Monday, September 14, 2015

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


The Hesitant Heiress by Dawn Crandall

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!

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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: Simply Anna by Jennifer Moore


Heidi Reads... Simply Anna by Jennifer Moore

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

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Synopsis

Suffering from a cruel heartbreak, Lord Philip Hamilton has been driven to seek refuge from the painful memories haunting London, and his father’s Jamaican sugar cane plantation provides just the escape he needs. Philip finds solace in his hard work and takes comfort in the fact that his distance from society ensures that his heart will be protected from future entanglements. Protected, that is, until the unexpected appearance of a mysterious woman with no memory of her past. The only clue to her identity is a necklace inscribed with a name: Anna. In a matter of weeks, this gentle, intelligent, and impossibly beautiful stranger turns Philip’s world upside down. But as the bond between the pair grows, the threat of Philip losing his heart once more is only the beginning of the dangers that await. Island renegades and a ruthless band of pirates clash in a swashbuckling battle, and it soon becomes clear that these villains may be the key to unlocking Anna’s past...

My Review

A little slow to start but what an adventure! I was glad that the story began with a bit about Anna from before she lost her memory so I felt like I knew her even though she didn't know herself. The author did a wonderful job of revealing further attributes of her character through the situations and difficulties she faced on Jamaica. Phillip did not make a good first impression on me but he also had some refining experiences at the plantation which made the strength and goodness of his personality shine. The setting is one that is unique in my reading experience and I felt that I learned some history of the time, how plantations were run, the sad reality of slave labor and the perceptions held by society in Jamaica during the period. There are several friends that Anna and Phillip make which give great dimension to the story. Ezekiel, the young black boy who serves in the household is my favorite, he is just one to make you smile :) The danger and action that takes place in the latter part of the novel is well placed and makes the ending an exciting one. The romance between Phillip and Anna lacked tension but was sweet, especially as they came to rely on each other. I especially enjoyed when Phillip would surprise Anna by asking her opinion on a weighty matter and value the perspective she offered.

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Tackle Your TBR Read-a-thon

http://www.wishfulendings.com/2015/09/tackletbr-goals.html


I am excited to participate in the Tackle Your TBR Read-a-thon hosted by Tressa from Wishful Endings! My goal is to read and review the following books:










Thursday, September 10, 2015

Review: Her Cowboy Hero by Carolyne Aarsen


 Heidi Reads... Her Cowboy Hero by Carolyne Aarsen

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

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Synopsis

Montana rodeo star Tanner Fortier is a good man. A man Keira Bannister never stopped loving. But when he shows up at Refuge Ranch looking to have his late brother's saddle repaired in time for the championships, he's the last person Keira wants to see. For years, she's kept hidden the real reason for breaking their engagement—and Tanner's heart. But now, with him at the ranch, she's tempted to reveal the truth—one that could destroy him. But she knows that to have a future with the man of her dreams, she has to settle the past…

My Review

There is plenty of emotion in this story of reconnection and reconciliation. I was frustrated for Tanner that he never had closure after Keira broke up with him. She is obviously struggling to forget issues of the past and her vulnerability is apparent to Tanner. The way they slowly warm up to each other is realistic-it doesn't happen overnight which enhances the tension. I enjoyed their banter once they fell back into a comfortable rapport and they become sweet to each other. The reveal of Kiera's devastating secret throws everyone and creates new decisions to be made. There is definitely more than meets the eye to this story and I couldn't put it down until I finished it :)

(Thank you to Harlequin and Love Inspired Books for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)