Dawn Crandall: Enchanting Nicholette

By Kelly Bridgewater

In this captivating novella by Dawn Crandall, Nicholette Everstone is already a widow at the age of twenty-two: her husband was murdered on their wedding day. She has just returned to Boston after two years of mourning in Europe. Although her husband was loving, the marriage was an arranged one, and Nicholette would like to wed again--this time for love...and to someone safe.

As she acclimates to life in Back Bay again, Nicholette meets someone she can't help but fall for. But when she learns of the danger and sacrifices Cal Hawthorne takes on for the safety of others, will her heart be strong enough to keep her fears of "what if" at bay?

From Goodreads

My Thoughts:

I have read all of Dawn Crandall's The Everstone Chronicles series and have loved the majority of them. With each successive addition, Crandall improves her writing craft and shows why she will be in the publishing business for a while. Enchanting Nicholette is a novella, but it reads like a full length historical romance novel. With returning characters and a familiar setting, fans of Crandall's previous four novels will be excited to see returning characters come back into the fold.

Her writing has improved with this novel from the first novel. The novel is still written in first person which allows me to get closer to Nicholette's emotions and feelings all throughout the novel. With any good author, it is hard to tell a novel in first person without wanting to intrude on other characters' point of views, but Crandall does a fabulous job at staying in Nicholette's perspective throughout the entire novel.

The romance moves pretty quickly, but it is a fifty thousand plus novella, so it does have to move quickly. I really enjoyed the first scene in the novel at the bookstore. It captured my attention and set the tone for the romance to follow. Crandall is not too mushy like some contemporary romances can become. Instead she allows the emotions and thoughts to flow naturally.

The plot is different, yet predictable. I enjoyed seeing the element of mystery surrounding the hero, Cal, and learning more about Nicholette's past. Her wounded past transformed into something beautiful by the end of the novel. Even Cal had to transform and change his past to become who Nicholette needed. It was a captivating novel and captured my attention the whole time. I hope Crandall writes more novels. I love  reading her novels in the first person.

One last thing to mention is her element of spirituality. Crandall does a fabulous job at allowing it to flow from the hearts of the characters, not force a theology down the readers' throat. I admire that.

Overall, Enchanting Nicholette by Dawn Crandall is a interesting and captivating historical romance told in the first person. I enjoyed journeying with familiar characters and seeing the transformation of the hero and heroine. Fans of Crandall's previous four novels should definitely buy this novel and add it to their collection. I eagerly await what else Crandall decides to write.

I received a complimentary copy of Enchanting Nicholette by Dawn Crandall from Whitaker House Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

About the Author:

From Amazon

Dawn Crandall's debut Gilded Age Victorian romance, "The Hesitant Heiress," was a 2015 ACFW Carol award finalist in the debut category and received the 2015 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, the 2015 Write Touch Reader's Choice Award and the 2015 Romancing the Novel Reader's Choice Award. Her follow-up novel, "The Bound Heart," received the 2016 Laurel Award from Clash of the Titles. Dawn earned a BA in Christian Education from Taylor University. She's been balancing books and babies lately as her two sons were both born as the four books of her Everstone Chronicles series were being released from Whitaker House from 2014 to 2016. Dawn lives with her husband and two young sons on a hobby farm in her hometown in northeast Indiana. (Taken from Amazon.)

Timeless Love

By Kelly Bridgewater

Enjoy seven romances through the ages in this Timeless Love limited time ebook. An open invitation to fall in love with the writing styles of a few new-to-you multi-published authors of your favorite Christian romance eras.

Give Me Thine Heart 1812 ~ Andrea Boeshaar
Moira loathes the man her uncle, Baron Tyrus Kinsley, wishes her to marry. But when she meets Sam Stryker, she soon guesses he’s from the American Colonies. After she stumbles onto a deep secret, Sam must make an impossible decision. Ultimately, he whisks Moira from England. However, it’s the on the 6-weeks long voyage to the U.S. that Moira learns about herself, her family…and the man who is both her kidnapper and rescuer.

This Freedom Journey 1833 ~ Misty M. Beller
Adrien Lockman left France to finally live life on his own terms, but when he discovers a half-starved and half-frozen woman in the treacherous Canadian mountains, the truth soon becomes clear—the only way they’ll survive is together.

The Heart of Home~ 1865 Stephenia H. McGee
Opal Martin aspires to scrub the remnants of the War Between the States from her tattered life. When a nearly drowned soldier appears and asks if he can die on her porch, she must guard against the sudden revival of her heart’s hope for love. Tristan Stuart wants to escape the pain of war. He wakes up at a house that’s too much like home, with a woman determined to mend him he may discover a life worth fighting for. To save the last of what Opal holds dear, will he become the man she needs or let the troubled waters carry him away?

Enchanting Nicholette 1893 ~ Dawn Crandall
Young, widowed, and newly out of mourning, Nicholette Everstone is an heiress yearning to be loved. Her parents had arranged for her to marry her loving late husband, but the marriage ended tragically on her wedding day. Returning to Boston after being away, she finds there’s someone new to her set of friends and family she can’t help but fall for. But when she learns of the danger and 

sacrifices this man takes on, will her heart be strong enough to keep her fears at bay?

Teach Me To Love 1899 ~ Kari Trumbo
Izzy Lawson has taken her last abuse. When her husband dies, she rushes to Belle Fourche to stay with the only friend she has. The wall she’s worked so hard to build crumbles in the arms of a man so different from her husband. Conrad Oleson can’t read and it’s shamed him for longer than he can remember. As Izzy reveals her painful past, he can’t stay away. He’ll do about anything, to get closer. Including, teach her how to love.

Façade 1942 ~ Pepper D. Basham
Olivia Rakes has excellent observations skills for facts and details, but stumbles through matters of the heart. When her brother goes missing in German-occupied France, Livy enlists her services with a group of search-and-rescue spies, who not only thrust her toward espionage, but…romance. Agent Christopher Dawson has avoided Livy since she broke his heart. When the search for his best friend brings them together, the heart takes on a mind of its own. In a world where war changes the rules of life and love, can they work together to complete their rescue mission before the enemy catches them?

Bookishly Ever After 2018 ~ Sarah Monzon
It all started with a bet and a book.
Emory Blake would take curling up with a novel over a night on the town any day. But then her best friend, Tate Woodby, accuses her of living between the pages of her paperbacks instead of the real world, and he makes a bet that will force her to experience the adventures of her fictional friends. Emory must confront the pain of the past. But is it also her perfect opportunity to her own happily ever after?

https://reviewsbyvandaniker.wordpress.com/category/kari-trumbo/

My Thoughts:

Timeless Love. What an interesting concept. Seven authors decided to combine their writing talents and their chosen genres to create a completely unique, in my opinion, series of novellas to offer for a good cause. Starting with Andrea Boeshaar in "Give Me Thine Heart"  in 1814 and ending in the contemporary time period with Sarah Monzon's "Bookishly Ever After," the stories feature a strong heroine and hero. Each of the authors are published in their time periods with other books. Some of the novellas give more to a current series or to introduce a new series or completely different than anything they have ever written. When I heard about the series I couldn't wait to read Pepper Basham's World War II novella "Facade' or Dawn Crandall's novella, "Enchanting Nicholette" because I have read all of Crandall's previous novels and have enjoyed them. If you enjoy historical romance, then this might be right up your alley. I got to taste some new authors I have heard of but have never experienced before. It was a great sample of a number of different styles of writing. I recommend buying this series before you can't buy it anymore. 

I received a complimentary copy of Timeless Love, but the opinions stated are all my own. 

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Dawn Crandall: The Cautious Maiden

By Kelly Bridgewater

Violet Hawthorne is beyond mortified when her brother Ezra turns their deceased parents' New England country inn into a brothel to accommodate the nearby lumberjacks---but when Violet's own reputation is compromised, the inn becomes the least of her worries. In an effort to salvage her good name, Violet is forced into an engagement with a taciturn acquaintance---Vance Everstone.

As she prepares for a society wedding, Violet learns that her brother had staked her hand in marriage in a heated poker game with the unsavory Rowen Steele, and Ezra had lost. Now Rowen is determined to cash in on his IOU.

With danger stalking her and a new fiance who hides both his emotion and his past, Violet must decide who to trust---and who to leave behind.

From Amazon

 My Thoughts:

Dawn Crandall is definitely making her way in the Regency Romance category. I have read all of her books, The Hesitant Heiress, The Bound Heart, and The Captive Imposter and enjoyed them. I knew what to expect when I read The Cautious Maiden, and Crandall doesn't disappoint. She creates meek heroines who become strong, redemptive heroes with a hint of mystery. If all possible, I think The 

Cautious Maiden is her best book in The Everstone Chronicles.

Writing a novel in first point of view is hard for most writers because we have the tenacity to want to jump into the other character's point of view. But not with Crandall. She does a good job at staying in Violet's perspective and staying there. Everything I learn about Vance or the supporting characters, who appeared in the three previous books, I see through Violet's viewpoint. Because of the story's perspective, Crandall invites me into Violet's internal monologue and watched her growing feelings for Vance.

The romance and plot were woven together well. The romance started pretty early on in the story, but their feelings for each other really started in The Captive Imposter, so it doesn't come as a surprise that their romance was shoved to the forefront of this novel. Crandall handles the sparks and chemistry between Violet and Vance as they fly throughout the whole novel. Boy, do they fly. There are moments of passion that I would be worried about the non-mature audiences reading.  As for the plot, it moves along nicely. The story didn't drag, and I enjoyed being lost in this novel for a couple of hours.

Crandall invited me back with familiar characters and setting. It was nice to see Nathan and Amaryllis, Estella, and Dexter return and welcome Violet with open arms. Violet may not be an Everstone when the story starts, but she fits in quite nicely and is accepted in no time with the rest of the Everstone crew. The last Everstone that I met in The Bound Heart finally becomes the hero. I really enjoyed that Crandall made him a "new creation" where he wanted to do the right thing by Violet and run away from his old personality. My favorite scene of Vance was when Violet walked in on him reading his blue Bible in the library. Made me sigh! As for the setting, I really enjoyed returning to the massive Everstone estate and seeing more parts of the home that I wasn't familiar with in previous books.

While the story wasn't original and completely predictable, I do like the suspense aspect that Crandall used to throw Violet and Vance together. It captured my attention and didn't let go. This novel reminded me a lot of Julie Klassen's The Painter's Daughter. If you enjoyed Crandall's other books in The Everstone Chronicles, then I highly recommend you pick up this book.

Like a Regency novel, Dawn Crandall's conclusion to her Everstone Chronicles The Cautious Maiden shows a story of a redemptive hero who woos a woman with a less than honorable current existence. The mystery element woven in the romance was a nice touch.

I received a complimentary copy of The Cautious Maiden from Whitaker House and the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Dawn Crandall's Paperback Editions + Giveaways

By Kelly Bridgewater

My friend and author, Dawn Crandall's, Everstone Chronicles books that came out last year in e-book are now out in paperback.  She and I are REALLY excited about this because I have personally sent numerous emails to the publishing companies begging for print editons of her well-received books. All three of the books in the series  are receiving 4.5 star reviews out of 5. If you haven't read them but want the print copies, now is your time to get them.

I welcome Dawn as she tells you a little about The Everstone Chronicles in print:

The Hesitant Heiress (Everstone Chronicles #1) Synopsis:

After being unjustly expelled from the Boston Conservatory of Music, Amaryllis Brigham sees her dreams of founding a music academy in her hometown of Seattle, Washington, disappearing before her very eyes. Now, the only way to achieve her goal comes with high stakes for someone set on avoiding men as much as possible: Marry within the year to inherit the immense fortune of her estranged grandmother. Amaryllis reluctantly moves in to her aunt's Boston home and rubs shoulders with fashionable society. Despite her own misgivings, she soon finds herself quickly falling in love with the most unlikely of men--Nathan Everstone, the envy of every eligible female, whose father has haunted her dreams for the decade following her mother's tragic death. However, Nathan turns out to be much more than he seems...and everything she never knew she wanted. But just as everything Amaryllis has recently hoped for comes to fruition, it all falls apart when she finds that the real culprit who has been managing her life isn't who she thought at all.

The Bound Heart (Everstone Chronicles #2) Synopsis:

One accidental kiss from Lawry Hampton. That was all it took to throw Meredyth Summercourt's world upside-down. Determined to marry the ever-elusive Vance Everstone, she simply doesn't have the time or the desire to fall for her best friend. But with Vance out of the country, and with Lawry at her side nearly every day, teaching her what the world is like through the eyes of a little orphan girl named Wynn--Meredyth can't deny that what's holding her to Vance is nothing more than a desire to redeem herself from her past. Will she marry Vance once he returns from Europe? Or will she be strong enough to break free from the tangled web she's convinced she deserves, and accept that God's plan for her life includes redemption...and, quite possibly, Lawry Hampton?

The Captive Imposter (Everstone Chronicles #3) Synopsis:

For her own protection following the murder of her brother Will, hotel heiress Estella Everstone assumes the alias of Elle Stoneburner and takes a job as companion to an elderly widow. Never did she imagine that her position would lead her back to her beloved Everston, a picturesque resort property tucked away in the rugged mountains of Maine. Living below her station in a guise of anonymity has its struggles, but her spirits are buoyed by a newfound friendship with the hotel manager, Dexter Blakeley. And his distaste for the spoiled socialites who frequent his hotel causes her to take a close look at her own priorities and past lifestyle. When Estella finds herself in need of help, Dexter comes to the rescue with an offer of employment she can't refuse. As the two interact and open up to each other, Estella feels a growing attraction to Dexter; and increasing discomfort over concealing her identity. Yet, in spite of the false pretense she's putting forth, she's never felt freer to be herself than in his presence. But will he still love her when he learns the truth about who she is?

The paperback versions of The Everstone Chronicles are out in paperback format from Whitaker House right now! 

From Dawn

Find them here: 
Amazon (amazon.com/author/dawncrandall) 
The Hesitant Heiress (Releases on September 8, 2015)
The Bound Heart (Releases on October 6, 2015)
The Captive Imposter (Releases on November 3, 2015)

If you are still unsure or haven't heard about Dawn Crandall's books (where have you been? jk), here is a link to all the books on Goodreads. Feel free to scan some of the raving reviews about her books.

The Hesitant Heiress
The Bound Heart
The Captive Imposter

Here is the link to MY personal reviews that have been here:
The Hesitant Heiress
The Bound Heart
The Captive Imposter

Would you like to read the first chapter of The Hesitant Heiress by Dawn Crandall? Go here and download the first chapter for Free!!!

CONNECT WITH DAWN

Sign up for my quarterly Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bilhmv

Facebook: facebook.com/DawnCrandallWritesFirst

Book Review Blog: www.APassionforPages.blogspot.com

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/dawnwritesfirst

Twitter: @dawnwritesfirst / www.twitter.com/dawnwritesfirst

Author Website: www.dawncrandall.blogspot.com

From Dawn

*******Giveaways!!!**************

Please go and sign up! Good Luck!!!

GoodReads Giveaway (5 print copies of TBH)

Rafflecopter Giveaway (5 print copies of TBH)

Win a print copy of @dawnwritesfirst/Dawn Crandall's award winning sophomore novel, The Bound Heart.

***********************************************************************************

Thank you for stopping by and learning about Dawn Crandall's much anticipated paperback editions of her Everstone Chronicles!!

Dawn Crandall: A Captive Imposter

By Kelly Bridgewater

Back Cover Copy:

Sent away for protection, hotel heiress Estella Everstone finds herself living undercover as a lady’s companion named Elle Stoneburner at one of her father’s opulent hotels in the mountains of Maine—the one she'd always loved best and always hoped to own one day, Everston. The one thing she doesn't like about the situation is that her ex-fiancé is in the area and is set on marrying someone else. Reeling from her feelings of being unwanted and unworthy, Estella reluctantly forms a friendship with the gruff manager of Everston, Dexter Blakeley, who seems to have something against wealthy young socialites with too much money, although they are just the kind of people Everston caters to.

When Estella finds herself in need of help, Dexter comes to the rescue with an offer she can't refuse. She sees no other choice aside from going back home to her family and accepts the position as companion to his sister. Throughout her interactions with Dexter, she can't deny the pull that's evidenced between them every time he comes near. Estella realizes that while she's been hiding behind a false name and identity, she’s never been freer to be herself than when she's with Dexter Blakeley. But will he still love her when he finds out she's Estella Everstone? She's not entirely sure.

My Review:

The Captive Imposter is the third book in Dawn Crandall’s Everstone Chronicles. I have read and reviewed the first two books in the series: The Hesitant Heiress and The Bound Heart. Click on each individual book title to read my complete reviews on the specific books. I enjoy stories where characters have to struggle and work their way through dilemmas in order to end up together. A sort of redemptive quality to the hero and heroine.

Crandall does a good job at mirroring the love of God in the relationships of her characters. For instance, in the hero, Dexter Blakeley, Crandall created a loving, caring, protective, and trust-worthy man who does not flirt and give his heart away. Dexter takes the time to be careful at guarding Elle’s heart. On the other hand, Elle Stoneburner aka Estella Everstone, is a patient, meek woman who wants to be loved. Even through all the struggles Dexter and Elle face, Dexter and Elle love each other for who they really are. Just like God loves us for who we really are.

The setting of the story in 1891 Maine captured my interest. Crandall does a good job at describing the setting of the woods, mountains, spring, and the hotel to situate her readers in the story. I felt like I was roaming the woods with Elle or climbing on the cement wall around the spring.

The writing is fluid with a balance between the prose and dialogue. I believed I followed Elle through her story, learning and empathizing with her as she struggled with sharing her true identity to Dexter. The story is told in first person, so the readers experience the story from Elle’s perspective. The romantic tension was spot on. I truly felt Elle’s dilemma as she started to fall for Dexter and fought internally how to break her secret with him. Crandall is great at creating realistic characters who stay with you long after the story is done.

Fans of Julie Klassen and Jane Austen will love the story and the romance between Dexter and Elle. I recommend everyone read the first two books in the story since there are moments in the third book that allude to incidents in the previous stories.

A swoon-worthy romance from a hero and heroine that will tug at the reader's heart with a captivating setting to spark love and the keys to finding one's true identity.

I have received an ARC from Dawn Crandall for The Captive Imposter in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Dawn Crandall’s Author Bio:

A graduate of Taylor University with a degree in Christian Education, and a former bookseller at Barnes & Noble, Dawn Crandall didn't begin writing until her husband found out about her long-buried dream of writing a book. Without a doubt about someday becoming traditionally published, he encouraged her to quit her job in 2010 in order to focus on writing her debut novel, The Hesitant Heiress. It didn't take her long to realize that writing books was what she was made to do. Dawn is represented by Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary.

Apart from writing books, Dawn is also a first-time mom to a precious little boy (born March 2014) and also serves with her husband in a pre-marriage mentor program at their local church in Northeast Indiana.

Dawn is a member of Romance Writers of America, American Christian Fiction Writers, secretary for the Indiana ACFW Chapter (Hoosier Ink), and associate member of the Great Lakes ACFW Chapter.

The Everstone Chronicles is Dawn's first series with Whitaker House. All three books composing the series were semifinalists in ACFW's prestigious Genesis Writing Contest, the third book going on to become a finalist in 2013.

Where to connect with Dawn:

Personal Author Page

Blog

Facebook 

Goodreads

Where to buy her books:

Amazon

Barnes and Nobles

Kobo

What is your favorite thing about historical romance?