Friday, June 5, 2015

Hearts Made Whole Beacons of Hope Series - by Jody Hedlund [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN: 9780764212383
About the book: Time: 1865 - Location: Windmill Point, Michigan
After her father's death, Caroline Taylor has grown confident running the Windmill Point Lighthouse. But in 1865 Michigan, women aren't supposed to have such roles, so it's only a matter of time before the lighthouse inspector appoints a new keeper---even though Caroline has nowhere else to go and no other job available to her.

Ryan Chambers is a Civil War veteran still haunted by the horrors of battle. He's secured the position of lighthouse keeper mostly for the isolation---the chance to hide from his past is appealing. He's not expecting the current keeper to be a feisty and beautiful woman who's angry with him for taking her job and for his inability to properly run the light. When his failings endanger others, he and Caroline realize he's in no shape to run the lighthouse, but he's unwilling to let anyone close enough to help. Caroline feels drawn to this wounded soul, but with both of them relying on that single position, can they look past their loss to a future filled with hope . . . and possibly love?

My thoughts: Reading stories that deal with part of our American history not covered in history books but which writers of historical fiction have researched and plotted into delightful stories to entertain and, yes, to educate, is a favorite pastime. Jody Hedlund is just such an author. Her previous book in the Beacons of Hope series was a really good read which I reviewed. See review here.

In Hearts Made Whole, the story begins tragically with the drowning of the lighthouse keeper. His daughter and her siblings remain at the lighthouse and she "mans" it despite the 1865's mindset that keeping a lighthouse is a job for which only a man is suited. She desperately needs the job, but so does Ryan Chambers who is returning injured from the Civil War.

As the story progresses, mean and dangerous incidents begin to unfold that are directed at Caroline intending to discourage her and send her away. She digs in her heels determined to stay because that is the only avenue she sees by which she can earn a livelihood to provide for her family. However, she soon becomes desperate.

Ryan, on the other hand, also needs this job but he has problems not only with his injuries from the war, but from his addiction to opiates and alcohol.

Drawn toward each other because they see a need to help each other, they soon also sense and react to an emotionally charged feeling for each other.

A good read. Read an excerpt
GIVEAWAY 
Begins June 5 & ENDS June 21 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. 
 Open to USA addresses only.
 a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Litfuse Publicity Group on behalf of the author and Bethany House Publishing to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

12 comments:

  1. I love reading historical novels because I feel that I can always learn something new! For that reason I really enjoy fiction set in the US, especially in the 1800's, Civil War and after that especially.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I visited Jody's website and learned that she has 5 kids, with twin girls in the middle!

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I really enjoy reading historical novels set during any time period. I tend to read a lot of World War II and 1800's but perhaps because that is what is most available. I don't choose a book based on the time period. It's usually based on the author. For an author I'm not familiar with, the storyline, cover, and recommendations from others help me determine if I'll read it or not.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I visited Jody's website and found, among other things, that she has four cats and lets them run on the kitchen counters! She's much more tolerant than I am!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I can't really name a specific time in history I like, but I know I like either Regency or Victorian times in my books or 1800's to early 1900's. I think because it's a simpler time and the customs, mannerisms, etiquette, social conduct and etc are very refreshing when compared to our time now. And I love imagining all the fashion, the well-dressed ladies and gentlemen!
    Thank you for the chance to win a copy of "Hearts Made Whole".
    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm suppose to comment on one thing I learned:
      Jody was a Pastor's kid :-)

      Delete
  6. I love the mid-1800's to early 1900's in America, so much adventure and change!
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jody's favorite ice cream is an ice cream cake she makes with Oreo's and mini chocolate chips...yum!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love reading about history. I am interested in WW II, the Civil War and the late 1800's.
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
    Merry S.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Jody has 5 children and she loves to read and run
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
    Merry S.

    ReplyDelete
  10. The Civil War era has always most appealed to me. I also like reading about the World War II era.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love historical fiction either in the US or Europe. I really don't have a favorite era. If the plot of the book is intriguing, then any historical fiction time period works for me.

    Sheri
    hspruitt (at) frontiernet (doT) net

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment here at Chat With Vera. If you need to contact me directly, please use the "Comment Me" email associated with this blog and posted in the sidebar.