Beloved
(Where the Heart Lives #3)
by Robin Lee Hatcher
by Robin Lee Hatcher
Christian Historical Romance
September 24th 2013 by Zondervan
September 24th 2013 by Zondervan
Summary
Diana is ready to begin a new chapter in her life-until the husband she believed dead reappears at her engagement party.
Diana Brennan came west on the orphan train and was given a home with a loving couple who cherished and spoiled her. At 17, she fell hard for Tyson Applegate, the son of a wealthy mine owner. After a whirlwind courtship and marriage, Tyson took off for adventures around the world, including fighting with the Rough Riders in Cuba. Receiving no word from him in years, Diana's infatuation with her dashing husband died an ugly death, and she is ready to move past the old pain and marry again, just as soon as Tyson is declared legally dead.
But when Tyson returns, claiming to be a changed man, he wants to reunite with his wife and run for the senate. While Diana suspects the election is his real reason for wanting her by his side, she agrees to maintain his home and to campaign with him, but when it is over, win or lose, she wants her freedom.
He agrees with one condition---she must give him a chance to change her mind about him.
Diana is ready to begin a new chapter in her life-until the husband she believed dead reappears at her engagement party.
Diana Brennan came west on the orphan train and was given a home with a loving couple who cherished and spoiled her. At 17, she fell hard for Tyson Applegate, the son of a wealthy mine owner. After a whirlwind courtship and marriage, Tyson took off for adventures around the world, including fighting with the Rough Riders in Cuba. Receiving no word from him in years, Diana's infatuation with her dashing husband died an ugly death, and she is ready to move past the old pain and marry again, just as soon as Tyson is declared legally dead.
But when Tyson returns, claiming to be a changed man, he wants to reunite with his wife and run for the senate. While Diana suspects the election is his real reason for wanting her by his side, she agrees to maintain his home and to campaign with him, but when it is over, win or lose, she wants her freedom.
He agrees with one condition---she must give him a chance to change her mind about him.
My Review
The first book in this series was so-so for me. It never really caught my interest for some reason. Then the second book drew me right in and I ended up really enjoying it. I'm so glad that I signed up for this tour because I loved Beloved even more!
For some reason I really enjoy stories when there are two people who are thrown into a marriage and try to make it work. It creates plenty of tension, both good and bad, as well as some awkward moments. What it also seems to do is to force both individuals to do some introspection, learn to trust and love the other, and, in this case, learn to trust God. I liked how the Christian aspects of the story felt natural.
I really liked both the heroine and hero almost right off. Tyson is trying to redeem himself, but his expectations are still a little off when it comes to wooing his estranged wife. He has to take time to actually get to know her as she has changed in the years since last he saw her, if he ever knew her before. Diana has been deeply hurt and has distanced herself from others, building a wall around her heart. She still loves Tyson, but won't admit it or even consider how she could. What she really wants to do is to hate him or even just be indifferent to him. She tries to tell herself that she does.
Then there are the other characters or situations that complicate things for Tyson and Diana. There's the fact that Tyson is running for a US Senate seat and so needs the two of them looking happy in public. Then there's Tyson's father who he was on poor terms with and who treated Diana abominably previously who shows up. There is Diana's mother who Tyson needs to regain approval from. There is Diana's almost-fiance who is determined to still get in the way as well as a lady Tyson was previously involved with. Combine that with a young boy caught stealing, and a few adoptive animals and you have quite a bit going on - some of it rather humorous and sweet.
I have to say that with everyone involved in this story I didn't feel overwhelmed or lost at any point. I loved the romantic tension. I loved seeing both Tyson, Diana, Diana's mother, and Ned all change as the story progressed, but especially Tyson and Diana. Tyson is determined to make things work, but doesn't always know the best way to go about it. Diana is determined to not lose her heart all over again, to just meet the terms of her agreement with Tyson and be on her way. I wasn't sure how everything was going to work out in order for there to be the happy ending I was looking for. Though, I absolutely enjoyed finding out!
This was a sweet, heartfelt, and endearing read! It was my favorite of the series and one I could read again! I highly recommend it to those who read Historical or Christian Fiction and are looking for a sweet love story about two people who are learning to fall in love again.
For some reason I really enjoy stories when there are two people who are thrown into a marriage and try to make it work. It creates plenty of tension, both good and bad, as well as some awkward moments. What it also seems to do is to force both individuals to do some introspection, learn to trust and love the other, and, in this case, learn to trust God. I liked how the Christian aspects of the story felt natural.
I really liked both the heroine and hero almost right off. Tyson is trying to redeem himself, but his expectations are still a little off when it comes to wooing his estranged wife. He has to take time to actually get to know her as she has changed in the years since last he saw her, if he ever knew her before. Diana has been deeply hurt and has distanced herself from others, building a wall around her heart. She still loves Tyson, but won't admit it or even consider how she could. What she really wants to do is to hate him or even just be indifferent to him. She tries to tell herself that she does.
Then there are the other characters or situations that complicate things for Tyson and Diana. There's the fact that Tyson is running for a US Senate seat and so needs the two of them looking happy in public. Then there's Tyson's father who he was on poor terms with and who treated Diana abominably previously who shows up. There is Diana's mother who Tyson needs to regain approval from. There is Diana's almost-fiance who is determined to still get in the way as well as a lady Tyson was previously involved with. Combine that with a young boy caught stealing, and a few adoptive animals and you have quite a bit going on - some of it rather humorous and sweet.
I have to say that with everyone involved in this story I didn't feel overwhelmed or lost at any point. I loved the romantic tension. I loved seeing both Tyson, Diana, Diana's mother, and Ned all change as the story progressed, but especially Tyson and Diana. Tyson is determined to make things work, but doesn't always know the best way to go about it. Diana is determined to not lose her heart all over again, to just meet the terms of her agreement with Tyson and be on her way. I wasn't sure how everything was going to work out in order for there to be the happy ending I was looking for. Though, I absolutely enjoyed finding out!
This was a sweet, heartfelt, and endearing read! It was my favorite of the series and one I could read again! I highly recommend it to those who read Historical or Christian Fiction and are looking for a sweet love story about two people who are learning to fall in love again.
Content: Clean
Source: I want to thank LitFuse Publicity Group and Zondervan, the publisher, for my free review copy, which did not affect my review in any way.
You can read my review of the second book in this series, Betrayal here.
About the Author
Robin Lee Hatcher is the author of 65+ novels and novellas. Her home is in Idaho, where she spends her time writing stories of faith, courage, and love; pondering the things of God; and loving her family and friends.
Giveaway
Robin Lee Hatcher is celebrating the release of her latest novel, Beloved, with an iPad Mini giveaway!
One winner will receive:
- An iPad Mini
- Beloved by Robin Lee Hatcher
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