Monday, March 26, 2018

The Heart's Appeal

GIVEAWAY
DELAMERE, JENNIFER
THE HEART'S APPEAL

London 1881
He never expected to see her again. Then she appeared with a most unexpected request...

Strong-minded and independent, Julia Berney has come to London to study medicine and become a doctor -- a profession that has only just opened up to women. When she witnesses a serious accident, her quick action saves the life of an ambitious young barrister named Michael Stephenson. It's only later that she learns he could be instrumental in destroying her dreams for the future.

Coming from a family that long ago lost its status, Michael Stephenson has achieved what many would have thought impossible. Hard work and an aptitude for the law have enabled him to regain the path to wealth and recognition. His latest case puts him in the middle of a debate over the future of a women's medical school. He's supposed to remain objective, but when the beguiling and determined Julia reappears with an unexpected entreaty, he begins to question what he's made most important in his life. But Julia may be hiding her own motivations. As the two are tangled into spending more time together, will their own goals be too much to overcome?

My Review:

I fell in love with the Bernay sisters in The Captain's Daughter (the first book in the London Beginnings series) so I was thrilled to my toes when The Heart's Appeal made it's way into my TBR pile -- though not for long since I gobbled it up right away! Delamere has a talent for creating vivid images that make a reader feel like she's living the book rather than merely reading it. I also love the way she weaves real facts into her fiction. We get a grim look into the seedier side of London as well as the infuriating obstacles women faced as they fought for the rights we take for granted in this century.

I don't think I've read about a hero and heroine so diametrically opposed in nearly every way! Their chance encounter is ingenious and opens the door for so many delicious dilemmas. Julia, so set on missionary work in Africa once she's completed her medical schooling. So driven by her own ambitious objectives that she's in danger of overlooking God's plans in her rush to follow her own. And Michael is driven by his desire to reclaim family status -- in fact it almost consumes him out of a misplaced loyalty to his sister. He's definitely a 'modern' man with no need of spiritual guidance.

And yet there's no denying the spark of interest that isn't easily doused whenever these two get together. As guards are lowered, attraction grows despite the impossibility of  their situation. She has every intention of becoming a student at the women's medical school his client is intent on destroying. I honestly couldn't see a way out for Michael or Julia -- not without major concessions that seemed unfair. But Delamere cleverly weaves a stunning tale of love and sacrifice and the power in unwavering faith.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Heart's Appeal, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT or DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday April 1 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

54 comments:

  1. Jennifer's books are always good. I really enjoyed The Captain's Daughter and look forward to reading this one.

    nina4sm at gmail dot com

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    1. You definitely want to keep up with the Bernay sisters. Love the premise of the whole series -- orphaned sisters making their mark on the world. Can't wait until Cara gets her story too. Good luck, Sylvia.

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  2. A beautiful cover gets me every time. I've never read a Jennifer Delamere book, there is no end to new authors I keep discovering.
    This sounds very intriguing and the fact that you couldn't figure out how the pair could solve the dilemma without it being unfair to one has me wanting to know how they did figure it out.
    thank you for the detailed review :)

    tracey14567 at gmail dot com

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    1. This is only my third by her but I've the way she handles historical details in her fiction. I always come away with more knowledge than I when I went into the read but don't feel 'taught' because she has such a knack for weaving the facts into the story. And this series if awesome in my humble opinion. Good luck, Tracey.

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  3. I almost get "twitchy" when reading a story line that seems literally impossible without major unfairness on one side. But in a good way! I think it bothers me that I cannot fathom a way out of it and am bugged that the author did and wrote it so that I can't figure it out. :) Oh the mind games that we play while reaading! Who wouldn't love reading books?! lattebooksAThotmailDOTcom

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    1. lol -- such a reader conundrum! This one is really well done, I think. Good luck, Susan.

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  4. Sounds like a great story! Thank you for the chance to win a copy.

    wfnren at aol dot com

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  5. I read and enjoyed the first book in the series. This story line sounds even more interesting. I was surprised when I read the summary and basic plot line re a woman in the mid/late 1800's planning to study to be a doctor. Looking at the author's website I find this was "a glorious new opportunity for women during the reign of Victoria." A rare occurrence, I would think. Thanks!

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    1. A fascinating and infuriating time for sure! Good luck, CC.

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  6. Downloaded her book the captains daughter from kindle unlimited. This one sounds great. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

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  7. New author to me! This sounds fantastic and love your review, Kav. I checked, and my library has her books so don't enter me!
    THANKS!

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    1. Yay for libraries! Hope you get to read this series soon.

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  8. thank you for your review. I have not heard of this author before. but your review and the excerpt makes it sounds extremely interesting.
    quilting dash lady at Comcast dot net

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  9. I love to find out about new authors as Jennifer is new to me. I am intrigued and I love the cover.mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. Glad I'm introducing her to a few people today. I think she's awesomesauce! Good luck, Melanie.

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  10. You've rally got to admit this cover is gorgeous! I have not read this author yet but this book makes me want to grab it and just sit down and read it!
    Cnnamongirl at aol dot com

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    1. It is a gorgeous cover, isn't it! A great promise for what's inside. Good luck, Deanne.

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  11. I have the first one,so of course, I need this one :-) Love the premise of this one!

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Yay, another London Beginnings fan. It's such a fascinating premise. So well done too. Good luck, Trixi.

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  12. Thanks for entering me in your giveaway.
    Happy Easter!
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

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  13. I have this one on my wish list. Thank you for the chance.
    leliamae54(At)aol(dot)com

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    1. Finally -- I beat you to one. lol Not that we're in competition or anything. :-) Good luck, Lucy.

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  14. Wow, Kav, what a GREAT review! You really captivated me with how you painted such a vivid picture of the storyline! You sold me! I am currently reading the first book in this series, The Captain’s Daughter & I’m really enjoying it so far! The Heart’s Appeal is zooming to the top of my TBR list! ~Alison Boss

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

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    1. Thanks, agboss. And you'll definitely want to continue the sisters' story with this one. Good luck!

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  15. This sounds like a delightful book and I would love to win a copy. Thanks for the chance. 😍
    gobersATembarqmailDOTcom

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  16. I have just recently been noticing this book and I like everything I have read about it. It's interesting that she "weaves real facts into her fiction". Becky lelandandbecky [AT] reagan [DOT] com

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    1. And she does it so beautifully. I wish high school history class had been like this! Good luck, Becky.

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  17. The first line is intriguing! I've not yet had the pleasure of reading Jennifer's books. KAV, thank you for the great review and the chance to win a copy.

    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

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    1. If you love historical romance you need to read some Jennifer Delamere! Good luck, Caryl.

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  18. I enjoyed the first book in the series and would love to continue!

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  19. I'm looking forward to reading this series! Glad to hear you love the books!
    pocoauthorATgmailDOTcom

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  20. This book sounds really good
    I Love the cover Thank you Kav
    iamabho AT gmail DOT com

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  21. I love a book that really keeps you guessing as to how it all is going to work out!

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Lots of twists and turns in this one! Good luck, Patty.

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  22. Oh - I didn't know Jennifer Delamere had a new one out. Great review!
    I also fell in love with the Bernay sisters in The Captain's Daughter. I most certainly want to read this one too. :) Thanks for the chance.
    mbaaij at hetnet dot nl

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    1. Yes -- the Bernay sisters are easy to fall in love with, aren't they? And she's set up a nice little glimpse of what might be in store for Cara in the next book. So excited for that. Good luck, Marian.

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  23. This book sounds so good, I would love to read it.
    Thanks for the chance at the giveaway.

    faithdcreech at gmail dot com

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  24. Such a lovely cover and review! This is a new author to me. Thanks for this giveaway.
    d[dot]brookmyer[at]yahoo[dot]com

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    1. Yes -- the cover is beguiling. Good luck, Donna.

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  25. The covers to these books have captured my attention!

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    1. Yes, they are stunning. Good luck, Nancy.

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  26. Yes, yes, yes! I can't wait to read this one as well. I am glad you liked it, I always enjoy it when bloggers enjoy books on my tbr list. I know it will be good then!

    LLWaltz [at] gmail [dot] com

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    1. It's so much fun to cheer on books we love and get others excited about reading it! Good luck, Laura.

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