Monday, March 13, 2017

The Captive Heart

GIVEAWAY

GRIEP, MICHELLE
THE CAPTIVE HEART

The American wilderness is no place for an elegant English governess...

On the run from a brute of an aristocratic employer, Eleanor Morgan escapes from England to America, the land of the free, for the opportunity to serve an upstanding Charles Town family. But freedom is hard to come by as an indentured servant, and downright impossible when she's forced to agree to an even harsher contract -- marriage to a man she's never met.

Backwoodsman Samuel Heath doesn't care what others think of him -- but his young daughter's upbringing matters very much. The life of a trapper in the Carolina backcountry is no life for a small girl, but neither is abandoning his child to another family. He decides it's time to marry again, but that proves to be an impossible task. Who wants to wed a murderer?

Both Samuel and Eleanor are survivors, facing down the threat of war, betrayal, and divided loyalties
that could cost them everything, but this time they must face their biggest challenge ever...love.

My Review:

Smelling salts - check
Fainting couch - check
Extra stuffing for the cushions on the fainting couch - check
water bottle to keep hydrated - check
chocolate (to soothe ravaged nerves) - check

Just a few recommendations for your not-looking-up-until-I-reach-the-end reading kit. You'll want to be well stocked before you embark on this incredible journey. Samuel and Eleanor's story held me captive and turned my heart to mush.

There's something so emotionally appealing about a marriage of convenience story. This hero and heroine come from very different worlds but are thrown together in tumultuous times just before the American revolution. I have to stop saying this isn't a favourite time period of mine because I keep reading novels that blow me away with their rich historical details and heart-wrenching romance. The Captive Heart is exactly that kind of book.

Eleanor is victimized in a world that favours men. Samuel has fallen victim to his past. Two broken people find the strength to carve a place for themselves in a restless frontier. It isn't easy and Samuel and Eleanor spend a lot of time battling each other in a desperate bid to guard their wounded hearts. But there are times when they band together against an outside foe. Page-turning madness full of gripping action and aching tenderness.

And, oh, be still my heart, Papa Samuel is the stuff curled toes are made of! Devoted, besotted, protective. A doting father to sweet, impish little Grace. He would do anything for his little girl -- including marrying a stranger to ensure her future. A mesmerizing, heart-in-throat story ensues. Delicious to the very last word.

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Captive Heart please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. 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 enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday March 19 2017.  Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

49 comments:

  1. Yay, delicious to the very last word is right!

    You can see my take on it on amazon as Tracey~book corner fan, (I think my review is still the second one down)

    As I said in my review, those last couple of chapters sizzled, felt like I was invading their privacy, lol.

    Just a heads-up to everyone, don't miss a chance to read this one!

    Happy Monday Kav and Best Reads followers!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy Monday, Tracey. I'm going to check your review out as well. I just loved this story and if I hadn't had quite a few nudges on Facebook to read this first I might have let in languish in the TBR pile for a while because I'm really not drawn to this time period...until an author like this one makes a liar out of me. LOL Same with Laura Frantz and Lori Benton.

      Delete
    2. I'll read any time period if the writing is good enough. I read Laura Frantz by recommendation and am now backtracking all her books. I haven't read anything of Lori Benton yet, but I want to, so many books it can be hard to choose what to read next.

      Delete
    3. I thought Lori Benton's Burning Sky was absolutely riveting. I definitely need to stock my reading kit before reading the rest of her catalog of work.

      Delete
    4. Thanks for the tip Diane, I'll check it out!

      Delete
  2. Oh my, this sounds like a must read for sure! Great review, Kav!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Melanie. And yes, definitely a must read. Good luck.

      Delete
  3. I haven't tried this author yet, but I hear great things about her stories. :) lattebooksAThotmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This would be a great place to start. Good luck, Susan.

      Delete
  4. Okay, your review has me throwing my name in for this one, Kav! :)

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's crazy good, Cheryl. You need to read it. Good luck.

      Delete
  5. enjoy a good wilderness book. cheetahthecat1986(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This one is for you then, Kim. Good luck.

      Delete
  6. Don't enter me, Kav. I happily own this one. I just wish Michelle Griep published as quickly as some of my other fave authors. Although, if she needs the time between books to give us the stellar reads that they are, I'm willing to wait. :-)

    Kav, I know you enjoy cozy mysteries, as well. Did you know that Michelle Griep has recently published on of those? I haven't read it, but it has some great reviews. It's called Out of the Frying Pan.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Squeeee!!! I just saw on her website that she is planning on re-releasing "Undercurrent" as the first of a trilogy. It's a TIME-TRAVEL book!! I'm so excited.

      Delete
    2. Sqqqqquuuuuueeeeallllllling right along with you, Terrill. I need to read more of this author and you know I love a good cozy mystery. I'm going to check it out. And that TIME-TRAVEL book. I do so love a good time-travel story. Thanks for the exciting info.

      Delete
    3. OMG! Time travel Michelle Griep style should be fabulous...Thanks for the update, Terrill! I found The Captive Heart on NetGalley and bought all of her books right away. Now I need to give up sleeping to tackle my ever growing "gotta read" list. Thanks, ladies!!

      Delete
    4. I'm glad I have fellow time-travel fans. It's about the only sci-fi I read. Although, I have been known to read about an alien or two, but not Star War style - more young adult, discover an alien on earth style. haha

      Delete
  7. Don't enter me, Kav. I just wanted to tell you how much I loved this book and your take on the experience. How could you not fall in love with Papa Samuel, darling Grace and Eleanor who was so brave?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know -- such an incredible story. Glad you loved it too and isn't it exciting that there are more from this author to look forward to? That time travel one...whhhheeeee!

      And sleeping is highly over-rated when you could be reading. :-)

      Delete
  8. Wow! This for sure a must read!!! And a time travel one! I'm gonna have to look that Up! Thanks. paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really is not to be missed. Good luck, Paula.

      Delete
  9. Sounds great! TY
    leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Looks good Thanks for the chance. iamabho (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Happy Dance! I love Michelle's stories! Kav, thank you for the chance.

    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is only my second one but I'm hunting more down for sure. Good luck, Caryl.

      Delete
  12. Lori Benton and Laura Frantz are favorites of mine. I love American history and marriage of convenience stories!
    I've only read Michelle's first book, but look forward to more.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You'll love this one then, Patty. Guaranteed. Good luck.

      Delete
  13. I went down the ckecklist and am ready for this one! At least I think I'm ready. It sounds like I need a few hours of undivided attention to spend reading this book. Thanks for the review and giveaway. d[dot]brookmyer[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's so important to be prepared for a marathon read. Glad to know you are well stocked. :-) Good luck, Donna.

      Delete
  14. Smelling salts and fainting couches, are they even around anymore? Now chocolate, I can do. Thanks for entering me in your giveaway.
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh dear me yes, I think they call them loungers now but the fit the purpose. LOL Good luck, Janet.

      Delete
  15. Sounds amazing. Your review has me hooked!
    Thanks!
    Lydia

    LittlemisslydiaATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad I hooked you, hope you have a chance to read it soon. Good luck, Lydia.

      Delete
  16. I love a good marriage of convenience story!
    pocoauthorATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This one is for you then. Good luck, Nicole.

      Delete
  17. A very compelling review!! I have not previously read anything by Michelle.....need to look for her books. Thanks! dixiedobie at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, you won't be disappointed, CC. Good luck.

      Delete
  18. I loved Michelle's other book - so exciting! truckredford(at)gmail(Dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's different but just as good. Good luck, Truck.

      Delete
  19. I haven't tried this author yet but have heard great things about her writing. Would love to try her books.
    Cnnamongirl at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  20. You're welcome, Kate. Good luck.

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

    ReplyDelete
  22. What a review, Kav! Now I must try for this.

    Count me in, please.

    janka(dot)halcinova(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete