My Review: Hearts Awakening by Delia Parr

Hearts Awakening
by Delia Parr
Copyright 2010
Bethany House Publishers
352 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0670-2
Historical Fiction

From the publisher:
Two people in desperate circumstances.
One unlikely proposal.

Life has left few choices for Elvira Kilmer. Her hopes for marriage and a family of her own have long since passed her by, and her arrival on Dillon's Island, nestled in the Susquehanna River, is not of her choosing, either. She needs work. And Jackson Smith needs a housekeeper.

Yet Ellie never imagined the widower would be so young... so handsome.

Jackson, on the other hand, has never met anyone quite so... plain. But he quickly comes to realize that Ellie's presence may solve his own problems--both the rearing of his young boys and the scandal that surrounds his first marriage.

When Jackson offers her something quite out of the ordinary, will Ellie look beyond mere necessity and risk opening her heart?

My Review:
I loved this book and here's why, it is a marriage of convenience story (my favorite), the setting is different (not a western like most marriage of convenience stories today) and thirdly there is little to no spark between the hero and heroine. You might think that's a bit strange but in nearly every book I've read there was an immediate spark between the characters. I find it very refreshing to read a romance that's not based on instantaneous physical attraction but gradual unification of souls. I know that probably sounds really cliché but it's what I think!

The heroine, Elvira Kilmer, 31 years old with no hope of marriage, suddenly finds herself married to a younger, handsome, Jackson Smith with no hope of love between them especially since there is "another woman." Jackson marries her since she is plain, he knows he couldn't possibly love her so therefore...no complications. But as in all relationships be it romantic or otherwise there are always "complications."

All in all the themes that are present in this book are faith in God and forgiveness but the one that stuck with me was outer appearances of beauty may not always mean inner beauty and often times the most beautiful gifts are in the plainest wrappers. What a great message for anyone who reads this book especially the younger set who may feel hopeless in this age of emphasis on all things physical.

I cannot wait for Delia Parr's next book, Love's First Bloom coming this September. If you love Janette Oke's, Love Comes Softly, you will definitely like this book! Hearts Awakening is highly recommended!

"Available now for purchase from your favorite retailer."

To learn more about Delia Parr and her books visit:
Her WEBSITE

*I received my free copy from the publisher through their Bethany House Book Reviewers program.*