Thursday, January 23, 2014

An Honest Heart

GIVEAWAY

DACUS, KAYE
AN HONEST HEART

Set during the Industrial Revolution and the Great Exhibition of 1851, An Honest Heart is a “sitting-room romance” with the feel of a Regency-era novel but the fashions and technological advances of the mid-Victorian age.

Featuring dual romance stories, the main plot involves seamstress Caddy Bainbridge and the choice she must make between two men: one from the aristocracy, the other from the working class. Award-nominated author Kaye Dacus pinpoints the theme of honesty—both men in this love triangle have deep secrets to hide, and Caddy’s choice will be based on which of them can be honest with her.

Courtship . . . cunning . . . candor. Who possesses an honest heart?
 
My Review:
 
 The second in Dacus's Great Exhibition series, An Honest Heart reads well as a standalone story but fans of the first book, Follow the Heart will quickly become reacquainted with some familiar characters...but take note -- this isn't a chronological series.

The author tries an entirely different angle by having the second book's timeline overlap the first so that some events and even scenes are related from a different character's point of view. It's a very unusual technique but I wish I had known about it from the get go. I got a bit confused because I felt like I wasn't remembering the first book at all. A quick consultation with Follow the Heart helped me get my bearings and realize that I was reading a parallel timeline so that things I remembered being resolved, weren't yet. Don't know if I'm explaining this right. It's totally not an issue if you haven't read the first book, and just something to keep in mind if you have so you don't drive yourself crazy like I did. :-)

The book culminates in a powerful scene that plays out at the end of the first book too, only this time we see it from an entirely different point of view. A really intriguing approach that I thoroughly enjoyed (once I figured it out.)

The author writes period pieces with incredible authenticity. I loved the details in everything from fashion to medical treatments to the whole divide between the classes. So beautifully written that it makes a great read aloud.

You'll meet some infuriating cads in this story -- the kind that will tempt you to hurl your book across the room. Thankfully they are balanced by a truly swoonworthy hero with a secret. I had this huge 'aha' moment when I finally figured out what that secret was and then couldn't wait for Caddy to figure it out too. Loved the thrill of that reveal.

A fascinating and captivating read that will make a great addition to your TBR pile.

 
Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of An Honest Heart, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca.  If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you email me, please be sure to put the title in the subject line so it is easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 26 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck.

28 comments:

  1. Wow, Kav! This is the first time I have heard of this book. It sounds really good.
    Thanks
    Campbellamyd at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a great series. Has a Regency feel to it. Good luck!

      Delete
  2. I have a few of Kaye's books that I picked up at a used book store, but haven't had a chance to read them yet... This sounds like an interesting book. I love a good historical!

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She's a versatile author writing both contemporary and historical. I really like this series. Good luck!

      Delete
  3. I agree, I would love to try a new author (new to me anyway)!

    missionwife AT hotmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's so exciting to find a 'new to me author' because you have a treasure trove of books to catch up on. Love that. Good luck Melody.

      Delete
  4. I am intrigued by the overlapping timeline and will add this series to my TBR list. Thank you for your terrific review and giveaway opportunity!

    texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a totally different take on a series, that's for sure. Good luck Britney.

      Delete
  5. Ah! I love a swoonworthy hero :) Now I can't wait to discover his secret too! Thanks for the great review!

    colorvibrant at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Seriously, what would a romance be without a little swoon? :-) Good luck Heidi.

      Delete
  6. Ok I'll give it a try .... interesting review. rrwalter34ATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  7. We have Kaye's books in the church library. I would love to win this book to add to our collection.
    Thanks!
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great review..thanks for the chance. truckredford(at)gmail(dot)Com

    ReplyDelete
  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love this cover! Sounds like a good book. Thank you for the chance to win it.

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The details in the dress are fantastic, aren't they? Good luck Wendy.

      Delete
  11. I am all in....thank you for the giveaway.

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. thanks for the chance to read this beautiful novel, kav

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. This sounds like such a good book.

    susanmsj at msn dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I've read Kaye contemporary books and loved them. An Honest Heart sounds so interesting being written as a parallel story. Thanks for a chance to win it!
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really like Kaye's historicals too.Good luck Merry.

      Delete
  15. The characters sound interesting! Love to read this.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete