Diana's Review Of 'A Heart's Gift' By Lena Nelson Dooley

A Heart's Gift
By Lena Nelson Dooley, November 6, 2016

Reviewed By Diana Flowers
~5 stars!~
(No Spoilers!)

A Heartwarming Historical Romance!

Colorado - 1893

With a sweep of her magnificent pen, author Lena Nelson Dooley writes a poignant, soul-stirring romantic suspense set against the backdrop of the majestic snow covered Rockies.

Abused as a child and controlled by her husband, the beautiful Lorinda Sullivan promises herself that she will never again let another man make her decisions for her. However, she finds herself in a terrible predicament when she is inadvertently left alone and pregnant, and in virtual danger of a madman who sets her cabin afire. So when Franklin Vine, a wealthy and handsome neighboring rancher, offers a crazy solution to both of their problems she finds herself caught between a rock and a hard place. 

Franklin was betrayed by his fiance and has no use for love, but proposes a marriage of convenience to Lorinda as he needs an heir. Perhaps a marriage in name only is the perfect arrangement for Lorinda and her baby—but will she be able to withstand living without love for the rest of her life in exchange for her precious son's security?  Will they be able to stay platonic when the sparks of passion begin to ignite between the two of them? And when someone from Franklin's past arrives at the ranch will it douse those flames of desire as quickly as they start?

Multi-award winning author, Lena Nelson Dooley, is an expert at writing stories that tug at the readers' heart strings and leave them overflowing with emotion. Combining family, faith, a smidgen of suspense, romance, and a baby who is utterly irresistible—all neatly tie together this exemplary novel with a pretty little bow just in time for Christmas gifts! The romantic tension between hero and heroine was so palatable and thick one could cut it with a knife, and the secondary characters were endearing to say the least (with the exception of a couple of nefarious critters!) Guaranteed to warm the cockles of your heart—be sure to order your copy of A Heart's Gift today!

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The ebook of A Heart's Gift may be purchased through Amazon now and paperback version will be coming soon!

GIVEAWAY: Lena Nelson Dooley has generously offered an ebook copy of A Heart's Gift to one blessed commenter! Please leave your email addy if you would like to be entered in the giveaway - written (at) and (dot) to protect yourself from spammers! (International entrants welcome!)

Love is Patient Collection from Barbour -- Giveaway

Looking for some summer reading? We're giving away a copy of the Love is Patient Romance Collection from Barbour books (February, 2016).  With two stories from Erica Vetsch (Lady-in-Waiting, Shining Armor, 2012), and novellas from Vickie McDonough (The Spinster and the Tycoon, 2007), Jill Stengl (The Spinster's Beau, 2006), Darlene Franklin (A Birthday Wish, 2013), Lena Nelson Dooley (The Spinster and the Cowboy, 2007), Janet Lee Barton (Harvest of Love, 2000), Frances Devine (The Spinster and the Doctor, 2007), and Connie Stevens (Hope's Dwelling Place, 2013).

Blurb: Enjoy the slow dance through the courtship of nine historical couples in the American west, including the territories of Arizona and Wyoming. Just at a time in life when they have nearly given up on finding love, romance enters their lives. But will it be true love, and will it be worth the wait? Find out in this delightful collection written by eight bestselling authors of inspirational romances. 

GIVEAWAY: A paperback of Love Is Patient Romance Collection. Answer this question -- what are you most wanting from reading a novella besides a quicker read?

Guest Commentary and Testimony by Lena Nelson Dooley

Lena Nelson Dooley at ACFW Conference with her ribbons.

God is My Fortress and My Strength

While I was writing the last half of Maggie’s Journey, I had a second bout with Atrial Fibrillation. The doctor changed my medication, and it took about six weeks for my body to adjust to the new medications. During that time, I had to depend on the Lord even more for the telling of the story. I’m sure that’s why so many people have been touched by Maggie’s Journey. It even won the 2012 Selah award for historical fiction.

Then I moved on to writing Mary’s Blessing. Toward the end of that book, I had a little heart event, and my husband started having bladder trouble. While we dealt with the health issues, I still had to write the book. I leaned on the Lord even more than I had before. He gave me so much insight into the hearts and minds of the characters. Sometimes, when I went back to edit a chapter, I was amazed at the words.

After James started with the bladder problems, both of my knees started giving me trouble. I’ve had trouble with one of them for several years, but it had been under control. With all the things to deal with for James, I tried to ignore the knees. James had a biopsy and later I had a heart cath. But lots of dear friends prayed for both of us, and we are both just fine with those issues, but I still hadn’t done anything with the knees.

At the same time, I was writing Catherine’s Pursuit. As I leaned even closer to the Lord, He helped me bring the last part of the story of these identical triplets to a very satisfying conclusion.

Now we’ve taken care of the knees with shots in both. Every day they are better. But the best thing is how God has walked with me through all of this, and I’ve learned to walk even closer to Him. 

Review of Lena Nelson Dooley's Mary's Blessing by Teresa Mathews

Mary's Blessing
By Lena Nelson Dooley
(Realms/Charisma House, 2012)


5 Stars *****

In this touching story of a beautiful young girl that has to take care of her family after their mother and older sisters have died, Lena Nelson Dooley has created a beautiful masterpiece. Mary Lenora Caine has known since a small girl she was adopted and when her mother was alive she always called Mary, “God’s blessing” but now years after her mother’s death Mary doesn’t really feel like that’s true, she feels as though no one cares about her at all. Even her father has been almost a stranger to her and her siblings since her mother died, leaving Mary to take care of her sister and brothers by herself. Feeling that no one cares anything about her, Mary starts to wonder about her birth parents and why they didn’t love her enough to keep her. Will she ever find the answers she seeks about her birth? Will anyone be able to convince Mary she is a beautiful young woman worthy of love?  

Daniel Winthrop, a friend from childhood who has loved Mary for what seems like forever, has dreamed about the day he would ask Mary to be his wife. He knows how hard she works taking care of her family and he wants to make her life easier. Having received Mary’s father’s permission to court her, Daniel believes his dreams are finally going to come true, but when a tragedy strikes Mary’s family will he be able to stand by Mary? Or will Daniel do the unthinkable and leave her just when she needs him the most?

In this story Lena has painted a picture of what sometimes was typical life in the late 1800’s, especially the in lives of the people who paved the way on the Oregon Trail. I loved how this story pulled at my heart and how I couldn’t wait to see how it ended for Mary. I can hardly wait to read the third book in this McKenna’s Daughters Series, Catherine’s Pursuit to see how the mystery behind Mary’s birth turns out.

Lena Nelson Dooley's books are available through CBD, Christian book stores, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.

GIVEAWAY:  Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week’s contest.  Drawing will be late Saturday.  Your choice of Lena’s books, choice of format.

Diana Flowers Reviews Maggie's Journey by Lena Nelson Dooley

Maggie's Journey 
by Lena Nelson Dooley

(Realms/Charisma House, 2011)

5 stars~*****

Simply A Lovely Story!

Lena Nelson Dooley takes us on a journey laden with beauty, love, deceit, and forgiveness---from Seattle, Washington, to Little Rock, Arkansas, as a beautiful, young woman, coming of age, sets out to find herself. Near the advent of her eighteenth birthday, Maggie Lenora Caine, happens upon a chest in the attic that turns her life as she knows it, upside down. For in the chest she finds proof that she was adopted, and no longer knows who she really is. She feels betrayed by the parents who gave her away, and the deceit of her adoptive parents, and wonders why she can never quite fit the mold set by her critical mother. Didn't her real mother love her enough to keep her?...and where does she really belong?

Maggie longs to be a dress designer, and with the permission of her parents, she sets off on a train trip to visit her grandmother in Arkansas, owner of a dress designing shop, accompanied by her longtime friend, and her father's business partner, Charles Stanton, and her young, widowed Aunt Georgia. Charles and Georgia immediately appear to be drawn to one another, much to Maggie's chagrin, for she has hidden feelings for Charles herself.

As she draws close to her grandmother will she find the answers she seeks? Will she accept her grandmother's offer to help her start her own dress company in Arkansas? What guilt has her adoptive mother been carrying inside for years, that has caused her to treat Maggie as she has?...and while missing her daughter so far away, will she be able to release it to her Heavenly Father? Can forgiveness and restoration come to mother and daughter after years of deceit and criticism, and will Maggie discover who she really is...and find romance as well?

This is a beautiful story of ultimate love and forgiveness as only Lena Nelson Dooley can write them. It was a relaxing read...not mad dashing excitement page after page, and I loved that for a nice change. Ms. Dooley actually takes us from state to state, and her use of imagery is so impeccable, the reader will feel as though they have been on a trek themselves. I learned so much about the first trains and railroads that were built...who knew that could be so interesting? Her characters were so endearing, especially our young heroine, and wrapped themselves around my heart. And as always in Lena's books, there is a strong spiritual thread throughout, and a satisfying (lump in the throat, tears in your eyes) conclusion. Very well written, Lena N. Dooley!


Lena Nelson Dooley books are available through CBD, Christian book stores, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.

GIVEAWAY:  Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week’s contest.  Drawing will be late Saturday.  Your choice of Lena’s books, choice of format.

Carrie Fancett Pagels Reviews Lena Nelson Dooley's "Pirate's Prize"

Lena Nelson Dooley
Pirate's Prize (audiobook)

Heartsong Presents romance, Barbour Publishing, 2006

I listened to the unabridged audiobook. Lena offered me this audiobook when I told her I saw it listed at $96 new on Amazon!  Her husband was kind enough to mail it to me, which is so sweet.

This is a memorable book. I loved the character Angelina de la Fuente Delgado. A wealthy businessman's daughter, she is returning to Florida from Spain with her aunt. A young man on board, Brian O'Doule finds himself distracted by the beautiful young lady. He blames himself when her father's ship is boarded by French-speaking pirates. They take Angelina her and her aunt hostage and the cargo as booty. It was really sad when her father's faithful crew are forced to walk the plank. I hate stuff like that in books but Lena handled it well. The scumbags send the boat to the bottom of the ocean.

Brian, who understands multiple languages, survives because Angelina pretends to only understand Spanish, and hence cannot communicate with Etienne Badeau, the pirate captain who wants to make her his wife.  Brian shelters the women and seeks to help them get free. Meanwhile her father searches for them. Lena did a great job of using the language barrier as a plot device for Brian to develop his relationship  with Angelina while foiling Etienne’s plot to marry her.

There are few Christian fiction books set in Spanish America, especially during the colonial period. Add in the French pirate and I haven't seen anything like this in Christian fiction. The unique story line, setting, and time frame really set this book apart in a big way.

Heartsongs seem to be showing up more and more in Kindle. Maybe this excellent story will also become a Kindle book. 

Loved the hero's godly character. Lena is known for creating amazing heroes who are strong Christian men. And Lena didn't make Etienne Badeau too creepy, although she could have - just enough to give you the start of the willies but no more. 


If you can get your hands on this audiobook, it is a wonderful listen! I would consider it a backlist favorite with sticking power.  The narrator was very good, too.

Diana Flowers' Summer Reading List!

This week our format is different.  Carrie is the ACFW BookClub Discussion Facilitator for MaryLu Tyndall's Surrender the Dawn. Are you a member?  Put "BC" on your comment AND send a comment to the ACFW

Book Club to get counted 5 times for the drawing!  Comment here and on the Bookclub posting for the rest of the week and that gives you, well.... you do the math, lol -- lots of chances!!!

Summer Reads – Consensus

Carrie and Diana both were privileged to read advance copies of Veil of Pearls by MaryLu Tyndall (July 1, 2012) and Marian and Teresa are also reading!!!

DIANA's list: By order of release!

An Uncommon Grace by Serena Miller      (April)

Mary's Blessing by Lena Nelson Dooley is on both Carrie’s and Diana’s lists. Diana will have a review up soon.                    (May, 2012)

Glamorous Illusions by Lisa T. Bergren      (June 1)

The Forgiven Duke by Jamie Carie             (July 1)

These are Diana’s reads and Carrie’s “eye” reads.  Will post my audiobook listens later in the week. 

We’re not sure if we will receive this for summer but all four of us will read Love’s Reckoning by Laura Frantz (September 1, 2012 – CBD says they have it available 8-15, though.)

Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of one MaryLu Tyndall’s books! Are any of your summer reads on Diana's list?   

Diana's Corner - Book Review by Diana Flowers

Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico 

Summerside Press, 2010

by Lena Nelson Dooley 

http://www.lenanelsondooley.com/

4 1/2 stars

Truly A Delightful Read!

In Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, Lena takes us off on a romantic, historic, and spiritual journey between several people. It is the 1890s, and Philip Smith an elderly, sick, quite well-to-do miner instructs his young friend, Jeremiah Dennison, to put an ad in the newspaper for a bride. Philip has loved Jeremiah like his own son, and so he feels obliged to fulfill the old man's wishes, much to his dismay. Why does Philip need a young, gold-digging wife to take care of him, when Jeremiah can meet all of his needs?

Madeline Mercer of Boston, a fine, young Christian woman, finds herself in a terrible dilemma when a business partner of her recently deceased father, announces that she is penniless, and must marry him. Also a friend of Maddy's dies in childbirth and insists Maddy take care of her baby, Pearl, before she passes away. Desperate to escape the horrible Horace and have a means to take care of Pearl, Madeline answers Philip's ad and flees to New Mexico. Upon meeting him, she is shocked to see that he is so old, but soon grows fond of this kind, Godly man, who has offered to take care of her and the babe.

Jeremiah is very suspicious of the lovely Madeline, but finds himself irresistibly drawn to her as a moth to a flame, his best friend's intended. Jeremiah also believes that even though he is not a Christian, he is a good man, and doesn't need God. Soon Madeline's past and Horace's lies and accusations catch up with Maddy. Will she be able to stay in Golden, where her precious baby and Philip have grown to love one another so. And what exactly are the old miner's plans for her and Pearl? Does Jeremiah give in and let God take control of his life? And what horrible things does Horace do, all for the love of money? Has he gone too far for God's mercy and redemption?

This was a beautiful story of forgiveness, love, and redemption as only Lena Nelson Dooley can tell it! I found myself more than once with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes... what a wonderful read with a surprise twist near the end!

This book is available through CBD:  http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?Ntt=lena+nelson+dooley&N=0&Ntk=keywords&action=Search&Ne=0&event=ESRCG&nav_search=1&cms=1&switch_number=50  and Amazon and other retailers.

Giveaway:  Leave a comment with your email address for a chance to win a copy of this award winning book!  

Interview Lena Nelson Dooley

The Will Rogers Medallion was recently awarded to Lena Nelson Dooley who has over 650,000 books in print, too!  Congrats, Lena!!!
Read more about this at: http://hartlineliteraryagency.blogspot.com/2011/07/lena-nelson-dooley-wins-award.html?spref=fb


Lena is the author of Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, and of the upcoming new release Maggie’s Journey, book one in the McKenna’s Daughters series. Lena has published many other books, as well, some reviewed here on OTT.

I met Lena through ACFW, participating in some of the same online classes with her.  When I saw the opportunity to have her critique my manuscript at the conference in Indianapolis last year, I was thrilled and jumped right on it.  Lena is just as warm, encouraging, and witty in person as she is online.  She has been a Mentor of the Year through ACFW for good reason and has been the President of the Dallas Fort Worth Ready Writers group for some time. 

Lena, thank you for this interview and welcome to Overcoming Through Time.  Would you share either the most difficult thing in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help, or the most tragic situation or circumstance one of your character’s has had to get past? 

My mother died when I was seven years old. That affected me for many, many years. I had a hard time understanding why a loving God could take a woman who was so loved by everyone and who had small children who needed her. I was in my thirties before I came to understand that God really does love, no matter what happened in my life that I didn’t understand at the time.

How has this affected your writing?

Two of the stronger themes that runs through many of my novels is forgiveness of others and of God and learning to trust God in everything.

What is your favorite bible verse and why?

Philippians 3:10

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

KJV

Disability friendliness:

Is this latest release available in audio format or do you have any other works available on audio? I believe many of your books are available as e-books with audio capability, is that correct (on Kindle)?

Yes, Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, is available in Kindle format with audio capability. So will the McKenna’s Daughters series be.

The only other book I have in audio format is Pirate’s Prize.

How many of your books are out in large print?  (Thank you – we offer this information to our readers with difficulty reading books in regular print format.)

I have had three books release in Large Print:

A Daughter’s Quest, Can You Help Me? And Caught Red Handed, The Spinster Brides of Cactus Corner

What has been the most important thing you hope your readers will get from your books and why?

Bad things happen, but God is good.

As you researched your books, did you learn anything that particularly touched your heart?

I become fully immersed in the time periods and the characters. I’ve run into many interesting things in my forays into research. In Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, I found many interesting things in the town that thrived in 1890, but is a ghost town today. One of the buildings from 1836 is still standing and restored.

Thank you Lena for agreeing to answer these questions.  And readers, Lena shared with me that she had a wonderful stepmother!  God is so good. 

Thank you, Carrie. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you and your blog readers.




Giveaway: Readers - leave a comment and your email address for a chance to win a copy of Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico.  We will have a review up on Wednesday, too, by Diana Flowers and there will be a second entry chance.  Drawing will be done next weekend!