Prize of My Heart by Lisa Norato - Bethany House Publishers

About Lisa 

 Lisa Norato first discovered a love of writing when assigned to write and illustrate a children's book at the art college she attended. She also enjoys walks with her Yorkie-poo, the New England seacoast and changing seasons, good friends, Italian food, historical dramas, and British comedy. A lifelong New Englander, Lisa lives in a historic village with homes and churches dating as far back as the eighteenth century. Currently she works as a legal assistant in the corporate department of a Rhode Island law firm.

You can find Lisa on her:
Website http://www.lisanorato.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lisanorato

About Book 

Massachusetts, 1815. 
 Will His Love Endure Once He Learns Her Secret? 

Three years ago, Captain Brogan Talvis's late wife abandoned their son, leaving no clue as to the boy's whereabouts. After searching relentlessly, Brogan discovers his son was adopted by a New England shipbuilder. And the man's daughter, Lorena Huntley, acts as loving guardian to the child.

Lorena, who hides a dark truth, finds herself falling for the handsome captain and ex-privateer who's come to secure ownership of one of her father's ships. She's unaware of Brogan's own secret when another's deceit has her sailing toward Europe against her will.

Haunted by thoughts of Lorena in peril, Brogan is compelled to choose between the boy he longs for and the woman who has captured his heart.

Read an Excerpt here

ISBN: 978-0-7642-0942-0 
ISBN-10: 0-7642-0942-6 
Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.5 
Number of pages: 304 
Published by Bethany House Publishers
Publication Date: Mar. 2012 
Formats: Paperback 

 Where to buy: Amazon, Barnes&Noble, CBD


My Thoughts

Captain Brogan Talvis was orphaned as a child.  When his son was born he felt blessed at not only the birth of his child but of having his own family. While Brogan was out at sea as a privateer he missed his son dreadfully.

He will never forget the day he came home from a long tour at sea and his wife informed him that his son was not there.  She had abandoned her son because she no longer wanted to be tied down to a baby.  He begged her to tell him where his son was and all she would say was he was not there and that Brogan would never find him.

It has been four long years that Brogan has spent trying to find his son.  Then there came a lead and he knew where his son was.  He had been adopted by a wealthy shipbuilder and his daughter Lorena Huntley was guardian of the boy.  It was very apparent how deeply the boy was loved and  also extremely spoiled.

Brogan plans and goes to great extremes to get his son back.  He purchases a very special ship from the shipbuilder one that would be so fast that no other ship would be able to keep up with it once he stole his son away to be with his natural father.  He realizes the boy sees Lorena as a mother figure and decides to court her in order to get closer to his son.  Brogan has been attacked twice by this little rascal of a son by being the target of the boys sling shot and a very large rock.  The boy does not trust Captain Brogan around Lorena.  He sees himself as David and the Captain as Goliath and he must slay Goliath.  Brogan must win him over!

Brogan had no idea he would grow  to care deeply for Lorena and develop a friendship with her father. He felt guilty about deceiving them. Will he be able to break their hearts in order to get his son back?

This was a beautiful story about family ties.  The author expresses through her writing how God can make all things better if you just let go and let God.  The story falls into place because the characters learned to trust in Gods's plan for themselves and the child.

There was intrigue, lies, deceit, betrayal,forgiveness and redemption which made for a very enjoyable read. Oh, lets not forget about love and romance.  Most of all love for God, a child, woman, man, and ties that bind a family together.

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure
I was provided a copy of this book by Bethany House Publisher for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  It is my own opinion.

The Rose of Winslow Street by Elizabeth Camden - Book Giveaway & Review

About Book

In the small town of Colden, Massachusetts, Libby Sawyer leads a quiet, predictable life. Yet beneath the surface, she is haunted by a secret.


Newly arrived on American shores, Michael Dobrescu is far from predictable, and his arrival in Colden is anything but quiet. Michael's shocking claim to be the rightful owner of Libby's father's house immediately alienates him from the appalled citizens of Colden.


Despite her own outrage, Libby is unwittingly fascinated by this enigmatic man who seems equally intrigued by her. As the court's decision about the house looms and the layers of mystery surrounding Michael's past are unveiled, Libby's loyalties are tested in ways she never imagined.


Also available from Amazon, Christianbook.com, BarnesandNoble.com

Excerpt
The Rose of Winslow Street

About Elizabeth

I am a college librarian in central Florida by day, but by night I can be found pounding out inspirational historical novels the moment the sun goes down. I love writing books about fiercely intelligent people who are confronted with profound challenges. As a rather introverted person, I have found that writing is the best way for me to share my faith and a sense of resilience with others.


I decided to become a librarian because I can think of no other career in which you get such a wide exposure to all aspects of recorded knowledge. I have been an academic librarian for fifteen years, where on any given day I get to research the sonnets of Shakespeare, learn what makes pelican feathers pink, or compile demographic statistics for starting a new company.


I married relatively late in life, which turned out to be an odd kind of blessing. I had gotten very good at leading a solo life, and although I was not particularly content being alone, I had become reconciled to it. Then when I was in my mid-thirties and just a few weeks after buying my first house, I met the man I was meant to spend the rest of my life with. My years as a single woman taught me many things. I learned to be independent and resilient. I learned how to manage my investments, earn and save enough money to have investments, mow my own lawn, fix the rickety appliances in my sixty-year old house, and spend the holidays on my own when travel to family was not possible. Most importantly, it taught me never to take my husband for granted. I give daily thanks for the blessing of being able to share a life with my favorite person on the planet.


As for who I am? I love old Hitchcock films, the hour before sunset, a long, sweaty run through the Florida countryside, and a glass of good wine. After spending my entire adult life on a college campus (either as a student or a librarian) I have finally been able to pursue my ultimate goal of writing professionally.


Q&A with Elizabeth Camden




My Thoughts


Michael aka Mikhail Dobrescu flees his homeland in Romania to claim his inheritance in the Colden, Massachusetts.  He could care less that the has is inhabited.  It is very apparent that someone is living in the house and has been for some time.  


Michael has his two young sons in tow along with his sister, Lady Mirela.  He is also in company with two hulking men, as is he, Turk and Joseph, that seem to be providing protection for the Michael's family.


Libby Sawyer and her father, Professor Sawyer whom are away on vacation with Libby's brother,Jasper, his wife, Regina and their daughter, Tillie.   Libby is completely unaware that there are squatters have inhabited  her home.  When the Professor Sawyer is notified about the squatters and the demand from Michael that it his rightful inheritance the Professor is advised to send Libby to talk with Michael as to what proof he has as to the ownership of the estate.


Libby finds a brute of a man along with a couple very large guards.   But after visiting the at the house she became aware that Michael's sister was ill and his two son's were being bullied by the town's children.   It was also apparent that the town had ostracized the new family in their town, refusing to sell them food or supplies.  Libby found this appalling and took Michael's son's to town letting the local's know that they were not helping her family by refusing food and supplies to the Dobrescu.  


Not to disappoint the readers but there seems to be an attraction between Michael and Libby even though they were not sure they could trust each other.  It is evident that with the ongoing legal battle over the house one of the families were going to be homeless. Can they put the legal battle aside and pray that God will provide for the families.  What is God's will in this case of who will obtain legal ownership of the estate.


I enjoyed this story so very much.  It was difficult to know who was going to win the ownership of the estate.
The attitude and demeanor of Libby's father brought him off  as emotional abusive to his daughter favoring his precious son over his daughter.  


The author has outdone herself with this book.  The characters were a hodge podge mix of people.  The author provides my twist and turns in this story that are somewhat unexpected.  You will not want to put this book down.  It is one of those all nighters.  Fix you a pot of coffee curl up by the fire and enjoy. 


I highly recommend this book.


I rated this book a 5 out of five.


Disclosure


I was provided a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishing for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review, it is my own opinion.




  
Now for the Giveaway!  


Bethany House Publishing has been kind enough to provide a copy of "The Rose of Winslow Street" by Elizabeth Camden for the giveaway.


To enter all you have to do is leave a comment about the book and/or author and state that you would like to win this book. Be sure to add your email address to the comment so I can contact you in case you are the winner.


I will be choosing the winner by using the Random Generator.
There will be one winner.  I will keep the entries open until Sunday, March 11, 2012.  


The winner will be announced on Monday, March 12, 2012.


Good Luck! Blessings to All!
Patricia aka Mamaw