Author, Character, Spotlight

My Heart Belongs in Niagara Falls with Amanda Barratt’s Drew Dawson

Beth Erin

Hi, reader friends! Are you ready to meet a new fictional hero today? Want to win a brand new release? I am eager to introduce y’all to Drew Dawson of My Heart Belongs in Niagara Falls, New York by Amanda Barratt and let me tell ya, this story tugged at my heartstrings!

Meet Drew Dawson

A former scrappy street kid who used his tightrope skills to gain a gig crossing Niagara Falls on the high wire, Drew Dawson has one goal in life—to care for his wheelchair-bound sister.

He’s average height with dark brown hair and eyes that vary according to his moods, changing from rich mahogany, to lighter swirls of hazel.

 

Q&A

Describe Drew in five words.

Amanda: Protective, kind, stubborn, driven, lonely.

Beth: Oh, yes! I agree!

What do you want readers to gain from your story?

Amanda: That true freedom is found only when there is true surrender to God. Throughout the novel, both Drew and Adele try to take their lives into their own hands and “fix” things.

As a type A control-freak myself, I really related to this aspect of the characters. What God showed me (and them) is that through waiting on the Lord, He will renew our strength.

Beth: Mission accomplished!

My Heart Belongs in Niagara Falls, New York by Amanda Barratt RT Book Reviews quote

Okay, let’s hand it over to Drew. Tell us about hmm… let me think. Would you share your impressions of Adele Linley with us, Drew?

Drew: (shifts uncomfortably) Can I pass on that question? I could tell you what it’s like to cross Niagara Falls, with nothing but a swaying tightrope separating me from certain death. No, that’s not what you want to hear.

(rubs the back of his neck and glances downward.) Adele is…well, she’s in America to marry a man of wealth, for one thing. I sure don’t fit that qualification. But there’s something about her, something that makes me wish I were rich enough to give her the life she deserves.

She’s so elegant and fine, yet truly kind. I think about her far too much, if you want to know the truth.

Beth: Sorry to put you on the spot but an answer like that is sure to make her heart go pitter-pat over you! 

How about an easier question. What’s your favorite comfort food?

Drew: At least we’re through talking about… that previous topic. Honestly, any food is comforting, considering there’s never enough to eat.

But sweet rolls are a favorite of mine. My sister likes them too, and thankfully there’s a kind bakery shop owner who lets us have the stale ones.

Someday, my dream is to always have enough to eat and to see my sister walk again.

Beth: I have a bit of a sweet tooth myself. Amanda mentioned earlier that you are driven, I have no doubt that you will do everything in your power for your sister.

Amanda: Thanks so much for having me today, Beth! Drew says “thank you” too, but unfortunately, he had a pressing engagement, so he had to run. I wonder what (or whom) this pressing engagement concerns? ????

 

About the Book

My Heart Belongs in Niagara Falls, New York by Amanda Barratt

Journey now to Niagara Falls, New York, of 1870 where… she avoids danger at all costs. He makes his living by rushing headlong into it.

My Heart Belongs in Niagara Falls, New York by Amanda BarrattOutwardly, Adele Linley’s trip to visit her American cousins is nothing more than a summer vacation. In reality, she’s the daughter of an English aristocrat with barely a penny to her name seeking a rich American husband.

Having grown up in an overcrowded orphanage, Drew Dawson is determined to make a name for himself. He’ll take any honest job to provide for his sister—even crossing Niagara Falls by tightrope.

On a sightseeing trip to the Falls, Adele meets several eligible suitors. Incredibly wealthy and pompous, Franklin Conway takes an immediate fancy to her. But Adele would truly like to marry for love.

When she encounters the mysterious Drew in the garden, Adele is confused by her feelings for someone who is everything she is NOT looking for. Will they both stay the course they have chosen for themselves?

goodreads | amazon | bookdepository | christianbook

 

 

About the Author

Amanda BarrattECPA bestselling author Amanda Barratt, fell in love with writing in grade school when she wrote her first story – a spinoff of Jane Eyre. Now, Amanda writes inspirational historical romance, penning stories that transport readers to a variety of locales – from the sweeping coastline of Newport, Rhode Island, to the rugged landscape of Central Texas. Her novella, The Truest Heart, was a finalist in the 2017 FHL Reader’s Choice Awards.

A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, she lives in the woods of Michigan with her fabulous family, who kindly put up with the invisible people she calls characters.

These days, Amanda can be found reading way too many books, watching an eclectic mix of BBC dramas and romantic chick flicks, and trying to figure out a way to get on the first possible flight to England.

website | facebook | twitter

 

 

Giveaway

Amanda Barratt has a paperback copy of  My Heart Belongs in Niagara Falls, New York: Adele’s Journey for one Faithfully Bookish reader!
Thank you, Amanda!

My Heart Belongs in Niagara Falls, New York by Amanda Barratt #giveaway on Faithfully Bookish

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What do y’all think of Drew?!
Which is sweeter, his food preferences or his admiration of Adele?

82 thoughts on “My Heart Belongs in Niagara Falls with Amanda Barratt’s Drew Dawson”

    1. The sweet roll thing actually wasn’t something I planned. I was just typing away one day, and suddenly Drew and his sister were having sweet rolls. That’s the mind of an author for ya! ☺ Thanks for stopping by, Lori!

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  4. Drew is smitten with Adele and probably a better choice than the rich dude. It’s sweet! As for his food choices, I, too, am fond of sweet rolls. Just makes me sad to hear him talk of not having enough to eat and yet so thankful for even stale ones.

    Just those two little parts of an interview with the characters from the book make me want to read this book.

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  7. Hi. I think his admiration for Adele. This just looks so good. I’ve begun collecting these and have three. I would love to add this one!

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    2. Thank you, Paula! I love all the stories in the My Heart Belongs in… line. It’s a great way to “literary vacation” to different eras and locales!

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  10. Hi! Having grown up near Niagara Falls I would really enjoy reading this book. Thanks for the chance to win. Great interview too.

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    2. Niagara is such an interesting area, Carol! While writing the book, I watched lots of documentaries and really enjoyed learning about the local history.

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  13. What a hard choice, because I really love sweet rolls. I think it’s so sweet, though, that he admires Adele. This book sounds so intriguing. It’s going on my wish list.

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    1. Thanks so much for sharing my excitement about the novel, Winnie! And with all this talk about sweet rolls, I’m wanting to make some! ????

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  16. I messed up with the giveaway entries by accident! For the “Share the post on social media” entry I pasted the link for sharing it on Twitter, but I didn’t realize the last entry was the designated one for Twitter. Long story short, I went on the Faithfully Bookish page and shared the post about this giveaway on my timeline!! 😀

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  20. You already had me at Amanda 🙂 Then you reeled me in with the sweet rolls and lastly with Drew’s admiration of Adele! Nothing sweeter than good food and a good love interest.

    I’m so exited for My Heart Belongs In Niagara Falls, New York! It’s my someday destination, but until then, I can enjoy it vicariously through Amanda’s characters right? Thanks for the giveaway chance!

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  22. Well my sweets are my downfall. I am a diabetic and do fairly well if I don’t eat sweets. Oh but that’s so hard. I was just diagnosed in February and before that I ate sweets every day. So it’s been pretty ruff to cut way back. That being said I think Drew’s admiration for Adele is sweet too.

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    1. I’m so sorry to hear about your health struggles, Brenda! That must be super hard, especially this time of year. Honestly, I try not to eat a lot of sugar, just because I have more energy that way. I enjoy reading “sweet” love stories though! ☺

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  24. Drew’s admiration for Adele is very sweet. I like the name Adele, Several ladie’s in our family have it for a middle name including myself.

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    1. I love the name Adele! It’s so lovely. In the novel, I actually have Drew thinking about how the name fits my heroine. Thanks for stopping by, Emilee!

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  25. Hey Amanda and Beth! Drew sounds so dreamy! I’m looking forward to reading more of Drew and Adele’s story. Thank you for the opportunity! 🙂

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  32. Hi Beth and Amanda! I love the book cover, it is beautiful!

    I really enjoyed the interview with Drew; of course, it makes me want to read this book all the more…and much sooner. 😉 I love the quote, “That true freedom is found only when there is true surrender to God”….how very true.

    Drew’s admiration for Adel is obvious but I think his caring for his sister is so much sweeter, especially with the reasons for his food preferences.

    Blessings, Tina

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