Showing posts with label Naomi Rawlings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Naomi Rawlings. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Review: Love's Violet Sunrise by Naomi Rawlings


Heidi Reads... Love's Violet Sunrise by Naomi Rawlings

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

With her brother facing trial for a murder he didn't commit, German immigrant Mabel Krause needs a lawyer who can help prove her brother's innocence. The only trouble is--she can't afford one.

Hiram Cummings needs money to return to law school, and the fastest way to earn it is by working as a legal clerk for the powerful and rich Rhett Vandergriff. When a desperate immigrant comes to him for help, he finds himself on a mission to prove a man's innocence, risking his job in the process.

But all is not as it appears, and Hiram soon learns that not only is his job at risk, but he's also in danger of losing his heart--if he and Mabel don't lose their lives first.

Love's Violet Sunrise is a prequel to the bestselling Eagle Harbor Series, as well as part of the American State Flower Collection.


My Review

Naomi Rawlings has a gift for writing strong characters who are confronted by seemingly impossible circumstances yet manage to persevere by seeking God's will and following it. I admired Mabel's tenacity in not giving up when rejected over and over. Her determination compels Hiram to recognize that his integrity took precedence over his job and dreams for the future and he could not allow her to fend for herself. The story is suspenseful as powerful men pursue them while they are trying to solve the crime in order to free Mabel's brother. They bond during the time they spend working together and the romance that blossoms is quick but sweet. This is a wonderful beginning to a series I enjoyed reading and it made me want to go read all the books again :)

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

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Review: Love's Sure Dawn by Naomi Rawlings


Heidi Reads... Love's Sure Dawn by Naomi Rawlings

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

No matter how hard she tries to help, Rebekah Cummings always ends up causing more problems than she solves. This time, though, things will be different. She'll find a way to pay her family's debts, even if doing so requires leaving Eagle Harbor. Maybe then they'll start treating her as a capable woman who makes her own choices.

Gilbert Sinclair is going to marry an heiress. With his latest business venture sunk at the bottom of Lake Superior, he needs money to replace the steamship he lost, so he heads to Chicago where his father's business connections should land him a suitable wife. Like most things in his meticulously planned life, everything goes as expected—until he discovers Rebekah Cummings working as the new cook on his ship.

Rebekah well remembers the pain she endured the last time she tried trusting Gilbert, and Gilbert can't afford to pursue the love of a working class woman. But they can't stop the forgotten feelings swirling between them—or ignore the sacrifices they'd both have to make for a future together. 


My Review

We get to know Rebekah and Gilbert in the previous books in the Eagle Harbor series, and they are both difficult characters. I couldn't wait to see how their story would be told. After some humbling experiences in the previous book, Gilbert is forced to reevaluate his strategy on accomplishing his goal of building the crane he engineered. From an outside perspective, he seems selfishly bent on making this business venture successful at all costs, but as we learn about his real motivations his true character is revealed.

Rebekah is a strong young woman, stubborn and desperate to prove to her family that she can contribute beyond what the norm is for women of the time. Even though she acts hardened and tough, she is still naive about many things. Her eyes are opened to more harshness and cruelty on her journey, yet her compassion makes a difference in the lives of those she reaches out to.

The overall mood of the book is anxious since there is so much injustice in the lives of the characters, but the fighting spirits of Gilbert and Rebekah propel the story forward. The attraction between them is something they also fight against, but as they learn to turn to the Lord to direct their paths, they find that they are being led toward each other instead of apart. I was happy to see how things came together in the end, and already can't wait to read the next book!

This is the third book in the Eagle Harbor Series, but it can be read as a stand-alone. However, we get to know the main characters and families in the previous books so I think they are best enjoyed being read in order.

My reviews of Love's Unfading Light (book 1) and Love's Every Whisper (book 2)

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

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Review: Love's Every Whisper by Naomi Rawlings


Heidi Reads... Love's Every Whisper by Naomi Rawlings

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

Victoria Donnelly is, as always, a failure. With five years of failed courtships behind her and the calendar inching closer to another birthday, Victoria's determined to redeem herself and snag a proposal from a wealthy childhood acquaintance, Gilbert Sinclair. But returning to Eagle Harbor stirs up long forgotten memories. And worse, old affection for her betrothed's enemy.

Elijah Cummings has loved Victoria for fifteen years. But fishermen's sons don't marry shipping barons' daughters. He knows it. She knows it. The entire town knows it. Resolved to keep his distance from Victoria, Elijah focuses on establishing a much needed life-saving station, risking his own life by rescuing sailors stuck aboard shipwrecks.

He knows how to save drowning sailors, but how is he to save a woman from the biggest mistake of her life—without destroying both their hearts in the process?


My Review

This is one of those rare occasions where I loved the second book in a series more than the first! What stood out to me the most was how much action was depicted with the scenes of Elijah and his crew rescuing sailors and passengers from boats that hit rocks or sandbars during frigid storms on Lake Superior. I loved Elijah's passion for saving lives that otherwise would have been needlessly lost. His love for Victoria seems hopeless, but they continue to encounter each other and their restrained affection creates a palpable romantic tension. Every character in the story is flawed (some more than others) but all came to life because of their determination through the struggles each faced. I was sad for the emotional abuse Victoria endures from her family and Gilbert and how each attempt at expressing herself was met with contempt and manipulation. Thankfully she forms an unlikely bond with Elijah's defiant sister Rebekah and through her example learns of the true source of strength and confidence- relying on the Lord. Elijah and Victoria each focus on certain scripture verses for help as they struggle to follow their hearts amid pressure and conflict from family and the community.

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

Friday, September 25, 2015

Review: Love's Unfading Light by Naomi Rawlings


Heidi Reads... Love's Unfading Light by Naomi Rawlings

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.comhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

Tressa Danell is finished with men—from the wastrel who left her a widow, to the smelly trapper who keeps proposing, to the banker who wants to repossess her bakery. Every hour is spent working to pay off her late husband’s debt and keep a roof over her son’s head, though it’s doubtful she can do both for very long. But one thing’s certain—she’ll never be beholden to a man again.

Tired of living in a small town that blames him for actions his father committed ten years ago, Mac Oakton is scheduled to leave Eagle Harbor. So why does the pretty widow at the bakery keep tugging at his heart? He can’t get involved in her predicament when he’ll only be around for two more weeks.

But when Tressa’s burdens overwhelm her, they both face a decision. Can Mac set his own plans aside to help? And can Tressa accept his support if that means giving up her independence . . . and being obligated to a man again?


My Review

In the setting of the Great Lakes and a lighthouse community is a story of triumph over trials by seeking God's unwavering love during tribulation. There is an overall feeling of tension and despondency as Tressa is struggling just to keep her head above water. I just couldn't see how things were going to work out, but I was rooting for her and Mac the whole time and trusting that a happy ending would come. I enjoyed the few occasions of playful teasing between them which was a surprise and contrasted sharply with the mood of the book. It was difficult to bond with the community since both Mac and Tressa were victims of blatant hostility, gossip and prejudice for the sins of his father and her husband, they each only had one family of friends to turn to. I'm looking forward to reading the newly released second book in the series since this first book introduces the main characters that follow. I would recommend Love's Unfading Light to fans of Jody Hedlund's Beacons of Hope series.

(I purchased a copy of this book; this is my honest review)