Book Review + Giveaway! The Cautious Maiden by Dawn Crandall
The Cautious Maiden (The Everstone Chronicles, Book 4) by Dawn Crandall Copyright 2016 Whitaker House Publishers ISBN: 9781629117508 |
The story takes place in the Gilded Age of Boston told through the eyes of Violet Hawthorne, an innocent woman with a generous heart who falls in love with a transformed crook turned Christian, Vance Everstone. Violets brother Ezra turns their deceased parents' New England country inn into a brothel to accommodate the nearby lumberjacks. Her reputation becomes compromised. She tries to salvage her good name and is forced into an engagement with Vance. As she prepares for a society wedding, Violet finds out her brother had staked her hand in marriage in a heated poker game with the shady Rowen Steele, and Ezra had lost. Now Rowen is determined to cash in on his IOU.
Read more about the books on Dawn's website!
My Thoughts:
Dawn Crandall's books are unique in the Christian fiction genre. A Cautious Maiden is more preachy than church on Sunday and also as pulse-pounding as a bodice ripper. I know, right!? You wouldn't think the combination would work, but Crandall pulls it off!
While Violet Hawthorne doesn't necessarily play to one's sympathies (she was a litttttlle too simpering at times), I still like her. Who can blame her for going gaga over a reformed rogue? It is a romance, after all. Vance Everston himself is the dark eyed, swoony hero. I love that he's the aforementioned bad boy redeemed, but far from perfect. He has ghosts from his past that still haunt him and it really affects how his partnership with Violet evolves. I think Ms. Crandall does a good job at making things entertaining and dramatic without getting too crazy!
Crandall has a solid series in The Everstone Chronicles and I look forward to reading what she comes up with next!
~ My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars ~
*I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*
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*** Book Giveaway ***
Leave a comment (say, "Hi!") on this blog post along with your email address (ex: steelergirl83(at)gmail(dot)com) to be entered for a chance to win one copy of The Cautious Maiden in paperback. US residents only, ages 18+ only. Void where prohibited. I am not responsible for lost, misdirected or damaged prizes. Giveaway closes 11/11/2016 at 12:01AM EST.
Happy Reading!
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