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.

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My Thoughts

Violet Hawthorne is the sweet, innocent girl next door but there’s nothing innocent about her brother, Ezra. Whether he is a bad sort or just easily (and frequently) led astray, his actions continue to impact his sister in a big, negative way. Perhaps if he were the one on the receiving end of these consequences, he would be compelled to change his tune. I had hoped Violet would be safe under the protection of her employer at Everston but good ‘ol Ezra won’t leave well enough alone.

Since becoming friends with Estella Everstone, Violet has also formed a tentative friendship with Vance Everstone. In her experience, he has proven himself to be a dependable man. His compassion and concern for Violet’s well-being soothe and calm her like nothing else. Vance is still a tight-lipped and brooding man but Violet senses there’s more to the man beneath the surface. In many ways, their relationship has a very Beauty and the Beast vibe.

“I don’t want everything, Vance. I just want…something.” -Violet (Chapter 14)

Well, Dawn Crandall delivers something very special here, this might be my favorite Everstone story yet! The Bound Heart and The Cautious Maiden are certainly my top two favorites and what (or who) do they have in common? Vance Everstone! He may have been a homewrecking, derailed train, catastrophe of a man up until we got a tiny glimmer of hope at the end of The Captive Imposter but there’s no denying his compassion here (emphasis on the passion). When Vance is bad, he’s really bad but when he’s good… oh my! Y’all just have to read and experience Violet and Vance’s story!

I requested the opportunity to read and review this title through the author. My thanks to the publisher for providing an advanced reader copy. The opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

Dawn Crandall is an ACFW Carol Award-nominated author of the award winning series The Everstone Chronicles, which consists of: The Hesitant Heiress, The Bound Heart,  The Captive Imposter, and The Cautious Maiden.

Apart from writing, Dawn is also a mom of two little ones and serves with her husband in a premarital mentorship program at their local church in Fort Wayne, Indiana. 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 when her husband found out about her long-buried dream. It didn’t take her long to realize that writing books

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 when her husband found out about her long-buried dream. It didn’t take her long to realize that writing books was what she was made to do.

Dawn is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the secretary for the Indiana ACFW Chapter (Hoosier Ink), and an associate member of the Great Lakes ACFW Chapter. She is represented by Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary Agency.

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Giveaways

Dawn Crandall is hosting a huge giveaway and blog tour featuring TWO beautiful prize packs!

 

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PLUS here’s a chance to win one of five copies on Goodreads!!!

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