Sunday, April 9, 2017

Review: Montana Fire series by Susan May Warren


Heidi Reads... the Montana Fire series by Susan May Warren

My rating: 5 stars, 5 stars, 5 stars / They were amazing!!!

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

Synopsis

WHERE THERE'S SMOKE

She’s a smokejumper afraid of fire . . .
Kate Burns is a legendary smoke jumper, known for her courage and willingness to risk everything to get the job done. Only she has a secret, one she won’t admit to anyone.

He can’t forget the love they once shared
. . .
Supervisor Jed Ransom commands the Jude County Smoke Jumpers with a reputation as a calm, level-headed leader. Kate is the only one who’s ever gotten under his skin.

They must face the flames together
. . .
A raging wildfire in the mountains of Montana brings Kate and Jed together to train up a new team of jumpers. Suddenly, they must face the past they’ve been running from and the secrets that keep them apart. When an arsonist goes after their team, Kate and Jed must face their deepest fears—and learn to rely on each other as they fight a blaze that could destroy them all.


PLAYING WITH FIRE

She can’t forget the man she walked away from . . .
Liza Beaumont knew she was playing with fire when she let smoke jumper Conner Young into her life. Just friends, she promised herself, but she couldn’t help but fall for the tall, blond firefighter who needed her. But loving him got her burned, and she’s not about to risk her heart again.

His once chance to get her back . . . Conner Young knows he blew his one chance with Liza. His personal losses—and his profession—made him wary of offering any promises he couldn’t be sure he’d live to keep. So he let her walk away, but he never forgot the place she’d held in his heart.

A race to find a missing girl . . .
Until Liza is attacked in the mountains by a rogue grizzly. Her panicked phone call alerts Conner to everything he lost—and still wants. Now, with a teenage girl missing in the woods, and a predator on the loose, Conner and Liza must fight against time and the elements to save her. But when the old friendship ignites into fresh sparks, are they setting themselves up to get burned again? And when disaster happens, will their nightmares pull them apart, or will they find the courage to survive?


BURNIN' FOR YOU

He’s loved her for years . . .
Smoke jumper Reuben Marshall harbors a deep regret—a split second decision he made that cost the life of his crew boss. His paralyzing grief has kept him from pursuing his long-burning interest in pretty, petite smoke jumper/bomber pilot Gilly Priest. Not that he has a prayer at winning her heart. Not only is she not interested in dating a teammate, she’s also the preacher’s daughter. And while Reuben’s not the chiefest of sinners, he’s no saint…

A dark secret that keeps her from trusting . . .
Gilly Priest has worked hard to carve out her niche as a female bomber pilot in the dangerous world of firefighting. Sure she’s small, but she’s made up for her statue in courage, grit and the tenacity to face danger other pilots wouldn’t dare. And yes, she’s noticed handsome Reuben Marshall—who wouldn’t? Dependable and strong, he takes up most of the space in the room. But Gilly’s dark secrets won’t allow her close enough to talk to him, let alone let herself fall for him.

A race to rescue the people they love . . .
When their smokejumper plane goes down in the northwestern Montana mountains, wounding their team, Gilly and Reuben are the only ones capable of hiking out to find help. But when their rescue mission turns out to be a fight for their lives against the elements, a saboteur, and a forest fire, they discover they’ll have to put aside their fears and learn to trust each other. But will trust ignite something they both long for . . . and fear? And can they save their team before tragedy strikes—again?


My Review

Love, love, love this series! I read one right after the other and then re-read my favorite parts from all three again when I was done. In all the books, there are deep emotions simmering beneath the surface in the characters, brought to light by the highly dangerous circumstances they find themselves in, resulting in explosive sparks! There is a blend of vulnerability and strength that is appealing. I think we all feel flawed and vulnerable in some way, but want to believe that we will have the strength to not only persevere but succeed when trials come. I kept reliving the stories of all three books in my mind for days afterward. Highly recommend!!!

(I purchased my copies of these books; all opinions in this review are my own)


Saturday, April 8, 2017

Review: God Bless Our Baby by Hannah C. Hall, illustrated by Steve Whitlow


Heidi Reads... God Bless Our Baby by Hannah C. Hall, illustrated by Steve Whitlow

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

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

Synopsis

Have you heard the exciting news? Your family is growing bigger! A new baby is coming for you to love. What a special time!

The announcement of a new baby brother or sister means big change, and God Bless(TM) Our Baby helps little ones prepare and celebrate baby's exciting arrival. Written with the beloved rhymes of Hannah C. Hall and illustrated by artist Steve Whitlow, God Bless Our Baby follows the familiar pattern of the God Bless line. Sweet illustrations and encouraging words will show your little guy or little lady that a new baby means more love to go around, and there's a lot to look forward to! They'll get to have lots of fun with baby, be Mommy and Daddy's helper, and most of all, pray for their sweet new brother or sister!

This padded board book is the perfect addition to any growing family. It offers a great opportunity for mommies, daddies, and soon-to-be big siblings to sit down and pray for God's blessings for the new baby.


My Review

Absolutely adorable! I love how each spread focuses on an animal family and highlights in rhyme what is special and fun about a new baby, as well as how the older child can be of help and welcome them. I think it gives them something wonderful to look forward to and helps them feel special as well. The illustrations are high quality and very sweet and loving. This is a perfect book to give as a gift to a family that is expecting a new baby.

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


Friday, April 7, 2017

Blog Tour Grand Finale & Giveaway: Protecting the Single Mom by Catherine Lanigan

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Book Tour Grand Finale for
Protecting the Single Mom
By Catherine Lanigan

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops, go back and check them out...

Launch - The Dangerous Tour

Hi, and welcome to my Prism Tour for “Protecting the Single Mom”. I’ll bet you’re wondering why I chose this tour title for a Heartwarming story in little old sweet small town Indian Lake, right? Right off the bat, let me tell you that in the real world, there are a lot of dangers, but falling in love, now that’s a real risk. How many people get married for all the wrong reasons? Just check the divorce statistics. In my opinion, love is too often discarded and other “sensible choices” enter the picture. Risking your heart for a lifetime with another person? It’s not practical. It’s nonsensical and yet, we all dream of that one true love. Our soul mate. Our adored one that we will spend all of this lifetime sharing, caring and creating, sigh, a family.

Thoughts of a Blonde - Review

"We are quickly drawn in to the story of a woman on the run who thought she could finally relax and enjoy life again … only to have her maniac of an ex show back up to terrorize her. A cast of great characters, many of whom we’ve gotten to know in past books in the series, makes a solid story."

Katie's Clean Book Collection - The Dangerous Life of a Drug Task Detective

There’s not a city, town or hamlet in the United States that are not affected by illegal drug sales, drug addiction, overdoses and drug related deaths. For all the families struggling with this horror, and mine is no exception, drug addiction of a loved one can be overwhelming, frightening and yes, dangerous.

Rockin' Book Reviews - Review

"I really like this story. I like the suspense in it and thought the characters were well-developed and fun to follow. . . . It was a great story and I would recommend it to other readers."

Book Lover in Florida - Excerpt

Every protective bone in Trent’s body ached for Cate. Of all the calls, all the assignments he’d been given over the years, this one reverberated inside him like church bells on a summer morning. It didn’t take a genius to understand that his reaction was all about the woman. Not that she was defenseless, but that she’d been so strong for years. Like a stalwart angel against all odds, she’d chosen to obliterate her old life and don a new one.

Rainy Day Reviews - Review

"This was a "damsel in distress" type book where the damsel is no damsel but does need help because she is in distress. But she is trying her very best to keep things orderly and clean. This author was a new for me, but after reading this book, I really enjoyed her writing so I'll be reading more of her books! It was suspenseful, heroic, intense, and loving. What a great mix!"

Zerina Blossom's Books - Excerpt

Cate took a sip and raised an eyebrow. “This is delicious. Really good.”

“Thanks.” Trent wondered if he was blushing. He’d couldn’t remember blushing before, but suddenly his cheeks felt hot. And the heat wasn’t from the cocoa.

Hearts & Scribbles - The Dangerous Life of Being on the Run - Cate

For quite some time, I’ve been playing with the idea of Cate Sullivan not really being Cate Sullivan. I introduced her as the realtor in the very first book, LOVE SHADOWS, in this series. She was a friend to Luke Bosworth when his wife was alive and then she helped sell his house after her death. She was empathetic and related well to his children.

Harlie's Books - Review

"Oh my gosh. Stop what you are doing now and buy this book. Don’t put it on the TBR pile. Pour yourself a glass of wine, or ice tea, get comfy and spend a couple of hours in complete bliss with Trent, Cate, and Danny. You will thank me later and you’re welcome. Of course, since this is my first book in the series, I need to go and get Sophie’s and Katia’s books. Yes, this book is that good that I want to read the other books. I’m a series reader. Yes, I admit it. And even though, Ms. Lanigan does a great job of letting us know about the other characters in town, I really want to read their stories, too."

Reading Is My SuperPower - Review

"Protecting the Single Mom is Catherine Lanigan at her best! The characters are dimensional and their stories are both heartbreaking and inspiring. Bits of humor provide a break in the suspense-driven tension, and a sweet-but-sizzling romance adds its own sort of tension to the mix. Fans of the series will enjoy visiting with familiar faces (of which Mrs. Beabots continues to be my favorite and the most intriguing), but this book can easily be read as a stand alone too."

Mel's Shelves - Review

"This is the seventh book in this series and only the third one I've read. It stands well on its own. There are characters from the other books that are mentioned and it was fun to catch up with the ones I knew. I enjoyed the pacing and the blend of romance, action, danger, and character development. This is a great read for fans of clean, contemporary romantic suspense!"

Kati's Bookaholic Rambling Reviews - The Danger of Secrets - Trent

It was then that I saw first-hand this very human and male response to PTSD.

He’d tried everything to get help and he felt he had been helped. But after all these years, he was still haunted by the death of his buddies. The struggle these men and women must go through is monumental. It is not the “stuff” of books that I use just to make a story interesting. This is real life. And it is tragic.

underneath the covers - Excerpt

“About what?” She took a small step toward him. Could anyone be this beautiful? No makeup, her hair rumpled from the cap.

Trent felt as if he’d walked into a dream.

“The rowing. You were beautiful. I mean, er, it was beautiful to watch you…all…out there.”

She chuckled lightly—a tinkling sound carried on the wind.

Wishful Endings - The Danger of Risking Your Heart

The inherent risk of falling in love is why I adore romances, the ones I write and the one’s I gobble up by the dozens every month. I listen to sad, torchy “cowboy” songs about breakups and fear, and that final leap of faith that the lovers blindly make.

The Silver Dagger Scriptorium - The Danger of A Secret Life - Cate

Though Cate was newly pregnant when she hitchhiked into Indian Lake, she was befriended by Captain Redbeard and his wife, Julie, who own the Marina and the attached Marina Mini Mart.

When they asked her name, she didn’t give her real name, Susan Kramer, she said, “Cate Sullivan.” She had come up with it so naturally, and from that moment Cate began making her new life and for her, changing her name had been an important part.

Heidi Reads... - Excerpt

She put her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. If she could stay here, kissing Trent, she didn’t have to think about nightmares and a murderous ex-husband. At this moment, she lived another lie—that she was worthy of having a real love with a man like Trent.

Singing Librarian Books - Review

"Lanigan’s characters are brought to life in a way that readers can easily relate to them. Readers will also thoroughly enjoy the delightful and enjoyable family dynamic, including fantastic kid characters. This story also has plenty of suspense and romance too. Readers will not want to miss this next instalment in this engaging series. I would recommend this novel to readers that enjoy contemporary romance stories with great family dynamics, as well as mystery."

Nicole's Book Musings - The Dangerous Side of Life in a Small Town

In PROTECTING THE SINGLE MOM, Trent makes reference to some of the reasons that Indian Lake has such a drug problem. These reasons are not fiction. They are fact.

One of the most notable is that residents of small towns have a tendency to believe that drug-lords would not be interested in their “little town.” After all, there aren’t that many people who would buy the drugs, right? A city offers more of that “kind” of person/addict—they think.

Hardcover Feedback - Review

"Protecting the Single Mom was an enjoyable read, one I think fans of contemporary fiction will enjoy. This story stands on its own, so you don't have to read previous books first, but I do want to read the earlier ones someday."

Becky on Books - Interview

Welcome, Catherine! What 5 things should readers know about you?

1. I’m a voracious reader. I wish I had more hours in the day to read even more, but I DO have to write.
2. I work full time and write full time if that’s possible—meaning 40 hours at each job give or take a few hours here and there to buy groceries.
3. I iron my sheets and pillowcases. It’s mindless work and I get a ton of ideas. You think it’s the spray starch? I use lavender scented.
4. I never, ever work anymore without my essential oils diffuser going right next to my computer.
5. My son and his family and then friends come first in my life. I’ll drop everything to help. Though I may pack my laptop on any and all trips.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway below, if you haven't already...


Protecting the Single Mom
(Shores of Indian Lake #7)
Catherine Lanigan
Adult Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
April 1st 2017 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Getting involved shouldn't be this dangerous…

Cate Sullivan is no damsel in distress. She's kept herself and her son safe for six long years. Built a good life in Indian Lake. But now that her drug-dealing ex-husband is moving his operation here, that life is about to explode.

Her instincts tell her to trust Detective Trent Davis. That he's more than just a handsome cop doing his duty. The former Green Beret has even formed a fast bond with her son. But there's something he's not telling her. Some darkness that keeps him from giving in to the feelings she knows are growing between them. Cate trusts Trent to keep her safe, but the real question is whether he'll trust himself with her heart.

GoodreadsAmazonBarnes & NobleHarlequin

Advanced Review for Protecting the Single Mom

This is an exceptional romantic fiction novel that inspires women to achieve their dreams and warms the hearts of the romantics. It is a beautifully well-written story with a clean context. It is suitable for anybody who loves a good romance and yearns to be inspired to make a change in their circumstances. - Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite

Other Books in the Series


About the Author

Catherine Lanigan is the international bestselling and award-winning author of forty published titles in both fiction and non-fiction, including the novelizations of Romancing the Stone and The Jewel of the Nile, as well as over half a dozen anthologies, including “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living your Dream”, “Chicken Soup for the Writer’s Soul”, and more. Ms. Lanigan’s novels have been translated into dozens of languages including German, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Chinese, and Japanese. Ms. Lanigan’s novels are also available in E-books on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com, Apple Store, Mobi and Kobo. Several of her titles have been chosen for The Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Clubs. Her Vietnam war-based novel, The Christmas Star, won the Gold Medal Award Top Pick from Romantic Times Magazine and has also won Book of the Year Romance Gold Award from ForeWord Magazine as well as Book of the Year Romance from Reader’s Preference.

Lanigan is the author of a trilogy of non- fiction books regarding angelic intervention in human life: Angel Watch, Divine Nudges and Angel Tales published by HCI and Cedar Fort. Skyhorse published Lanigan’s “how-to” book on writing: Writing the Great American Romance Novel. Lanigan was tasked by the NotMYkid Foundation to write a non-fiction book addressing teen addictions. Ms. Lanigan’s first Young Adult adventure novel, The Adventures of Lillie and Zane: The Golden Flute, was published by Cedar Fort.

Currently, she has published seven novels in the Shores of Indian Lake series for Harlequin Heartwarming: Love Shadows, Heart’s Desire, A Fine Year for Love, Katia’s Promise, Fear of Falling and Sophie’s Path. Protecting the Single Mom pubs April, 2016. She has recently contracted for two more in the series: Wedding for Isabelle and A Bride for Mica.

As a cancer survivor, Ms. Lanigan is a frequent speaker at literary functions and book conventions as well as inspiring audiences with her real stories of angelic intervention from her Angel Tales series of books. She is an outspoken advocate for domestic violence and abuse and was honored by The National Domestic Violence Hotline in Washington, D.C. (THE EVOLVING WOMAN). She has been a guest on numerous radio programs including “Coast to Coast” and on television interview and talk show programs as well as blogs, podcasts and online radio interview programs.

Tour Giveaway

- 1 winner will receive a $50 Amazon eGift Card (open internationally)
- 1 winner will receive a tote bag and three Shores of Indian Lake books: Katia's Promise, Fear of Falling and Sophie's Path (US only)
- Ends April 11th

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Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Review: With This Promise by Debra Clopton


Heidi Reads... With This Promise by Debra Clopton

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

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

Synopsis

School teacher Lana Presley has sworn off cowboys. Which should work fine since she’s relocated from Texas and is happily adjusting to her new life in Windswept Bay. After a bad breakup-that involved her using her cheating ex as target practice for hurling chocolate covered cherries at…she’s happy to be single. And happy not to have her protective brothers and dad meddling in her business. Settling down on the coast permanently, miles away from Texas, is looking perfect.

Then the drop-dead gorgeous cowboy, Cam Sinclair, comes to her rescue…several times and sets all of her carefully made plans into chaos.

Rancher Cam Sinclair is just in town for a few days on business then heading home to his ranch in Texas. He’s got finding the right woman and settling down on his mind. And from the moment he meets spitfire Lana Presley she has his attention. But she’s made it clear that Texas and cowboys are not in her plans for the future. Can a road trip and Cam...and love change her mind?

My Review

This is a light contemporary romance set on the Florida coast. It was interesting that the main characters were a cowboy living in Texas and a cowgirl escaping Texas. Lana and Cam have an instant attraction, and their banter was fun. The dialogue overall was a bit stilted at times- the use of more contractions would have made it flow more naturally I think. There was a lot of telling instead of showing so I didn't feel a connection to the characters which I missed. I didn't feel like the emotions had much depth, everything was kind of surface level. Overall a cute story but I was left wishing for more character development.

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


Can't Wait Wednesday: Love's Winter Hope by Naomi Rawlings



I'm looking forward to reading Love's Winter Hope by Naomi Rawlings later this month! The Eagle Harbor series is a historical series I've thoroughly enjoyed, the author writes with emotion and her characters are always strong and persevere in harsh circumstances. They can each be read on their own, although characters from previous books often play important roles. Love's Winter Hope releases April 24th, so this is one we don't have to wait long for ;)

http://amzn.to/2nXPF9t

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

Synopsis

Journey back to a time when neighbors knew each other's names, and a handshake meant a person's honor. The bestselling Eagle Harbor Series continues with Book 5, Love’s Winter Hope.

When Jessalyn Dowrick’s husband left her and their three daughters to head west five years earlier, she had no choice but to pick up the pieces of her broken life and continue without him, eventually supporting herself as Eagle Harbor’s seamstress, and secretly hoping her husband would return. But days soon slipped into months, and months into years, all without word of Thomas or a cent of the money he’d promised to send.

While working day and night to build a new life that his wife would be proud of, Thomas wrote Jessalyn every week, asking her to come to South Dakota. But she never arrived. In fact, she never answered a single one of his letters. When he returns to Eagle Harbor in search of answers, he finds a woman who thought him dead . . . and soon regrets he didn’t come after her earlier.

As winter closes in and storms trap Thomas in town until the harbor opens in the spring, will he be able to convince his wife he’s worth a second chance?





Spotlight, Excerpt & Giveaway: Protecting the Single Mom by Catherine Lanigan


On Tour with Prism Book Tours.


Protecting the Single Mom
(Shores of Indian Lake #7)
Catherine Lanigan
Adult Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
April 1st 2017 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Getting involved shouldn't be this dangerous…

Cate Sullivan is no damsel in distress. She's kept herself and her son safe for six long years. Built a good life in Indian Lake. But now that her drug-dealing ex-husband is moving his operation here, that life is about to explode.

Her instincts tell her to trust Detective Trent Davis. That he's more than just a handsome cop doing his duty. The former Green Beret has even formed a fast bond with her son. But there's something he's not telling her. Some darkness that keeps him from giving in to the feelings she knows are growing between them. Cate trusts Trent to keep her safe, but the real question is whether he'll trust himself with her heart.

GoodreadsAmazonBarnes & NobleHarlequin

Advanced Review for Protecting the Single Mom

This is an exceptional romantic fiction novel that inspires women to achieve their dreams and warms the hearts of the romantics. It is a beautifully well-written story with a clean context. It is suitable for anybody who loves a good romance and yearns to be inspired to make a change in their circumstances. - Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite


EXCERPT
They walked up the drive to the back steps, which led to the private entrance for the second-story apartment. Trent stopped Cate at the bottom of the steps. “I want to tell you that I think you’re very brave for doing this. You could have bolted like you did before.”
“I thought about it.”
“I’m sure you did,” he said, touching her cheek. “Why didn’t you?”
“Because this is my home. I’ve put down roots, and I don’t want to see anything happen here if I can prevent it. Maybe we wouldn’t be in this position if I’d turned Brad in years ago. This time I’m standing up to him. If you and the police need me to rout him out, then I’m willing to do it as long as Danny is never in danger.”
“I swear I’ll do everything—”
She put her fingers over his soft, full lips. Ones she wanted to kiss. “Don’t promise. Nobody knows what’s going to happen. Brad is a cancer in this world. He needs to be surgically removed. I know that now.”
Trent kissed her palm. “Like I said, you’re a very brave woman.”
“I’m not that brave,” she whispered. “Because right now I’m terrified to be standing in the dark with you.”
“I thought so,” he replied, and kissed her. It was a kiss like none other. Compelling, thrilling and comforting all at once. She felt heady, as though she’d had a glass of champagne. He drew her close to that iron-hard chest of his that told her she needn’t worry ever again. Trent could take care of her. But it was the feel of his tender lips against hers that caused shivers to race down her spine.
She put her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. If she could stay here, kissing Trent, she didn’t have to think about nightmares and a murderous ex-husband. At this moment, she lived another lie—that she was worthy of having a real love with a man like Trent.
Other Books in the Series

  
  Sophie's Path

About the Author

Catherine Lanigan is the international bestselling and award-winning author of forty published titles in both fiction and non-fiction, including the novelizations of Romancing the Stone and The Jewel of the Nile, as well as over half a dozen anthologies, including “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living your Dream”, “Chicken Soup for the Writer’s Soul”, and more. Ms. Lanigan’s novels have been translated into dozens of languages including German, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Chinese, and Japanese. Ms. Lanigan’s novels are also available in E-books on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com, Apple Store, Mobi and Kobo. Several of her titles have been chosen for The Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Clubs. Her Vietnam war-based novel, The Christmas Star, won the Gold Medal Award Top Pick from Romantic Times Magazine and has also won Book of the Year Romance Gold Award from ForeWord Magazine as well as Book of the Year Romance from Reader’s Preference.

Lanigan is the author of a trilogy of non- fiction books regarding angelic intervention in human life: Angel Watch, Divine Nudges and Angel Tales published by HCI and Cedar Fort. Skyhorse published Lanigan’s “how-to” book on writing: Writing the Great American Romance Novel. Lanigan was tasked by the NotMYkid Foundation to write a non-fiction book addressing teen addictions. Ms. Lanigan’s first Young Adult adventure novel, The Adventures of Lillie and Zane: The Golden Flute, was published by Cedar Fort.

Currently, she has published seven novels in the Shores of Indian Lake series for Harlequin Heartwarming: Love Shadows, Heart’s Desire, A Fine Year for Love, Katia’s Promise, Fear of Falling and Sophie’s Path. Protecting the Single Mom pubs April, 2016. She has recently contracted for two more in the series: Wedding for Isabelle and A Bride for Mica.

As a cancer survivor, Ms. Lanigan is a frequent speaker at literary functions and book conventions as well as inspiring audiences with her real stories of angelic intervention from her Angel Tales series of books. She is an outspoken advocate for domestic violence and abuse and was honored by The National Domestic Violence Hotline in Washington, D.C. (THE EVOLVING WOMAN). She has been a guest on numerous radio programs including “Coast to Coast” and on television interview and talk show programs as well as blogs, podcasts and online radio interview programs.

Tour Giveaway

- 1 winner will receive a $50 Amazon eGift Card (open internationally)
- 1 winner will receive a tote bag and three Shores of Indian Lake books: Katia's Promise, Fear of Falling and Sophie's Path (US only)
- Ends April 11th

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Grab Our Button!





Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Review: The Vicar's Daughter by Josi S. Kilpack



Heidi Reads... The Vicar's Daughter by Josi S. Kilpack

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

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

Synopsis

Cassie, the youngest of six daughters in the Wilton family, is bold, bright, and ready to enter society. There's only one problem: her older sister Lenora, whose extreme shyness prevents her from attending many social events. Lenora is now entering her third season, and since their father has decreed that only one Wilton girl can be out at a time, Cassie has no choice except to wait her turn.

Evan Glenside, a soft-spoken, East London clerk, has just been named his great-uncle's heir and, though he is eager to learn all that will be required of him, he struggles to feel accepted in a new town and in his new position.

A chance meeting between Evan and Lenora promises to change everything, but when Lenora proves too shy to pursue the relationship, Cassie begins to write Mr. Glenside letters in the name of her sister. Her good intentions lead to disaster when Cassie realizes she is falling in love with Evan. But then Evan begins to court Lenora, thinking she is the author of the letters.

As secrets are revealed, the hearts of Cassie, Evan, and Lenora are tested. Will the final letter sent by the vicar's daughter be able to reunite the sisters as well as unite Evan with his true love?


My Review

I loved the Regency countryside setting, with the vicar's family at the center of the story along with the newcomer heir to one of the largest estates in the neighborhood. There is a strong focus on the complex dynamics of family relationships which I enjoyed. I loved seeing the generosity Evan's uncle has for him, especially since in most stories the distant heir is reviled or seen as undeserving. Evan's genuine compassion for his uncle's sorrow creates a balance in their relationship where they are each benefiting from the other's support. In fact, that is what I liked most about Evan, his genuine nature, and that is what I think he found attractive in Cassie. Her manipulation of Evan and Lenora is not well thought out, and the deeper she gets, the more complicated the situation becomes. I initially found it hard to have sympathy for her, but the author is skilled at writing flawed characters and then bringing about a deep redemption, so when Cassie was enduring her period of penitence and self-reflection I felt for her anguish and admired her determination to make things right with those suffering from the consequences of her impulsive decisions. The cast of characters was so vivid and really came to life in my head as I read the book. I absolutely loved the resolution and it made up for some of the more depressing parts when I got my happy ending ;)

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