Welcome to Day 2 of The Everstone Chronicles 3-Day Event! Today, we'll dive right into Book 3, The Captive Imposter, which for a long time was my favorite of the 3, until The Cautious Maiden came along, only recently (see below for explanation). In preparation of The Cautious Maiden, I reread all 3 novels, The Hesitant Heiress, The Bound Heart and The Captive Imposter. My reviews are from my first encounter with each of these novels, which I think still hold true. What change is that I appreciate and have fallen in love once again with Dawn Crandall's writing. She has become a "must-read" author from me, and I can't wait for you to "meet" her in our interview tomorrow! So for now, at least for today, check out my thoughts and dream cast of the above two novels.
Title: The Captive Imposter, Series: Book 3 of The Everstone Chronicles
Author: Dawn Crandall
Publisher: Whitaker House
Release Date: November 3, 2015
ABOUT THE BOOK
Sent away for protection, hotel heiress Estella Everstone finds herself living undercover as a lady’s companion at Everston, one of her father’s opulent hotels in the mountains of Maine. Within the week, Estella discovers 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 forms a friendship with the manager of Everston, Dexter Blakeley.
She soon discovers that he is not simply the manager, but the new owner.
Saddened by this fact, Estella severs their friendship. She manages to avoid Dexter until she finds herself fired from her position due to a misunderstanding. Coming to her rescue, Dexter offers her a job as companion to his sister. Though she doesn’t want to be indebted to him, Estella sees no other choice. While rebuilding their friendship, Estella realizes that although she’s been lying to Dexter about her identity, she’s never been freer to be herself in her life. However, when he proposes, she has to tell him the truth—a truth he isn’t happy to find out.
- 2016 finalist in the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence in the Inspirational Romance category
- 2016 semi-finalist in the INSPY Awards in the Historical Longlist category
- 2013 finalist in the ACFW Genesis Contest (pre-published)
- 2016 semi-finalist in the INSPY Awards in the Historical Longlist category
- 2013 finalist in the ACFW Genesis Contest (pre-published)
MY THOUGHTS
"Oh, my heavens! Why was I even thinking of kissing Dexter Blakeley?"
Every time I think Dawn Crandall have already given me my favorite of her books, I am yet again surprised, pleasantly might I add. The Captive Imposter, Book 3 of The Everstone Chronicles, is just as magnetic as its predecessors and attractive in similar, yet in a different way.
It is set not in our typical "high society" as the first two novels, but in a vacation spot for many. Our heroine is under the guise of a lady's companion to avoid danger that lurks in the shadows. What I love about the "gentleman and ladies", with balls and outings, I enjoyed the more subtle and common setting of The Captive Imposter. Without thoughts on class or "finding a husband", we see the development of both Estella and Dexter, as characters and as our main romantic pair.
Estella is beautiful, heart broken and haven't come to her own as a lady and as a person. It is through this time have we truly see her shine. O, she has become my favorite heroine. One that is unsure of herself at first, one who is thrown out of her comfort zone, one that is loyal to her family and one that can't help to fall in love with a man that is kind, protective, a man that seeks God's wisdom and truth, and accepts his calling to share the Good News. And finally be able to become the strong heroine that's not afraid to fight for her true love.
"Dexter Blakeley was genuine, straightforward, honest and loyal. And I liked him. A great deal. And I wasn't ready to leave - to never see him again."
O, since we're on the topic of characters, I must say, Vance. He is one I once "strongly disliked", yet by the end of The Bound Heart, I do find myself relinquishing the word "strongly". And now, by the end of this book, he has "redeemed" himself to me, a reader that not only wish him the best, but would love to get to know him better. I want to see who he is or have become since his conviction.
"You've been freed. He wants you, your heart...and that's it. No motives, no questions, and no confusion. Just be His."
O, the characters in Dawn's books engaged me, her settings interest me and her storylines captivated me. I can't wait for Book 4!!!
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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| Lily Collins as Estella & Ian Somerhalder as Dexter |
"Someone who sees my worth without judging me by the family I come from or how much money I have...or don't have."
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 Cautious Maiden Series: Book 4 of The Everstone Chronicles
Author: Dawn Crandall
Publisher: Whitaker House
Release Date: October 6, 2016
ABOUT THE BOOK
Violet Hawthorne is beyond mortified when her brother transforms her deceased parents’ respectable country inn into a brothel to accommodate the lumberjacks in the area. When her reputation is compromised, she finds herself forced to enter into an engagement with Vance Everstone. Can she trust this man she hardly knows who has a scandalous reputation in his own right?
MY THOUGHTS
I had the fortunate chance to read an early copy of The Cautious Maiden Advance Reviewer Copy (for endorsement purposes only, while the actual ARC won't be available until later this Spring); and I can tell you that it is AMAZING! I can't say much yet, but I think you should go pre-order your copy, ASAP! You can be assured my full review will be posted on the blog later!
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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| Colin Egglesfield as Vance & Brit Robertson as Violet |
TO PRE-ORDER A COPY
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
Thank you, Annie! I'm so happy you love my books! ❤️ Lily Collins is totally someone I envisioned along the way as I wrote Estella--and so was Colin for Vance! I guess I described them well! 😍
ReplyDeleteThank YOU Dawn! I'm so in love with all 4 of your books!(can you tell)? And I'mglad you like my dream casts. I had a little harder time finding someone to match what I'd imagined Dexter to me. But the seriousness of Ian made the final choice easier. As to Violet, I like the softness of Brit but I also was thinking of Blake Lively and Emma Ishta. I see Violet as a mix of those three.
ReplyDeleteIan!!!! Love!!! :-D So excited to start these books! So many books...so little time!
ReplyDeleteHaving read books 1 & 2, I am ready for The Captive Imposter and then The Cautious Maiden in The Everstone Chronicles! Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
ReplyDeleteOf the first three, The Captive Imposter was my favorite! I loved the setting and Estella! These are a must for any library!
ReplyDeleteI am so in love with the covers for this series
ReplyDeleteOooh these look good! I will definitely need to check these out soon! I love that it's Christian fiction. I've mostly read Francine Rivers, so looking for more authors to explore. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteQuite a Novel Idea
The Captive Imposter was my favorite of the three! Anxiously awaiting The Cautious Maiden.
ReplyDeleteI think both novels are equally interesting and am so ready to read them. I think The Cautious Maiden sounds most interesting.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine someone turning the family home into a brothel. It is so hard to lie a lie. I want to read both books!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great storyline and excited to escape into the story.
ReplyDeleteBook three is a great read. Have not read book 4.
ReplyDeleteGreat dream cast!!! The Captive Imposter is my favorite- such good chemistry between Estella and Dexter! I just finished The Cautious Maiden and really enjoyed it. I wasn't sure how Vance would do as the hero but of course Dawn made him great :)
ReplyDeleteThe Captive Imposter I think is my favorite so far in the series, but I'm really looking forward to The Cautious Maiden. I want to know what happens to more of the characters I love...
ReplyDeleteI think the Captive Imposter has been my favorite so far, but I am really looking forward to The Cautious Maiden. Dawn gets better and better with each book. <3
ReplyDeleteAwesome dream cast, Annie! I love this series!!!!
ReplyDeleteI have not read them yet. They just jumped to the top of my reading list! :)
ReplyDeleteSO EXCITED!
I've loved all of the books so far and can't wait until the next one!!! thank you for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteOh my! The more I read about these books, I have no doubt I will love them. From the quotes you've posted from the books, I can imagine that the books will resonate with me.
ReplyDelete"You've been freed. He wants you, your heart...and that's it. No motives, no questions, and no confusion. Just be His."
I haven't read these YET, but thanks for the new books to read!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all... love your dream cast for these as well! Second - when I read THH and TBH, THH was my favorite. Then I read TCI and whew. Goodness. I finally understood why everyone a) told me I needed to read it and b) told me their favorite Dawn Crandall kissing scene was the one under the stairs. But then... then I read an early copy of TCM. OH MY GOODNESS. New favorite. WHEW. That kiss under the stairs? Just a little friendly buss compared to the kisses between Vance and Violet!! :D
ReplyDeleteI want to say I love the dream cast you picked out. Seeing faces and reading so much about these books lately really makes me want to read them all the more. From everything I've read I know that I will love them. I'm like one girl said it makes me put them to the top of my reading list!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read either book.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read the Cautious Maiden! I wish it was coming out sooner. :-)
ReplyDeleteI can not give any thoughts about the books yet since they are on tbr list. based on what I know of the synopsis though, I a, really intrigued by the Captive Imposter plotline.
ReplyDeleteI love the Captive Impost so much--and I can't wait for the Cautious Maiden!
ReplyDeleteThis genre is great!! Love tales like this one!
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).
ReplyDeleteGreat choices.
ReplyDeleteMarion
I haven't read the last two in the series, but they are on my list! I loved the first one and am looking forward to these as well!
ReplyDeleteThese books sound wonderful!
ReplyDelete