Love is Come (Book #5 in the Power of the Matchmaker Series) By: Heather B. Moore-Review and Giveaway

Product Details:

Title: Love is Come

Series: Power of the Matchmaker

Author: Heather B. Moore

Publisher: Mirror Press
(April 1, 2016)
ISBN-10: 1941145671
FTC, FYI: I received a review e-copy in exchange for an honest review. 

















Book Details:

“I have to remind myself to breathe—almost to remind my heart to beat.” —Wuthering Heights

From the Power of the Matchmaker series:

Nelle Thompson lives a life of privilege during the turn of the century New York City. When her parents are killed in a terrible accident, she’s forced to live with her aunt’s family in a small town in Connecticut, and treated as a poor relation with no financial independence. Brokenhearted and riddled with insomnia, Nelle’s health begins a downward spiral. When a locked part of her heart blossoms around her cousin’s fiancé Mathew Janson, Nelle doesn’t know if she can endure one more heartbreak. Miss Pearl, owner of the local apothecary shop, becomes a mother figure to Nelle, but a fateful summer day has Nelle questioning everything she’s ever believed and wondering if she’ll ever love again.


 ***This book is part of a multi-author project that features one recurring character--the match maker--but it is a STAND-ALONE novel.*** 

Purchase on: Amazon  * iBooks * Nook * Kobo

My Review: 

 Love is Come is the fifth book in the Power of the Matchmaker Series. This was the first book in the series to be in a historical setting, except for the novella that started it all. Love is Come is written by one of my favorite authors, Heather B. Moore. She always writes stories with wonderful plots and amazing characters. I was pleased once again to read a winning book by her. 

Main character Nelle is  endearing from the get go. Even though she comes from a wealthy, privileged family, she is kind, sweet and good. When the worst tragedy happens to her with her parents deaths she keeps a stiff upper lip and endures things well.Having to go live with an aunt who seems to dislike her and a cousin who is somewhat of a snob, makes things difficult for Nelle.

Soon Nelle meets two people, one she knew years ago and a new friend from town. She renews her acquaintance with Mathew Janson, who unfortunately is the soon to be finance' of her cousin. As they spend more time together they both soon realize there is something there romantically, but they both try to dismiss their feelings. Honestly I felt for both of them being stuck in this awkward situation, but still, little by little falling hopelessly in love with each other.

The second person she met in town was non other than our friend from the other books, Pearl, the Chinese Matchmaker that we've met before in the other books from this series. Pearl's wisdom, kindness, and compassion help Nelle through the loss of her parents, her current living situation with her aunt and giving her the courage to explore her feelings for Mathew. 

The story played out much as I had hoped and has an expected happy ending. I loved reading about Nelle's journey in finding love. Despite the sadness in Nelle's life, there are so many things that finally bring happiness back to her. This emotion filled book is a wonderful read and one of the best romances I've read so far in 2016. This book can be read alone or in order as part of the series, but I highly recommend that you read it! 



                              Purchase Love is Come HERE

*****Enter here at Goodreads to win one of ten available copies.  Giveaway ends July 28th!****

Meet Author: Heather B. Moore 

Heather B. Moore is a USA Today bestselling author of more than a dozen historical novels and thrillers, written under pen name H.B. Moore. She writes women's fiction, romance and inspirational non-fiction under Heather B. Moore. This can all be confusing, so her kids just call her Mom. Heather attended Cairo American College in Egypt, the Anglican School of Jerusalem in Israel, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University in Utah.

Please join Heather's email list at: 
http://hbmoore.com/contact/
Blog: http://mywriterslair.blogspot.com
Website: www.hbmoore.com
Twitter: @heatherbmoore
Facebook: Fans of H.B. Moore

Literary awards: 5-time Best of State Recipient for Best in Literary Arts, 3-time Whitney Award Winner, and 2-time Golden Quill Award Winner

Courting Cassandry by Joyce DiPastena-Book Review and Excerpt

Product Description:

• Title: Courting Cassandry
• Author: Joyce DiPastena
• File Size: 1436 KB
• Print Length: 348 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Sable Tyger Books (February 17, 2016)
• Publication Date: February 17, 2016
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
• Language: English
• ASIN: B01AU2TK6W
• FTC, FYI: I received a review e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Description:

Is it too late for second chances when the girl you loved in your youth comes back into your life?

Gerolt de Warenne became guardian to a child-heiress named Cassandry when he was only nineteen-years old. As he watched her grow into a lovely young woman, he found himself falling in love with her, but Cassandry viewed him as an older brother. So, burying his feelings, he gave permission for her to marry another.

Twenty-four years later Gerolt and Cassandry meet again. With the loss of their respective spouses, Gerolt hopes to finally court Cassandry, but she desires to remain a widow. Instead, they agree to a betrothal of their children.
Matters become complicated as their friendship begins to evolve into the romance Gerolt has always wanted. But by the law of the medieval Church, Cassandry and Gerolt can’t marry if their children do. Can they find a way to be together? Or must they sacrifice their future for the love of their children?

“Courting Cassandry” is a “Hearts in Autumn” romance, medieval romances revolving around heroes and heroines “in the autumn of their years.” Because love isn’t only for the young!

Excerpt from: Courting Cassandry

            “You wish me to marry one of your knights?” She rose so swiftly she knocked over the embroidery basket next to her chair. Her laced hands began to wring one another. “My lord, I beg you, I am quite content as a widow. Do not—Of course, if you command me I must obey . . . but I pray you will not—”

            “Command you? When did I ever command you to do anything, Cassandry? And when did you cease to call me Gerolt?”

            She bit her lower lip before she replied. “When I became wife to your vassal, Sir Antony. Things are not what they were between us, my lord. They can never be so again. Too much time has passed. We both know that. I am your devoted servant.” She curtsied, her hands still moving with distress against her tawny gown. “And I must do as you . . . request. But I have no desire to marry again.”

            Disappointment pierced his chest. He stepped forward, ignoring the sudden urge to move within arm’s reach of her. Even as she stood rejecting him, he still felt the charge of desire for her.

            “None, Cassandry?”

            She did not look away this time but gazed with so much earnestness into his eyes that the hopeful fluttering in his stomach turned to a leaden ball.

            “I should not change my mind if you asked me to wed yourself. I am too old to be a wife again, my lord. This knight of whom you speak—no, please do not tell me his name—I wish to remember all of them fondly, without awkwardness should we meet. Whomever he is, he deserves a younger, merrier woman than I.”

            ’Twas the first time he observed it, the loss of merriment in her eyes. She had been so bright and cheerful at Lyonstoke, her spirit so warm, her nature so sweet and trusting. But she’d had a joyful future waiting to embrace her then. He supposed a woman who had loved as fervently as she had would be a woman who would mourn the loss of that love to her final days.

            He resolutely clamped down his hurt, as he had the day he had given her hand to Antony. 


My Review:
Courting Cassandry is another wonderful addition to the "Hearts in Autumn" medieval romance series. Joyce describes it this way, 
- "Hearts in Autumn” romance series, medieval romances revolving around heroes and heroines “in the autumn of their years.” Because you’re never too old to fall in love!” 

I have truly loved reading a romance where the main characters are between the ages of 40-50+! There is something about more mature characters that bring their life stories into play as they contemplate a new romance in their life. Cassandry and Gerolt's story is one of true heartache. It is one of lost-love, unhappy marriages, longing for the love that wasn't within in their reach twenty years before, but it is now that they are given a second chance if only...

Yes, it's that, "If only..." that is the main plot in the story. Neither one of the main characters comes right out and say how they feel at first so there is a lot of beating around the bush about how they're feeling and expressing themselves to each other. Cassandry and Gerolt decide to have their teens become betrothed to one another, but both Egelina, Cassandry's daughter and Rauffe, Gerolt's son, aren't liking their parents plans. Then you throw in old grudges with other characters, jealousies, blackmail and other nefarious things and you have more than a romance here. There is enough mystery, suspense and other dark things going on that you are not sure who will make it out alive, happy and/or sane. 

The dialogue is so beautiful with the language from this time period. Joyce's writing brings the beauty and mystic of medieval England alive in her books. You are always assured of a clean read and know that you will have a good story with an intriguing plot line when you read a book by Joyce DiPastena. If you are looking for something unique and different from the "normal" romance out there, you need to pick up Courting Cassandry or any of Joyce's books. She knows this time period so well and she knows how to write a satisfying book for romance readers.

***This book is for teens and adults. There is some kissing, no sex, and little violence, except for a mild knife attack.*** 

Purchase at these Locations:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

iBooks

Kobo

Meet Author: Joyce DiPastena

Joyce DiPastena dreamed of green medieval forests while growing up in the
dusty copper mining town of Kearny, Arizona. She filled her medieval hunger by
reading the books of Thomas B. Costain (where she fell in love with King Henry II
of England), and later by attending the University of Arizona where she
graduated with a degree in history, specializing in the Middle Ages. The
university was also where she completed her first full-length novel…set, of
course, in medieval England. Later, her fascination with Henry II led her to
expand her research horizons to the far reaches of his “Angevin Empire” in
France, which became the setting of her first published novel, Loyalty’s Web (a
2007 Whitney Award Finalist).
When she’s not writing, Joyce loves to read, play the piano, and spend time
with her sister and friends. A highlight of her year is attending the annual
Arizona Renaissance Festival. She lives with her two cats, Clio and Glinka
Rimsky-Korsokov, in Mesa, Arizona.

Website: www.joyce-dipastena.com  Blog: http://jdp-news.blogspot.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJoyceDiPastena Twitter:
https://twitter.com/JoyceDiPastena

The Mannequin: A Victorian Romance by S.G. Rogers- Review

Product Details:

• Title: The Mannequin: A Victorian Romance
• Author: S.G. Rogers
• File Size: 1128 KB
• Print Length: 219 pages
• Publisher: Idunn Court Publishing (September 3, 2015)
• Publication Date: September 3, 2015
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B013F08MP6
• FTC, FYI: I received a review e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

 
Book Description:
 Aubrey Whittingham lost everything when his family drowned in a ferryboat accident, including the will to live. His neighbor Rosamund tries desperately to bring him back from the brink of despair, but the beastly young duke fights her every step of the way. His feelings for her deepen, and when she departs for London, he vows to regain his health and woo her properly. Unfortunately, she disappears before he has the chance.

Rosamund is admired and praised as a mannequin for an exclusive London modiste, but her life is empty without the man to whom she gave her heart. Now, just when happiness seems within her grasp, jealous rivals conspire to ruin her dreams.

Can a beastly duke and a beautiful mannequin ever achieve a fairytale ending?


Excerpt:
“The best physicians in London can’t find anything wrong with him physically, but his emotional state is extraordinarily precarious,” the vicar said. “He recently lost his entire family in a ferryboat accident, and he’s become dangerously withdrawn. He won’t speak, barely eats, and takes no pleasure in anything. He’s wasting away, and his grandmother is worried he’ll die. I called on him myself and found him quite unresponsive. I’m not sure he can be reached, if truth be told.”

“Why, of course I’ll visit the lad, but I’ve no experience with this sort of thing.”

“He’s actually a young man of twenty-two, and here is the sticking point; if you accept this position, you can say nothing about his condition whatsoever, to anyone. Discretion is critical, and secrecy paramount. If anyone inquires, you may tell your family and friends only that you’ve accepted a position as companion to the grandmother. Do you think you can do that?”

She gulped. “Yes.”

“Considering who you are, Miss Ashfield, I believe you’re uniquely qualified to take on this challenge.”

“I’ll try my best to justify your faith in me, Mr. Preston.”

The vicar gave her a piercing look. “I give you one piece of advice. Wounded animals are often injurious toward the people who try to rescue them.”

Her eyes widened. “Should I be concerned for my safety?”

“Only here.” He tapped the center of his chest, over his heart. “Stay true to yourself, and all will be well.”

Although she didn’t completely understand the vicar, her curiosity was aroused at the deepest level, and a fountainhead of compassion was unleashed.
“I’ll attempt to help this poor man in any way I can.” She gave Mr. Preston a crooked grin. “You knew I wouldn’t be able to resist, didn’t you?”

“I had an inkling you might be easily persuaded. At two o’clock tomorrow afternoon, report to Arbor Lodge. You’ll keep the same schedule, six days a week, excepting Sundays, of course.”

“Arbor Lodge?” Rosamund’s eyebrows lifted. “Why, that’s…” she trailed off.

“Yes, it is. Now you understand the need for secrecy. If anyone in society guesses that the Duke of Swanhaven has lost his mind, the family name will be forevermore ruined.”

My Review:
  The Mannequin: A Victorian Romance by S.G. Rogers is one of those books that so easily sweeps you into the story that you have a hard time leaving. I easily fell in love with the main character, Rosamund. This humble and genteel girl, orphaned and mistreated by her aunt and cousins of The Gribbles family, is very likable. You start cheering her on from the start. It has a very Cinderella feel to it as she is treated as one of the servants by her own kin.

When the Gribbles leave for a season in London, Rosamund is left to find work and left all alone. The vicar finds her a job with a Duchess, whose grandson, Aubrey is living in a lonely, miserable and silent world. His parents and younger sister were killed in a ferry accident and he was the only survivor in his family. The Duchess hires Rosamund to come and keep the Duke of Swanhaven company and try and draw him out of his "shell". The chemistry between Rosamund and Aubrey is apparent from the start. She brings him back to life and Aubrey is somewhat of a beast in his behavior. Soon they can't deny their attraction to one another. 

This is only the beginning of the story as side stories of family betrayal, feuds and ultimate triumph in love keep this novel continually moving. Rosamund is such a strong character who despite the constant verbal bashing from her cousins and outright bad luck that seems to follow her, she keeps a stiff upper lip. I also loved to see the full turnaround of Aubrey when he realizes who he wants and won't let anything stop him. The side characters of Aubrey's grandmother The Duchess, Rosamund's cousin Vivian, her dear friend Joe, and the dashing Lord Henley are all such strong characters that contribute much to the novel's appeal.

This wonderful romance was a pure delight to read! With such a great story and colorful characters laced throughout, The Mannequin will become a favorite of Historical romance readers.

Meet Author S.G. Rogers: 

Author S.G. Rogers, also known as Suzanne G. Rogers, lives with her husband and son in romantic Savannah, Georgia, on an island populated by deer, exotic birds, and the occasional gator. She's owned by two Sphynx cats, Houdini and Nikita. Movies, books, and writing sweet young adult fiction are her passions. Check out her blog at http://sgrogers.wordpress.com/

Loving Lucianna: A Hearts in Autumn Romance by Joyce DiPastena-Review

Product Details:

Book Title: Loving Lucianna: A Hearts in Autumn Romance  

Author: Joyce DiPastena
Category: Adult fiction, 223 pages
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Sable Tyger Books
Published: October 11, 2014
ASIN: B00NG8NWGW

FTC, FYI:  I received a review e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

 

 

About the Book:

Sir Balduin de Soler gave up long ago on love. He never had the means to support a wife until an unexpected advancement in his fifties allows him to reassess his future just as the lovely Lucianna enters his life.

Lucianna Fabio harbors a secret, painful memory from her past that has kept her unwed, as well. Now in her forties, she thought herself too old to marry until she meets Sir Balduin. Now suddenly their lonely autumn lives feel very much like spring again . . . until Lucianna’s brother appears without warning and threatens to revive the secret that will destroy Lucianna’s second chance at love.  

Loving Lucianna is the first in Joyce DiPastena’s new "Hearts in Autumn" romance series, medieval romances revolving around heroes and heroines “in the autumn of their years.” Because you’re never too old to fall in love!

 

Excerpt:

Lucianna gazed down at the three silver needles bedded against the red silk lining of the tiny but beautifully carved casket that held them, and nearly burst into tears. In the house of Siri’s first husband, a wealthy Venetian merchant, she had usually embroidered with needles of iron or bronze. These must have been shockingly expensive. Even with his prominent position in Triston’s household, the pins must have cost months of Sir Balduin’s pay. He still looked a little pale as he waited for her response, as though he had not quite recovered from the massive loss of his coins, but he also looked touchingly hopeful that they would please her.

Please her? No man had ever given her a finer gift. These would make her threads slide through cloth like butter.

Her lips trembled to thank him in the sweetest way for a couple in love, with a kiss that forgave everything in the past and promised only bliss in their future. But even as her feet quivered to carry her into Sir Balduin’s arms, Serafino spoke from where he gazed at the gift over her shoulder.

“There, you see, cara? You have been cross for no good reason. Today Sir Balduin lavishes silver needles on you. Tomorrow it will be gold threads for your embroidery and silk gowns for you to wear and black pepper at every meal, imported all the way from Venice.”

Lucianna shrank at her brother’s words. They were only a reminder of the poison he would pour into her marriage if she allowed the needles to melt her heart, as she had the sweet posy of flowers Sir Balduin had brought her after she had rebuked him for missing dinner.

She snapped the pretty little casket shut. “All I see is a man who expects me to sew my fingers to the bone for him. Shirts, hats—no doubt he will even want embroidery on his shoes!” She shoved the casket back into Sir Balduin’s hands. “No. I will not live my life as a drudge, just to wipe away the shame of never being a wife. Take him away, Serafino, out of my sight!”

She tried to slam the door of her bedchamber, but Serafino, who had stepped into the corridor outside to view the needles, stuck his foot on the threshold and blocked it from closing.

“Signore,” he said with a reassuring smile at Sir Balduin, “you must not heed her. I’m afraid I carelessly reminded her this morning that she is no spring maid as I sought to laud her good fortune in winning the favor of so generous a knight as yourself, but she took my remarks quite amiss. See, Lucianna, how I was right to praise him, though. You will lack for no luxury as his wife, while all he asks in return is to show off a bit of your fine embroidery to his friends. Be reasonable, cara.”

Lucianna determined to be anything but. If nagging and scolding and peevish rebukes had failed to break Sir Balduin’s affection for her, then she must leave him in no doubt that his “insulting gift” had broken hers.

 

My Review

It's always a treat to run away from my troubles and escape in a lovely romance written by Joyce DiPastena. It makes the journey even better when you can revisit characters that you loved from Joyce's other books. 

 

Readers first met Lucianna in Illuminations Of The Heart as she was a minor character in Siri and Triston's love story. Lucianna always intrigued me as I wondered why she acted the way she did. You knew that she had to have had a hard and painful past. This difficult past is the mystery that comes storming out in the middle of Loving Lucianna. The book starts with the serene picture of an "Autumn Romance" between Lucianna in her forties and Sir Balduin in his early fifties. As someone who fits into that age bracket, it was refreshing to read about a romance between people not in their teens or twenties. Of course it couldn't stay perfect and wonderful too long because soon, Lucianna's past comes to haunt her once again. Her older,half-brother Serifino, shows up to cause trouble and continue his blackmail of his sister. Serifino is a well- written fiend that readers will love to hate. Readers will be incensed as they "watch" Serifino manipulate every situation and person within his reach. 

I'll not be giving away any more details now, but there will be many misunderstandings, deceptions and some very humorous scenes before this story plays itself out, leading to some sigh-worthy moments. Loving Lucianna is a must read for all of Joyce's fan's and those wanting to read a clean medieval romance. I'm very excited to read more books in the "Hearts in Autumn Romance" series.

Buy Loving Lucianna now in ebook format from these booksellers:

Amazon Paperback and Kindle
Barnes and Noble Nook
iTunes (iBook)
Kobo
Smashwords

Praise for Joyce DiPastena's Books:

“Illuminations of the Heart was truly superb. I was hooked by the first line, and in love with the hero by the third page.”
  — Donna Hatch, Author of The Stranger She Married

"Loyalty's Web took me on a journey into the twelfth century that I will not soon forget. A tale of intrigue, manipulation, lust and conflict, this book was exquisitely written and showed how love can defy any evil that comes against it."   
  --You Gotta Read Reviews

“Every story I read, written by Joyce DiPastena, makes me fall in love with this time period more and more. Medieval France is brought to life again, in this story about the fair maiden, Mathilde, and her handsome knight, Etienne.”
  — Sheila Staley, LDS Women’s Book Reviews

Meet the author: 

Joyce DiPastena dreamed of green medieval forests while growing up in the dusty copper mining town of Kearny, Arizona. She filled her medieval hunger by reading the books of Thomas B. Costain (where she fell in love with King Henry II of England), and later by attending the University of Arizona where she graduated with a degree in history, specializing in the Middle Ages. The university was also where she completed her first full-length novel…set, of course, in medieval England. Later, her fascination with Henry II led her to expand her research horizons to the far reaches of his “Angevin Empire” in France, which became the setting of her first published novel, Loyalty’s Web (a 2007 Whitney Award Finalist).

Joyce is a multi-published, multi-award winning author who specializes in sweet medieval romances heavily spiced with mystery and adventure. She lives with her two cats, Clio and Glinka Rimsky-Korsokov, in Mesa, Arizona.

Connect with Joyce:  Website  ~  Facebook  ~  Twitter

A Timeless Romance Anthology: European Collection-Review

Product Details

• Title: A Timeless Romance Anthology: European Collection
  
• Authors:  Annette Lyon, G.G. Vandagriff, Michele Paige Holmes, Sarah M. Eden, Heather B. Moore, Nancy Campbell Allen 
• File Size: 1326 KB
• Print Length: 283 pages
• Publisher: Mirror Press (October 30, 2013)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00GAB1IVS

 Book/Story Descriptions
  In War of Hearts, Annette Lyon’s exciting novella, Anna, a journalist, is desperate to escape the magazine where Pete, her now-former boyfriend, also works. Heartbroken and still in love with him, Anna snags an assignment to cover the Winter War in Finland. She arrives at a snowy Finnish battlefront only to discover that Pete is already there—as her photographer. She’s determined to be professional about the situation until a battle breaks out in camp, putting her and Pete in harm’s way and putting their love to the test.
 
In G.G. Vandagriff’s enchanting novella, The Earl of Oaksey Takes a Wife, Melissa Burroughs is the new Countess of Oaksey. Her whirlwind romance and subsequent elopement was worth every divine moment, even if her parents did disapprove. When Melissa learns about her new husband’s apparently empty pockets, she wonders if the intimacy they’ve shared is only the ruse of a fortune-hunter. Melissa is devastated and determines to live a separate life from her new husband. But the Earl has other plans, which do not include staying away from his wife.
 
In Michele Paige Holmes’ charming story, Gift of Love, Ethan Mooreleigh knows he’ll never love another woman after the loss of his beloved wife. Yet he needs a male heir to inherit his vast fortune. Ethan’s best friend, Stuart, has an idea and retrieves his sister, Amelia, who has been living in a convent since the tragic death of her parents. Amelia only agrees to enter into the contract marriage because there’s a child involved, Ethan’s neglected three-year-old daughter. When Amelia meets Ethan for the first time at the altar, she realizes that the last thing she wants her marriage to be is loveless. But winning a man whose heart is still broken may be impossible.

A Lesson in Love, a delightful novella by Sarah M. Eden, captures the uncertainties of newlywed life. Lucy Stanthorpe arrives for the London Season, planning to attend every ball and musicale with her new husband, Reed, only to discover he has no intention of taking part in the social whirl. Spurred on by their family and friends, Lucy and Reed each formulate increasingly outlandish plans to teach the other a lesson in appreciation. Their battle of wills threatens to pull the young couple apart unless they can both soften their stubborn hearts.
 
In An Ocean Away, Heather B. Moore’s captivating story, Gina Graydon knows the last thing she’ll attract on her holiday in France is an eligible bachelor. Tall, outspoken, and with a weakness for laughing at the wrong moment, not to mention being much too occupied with reading gothic romances, Gina decides she’d rather live in her fictional world. Besides, the only man who pays attention to her at the resort hotel happens to be her father’s worst enemy. And that is far from romantic. Reading in a secluded garden, and dreaming about the perfect kiss, all keep Gina much too busy to consider Mr. Edmund Donaldson any sort of hero.
 
Nancy Campbell Allen’s entrancing novella, What Happens in Venice, follows Evangeline Stuart as she determines to enjoy her vacation in Venice—her first and likely her last since she lives under the strict confines of her step-father’s control. When she meets the mysterious and romantic Conte Bellini, who happens to be Italy’s most eligible bachelor, she decides he is all part of the dream of visiting Venice. It’s impossible for her to believe that his interest in her is anything more than kindness to a foreign visitor. But when he discovers the true betrayal of her step-father, Evangeline learns the Conte may be the one person with the power to restore her happiness.


 My Review
I have grown to love the Timeless Romance Anthologies, but this one is my favorite by far. This one held such magic in each story. The stories and the characters stayed with me for such a long time. All of the stories are a clean historical romance. Some of the couples are even married when the story begins. It's nice to see this. It would be hard to pick a favorite, even though the last one was set in Venice, Italy where I've been wanting to go visit. ;)

One thing I suggest to readers, go in reading these stories knowing they are not full length novels. These are short stories and so you are not going to get the full plot/character development you would see in a full blown novel. There is a reason I'm mentioning this in my review. There were some reviews that mentioned they didn't like the stories because they weren't long enough. If you order a root beer, but are upset it doesn't taste like a lemonade, it's still going to be a root beer. In other words, if you pick up a book of short stories, you are getting short stories not full length novels. The anthologies are written by seasoned writers that know how to write romance. Go in reading them knowing you are getting a snippet of the character's lives, a good short story full of romance, intrigue, and you'll love this anthology! I know I was enchanted by these stories that were well-written, clean, and entertaining.
 

About the Authors

Nancy Campbell Allen

I'm a writer with 11 published novels so far.

• Love Beyond Time
• No Time for Love
• A Time for the Heart
• Echoes
• Faith of our Fathers Vol. 1: A House Divided
• Faith of our Fathers Vol. 2: To Make Men Free
• Faith of our Fathers Vol. 3: Through the Perilous Fight
• Faith of our Fathers Vol. 4: One Nation Under God
• Isabelle Webb: Legend of the Jewel
• Isabelle Webb: The Pharaoh's Daughter
• Isabelle Webb: The Grecian Princess

I'm also a freelance editor with a degree in Elementary Ed, the mother of 3 and the wife of 1.

Nancy Campbell Allen, a graduate of Weber State University, has dreamed of becoming a writer since early childhood. Her goal is "to provide LDS women with fun fiction that they can read without guilt." In addition to writing, Nancy enjoys reading, book shopping, traveling, skiing, and learning of other times, people, and places, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Mark, and three children live in Utah.

Nancy enjoys hearing from her readers. Visit her at http://ncallen.blogspot.com/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Heather B. Moore is the award-winning author of several historical novels which are set in Ancient Arabia and Mesoamerica. She is not old and doesn’t remember the time period, so Google has become a great friend. Although she has spent several years living in the Middle East, she prefers to forget the smells. Heather writes her historical thrillers under the pen name H.B. Moore so that men will buy her books. She is also the author of two non-fiction books, and several women’s novels including the co-authored series The Newport Ladies Book Club, the anthology series A Timeless Romance Anthology, and the historical romantic suspense novel Heart of the Ocean. These are all written under her real name so that women will buy her books.
Heather graduated from Brigham Young University with a major in Fashion Merchandising and minor in Business Management.
Visit Heather’s website here: www.hbmoore.com
If you’re an aspiring writer, she also manages the editing company: www.precisioneditinggroup.com

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 Sarah M. Eden is the author of multiple historical romances, including Whitney Award finalists Seeking Persephone (2008, Covenant Communications) and Courting Miss Lancaster (2010, Covenant Communications). Combining her obsession with history and affinity for tender love stories, Sarah loves crafting witty characters and heartfelt romances. She holds a Bachelor's degree in research and happily spends hours perusing the reference shelves of her local library. Sarah has twice served as the Master of Ceremonies for the LDStorymakers Writers Conference, acted as the Writer in Residence at the Northwest Writers Retreat and is one-third of the team at the AppendixPodcast.com. Sarah is represented by Pam van Hylckama Vlieg at Foreword Literary Agency.

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Michele Paige Holmes spent her childhood and youth in Arizona and northern California, often curled up with a good book instead of out enjoying the sunshine. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Elementary Education, and found it an excellent major in which to indulge her love of children's literature.
Her first novel, Counting Stars (Covenant Communications 2007), won the 2007 Whitney Award for best romance. Her companion novel, a romantic suspense titled, All the Stars in Heaven (Covenant 2009), was a Whitney finalist, as was her first historical romance, Captive Heart (Covenant 2011). My Lucky Stars (Covenant 2012) completed the Stars series.
You can find Michele on the web at michelepaigeholmes.com 

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Annette Lyon has been writing ever since second grade, when she piled pillows on a chair to reach her mother's typewriter. A cum laude graduate from BYU with a degree in English, she has had success as a professional editor and doing newspaper, magazine, and business writing, but her first love is writing fiction. She's perhaps best known for her historical novels centered around the four old Utah temples.
Her most recent novel, Band of Sisters: Coming Home (January 2013) is the sequel to the Whitney Award-winning novel Band of Sisters.
One of the most rewarding parts of Annette's writing career has been collaborating on The Newport Ladies Book Club series. Her first book in the series, Paige, was released in 2012. Her second, about the character Ilana, will be released early 2014.
Annette has won Utah's Best of State medal for literary arts in fiction two times, in 2007 and again in 2013. In addition to being a Whitney Award winner, she’s a two-time Whitney finalist, for Spires of Stone (2007) and Paige. She has received three publication awards from the League of Utah Writers and took first place in the 2009 Funds for Writers essay contest.
Be sure to also drop by her blog!
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G.G. Vandagriff is the full-time writer of eleven books, including the Whitney Award Winner The Last Waltz: A Novel of Love and War. A Meridian columnist for ten years, she is a survivor of bi-polar disorder and has written, with her husband and son Deliverance from Depression:Finding Hope and Healing Through The Atonement of Christ. She and her husband, David, also a writer, live in Provo, having raised their three children in the Midwest. 

Blog Tour Review and $25 Giveaway for, Take My Heart, by Marie Higgins

Tour Schedule

Product Details

• Title: Take My Heart
  
• Author: Marie Higgins
  
• Paperback: 258 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (July 7, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 147820592X
• ISBN-13: 978-1478205920
• FTC, FYI: I was given a review e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

 Book Description:

Mercedes Maxwell’s sister’s last wish was for Mercedes to find evidence against Kat’s husband, William Braxton, and have him hung as a traitor to the crown. Mercedes isn’t naïve when it comes to capturing traitors, because her own deceased husband had once been an agent for the King when they lived in England.

When she meets William Braxton for the first time, all is not as it seems. Portraying her twin, Mercedes knows this is the only way to get close enough to William to discover his secrets. What she finds along the way are little surprises she hadn’t counted on, especially when she begins to give her heart to a man who may be a spy against the crown.

Book Trailer

 My Review
Once again I have fallen in love with a novel written by Marie Higgins! She truly knows how to write an engaging romance. Right from the beginning of this novel, you are drawn in with the mystery of Mercedes trying to fulfill her sister's last request:whether or not Kat's husband, William Braxton, is a spy. The colonial setting is fresh, and interesting, and a time period that is not already over-saturated in the world of romance novels. 

I love how Marie brings her characters together with such heat and passion, without using gratuitous sex scenes. She can make a long-drawn out kiss so steamy. Bravo! Along with the romance in this novel, it is filled with intrigue and excitement. With the background of the Revolutionary War soon starting, and the Sons of Liberty fighting for their freedom, there is never a dull moment. 

I loved this novel and highly recommend it to all those who want a clean, historical romance full of surprises, great characters, and of course a romance to make you sigh and want to read more.



Praise for Marie Higgins

”I enjoyed this book immensely. Each book of Marie's that I read is better than the last. I recommend this book to young adults and older who enjoy historical mystery, intrigue, fight for freedom, clean romance. This is the book for you.”

~~Mary Walling / Goodreads

“Few authors have mastered the art of storytelling like Marie Higgins. In this Colonial-era romance, Marie takes her reader on a wild ride. Every chapter, every scene, every line envelopes the reader's senses and imagination with passionate romance, deep emotional struggles, unexpected twists and turns, and neverending ups and downs. This was a hard book to put down and earns an unequivocal five stars from me. Thanks, Marie, for writing such great romances!”

~~Wanda Luce / Goodreads

 “Marie Higgins's Take My Heart is a stunning colonial romance. With well developed characters and heartwarming scenes, this book will steal the hearts of romance lovers and historical fiction fans. There are numerous twists and Higgins keeps you guessing at every turn as to who the real villain is. This book is a "must-read" for anyone who loves romance, history, or just a good story. FIVE STARS ALL THE WAY!!” ~~L.D. Smith / Kindle

“Breathless! From start to finish you will keep wondering, questioning, and hoping. You will root for the underdog, and smile as love conquers all. Great read. You won't put it down until you're finished!”

~~M. Henning / Kindle

Purchase

Amazon * Barnes and Noble * Amazon Kindle

Author Marie Higgins

Since Marie Higgins was a little girl playing Barbies with her sister, Stacey, she has loved the adventure of making up romantic stories. Marie was only eighteen years old when she wrote her first skit, which won an award for Funniest Skit. A little later in life, after she’d married and had children, Marie wrote Church roadshows that were judged as Funniest and Best Written. From there, she branched out to write full-length novels based on her dreams. (Yes, she says, her dreams really are that silly)

Marie has been married for twenty-six years to a wonderful man. Together, they have three loving daughters and several beautiful grandchildren. Marie works full time for the state of Utah, where she has lived her entire life. Marie plans to keep writing, because the characters in her head won’t shut up. But her husband smiles and pretends this is normal.

Links

Blog * Twitter

Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card
Ends 1/31/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


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