Bonnie reviews 'To Follow Her Heart' By Rebecca DeMarino

To Follow Her Heart

TO FOLLOW HER HEART 

by Rebecca DeMarino 

Revell (July 19, 2016)

Reviewed by Bonnie Roof

5 Stars *****

July 24, 1664 - Southold, Long Island

Just returning from a voyage on his ship, The Swallow, Captain Jeremy Horton is shocked upon entering the church sanctuary and finding himself in the midst of his own memorial service.

Since being shipwrecked off the coast of Barbados more than a month prior no survivors have been found, friends and family have given up any hope he has survived. All EXCEPT Patience Terry - who believes so strongly he is alive, she - in defiance - wears a purple gown trimmed in white lace to the memorial service rather than black as have the other ladies in attendance.

On his last visit, she had begged him to give up sailing and make a home in Southold - a home she had hoped would include her as his wife. Overjoyed he has returned, Patience is soon disappointed to learn that even though he promises to marry her - Jeremy is once again leaving. This time to lead the troops in support of an attack on New Amsterdam by the British Crown.

Life continues to be less than "smooth sailing" for their relationship as Jeremy's sense of duty and other obstacles continue to come before their marriage. As Reverend Joshua Hobart's attraction to Patience increases, she makes a decision that could forever change the course of her life.

'To Follow Her Heart' is the third and last novel in The Southold Chronicles series by Rebecca DeMarino, based on the lives of her ninth great-grandparents, Mary Lanton and Barnabas Horton. Each novel can be read as a stand-alone, the reader's enjoyment enhanced by the reading of all three. I thoroughly enjoyed each of the three novels, being enticed by the first to read the other two - 'A Place in His Heart' and 'To Capture Her Heart'.

'To Follow Her Heart' is a beautiful, warm, family story woven with a thread of faith throughout - realistic characters, compelling history, engrossing suspense, and sweet, poignant romance. I look forward to Rebecca's next novel, which again will be based on the lives of real people.

*I was provided a copy of 'To Follow Her Heart' by it's publisher in return for my honest opinion - which I have given.

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You may find this book at these places and others for purchase: Amazon; CBD; BAM; B&N

GIVEAWAY: We are grateful to Rebecca DeMarino for providing a paperback copy of 'To Follow Her Heart' to one blessed commenter! Please comment and leave an email address written with (at) and (dot) to protect against spammers - for contact purposes, should you be our winner of Rebecca's novel.

Diana's Review Of 'To Capture Her Heart' By Rebecca DeMarino

To Capture Her Heart By Rebecca DeMarino
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!

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Thanks to Revell for a copy of this amazing book in exchange for my honest opinion.

 

 This book may be purchased through Amazon, CBD, BAM, and your local bookstores.

 

 

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!







Bonnie Roof Reviews 'To Capture Her Heart' By Rebecca DeMarino

To Capture Her Heart by Rebecca DeMarino
Revell 2015

Set in 1653, "To Capture Her Heart", is book 2 of the Southold Chronicles—a series inspired by the author, Rebecca DeMarino's, ninth great-grandparents, Barnabas and Mary Horton. Rebecca transports the reader, with adventure and suspense, to the wild land that eventually becomes Long Island, New York. 

The conflict between its people - Dutch and English settlements, as well as tribes of the Montaukett and Narragansett - play an important part in the development of the story. There is much doubt and unrest as to where one's loyalties should lie - word traveling slowly from the court in New Haven, Connecticut, and the English uncertain as to whether they are at war with the Dutch, who are giving the Indians firearms. The English are concerned their interests will be compromised if the natives interfere. Having suffered much in their homeland, they want the peace of worshiping in their own way, without interference from others. They hold a strong belief they must keep those who profess a different faith-out of Southold.

Heather Flower, a princess of the Montaukett tribe, and her groom, Keme, are celebrating their wedding feast when the village is attacked by the rival Narragansett tribe - murdering Keme and others, as well as kidnapping Heather Flower and thirteen other women of her tribe. Even though her ransom is paid by Englishman, Lion Gardner, Heather Flower is bound by her captors and left to die.  

There is an attraction on the part of both, when Dutch Lieutenant Dirk Van Buren is chosen to lead a militia to rescue her. Still grieving from the loss of Keme, and not yet ready to return home to the scene of the massacre, she stays with her aunt Winnie at the Corchaug village in Southold, near the home of English friends Barnabas and Mary Horton and family. As she heals, Heather Flower finds herself torn between her affection for Dirk and her long-time friendship with Ben Horton, son of Barnabas. At the same time, she worries she will lose a part of herself by living in the white man's world; her mother is much more concerned with their race being obliterated through intermarriage than about Heather Flower's heart and love.  

I became thoroughly engrossed in the characters of "To Capture Her Heart", and enjoyed learning more of the history, customs, and people of that era and area. Rebecca DeMarino paints a story rich with heart-warming family scenes, realistic characters, and vivid descriptions that capture the reader's heart and imagination - there is inspiration from the strong element of faith in trusting God to provide. It is a beautiful story of romance - a woman torn between her heart's desire, uncertainty, and feelings of obligation. A shocking twist in the final pages provides a heart-warming conclusion - "To Capture Her Heart" definitely whetted my appetite and desire for reading books 1 ("A Place in His Heart") and 3 of the series, also!

You can find this treasure at Amazon, CBD, and BAM.

Giveaway: We're giving away a paperback copy this week on OWG blog. You'll have two opportunities to enter the drawing. So leave a comment on this blog and on Diana's review on Thursday to get two entries for winning the book!

Diana Flowers Reviews A Place In His Heart By Rebecca DeMarino

A Place in His Heart by Rebecca DeMarino

Revell Publishing, 2014

Reviewed by Diana Flowers

4.5 stars!

Intriguing Debut Novel!

Debut author, Rebecca DeMarino, has penned an intriguing, sweeping saga fraught with dangers on every hand, adventure, and unrequited love—spanning from mid-1600s England to the primitive colonies of the New World.

Mary Langton is disgraced in her hamlet when she is left at the altar by her fiancé, and is being pressured by her family to marry someone she detests. Desperate to marry for love, she hastily agrees to a proposal from Barnabas Horton, a handsome Puritan widower with two sons. Although in love with Barnabas, Mary holds no place in his heart…for that space is filled with broken memories of his dead wife.

Determined to be a good wife to Barnabas and mother to his children, a heartbroken Mary leaves her family and follows him to the New World. In this savage new land, Mary battles loneliness, fear of wild Indians, the harsh elements, and the insecurity of having no permanent place to call home. When all hope is gone and she plans a desperate move…will Barnabas finally find a place in his heart for Mary?

Rebecca DeMarino has written a fast-paced, never boring debut novel – with realistic characters facing some of the same challenges modern day couples deal with every day. The brokenness of infertility, living with a detached spouse, and an insecure future are among a few of the topics that are covered with finesse and compassion. You will fall in love with Mary and her kindheartedness…and wonder why Barnabas doesn't. And just when you feel like smacking him, he does something endearing that makes you love him in quite in spite of yourself! A Place in His Heart is an impeccably researched, expertly written colonial novel that is guaranteed to evoke powerful emotions from its readers! Ms. DeMarino has me anxiously awaiting the next book in this series from which I got a sneak peek at the end of this novel!

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This book may be purchased through CBD, Amazon, BAM, and your local bookstore.

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy! An e-book will be available if the winner is international!