I've been waiting on this day for some time! What day is this, you ask? It's the day I share a lovely event on my blog with you on The Everstone Chronicles by Dawn Crandall. I know, I've done spotlights on this series before, but today and tomorrow, I get to share with you my thoughts and my dream cast. And wrap it all up in an exclusive interview with Dawn herself, along with a nice little giveaway, courtesy of Dawn! Are you excited?!!!
Title: The Hesitant Heiress, Book 1 of The Everstone Chronicles
Author: Dawn Crandall
Publisher: Whitaker House
Release Date: September 8, 2015
ABOUT THE BOOK
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, whose
family is linked to her mother’s tragic death. However, Nathan turns out to be
much more than he seems… and everything she never knew she wanted. But can she
ever really trust an Everstone man?
- 2015 winner of the Birmingham Romance Writers of America Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence
- 2015 winner of the Romance Writers of America Chapter Hearts Through History Romancing the Novel Contest for the Inspirational category
- 2015 winner of the Wisconsin Romance Writers of America Write Touch Readers' Award for the Inspirational category
- 2015 winner of the Romance Writers of America Chapter Hearts Through History Romancing the Novel Contest for the Inspirational category
- 2015 winner of the Wisconsin Romance Writers of America Write Touch Readers' Award for the Inspirational category
- 2015 finalist in the ACFW Carol Awards in the Debut Novel category
- 2013 semi-finalist in the ACFW Genesis Awards (pre-published)
- 2013 semi-finalist in the ACFW Genesis Awards (pre-published)
- 2013 semi-finalist in the Clash of the Titles Olympia Contest (pre-published)
MY THOUGHTS
"Is not general incivility the very essence of love?"
- Jane Austen, Pride & Prejudice
Now, imagine how you felt when you read some of Jane Austen's novels, the misunderstood leading man or how the wit and disbelief of our heroine created wonderful dialogue between them. Well, you'll find a good amount of that in Dawn Crandall's The Hesitant Heiress of The Everstone Chronicles series. The Hesitant Heiress drew me in, first with its beautiful cover, and then with her description of high society in the late 1800s, giving readers a glimpse into the world of aristocrats and ladies in search of a husband. (Does that not remind you of a certain quote from Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice). However, the true heart-clutching aspects was the love between Nathan Everstone and Amaryllis Brigham. It took me a little more time for me to love Amaryllis (she's so bent on not believing anything Nathan says!!!!), but her wit throughout finally took hold. With Nathan, it's a different story. His brooding good looks, intense stares, and tongue-and-cheeky comments had done its magic - if not on Amaryllis, definitely on me. In truth, the animated banters with moments of steamy interactions (in a clean romantic sense) created a world that is only Nathan and Amaryllis, and you as the reader looking on. O, beautiful is just an understatement.
MY DREAM CAST
To me, my dream cast doesn't always have to fit the physical description of the character, but the essence of what I see in their expressions.
"What do you think you're doing?" I was still helpless to move, let alone breathe. His strong hands encircled my wait, pulling me close. "I believe I'm finally going to kiss you."
MY DREAM CAST
To me, my dream cast doesn't always have to fit the physical description of the character, but the essence of what I see in their expressions.
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| Shailene Woodley as Amaryllis & Chace Crawford as Nathan |
"How is it that you can take everything I've ever said to you and twist it around until it seems I meant something entirely different?"
NOTE: I received a copy of this book for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. For my review policy, please see my Disclosure page.
TO PURCHASE A COPY
Title: The Bound Heart, Book 2 of The Everstone Chronicles
Author: Dawn Crandall
Publisher: Whitaker House
Release Date: October 6, 2015
ABOUT THE BOOK
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 Vance is out of the country, and Lawry is at her
side nearly every day, teaching her what the world is like through the eyes of
a little orphan girl named Wynn. Now 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?
- 2015 Over All Winner of the Clash of the Titles Laurel Award
- 2012 semi-finalists in the ACFW Genesis Contest (pre-published)
- 2012 semi-finalists in the ACFW Genesis Contest (pre-published)
MY THOUGHTS
"The desire to create such joy in someone's heart, I realized, threatened to be quite contagious."
"God loves you...and He wants to use your abilities to bless others as well as yourself...Even if you don't feel useful, you can be. Quite easily, even."
Besides the characters, the storyline gives you much to look forward to as well. Questions raised from the very beginning, and you won't want to stop until those questions are fully answered. And even when you've finished the last page, you wish for more, not because there's no closure. It's because you want to continue your observance of the society and family that surrounds these characters you've grown to love. With twists and turns till the very end, you'll have your eyes full.
Everything I loved about The Hesitant Heiress, from settings to characters to steamy kisses and storyline, I found it in The Bound Heart. It confirmed my belief in Dawn's writings, and how ardently I've fallen for The Everstone Chronicles and every one of its characters, good or bad."As I melted into his warm embrace, I lifted my chin just a fraction of an inch in an effort to look up and smile. However, as my nose grazed his jaw, he leaned forward ever so slightly and pressed his lips to mine, infusing my mouth with the taste of peppermint...Suddenly, I was having such a difficult time keeping my senses straight..."
MY DREAM CAST
To me, my dream cast doesn't always have to fit the physical description of the character, but the essence of what I see in their expressions.
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| Emma Watson as Meredyth & Josh Hutcherson as Lawry |
I want to say that from the first mentioned of "Meredyth", I've envisioned Emma Watson, and getting to know her better after reading The Bound Heart, I'm even more certain of my casting of her. And Josh will be great as the sweet, loyal and strong Lawry.
"You're a Christian, Meredyth. You're already free from the bondages of sin. All you have to do is claim your freedom."
NOTE: I received a copy of this book for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. For my review policy, please see my Disclosure page.
TO PURCHASE A COPY
Don't forget to come back tomorrow for Day 2 of The Everstone Chronicles 3-Day event!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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 2010. That is the year she shared with her husband her
long-time dream of writing books. He encouraged her to quit her job and to
pursue her passion to write stories. Apart from writing books, Dawn also
recently became a mother—she and her husband were blessed with a baby boy in
March 2014. She also serves with her husband in a premarriage mentor program at
their local church in Fort Wayne, 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. Dawn is represented
by Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary.
29 Authors #ChristianFictionReadersRetreat this summer in Nashville, TN! #Win #Giveaways https://t.co/BZVSuCXijg pic.twitter.com/bRR3OHIrKG— Just Commonly (@JustCommonly) April 8, 2016
yaaaaay!! how fun!!!! Two of my favorites - you and Dawn :-D
ReplyDeleteAmaryllis, love her name and her sparkling personality. I would love all of these stories in print! I have read books 1 & 2 ~ looking forward to The Captive Imposter and continuing... Thank you, Annie and Dawn! Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
ReplyDeleteI love your picks for who would play the characters! I've had my own people picked out from when I was writing (which are pictured in my book boards on Pinterest, but these fit very well too! I do love your reviews! And the quotes you pulled out!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting read! Can't wait till I get to read these books.
ReplyDeleteOhhh I need to read these books!!! =D
ReplyDeleteAwww. Thanks CARRIE! *muah!
ReplyDeleteKATHLEEN, thanks for stopping by! Amaryllis is such a pretty name, and it's different than other heroines. Just love it! I'm like that too! I just have to get my print copies of books I've fallen in love with!
DAWN, thank you for stopping by. I just love your writing, your books, your heroes, your heroines....EVERYTHING! You've created such wonderful characters in such a fascinating time period ! Your plots are are unexpected and full of anticipation. THANK YOU!!
O BRENDA & MEGHAN, you'll LOVE these! REALLY!! =)
So exciting!
ReplyDeleteGood review on a favorite authors book. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Beth & BookLuver88! Dawn has become one of my favorite authors as well!
ReplyDeleteI loved both of the first two. Dawn has a very special talent.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of the books in this series, but they are on my TBR list. Hope to win one to start with.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read these yet but I would've to do so.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read these yet but look like the perfect Summer read for me.
ReplyDeleteFantastic dream cast.
ReplyDeleteOooh, I love your picks for your dream cast!!! This is one of my favorite series!
ReplyDeleteI've read all 3 of Dawn' books so far and am head over heels for them! Your dream cast is really close to how I pictured them both!
ReplyDeleteI do like your picks for your dream cast. Lawry was a surprise though. He seems too young, but you are the one with the original vision. ;-) Looking forward to Book 4. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnnie, I love your dream cast! The Everstone Chronicles is an incredible series!
ReplyDeleteI have read The Hesitant Heiress. :)
ReplyDeleteI like your dream cast! :) I think they would be perfect for the characters.
Great choices!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great dream cast. I haven't read either book, but I hope to at some point. They sound like great books. I love the quote you posted from the 2nd book.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read these books yet. So much fun to learn about new books to read!
ReplyDeleteahhhhhh I love Emma Watson as Meredyth!!!
ReplyDeleteI love your dream cast! I havent read this book yet but it's fastly coming up on my list to read! Thanks for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read The Hesitant Heiress or The Bound Heart but would like to.
ReplyDeleteI have read both books. I am afraid I do not know the actors and actresses, but I trust Dawn. :-
ReplyDeleteBecky
I have not yet read any of the boosk yet. I do love the fact you have Emma Watson and Josh Hutcherson as dream cast . :)
ReplyDeleteI love these books so much! And I definitely agree with the casting for Nathan and Meredyth.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read them yet, but they are on my TBR pile!!!
ReplyDeleteActually, these were Annie's pick for a cast of my books! I had Jessica Chastain and Armie Hammer in my mind for Meredyth and Lawry, Zooey Dechanel and Scott Eastwood for Amaryllis and Nathan and Ashley Greene and the guy from Grimm (which I don't watch--I don't actually watch any tv so all of my visions are based solely on photos).
ReplyDeleteNot yet. Hope to read them soon.
ReplyDeleteMarion
Would love to read these books!
ReplyDeleteI have read The Hesitant Heiress and loved it! Am looking forward to reading the other books in the series! I also enjoyed seeing your dream cast. It's always interesting to see how other people imagine the characters!!
ReplyDeleteNo, I haven't had the privilege of reading either one.
ReplyDelete