Roses & Thorns

Roses & Thorns

Friday, October 2, 2015

Hearts in Defiance by Heather Frey Blanton



Blurb:


MEN MAKE MISTAKES. GOD WILL FORGIVE THEM. WILL THEIR WOMEN? 



Charles McIntyre built the lawless, godless mining town of Defiance practically with his bare hands … and without any remorse for the lives he destroyed along the way. Then a glimpse of true love, both earthly and heavenly, changed him. The question is, how much? Naomi Miller is a beautiful, decent woman. She says she loves McIntyre, that God does, too, and the past is behind them now. But McIntyre struggles to believe he’s worth saving … worth loving. Unfortunately, the temptations in Defiance only reinforce his doubts. 



Billy Page abandoned Hannah Frink when he discovered she was going to have his baby … and now he can’t live with himself. Or without her. Determined to prove his love, he leaves his family and fortune behind and journeys to Defiance. Will Hannah take Billy back or give him what he deserves for the betrayal? 

Gritty and realistic, this is the story of real life and real faith in Defiance. 


Donna's Review:

What can I say? This book was as good as the first, A Lady in Defiance, which I reviewed here. In fact, it might have been better.

The plotting is tight. The story is gripping from the very first page. Blanton's prose, while not particularly beautiful or unusual, provides an easy, enjoyable read.  

By far, what I loved the most, however, was the way Blanton's characters jump off the page. Charles McIntyre is a changed man from the first book, but he has baggage from a sordid past that refuses to go away. He doesn't care so much for himself, but he hates the fact his past affects the one woman he has ever dared to love - Naomi Miller. Naomi patiently bears up under the strain of a man working hard to change his ways, and Blanton's potrayal of both McIntyre and Miller is gritty, raw, and heartbreakingly realistic. Naomi, too, is struggling to shed her past and the memories of her husband. When his twin brother arrives, she finds herself fighting a battle of her own, and Charles must come to terms with her feelings as well. 

Particularly intriguing is the appearance of the father of Hannah's baby and his determination to make amends for not standing by Hannah. The fact Hannah has eyes for another young man does not deter him, and I really had no idea who she would choose by the end of the novel.

I will say, the ending was deeply satisfying, until the last page. The book does not really end on a cliffhanger, so to speak. However, it does beg the question - will there be a 3rd book? 

I sincerely hope so.

Still, 5 roses for this one.


Length:  368 pages
Prices:
Print:  $ 13.46
Digital:  $ 2.99

Buy Link:  http://www.amazon.com/Hearts-Defiance-Romance-Rockies-Book-ebook/dp/B00MR11OPA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1443571529&sr=8-1&keywords=hearts+defiance

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