Review: The Cautious Maiden by Dawn Crandall

The Best of The Everstone Chronicles

I’ve been a fan of Dawn Crandall’s books since the first of The Everstone Chronicles, when she emailed me out of the blue asking if I’d consider reviewing it. I was hooked, and I’m still hooked. In fact, I think The Cautious Maiden is her best yet. Yes, it’s the fourth book in the series, but you don’t have to read the other three first. Although you should!

Dawn Crandall doesn’t shy away from difficult issues (and one of the benefits of writing historical romance is that she can address these in a way that seems a little removed, yet is still 100% relevant today). One of the issues she tackles in The Cautious Maiden is the subject of sexual temptation—and how hard it is not to get carried away by feelings. Yes, there’s a lot of sexual tension in this novel.

The Cautious Maiden is the story of Violet Hawthorne, orphaned and forced to leave her childhood home after her brother turns it into a brothel. She works at the nearby Everstone hotel, and is friends with the wealthy owners (to understand why, read The Captive Imposter).

She comes into contact with the wealthy but distant Vance Everstone (from The Bound Heart), who has a formidable reputation as a scoundrel who ruins ladies. But the Vance that Violet gets to know is anything but —he’s a man of honour, and a Christian.

I loved both main characters. Violet, for her intelligence and her determination to distance herself from her brother despite having no family to depend on, and Vance for showing the transformation of character Christianity can bring. And I loved watching them (*spoiler alert*) fall in love (although this is a romance novel, so is that really a spoiler?).

Now I’m looking forward to the next of The Everstone Chronicles, because there are still some unmarried characters who need to get together! Recommended for fans of historical romance with an edge from authors such as Deeanne Gist and Francine Rivers.

Thanks to the author for providing a free ebook for review.

Cover Reveal and Giveaway

I'm delighted to participate in the cover reveal for Dawn Crandall's new novel, the fourth in The Everstone Chronicles:

Ta-da!

I can't wait to read it! If you haven't read The Everstone Chronicles, here is your chance:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you'd like to find out more about Dawn, you can connect with her online:

www.dawncrandall.blogspot.com
www.apassionforpages.blogspot.com
Twitter (@dawnwritesfirst)

You can also read my reviews of the first three books in The Everstone Chronicles:
The Hesitant Heiress
The Bound Heart
The Captive Maiden

Review: The Captive Imposter by Dawn Crandall

Excellent end to trilogy!

After the murder of her brother, heiress Estella Everstone goes incognito as Elle Stoneburner, paid companion to an elderly widow. But she doesn’t anticipate the job taking her to Everston, her favourite of her family’s hotels, where she meets Mr Dexter Blakeley, the hotel manager … and Jay Crawford, her ex-fiance.

The whole book is told in first person, by Elle/Estella. She’s an interesting character: people treat her differently as Elle Stoneburner, and she finds their attitudes quite different. It gives her the opportunity to find out who she really is, apart from the much-younger Everstone sister, the heiress. The first person gives it a gothic romance field, a little like Victoria Holt (for those old enough to remember her!).

This is especially the case with Mr Blakeley and his mother, both of whom seems to have a low opinion of society women. Elle/Estella is attracted to Mr Blakely, and he seems to be attracted to Elle, but will he have the same feelings for Estella, given she represents so much he appears to despise?

The Captive Imposter is the final book in The Everstone Chronicles trilogy, with each book telling the romance of one of the Everstone siblings. The Captive Imposter is a standalone novel, but features characters and situations from the earlier books—so if you plan on reading all the books, do start with The Hesitant Heiress.

I’ve read all three books, and they all have solid plots with excellent characters, feisty women with faith and attitude. The books are well-written, and I especially like the way they each include a strong Christian thread without being preachy. Having said that, I think The Captive Imposter is my favourite of the three books, because the plot is something a little different, and because the characters are so good--both well-imagined and well-portrayed. Recommended for fans of historical romance.

Thanks to the author for providing a free ebook for review.

Review: The Bound Heart by Dawn Crandall

Excellent Sequel

Meredyth Summercourt has been waiting for Vance Everstone to come to his senses, return to Boston, and marry her ever since their illicit liaison six years ago. But Lawry Hampton is back in town, and Meredyth finds herself attracted to her old friend … and he might just be in love with her as well, especially when they find out they have more in common than family background.

The Bound Heart is written entirely in the first person, from Meredyth’s point of view. While she is a reliable narrator, she’s also got some wrong ideas about herself, God, and redemption. Yes, she’s “ruined”, and she didn’t try and stop Vance, but that doesn’t mean she’s obligated to marry only him. There were times when I got quite frustrated with Meredyth, when she found out some things which called Vance’s character into question, but didn’t allow even these to sway her from her purpose. But I liked the way she changed, particularly towards the end of the story.

One possible fault in The Bound Heart is the character of Lawry. He’s almost too perfect. He’s been in love with Meredyth for years, yet he remains constant even though he knows she’s holding a torch for Vance. It would be natural to see him as a rather sad character, but instead he comes across as noble (in the same way as Michael Hosea in Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
), and a study in the eternal constancy of love. My other issue was with Vance: the way he behaved towards the end of the story didn’t ring true for me.

The Bound Heart is the second novel in The Everstone Chronicles, following The Hesitant Heiress (which I also reviewed, and thoroughly enjoyed--while The Bound Heart was good, The Hesitant Heiress was better). The final book in the series, The Captive Imposter, is due out next year and I’ll be looking forward to reading it.

Thanks to Dawn Crandall for providing a free ebook for review. You can find out more about Dawn at her website.

Review: The Hesitant Heiress by Dawn Crandall

Excellent Historical Debut

It is 1890, and Amaryllis Brigham is a talented musician, but a slanderous letter from the rich influential Bram Everstone ends her study at the Boston Conservatory of Music, and sends her to the home of her Aunt Claudine. Here she is reintroduced to her childhood friend, cousin Lawry Hampton, and his friends, Jay Crawford and Nathan Everstone … Bram’s son.

Amaryllis discovers she is a rich heiress, but she must marry in order to claim her inheritance. She has no desire to marry, yet the money would enable her to return home to her beloved Whidbey Island, Washington, and establish a music school. Logic would dictate that the handsome Jay would make the ideal husband, as he’s a preacher in search of a wife to accompany him to fulfil his call to preach in Washington. Yet Amarillys finds herself attracted to Nathan, the son of the man who has ruined her life in more ways than one.

The Hesitant Heiress is written in the first person, which is an unusual choice for a historical romance, but it works. So many of the characters are hiding secrets, and first person enables the reader to uncover those secrets slowly, and means they have the same element of surprise to us as they do to Amaryllis. I liked that, as it added to the suspense.

This story has it all—fascinating characters, secret love, obsession, suspense, loads of romantic tension, and a few rather fabulous kisses. I thoroughly enjoyed The Hesitant Heiress. The only thing I didn’t like was the teaser for the sequel, because now I’m going to have to wait months to find out what happens. Recommended for fans of historical romantic suspense from authors such as Colleen Coble.

Thanks to the author for providing a free ebook for review. You can find out more about Dawn Crandall at her website.