Revell, June 30, 2015
Reviewed By Diana Flowers
~5 stars!~
Captivating Colonial Fiction!
In To Capture Her Heart, Rebecca DeMarino has crafted a mesmerizing colonial saga of unrequited love and the igniting passions of a young Indian maiden for two men—set in the untamed New World, where Indian tribes war against each other, and boundaries are set between the Dutch and English settlers.
Heather Flower, a beautiful princess of the Montaukett tribe, is celebrating her wedding feast when she witnesses the murder of her beloved and is kidnapped by a rival Indian tribe. Left to die, she is rescued by the handsome Dutch Lieutenant, Dirk Van Buren. She grieves her loss at the home of her aunt and the Horton's, English friends of her people. Dirk's attraction for her is instantaneous, but he is held back by boundaries set for the Dutch by the English and Heather Flower must sneak off in the woods to meet him. Benjamin Horton, a charming childhood friend of hers, also seeks to claim her love. As her grief consumes her, will Heather Flower ever be able to open her heart to one of these fine men she loves as dear friends?...and if so, which one has the key to unlock it?
I can't say enough about Rebecca DeMarino's writing expertise and impeccable research of this era of our country's history. I was not aware of the boundaries set upon the Dutch and I learned so much while enjoying this fascinating read. Indians warring against the English and other Indian tribes, and the English still fighting the Dutch...troublesome times indeed! I was delighted that the main characters all returned from the first book in the series to brighten things up a bit, but no worries if you haven't read the first book. I would highly recommend it, but the author does a great job of recapping and that shouldn't be a problem to new readers. I had only one issue with this story. I never got to know Dirk as well as I wanted to. I couldn't seem to connect with him although he was one great guy!! However, so was Benjamin! I adore love triangles with two hunky heroes, so I can pick which one I want to win the heroine's heart. Lol Exquisite writing with plenty of unpredictable romantic tension and a wonderful storyline....what's not to like? Order your copy today!
Heather Flower, a beautiful princess of the Montaukett tribe, is celebrating her wedding feast when she witnesses the murder of her beloved and is kidnapped by a rival Indian tribe. Left to die, she is rescued by the handsome Dutch Lieutenant, Dirk Van Buren. She grieves her loss at the home of her aunt and the Horton's, English friends of her people. Dirk's attraction for her is instantaneous, but he is held back by boundaries set for the Dutch by the English and Heather Flower must sneak off in the woods to meet him. Benjamin Horton, a charming childhood friend of hers, also seeks to claim her love. As her grief consumes her, will Heather Flower ever be able to open her heart to one of these fine men she loves as dear friends?...and if so, which one has the key to unlock it?
I can't say enough about Rebecca DeMarino's writing expertise and impeccable research of this era of our country's history. I was not aware of the boundaries set upon the Dutch and I learned so much while enjoying this fascinating read. Indians warring against the English and other Indian tribes, and the English still fighting the Dutch...troublesome times indeed! I was delighted that the main characters all returned from the first book in the series to brighten things up a bit, but no worries if you haven't read the first book. I would highly recommend it, but the author does a great job of recapping and that shouldn't be a problem to new readers. I had only one issue with this story. I never got to know Dirk as well as I wanted to. I couldn't seem to connect with him although he was one great guy!! However, so was Benjamin! I adore love triangles with two hunky heroes, so I can pick which one I want to win the heroine's heart. Lol Exquisite writing with plenty of unpredictable romantic tension and a wonderful storyline....what's not to like? Order your copy today!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Thanks to Revell for a copy of this amazing book in exchange for my honest opinion.
GIVEAWAY: A paperback copy of To Capture Her Heart to one lucky viewer who posts a comment on my review! Even you already posted one on Bonnie's review, here's a chance for an EXTRA entry to win!
FANTASTIC review Diana! I am looking forward to reading more of Heather and Dirk's story.
ReplyDeleteHeather and Dirk's AND Benjamin's story, CARYL. Lol Thank you so much for your kind words and for stopping by! :)
DeleteI adore the cover of this book! And I thoroughly enjoyed reading your beautifully written review of this lovely book too, Diana! The history contained within sounds fascinating... Amazing how enormously things have changed isn't it? Except for the complex matters of the heart, they will always stay the same... :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! The cover really drew me in, NOELA! Before the blurb even. Some things never change, do they? ;)
DeleteGreat review, Diana! I cannot wait to read this! I am hooked already!
ReplyDeleteREGINA, hoping for a win for you since you are so hooked! LOL Thx!
DeleteDiana, a great review!
ReplyDeleteThe book cover is beautiful and sounds very interesting--both from the book description and your review. I love reading Christian fiction set in that era.
My great-great-great-grandmother (not sure how many many greats) was Indian. We have never figured out what tribe she was from.
Thank you for a chance to win a copy of this book.
Blessings,Tina
tfrice(at)comcast(dot)net
That would be so cool to find out what tribe she was from, TINA! Thank you for your kind words and lots of luck in the drawing! Blessings back!
DeleteTrying this again...hopefully it posts. This book sounds great! And I love the cover. Please enter me in the drawing!
ReplyDeletedebsbunch777[at]gmail[dot]com
Oh, don't you hate when blogger is a stinker? :/ And my second comment is never as witty as the first. Lol Thank you for coming by, CHAPPY! Tossed your name in my cyberhat here! ;)
DeleteOh, wow! What a great review, Diana! I cannot wait to know more.......keeping my fingers crossed!
ReplyDeletemauback55 at gmail dot com
Make sure to cross your eyes and your arms and legs, too, MELANIE! No, not your eyes. My mom always told me they would get stuck that way. LOL Thank you!
DeleteThank you for the review. This sounds like a wonderful book.
ReplyDeletesusanmsj at msn dot com
You're welcome, SUSAN! It is truly a great read. Good luck in the drawing!
DeleteGreat review Diana. Good job. I didn't remember trouble with the Dutch and English. Story sounds very interesting. I would be happy to win the book. Thanks! Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <
ReplyDeleteI never knew either, MAXIE! I never had a clue there were boundaries against the Dutch. And I'm Dutch! (gasp!)
DeleteDiana, this just deleted my whole comment so please just put my name in. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <
ReplyDeleteMAXIE, it took. See above. Thx for sharing!
DeleteSo many great books, not enough reading time! Thanks for this review and the chance to win To Capture Her Heart.
ReplyDeletePAM, I know what you mean. I need three heads! Lol You're so welcome!
DeleteA lovely review thank you.
ReplyDeleteMARY, thank you for your kind words! The luck of the Irish to you!
DeleteGreat review - sounds like a book I would totally enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThx, BETTI! I believe you will thoroughly enjoy this one!
DeleteThe review of TO CAPTURE HER HEART intrigues me. I really enjoy learning new information in historical novels.
ReplyDeleteIt's a whole lot better learning this way than it was in history class, KAYE! Rebecca is never boring!
DeleteAfter your review, now I've got to read it!
ReplyDeletemissionwife@hotmail.com
MELODY, so nice to see you again! And I agree...you've just got to read it! :)
DeleteThis book sounds really good. Thanks for sharing your review. :) I would absolutely looove to read it. I shared on FB and Twitter. sydneyjames68[at]gmail[dot]com.
ReplyDeleteSYDNEY! What a lovely thing to do! Thank you and it's nice to meet you here on OWG. :) Lotsa luck to you!
DeleteSounds like a good read. kamundsen44@yahoo.com. Kim
ReplyDeleteI believe you'll thoroughly enjoy it, KIM! Thank you for coming by and commenting!
DeleteThis cover looks amazing. I can't wait to read this. I have tried posting 3 times, hope it works! sonja dot nishimoto at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteYay, it finally did, SONJA! I appreciate your persistency and hope it pays off for you! The story is as amazing as the cover!
DeleteLoved your beautiful review, Diana, thank you - also loved "To Capture Her Heart"!! I enjoyed the historical part of the novel ( had never heard of Southold) - as well as the family scenes and characters, romance, and inspiration. I'm looking forward to reading the other 2 novels in the series, and would love to see Southold - especially after seeing the pictures of Rebecca's book signing there (posted on her FB page).
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Bonnie! I'm sure you will enjoy book one, although you may want to thump someone on the head more than once. Lol I am looking forward to book 3 as well, but until then.......more great books!
DeleteAppreciated your thoughts, Diana. I started reading this book last night and am already hooked, as I enjoy character-driven stories. And I enjoyed A Place in His Heart, so it's wonderful to reunite with Mary, Barnabas and Winnie.
ReplyDeleteCAROLE, thank you for sharing! I was pleasantly surprised by the reunion of the former characters as well! Some I had forgotten, but I eventually got them all straight.
Delete