to capture her heart {book review}

//title: to capture her heart//

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//author: rebecca demarino//

//series: book 2, southold chronicles//

//genre: christian fiction//

It is 1653 and Heather Flower, a princess of the Montauk tribe, is enjoying her wedding feast when her groom is killed and she is kidnapped by a rival tribe and held for ransom. Though her ransom is paid by an Englishman, she is nonetheless left to die in a Connecticut forest--until she finds herself rescued by handsome Dutch Lieutenant Dirk Van Buren. Torn between her affection for Dirk and her long friendship with family friend Benjamin Horton, Heather Flower must make a difficult choice--stay true to her friend or follow her heart.

Exploring a unique slice of history, Rebecca DeMarino transports readers to the wild land that would eventually become Long Island, New York. Her attention to detail and her captivating storytelling bring the New World to vivid life.

I will begin by saying that this book was not my cup of tea.  I enjoy historical fiction, but the era isn't one I tend to enjoy.  That being said, I may be a little biased on my opinion.

The deep point of view from which the story was written was excellently done.  I really appreciated how even nicknames were changed according to each characters' point of view!  Flawlessly done.

I had a difficult time getting into the story; I was having a hard time finding the plot line.  I understand now the underlying plot of Heather Flower's hurting heart finding healing, but it was so difficult to pinpoint the plot that I almost didn't even finish the book.  In fact, I probably wouldn't have if not for the sake of this review. 

I had a hard time connecting with the characters because there were so many points of view.  However, I will grant that the characters were real and relatable.  But I kept waiting for the story to get deeper than the love triangle...

Another thing that bugged me was that some of the dialogue seemed just awkward.  At one point, one of the men after Heather Flower's heart says, "I can't let her marry the wrong man." Implying that he, himself, is the right man.  And a few of the things that the other characters say that if said in real life would just seem a bit strange...

Also, the couple gets engaged before Heather Flower becomes a Christian...I just thought that was kind of interesting.

The author did a great job with the way that she wove together the story with the history of the time period.  All of the historical and cultural practices that were portrayed were very interesting; rich with education!

But all in all, this book wasn't for me.  I'm sure that someone in love with this era would find it very interesting, but I had a hard time getting into it.

Thanks to Baker Publishing Group for providing me a copy of this book for my honest review.

gone without a trace {book review}

//title: gone without a trace//

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//author: patricia bradley//

//series: book 3, logan point//

//genre: christian fiction//

It's been more than two years since homicide detective Livy Reynolds's cousin disappeared from Logan Point. Unlike most people in her hometown, Livy has never believed that Robyn left voluntarily. When Dallas private investigator Alex Jennings contacts Livy concerning a missing senator's daughter who was last seen in Logan Point, she notices eerie similarities between the two disappearances. But with self-doubt plaguing her and an almost instant dislike of Jennings, Livy is finding this investigation an uphill battle. With her future in law enforcement on the line, can she find a way to work with a man who is her polar opposite?

Award-winning author Patricia Bradley keeps readers on the edge of their seats as they anticipate the outcome of the case--and the relationship between Livy and Alex--which is anything but certain.

Fast paced, three-dimensional characters, an interesting concept--not to mention another mystery crime novel, I really enjoyed reading Gone Without a Trace.  I was drawn in by the concepts of Livy's troubled season and Alex's familial conflicts--both of which made them great relatable characters and smooth subplots!

I was, however, disappointed in the prose.  I found the writing to be more elementary and 'telling' instead of 'showing'.   There were a few points in the beginning that it seemed like the story dragged.  I actually took a while to get through it because I wasn't hooked for the first half.  I was also a little disappointed in the solution to the mystery.  Sure, it made some sense, but there was quite a bit that still felt a little fuzzy and a tad bit unbelievable.

Once I got to about halfway through the book that I was hooked and had to know how it ended!  I finished it very quickly and really did enjoy it.  The romance was sweet and clean, the relationships and characters relatable, the suspense and point of view well done.  All in all, despite the less than poetic prose, I found Gone Without a Trace to be a great enjoyable, clean, easy read for any mystery lover!

Thanks so much to Revell Reads for proving my a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.