertly transforms a former scoundrel into a believable hero and protector of feminine virtue without making him into a completely different person by reducing his passionate nature. 
 
Poor Violet! In the wake of her grief she is lonely and not confident in her relationships, not feeling like she fits in anywhere. With her compromised reputation, she feels she has no other option than marriage, to whomever will take her. Her emotions and loyalties are being pulled on by various parties, and all she can do is try to follow her heart, which is difficult when she's not sure that she's wanted. It was frustrating to experience the limits of a woman's rights and choices during the time period, but Violet bore it with grace.

As much as I disliked Vance in the previous novel he appeared in (The Bound Heart), I appreciated his redemptive path and dedication to live his life on God's terms. I was skeptical at first, but as Violet comes upon him more than once studying his Bible, and witnesses his strength of character, his regrets and repentance, I began to hope that he would find happiness. His protectiveness of Violet, even against himself, is endearing and heroic.

Her brother was kind of an ambiguous character- he only made an appearance in one scene, but so much of the plot revolved around his actions- placing his sister in danger, then damaging her reputation in an attempt to protect her; the physical separation between the two doesn't reflect his continued influence on her life. Because the story is told in Violet's voice, we only receive information as she does, which gave me a feeling of uneasiness and tension over the unknown parts of the plot I could sense.

The various members of the Everstone family make appearances as they gather for special events, but I missed seeing their personalities shine through while this book was entirely focused on Violet and Vance and their passionate relationship wrought with lack of communication, self-discipline, and dangerous circumstances. 

Readers of Sarah E. Ladd and Elizabeth Camden will fall in love with this intriguing and romantic historical series!

(Thank you to Whitaker House Publishing for a copy of the book; this is my honest review)

Don't miss the first three books in The Everstone Chronicles series...

About the Author

Dawn Crandall is an ACFW Carol Award-nominated author of the award winning series The Everstone Chronicles, which consists of four books: The Hesitant Heiress, The Bound Heart, The Captive Imposter and The Cautious Maiden which released October 4th, 2016.
Apart from writing, Dawn is also a mom of two little ones and serves with her husband in a premarital mentorship program at their local church in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
A graduate of Taylor University with a degree in Christian Education and a former bookseller at Barnes & Noble, Dawn Crandall didn't begin writing until 2010 when her husband found out about her long-buried dream. It didn't take her long to realize that writing books was what she was made to do.
Dawn is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the secretary for the Indiana ACFW Chapter (Hoosier Ink), and an associate member of the Great Lakes ACFW Chapter. She is represented by Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary Agency.

Giveaways

Whitaker House has generously provided a copy of The Cautious Maiden for me to give away on my blog! Enter in the Giveaway Tools widget below. Author Dawn Crandall also has a wonderful blog tour giveaway that you can enter in the Rafflecoptor widget below.

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Cover Reveal & Giveaway: The Cautious Maiden by Dawn Crandall

Check out the brand spankin' new cover for a book I've been looking forward to! I love The Everstone Chronicles series! The Cautious Maiden is the fourth book, and each can be read as a stand alone, but I recommend reading them in order for full enjoyment ;)

Synopsis

Violet Hawthorne is beyond mortified when her brother transforms her deceased parents’ respectable country inn into a brothel to accommodate the lumberjacks in the area. When her reputation is compromised, she finds herself forced to enter into an engagement with Vance Everstone. Can she trust this man she hardly knows who has a scandalous reputation in his own right?

Review Opportunity

If you are a Book Review Blogger and would like to review The Cautious Maiden, or would like to be a part of the blog tour celebrating it's release in the fall, please contact Dawn Crandall's Facebook Author Page with your name and the link for your blog.

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Giveaway! The Hesitant Heiress by Dawn Crandall in print format!

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

I loved The Everstone Chronicles series by Dawn Crandall! They were previously available in e-book only but because they are so popular, the publisher is making them available in print. Enter below to win one of five print copies of The Hesitant Heiress that Dawn is giving away!

Synopsis

After being unjustly expelled from the Boston Conservatory of Music, Amaryllis Brigham sees her dreams of founding a music academy in her hometown of Seattle, Washington, disappearing before her very eyes. Now, the only way to achieve her goal comes with high stakes for someone set on avoiding men as much as possible: Marry within the year to inherit the immense fortune of her estranged grandmother. Amaryllis reluctantly moves in to her aunt's Boston home and rubs shoulders with fashionable society. Despite her own misgivings, she soon finds herself quickly falling in love with the most unlikely of men, Nathan Everstone, the envy of every eligible female, whose father has haunted her dreams for the decade following her mother's tragic death. However, Nathan turns out to be much more than he seems...and everything she never knew she wanted. But can she ever really trust an Everstone man?

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Review & Giveaway! The Captive Imposter by Dawn Crandall

Be sure to scroll down and enter the giveaway for any of the books from The Everstone Chronicles!

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Sent away for protection, hotel heiress Estella Everstone finds herself living undercover as a lady’s companion named Elle Stoneburner at one of her father’s opulent hotels in the mountains of Maine—the one she'd always loved best and always hoped to own one day, Everston. The one thing she doesn't like about the situation is that her ex-fiancé is in the area and is set on marrying someone else. Reeling from her feelings of being unwanted and unworthy, Estella reluctantly forms a friendship with the gruff manager of Everston, Dexter Blakeley, who seems to have something against wealthy young socialites with too much money, although they are just the kind of people Everston caters to.

When Estella finds herself in need of help, Dexter comes to the rescue with an offer she can't refuse. She sees no other choice aside from going back home to her family and accepts the position as companion to his sister. Throughout her interactions with Dexter, she can't deny the pull that's evidenced between them every time he comes near. Estella realizes that while she's been hiding behind a false name and identity, she’s never been freer to be herself than when she's with Dexter Blakeley. But will he still love her when he finds out she's Estella Everstone? She's not entirely sure.

My Review

Dawn Crandall's writing style is fascinating. Written in first person, there is a quality about it like I'm reading in tunnel vision- I know there's more going on peripherally but I can only see what is being experienced by the main character, Estella. The story unfolds in layers and the different aspects of the plot are revealed strategically. It's almost like uncovering a mystery!

Estella has undergone her transformation from shallow socialite to compassionate companion before the book begins, so we see her new perspective of the world and herself. I love how she is drawn to Dexter and values him for his own qualities as she comes to know him and forms an unlikely friendship with him. He is a bit of a mystery as well, but from the beginning his integrity and honor are obvious. I loved reading the developing romance between Estella and Dexter and discovering all the facets of their story! This third book in The Everstone Chronicles is definitely my favorite.

(Thank you to the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

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Review: The Bound Heart by Dawn Crandall

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

One accidental kiss. That was all it took to throw Meredyth Summercourt's world upside-down. Determined to marry the ever-elusive Vance Everstone, she simply doesn't have the time or the desire to fall for her friend Lawry Hampton. However, with Vance out of the country and Lawry constantly at her side, Meredyth can’t help but wonder if what’s holding her to Vance is nothing more than a desire to redeem herself from their unfortunate past.

When Vance comes home to stake his claim on Meredyth, will she be strong enough to break free from the tangled web she’s convinced she deserves? Or will she find the strength to accept that God’s plan for her life could include redemption... and quite possibly the love of her best-friend?

My Review

Dawn Crandall has such a unique style of writing. As I read her books I feel like I'm floating through the story, not quite grounded. That's the only way I can think to describe it! There is the sense that things can change in an instant, and I never know what the characters are going to do or are truly thinking or feeling in the beginning, but thankfully that is revealed throughout the novel. In the first book I saw Meredyth as a strong individual, but in this book we are able to understand her insecurities and vulnerabilities. It was frustrating that Meredyth didn't allow herself to enjoy falling in love with Lawry and had a misguided perception of redemption that made her feel unworthy of him. The spiritual journey she experiences shows how letting go of our own limited expectations of life will allow God to bring to pass wonderful blessings and miracles to the faithful.

(Thank you to the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Extras

Learn about The Everstone Chronicles! I rated The Hesitant Heiress 5 stars!

Follow the Bound Heart blog tour and enter giveaways to win copies of The Hesitant Heiress and the Bound Heart!

Connect with the author Dawn Crandall

Website

Blog

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