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14 April 2012

Carrie Fancett Pagels Reviews Prize of My Heart by Lisa Norato




(Bethany House, 2012) 

I loved this book!  I received a softcover book from the publisher and it read fine.  But I enjoy using my Kindle and so I purchased it to read the story.  (Hint: We have a very gently used copy of this book to do as an additional giveaway at the end of the week in addition to our regular giveaway!)

The War of 1812 is over and a privateer,  Captain Brogan Talvis, can search out his son, Ben, now five-years-old. Having acquired money through his exploits, he has arranged for a ship to be built in the shipyard of the family who adopted his son. His wife, shortly before her death in a fire, gave away their son to strangers.

Little Benjamin was renamed Andrew and called “Drew” and is being cared for by Nathaniel Huntley, a widower. Huntley’s daughter Lorena has essentially been raising the boy. She is a winsome character with a strong faith.

Brogan plans to take the child with him when he departs with his ship.  But he falls in love with Lorena, whom he initially mistakes for a household servant, startling her on the beach one morning.

Mr. Huntley has sponsored and helped a gifted young architect, who has been friends with Lorena and who persists in seeking her hand in marriage despite her continual refusals. A British citizen, the suitor has accepted an excellent offer in England and intends to take Lorena with him.

Brogan has a choice to make when Huntley reports his daughter has been taken away on board a ship bound for England, apparently against her will. Should he take Ben and sail away or race after the beautiful young woman who has captured his heart?

Nice job with the spiritual arc of the hero, who has had a very rough life and is dealing with abandonment issues.  The secondary characters are well-developed and add great flavor to the story. 

The Huntleys have their own secrets, too. When these are revealed will Brogan be able to pick up the pieces of a heart and soul betrayed and deceived?   Read and find out!

This was a lovely book and I highly recommend it.  Prize of My Heart can be purchased at Christian Book DistributorsAmazon, and other bookstores.

GIVEAWAY:  Leave a comment and your email to be entered to win a copy of Lisa's new release.  Drawing will be late Saturday.  

51 comments:

  1. I've been waiting to read this book! Looks so good!

    marissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com

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  2. MARISSA, I can't believe I messed this up and once again scheduled something before it was supposed to go up, but maybe you were supposed to see this! Maybe that slightly used copy has your name on it, lol! Or are you like me and only Kindle will do, when that is available, or better yet - AUDIBLE!!!

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  3. I've had my eyes on this book for a while now and have read nothing but good reviews about it. Would love to win a copy!

    ecriggs1990@aol.com

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  4. LIZ R, this is a great read! I really enjoyed it, Lisa did a marvelous job! :)

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  5. Would love a chance to win this. Sounds like a great read! Thanks!

    sunshine6892 at hotmail dot com

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  6. Cathy, this was a wonderful read!

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  7. This book has caught my eye! It sounds fabulous!

    sherrinda(at)gmail(dot)com

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  8. CARRIE, really nice review! I thoroughly enjoyed Lisa's book, and appreciate her sending me an ARC. Can't wait to read her next one---wonder when that will be? I hope she sticks to historicals b/c she is so good at writing them!

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  9. Good morning!! Thank you, Carrie, Diana, Teresa and Marian for welcoming me to your very special blog and for your kind words about Prize of My Heart! It's a joy to be here, and, Carrie, your review lifts me up and makes my heart sing!

    To Marissa, Liz, Kathy and Sherrinda, thank for for stopping by with your comments. I love reading them and wish you all luck with the drawing(s). Blessings!

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  10. TERESA, MARIAN, and DIANA - aren't you proud of me that I remembered to put the information about the publisher's copy up there. Hmmm, I guess I have to go in and put the disclaimer up, too. But who would purchase a copy if they didn't like the pb from Bethany?

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  11. BTW, SHERRINDA - you can put your website addy up here if you want! What a nice writer's blog you gals have!!!

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  12. I'm looking forward to reading this one! Sounds like a truly wonderful story!

    iblog4books (at) gmail (dot) com

    Thanks for hosting this giveaway!

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  13. More than proud, CARRIE; impressed! ;)

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  14. Prize of My Heart sounds wonderful, I'd love to be entered. Thanks!
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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  15. I LOVE the cover of this book. It sets the tone of the book. Thanks for letting us get to know about this new boo and the author.

    I'd love a chance to win this book. Thanks for the opportunity

    Blessings

    Nora St.Laurent
    The Book Club Network
    www.bookfun.org

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  16. Lisa is an awesome writer. I've read practically every book she's written. I can't wait to curl up with Prize of my Heart.

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  17. ANNETTE, This is Lisa's debut in the Christian Book Association market. The book is published by Bethany House so it is likely to be a tad different from the other two books listed on Amazon!

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  18. NORA, the book cover goes BEAUTIFULLY with the story. Whoever designed that for Bethany did a GREAT job!

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  19. BROOKE, Thanks for coming by! I love your website. Post the addy here next time. I am following you now!

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  20. MERRY, you are in for the drawing! Thanks so much for coming by and visiting with us. Have a blessed day!

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  21. Don't enter me. I have this book and LOVED it! You all are in for a treat!! I'm going to share this on FB and Tweet. Blessings!

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  22. I saw the link for this drawing on MLTyndall's facebook -- and the book looks SO GOOD! please enter me! ~Micah

    micahwidds(at)gmail(dot)com

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  23. MARYLU - THANKS!!! I appreciate it!

    MICAH - We will enter you! Thanks for coming by!

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  24. The cover is enchanting and your post appreciated. I never cease to be amazed at how much you do, Carrie, and your faithfulness in encouraging so many in the writing community.

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  25. We will be studying this time period in our homeschool this summer. Looks like this book would make a wonderful, interesting addition to or study!
    meajavolio@aol.com

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  26. I would love to add this to my collection of books. Please enter me.
    ldwrncpn@comcast.net

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  27. would love to read this beautiful story...thanks for the chance :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  28. Not too late for my birthday gift!!!


    friendwife@aol.com

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  29. This would be a great addition to my reading collection of novels. I really love the cover and the title! :)

    CoopaTroopa04@hotmail.com

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  30. Brooke and Merry, thanks for your kind words! I appreciate you stopping in today.

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  31. Thank you, MaryLu! and for bringing Micah here. Hi Micah, thanks so much for visiting! Blessings to you both!

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  32. Hi Nora! Great to see you here and good luck with the drawing.

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  33. Hi Annette, sweetie! Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  34. Hi Janet! Thank you for stopping by and especially for mentioning Carrie's generosity in giving of herself to help and encourage others. She is very much appreciated!

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  35. Lori, Karen, Tracy and everyone who has stopped by to leave a comment--thank you! Have a blessed evening!

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  36. JANET, even when I get MIXED up, lol! Like I did with you and Lynn on your post today on CQ? You usually have that Navy oomphiness (my new word!) to your posts that wasn't there today. It read more like Lynn, who is more straightforward with a Canadian no-nonsense approach to things!

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  37. THANKS, LISA!

    KAREN - LOL, you got me chuckling. Birthday beggar, huh? That is a good one, though, and I should put your name in the hat three times just for mentioning it!

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  38. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  39. OOOOHHHHH, it was NOT KAREN, but someone anonymous, lol, who wanted a birthday bonus, lol! The two posts blurred together. Because you wouldn't put your name on there, I am going to count TAMMY BARLEY for this, who really does have her birthday today, and even though she is not here, she is a sweetie pie! I'll count her three times!

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  40. I have this on my Nook wishlist. It sounds like a very good read!!

    Battles2001@hotmail.com

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  41. As i run the library for me church, this book would make a nice addition to our collection. Looks like a fabulous book!

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  42. This looks super amazing! I have it on my to read list

    melkatisaac[at]gmail[dot]com

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  43. Sounds very interesting! I always enjoy discovering new authors...

    Patty
    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  44. MELISSA, I like the refreshing feeling this book gives you, too. It is memorable for being clean as well as cohesive. This is a book that is not quickly forgettable.

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  45. MELISSA & LIZZY, Lisa Norato is someone to be watching as well as reading in the CBA community. Lovely read.

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  46. Thanks for the chance to win. :)
    Ann
    Ann_Lee_Miller[at]msn[dot]com

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  47. RELUVBE and ANN (or is it ALY?) we will enter you both!

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  48. Sounds great! Thanks for a chance to win it!!

    ladette[at]live[dot]com

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