A Heart's Gift by Lena Nelson Dooley: Review & Giveaway with Celebrate Lit

About the Book

 A Heart’s Gift

Author: Lena Nelson Dooley

Genre: Christian historical romance

Is a marriage of convenience the answer?

 Franklin Vine has worked hard to build the ranch he inherited into one of the most successful in the majestic Colorado mountains. If only he had an heir to one day inherit the legacy he’s building. But he was burned once in the worst way, and he doesn’t plan to open his heart to another woman. Even if that means he’ll eventually have to divide up his spread among the most loyal of his hired hands.

When Lorinda Sullivan is finally out from under the control of men who made all the decisions in her life, she promises herself she’ll never allow a man to make choices for her again. But without a home in the midst of a hard Rocky Mountain winter, she has to do something to provide for her infant son.

A marriage of convenience seems like the perfect arrangement, yet the stakes quickly become much higher than either of them ever planned. When hearts become entangled, the increasing danger may change their lives forever.

 

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MY THOUGHTS.....

As I read this story, I marvelled at Lorinda Sullivan's inner strength. After enduring a traumatic childhood filled with abuse from her father and brother, she experiences more grief when her husband is killed and she is left to spend a winter alone in the Rocky Mountains. How can a young pregnant widow expect to endure a severe Colorado winter in the year 1893?

Lena Nelson Dooley has written an intriguing novel about two needy people who enter into a marriage of convenience. Lorinda and her baby boy need a home and Franklin Vine needs an heir, so a 'marriage in name only' seems to be the perfect answer. Perfect...until Lorinda witnesses Franklin's love and acceptance of baby Michael and has her perception of controlling men completely altered. Perfect...until Franklin learns what a kind, loyal woman is really like! Will their marriage of convenience agreement succeed?

A Heart's Gift is a heartwarming, historical romance filled with adventure, danger, and suspense but there is also a sweet romance and a strong faith message that runs throughout the story. I recommend this book to all who enjoy historical Christian fiction.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Celebrate Lit Book Tours. There was no obligation for a favorable review. These are my own opinions.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

About the Author

Lena Nelson Dooley has been an author for 36 years. Her 51^st book released in June 2020. Raised in Arkansas, she married a Texan 56 years ago. They have lived in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex for decades. She is an active member of ACFW and one of the founding members the DFW local chapter. She’s often been a speaker for other writers’ groups and conferences, both as a keynote speaker and a workshop teacher. Her fans love reading her books filled with characters who grip your heart.

 

More from Lena

The Story Behind A Heart’s Gift

I’ve been a lover of history for decades. In college and graduate school, all my elective courses were history. Of course, I chose the countries and eras I wanted to learn about. When I began writing novels, my first one was a contemporary story. After that at least 75% or more of my novels have been historical, from 1805 through the early 20^th century.

I’ve always been fascinated by the relationship between Joseph and Mary the mother of Jesus. The Bible doesn’t give us a lot of information about their relationship. But by his actions, we can assume that Joseph believed the angel and Mary about her baby. He didn’t do the usual thing and put her away quietly. Instead, he protected her, and from the day He was born, he became the earthly father of Jesus. I’ve often thought about what that meant for Joseph and for Mary. When I wrote a story of a marriage between a man and a single mother, I used the emotions that I feel God has revealed to me about their relationship.

The first time I read a marriage of convenience novel, I loved it. And I’ve read quite a few. I’ve also written a few. A Heart’s Gift is one of them. This book was an easy and interesting book to write.

I’m what’s called in the industry a seat-of-the-pants author, more or less. I do have the complete outline of the story in my head. When I sit down to write, I know where I’m going, but I don’t have every single scene plotted out as some authors do. And I pray a lot. During the time I’m writing a book, God drops ideas into my mind. Not just while I’m writing, but other times, too. That’s the exciting thing about writing. This keeps it fresh for me.

During the writing of A Heart’s Gift, there’s a place where I just stopped and said, “God, what am I going to do now?” When you get there, you’ll know what scene I mean, but I don’t want to give a spoiler.

I never dreamed that the book would turn into a suspense novel in the last quarter of the book, but God knew. And it made it a better book.

Blog Stops

Connie’s History Classroom, January 13

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, January 13

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 14

Maureen’s Musings, January 14

Reviewingbooksplusmore, January 15

Sara Jane Jacobs, January 15

Inklings and notions, January 16

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, January 16

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 17

Writing from the Heart Land, January 17

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 18

Betti Mace, January 18

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 19

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 19

Artistic Nobody, January 20 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Melissa Wardwell’s Back Porch Reads, January 20

Older & Smarter?, January 21

lalkesidelivingsite, January 21

For Him and My Family, January 22

Labor Not in Vain, January 22

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 23

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, January 23

Texas Book-aholic, January 24

To Everything There Is A Season, January 24

deb’s Book Review, January 25

Lis Loves Reading, January 25

Splashes of Joy, January 26

Pause for Tales, January 26

Mary Hake, January 26

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lena is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/105a2/a-heart-s-gift-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Courting Misfortune (The Joplin Chronicles #1) by Regina Jennings

ABOUT THE BOOK

Calista York needs one more successful case as a Pinkerton operative to secure her job. When she's assigned to find the kidnapped daughter of a mob boss, she's sent to the rowdy mining town of Joplin, Missouri, despite having extended family in the area. Will their meddling expose her mission and keep Lila Seaton from being recovered?

When Matthew Cook decided to be a missionary, he never expected to be sent only a short train ride away. While fighting against corruption of all sorts, Matthew hears of a baby raffle being held to raise funds for a children's home. He'll do what he can to stop it, but he also wants to stop the reckless Miss York, whose bad judgment consistently seems to be putting her in harm's way.

Calista doesn't need the handsome pastor interfering with her investigation, and she can't let her disguise slip. Her job and the life of a young lady depend on keeping Matthew in the dark.

MY THOUGHTS.....

This is a very entertaining book about a female detective trying to secure her position in the Pinkerton Detective Agency. I loved the mystery, danger, and adventure in the plot of Courting Misfortune and the addition of a possible romance certainly added to its delight.

Author Regina Jennings has filled her story with twists and turns, as Calista York finds herself dealing with shady characters, corruption, and a baby raffle that awards her a baby she doesn't want. She also finds herself being protected by a wanna-be missionary and there are many laugh-out moments between her and Matthew Cook, after he sees her entering a brothel and assumes that she needs to hear God's Word. She, of course, must keep her identity a secret while dealing with his persistent efforts to save her and this is where the fun begins! I especially loved Matthew, his attempts to keep Calista safe, and his desire to share the Gospel with her and the other people of Joplin, Missouri. Jennings gives Matthew some wonderful dialogue and uses his character to remind us that God puts us where He wants us to be and He often chooses a different path for us to take, if we trust Him and allow him to work in our lives.

I am labeling this book a keeper! It kept my interest, it kept me wanting more, and it kept me laughing! Courting Misfortune is an enjoyable historical Christian romance set in 1898 and I highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. There was no obligation for a favorable review and these are my own thoughts.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a history minor. She has worked at The Mustang News and First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She now lives outside Oklahoma City with her husband and four children.

Learn more about Regina Jennings by visiting her

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