Friday, January 22, 2016

A Worthy Heart

GIVEAWAY

MASON, SUSAN ANNE
A WORTHY HEART

Can an Irish Lass with a Dream
for America Find True Love?


Maggie Montgomery's long-held wish to see America is finally coming true. She'll visit her beloved brother Rylan and his wife, Colleen, and at the same time, escape Neill Fitzgerald's unwanted attention. In addition, Maggie has a secret! She plans to remain in America to seek her fortune and to hopefully find love. While visiting Irish Meadows, she meets an intriguing man whom she thinks is a stable hand. Only when Rylan demands she stay away from Adam O'Leary does she realize he's Colleen's brother, recently released from prison. Nonetheless, Maggie can't seem to make her heart conform to her brother's request.

Adam O'Leary has never felt worthy of his place in the family. Spending time in jail only reinforces his belief. Now that he's free, Adam hopes to make amends and earn back his family's trust. Falling in love with Maggie Montgomery, however, was never in his plans.

Despite everyone's effort to keep them apart, the two develop a bond nothing can break--but has Adam truly changed, or will the sins of his past prove too much for Maggie to overcome?
  

My Review:

That moment when you reach the last page of a book and you spend another ten minutes staring at the blank end pages willing there to be more. Wistful sigh. It's really over...until September when the third book in the Courage to Dream series comes out. I'm officially in mourning.

Mason has created a sweeping family saga in this series. Happily though, each book is complete in and of itself so no worries if you haven't read Irish Meadows (but, oh mercy, you really should!) This author has the ability to hurdle a reader into emotional chaos right along with her characters. Seriously, I think I'm dehydrated from crying -- lots of happy tears but some anguished ones too.

As in the first book, this is another case of double romance doubles the reading pleasure. This time it is visiting Montgomery siblings, Maggie and Gabe, who find unexpected romance in America. Maggie with her steadfast heart is just what Adam O'Leary needs as he struggles to put his past behind him. And Gabe's Irish charm unexpectedly captivates Aurora Hastings (a secondary character from Irish Meadows who really did deserve her own happily ever after.) Both plot lines complement each other and make for a riveting (and often anxious) read. I was on tenterhooks all the way through.

And a special kudos to the author for getting the Irish 'accent' right. So many don't -- turning it more Scottish than Irish or using exaggerated Americanized clichés.. Mason has captured the essence and flavour of the lilt by carefully placed (and authentic) word choice as well as a sprinkling of Irish phrases thrown in for good measure. (A couple of  the most swoothworthy scenes include whispered endearments in Irish. Melting in a puddle. Right. Now.)

A wonderful inspirational thread explores the true meaning of grace as characters strive to prove themselves worthy, only to fall short time and time again. It isn't until they learn to accept that special grace that surpasses all understanding that they can begin to trust in their dreams for the future.

Captivating. Soul-stirring. Uplifting. If you love historical romance you will love A Worthy Heart.

A heartfelt thanks to the author for providing me with an autographed copy!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  A Worthy 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 . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 24 2016 . Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

35 comments:

  1. Oh, this sounds so good! I want to read this one. I love dual romances.

    duhpaynes[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too, Anne. And they get equal 'air' time. Love that oo. Good luck.

      Delete
  2. Ordered it should be in my hands tomorrow or monday. I loved the first book in this series.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're going to be thrilled with this one. There's a good bit of Rylan and Colleen in it and a few glimpses of Brianna and Gil. And, of course, some scenes set out at Irish Meadows.

      Delete
  3. I have the first in the series and I'm looking forward to reading it. This second one sounds good too!

    Thanks for the giveaway. : )

    sunshine6892 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love this author! Can't wait to read this one. :) lattebooksAThotmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She's fantastic, isn't she? Good luck, Susan.

      Delete
  5. I haven't read any books by Susan Anne Mason but it sounds like I should. Thanks for the review and the chance to win A Worthy Heart. It certainly has a lovely cover.
    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yes, you definitely should, Pam. Good luck.

      Delete
  6. I have Irish Meadows just waiting to be read and I'm looking forward to reading this one too. They both sound really good.
    Thanks for the great review.
    pwestfall7 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're in for so much reading fun! Good luck, Pam.

      Delete
  7. Oh, this sounds like a lovely romance, please add me!
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Two lovely romances (if you're into angst.) Good luck, Merry.

      Delete
  8. Fabulous review! You always make me want to read the books you review :)

    colorvibrant at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Heidi. And you should definitely read this one. Good luck.

      Delete
  9. I love this cover and the book sounds wonderful. Thank you for your great review.

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Irish Meadows was a great book, but the cover was my favorite of 2015. Looking forward to this one, too. tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love Bethany House covers -- they really outdid themselves with this series. Good luck, Terrill.

      Delete
  11. Ohhh, what an interesting story line. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.

    wfnren at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I've never read this author before, Kav, but I'm intrigued by the Irish character. Some of my ancestors were Irish so I'd love to see how the Irish are portrayed here.

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh -- you'll love it and you Irish Meadows as well. Good luck, Cheryl.

      Delete
  13. I would love to read this book, especially since I was born in Ireland. Closing a book and wishing there was more - now that's truly a sign of a good book.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And this is such a good book!!!! And I was born in Ireland too -- we hail from Dun Laoghaire and Dublin on my mum's side and Sligo and West Meath on my dad's. Good luck.

      Delete
  14. KAV, FANTASTIC REVIEW! I enjoy reading family sagas.

    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. This looks like a wonderful series. I haven't read the first book but I plan to look for it. I've been reading a book now that I don't want to end. That is always fun to think you can look forward to a new one in the series.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, those authors know to keep us hungry for more. Good luck, rubynreba.

      Delete
  16. Kav, I am absolutely drooling over your review...I must take lessons from you! You're always so eloquent & touch on every emotion and portray the characters so realistically. I struggle sometimes for each word...sigh!
    You must know, I'm so very enthusiastically excited for a chance to win this book!! I have "Irish Meadows" and when I learned Susan had another one coming out, I had a serious fan-girl moment. I must obtain a copy some way or other....by begging, borrowing or stealing (not really, lol)! Thanks for the chance :-)

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Believe me, Trixi, I struggle with finding the right words in a review too. Thanks for the compliment though. I'm blushing. I do hope you get a chance to read this book especially since you have Irish Meadows. Good luck.

      Delete
  17. I just recently got Irish Meadows, the first book in this series. This second book has me itching to get reading it! And you say there's going to be a third book?......I'm smitten with pure delight! I just love historical fiction!!! ~Alison

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oops! I got so excited I forgot to leave my email:

      nj(dot)bossman(at)gmail(dot)com

      Delete
    2. I predict it's going to be one of my favourite series ever. Good luck, agboss.

      Delete