Cautious Maiden - A Review

Published - October 2016, Whitaker House
Series - Everstone Chronicles Book 4
Author - Dawn Crandall
Title - The Cautious Maiden
Format - ebook, paper
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About the book (from Amazon):
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 fiance who hides both his emotion and his past, Violet must decide who to trust,and who to leave behind.

My Thoughts:
Having breezed through the first three books in this series this summer, I was pleased to finally get to Vance's story. I'd seen him as a minor character in the first three books, so I wanted to see how he'd develop when finally given his own story. I saw a lot of changes in him from book one to this one. And I liked what I saw him become. First he grew up. His life choices hadn't always been the best and he was rather selfish. In this book, he became a man his family could be proud of. I loved how he championed Violet. I loved how Violet realized that he was better than what he thought of himself.

Overall, I'd have to say that this series was very good. The books build on each other, and they do need to be read in order.

I received a complimentary copy of the Kindle book from the publisher in order to share my thoughts and opinions about the book. I was not required to like the book, only give my honest opinion. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of Roseanna M. White, Julie Klassen, historical fiction

Rating - 4 stars

Hesitant Heiress - A Review

Published - September 2015, Whitaker House
Series - Everstone Chronicles Book 1
Author - Dawn Crandall
Title - Hesitant Heiress
Format - ebook, paper
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Amaryllis Brigham has been suddenly ejected from the Boston Conservatory of Music. Since she has no place else to go, she turns to her great-aunt and soon finds herself in the middle of Boston's Society. She longs to return to her beloved Seattle though. In order to accomplish that, Amaryllis must marry. Her maternal grandmother has left her a sizable fortune with the stipulation that she marry within a year. She doesn't trust men and has no desire to marry. But she soon finds herself falling in love with Nathan Everstone, a man with his own secrets. Will she learn to trust God and in doing so discover that sometimes things from the past aren't what they seem?

This was the first book I've read by this author, but it won't be the last! The cover caught my attention months ago, but I just hadn't gotten around to reading it yet.

I'll admit, that at first it moved rather slowly. But as the story progressed, and I stuck with it, I found myself becoming enthralled in this story. It has all of the feels of a gothic romance. But it's not.

By the time I finished the book, I promptly wanted to read the second one as I became engrossed in the tale. I loved how Nathan pursued Amaryllis. I loved how he was relentless, yet also tender.

Overall, I enjoyed this book.

I received a Kindle copy for free from the author to review in anticipation of the 4th book coming out later this year. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of historical fiction, Julie Klassen, Roseanna M. White, Jody Hedlund

Rating - 4 stars