Awaken My Heart

GIVEAWAY

MILLS, DIANN
AWAKEN MY HEART

1803, Texas

The daughter of a wealthy rancher, Marianne Phillips has never agreed with her father's harsh treatment of the mestizos who first called Texas their home. When she is kidnapped by rebels who hope that her father will trade back their land for her freedom, Marianne realizes her loyalty lies with her abductors, not her father, who plans to marry her off to the don of a nearby estate.

Armando Gracia is the locals' reluctant leader, but he does not apporve of the latest attempt to manipulate their enemy. When he learns that Marianne actually speaks his language, of her loyalty to his people, and of the faith that keeps her strong, Armando is faced with a difficult decision. Will his newfound love keep him from letting her go? Or will he set her free and risk losing everything?

My Review:

Not quite a retro read but sort of is :-) Originally published in 2008, it has been reissued by Avon Inspired in 2018 with a spiffy new cover.

I've mostly read DiAnn Mills' romantic suspense so it was a treat to discover this re-release of an earlier historical novel. Awaken My Heart has all the earmarks of a classic historical romance: forbidden love, treachery and betrayal and the kind of greed that drives men to do unthinkable things. And Marianne is the alluring heroine who becomes caught up in it all.

I haven't read much about Texas before it joined the states so I found the history fascinating. A clash of cultures struggling for the right to make this land their home. Marianne and Armando are on opposite sides of the equation. She's the landowner's daughter and he's the rebel leader. They are separated by race, religion, politics and social standing. A relationship between them seems impossible and yet, this is the kind of story that explores the power of love -- both between a man and a woman and between a loving Father and His children. I'm starstruck! A definite must-read for Historical Romance connoisseurs.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Awaken My Heart, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order 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 Saturday January 5 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!