Hearts Surrender - Marianne Evans

LOL Well, Marianne, welcome back again. I guess I should have invited you to come back soon. Or did I? LOL Well it's springtime in New England, and we don't quite know what to expect. From 70 degrees F to 30 in one week has been quite a jump, though! But I must admit, visiting Woodland has certainly been warm and welcoming!

So here we have another wonderful tale of the unexpectedness of love - how sometimes it finds us when we're least expecting it - obviously by God's design. Take a look!

Blurb:

Kiara Jordan is a sophisticated modernista, but beneath an engaging personality and super-model looks, her heart hungers, and she longs for deeper meaning in her life. Ken Lucerne is the charismatic young pastor of Woodland Church; he's adjusting to life as a widower and copes by keeping as busy as possible with his parish and missionary work. A home-building mission in Pennsylvania brings them together, and forces them to look hard and deep at the relationship they share, and where God means for it to go. Already bound by mutual respect and caring, love dawns, a love that takes them to a life-point neither would have expected. After all, can a chic, vivacious woman find fulfillment within the quiet, mission-centered life of a clergyman? Can they trust God's hand strongly enough to surrender their hearts to one another...forever?

Excerpt:

In an unexpected, graceful motion, Ken caught her swing by the chains. He held her in place, suspended backward, with nothing but a cushion of air between them. All at once Kiara went dizzy and hyper-focused, tempted once more by that full, supple mouth, and the satiny-looking fall of his thick brown hair as he leaned over her. He was close enough to touch. In this moment, she wanted nothing more than to do just that.

“Some time, at some point, I’d like to hear more about that, Kiara. I’d like very much to know how you became the woman you are.”

She looked at him steadily. “I’d bore you to tears. It’s nothing extraordinary.”

“All present evidence to the contrary.” He set her gliding once again and Kiara’s stomach performed a sparkling fall-away. She delighted in his words but forced herself to brush them aside before they could take root and sway her into believing he saw richness to her spirit. After all, it was part of Ken’s persona to be gracious and encouraging.

But he continued, and those arguments splintered to shards when he said, “You're moving forward in directions that are not only admirable, but eye-opening—not just for you, most likely, but to everyone who's part of your life—don't hold to what other people see, or expect of you. Be who you are. And while you're at it, create the best version of yourself you can imagine. The only question, with the only relevance that matters, is this, Kiara: Who are you now?”

Buy link: http://www.pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/hearts-surrender

Review:

I just love the way Ken puts Kiara on the spot - pointing out her obvious desire to serve. The way these two "click" and fit together so perfectly is wonderful to behold, even as they struggle past the obvious difficulties that a relationship entails between pastor and parishioner, and a widower pastor at that.

The way he deals with the people in his church, the understanding, as well as correcting them when they're wrong is the true heart of a pastor to God's flock. Ms. Evans has captured it perfectly!

She also has a wonderful way of touching the heart of the reader as she delves into the spirit of her characters. I loved this story just as much as the others of this series. She could just keep 'em coming as far as I'm concerned, and I'll keep gobbling them right up. It's sad that the series is already finished. But don't worry, I'll share the rest with you next week!
 

Marianne Evans loves to tell a good story. In fact, she’s been enthusiastic about writing ever since she could string sentences together. Joining White Rose Publishing gives her the opportunity to combine two of her greatest passions – love of the Lord and exploring the world of romance.

She’s seen a number of her books published. Kensington Publishing purchased her first book, Friends & Lovers. Her second contemporary romance, Right Hand Man, followed shortly thereafter. Her third release from Kensington, Hannah’s Heart, won critical acclaim in The Oakland Press. Her fourth book, a novella entitled With This Kiss, is her first offering at The Wild Rose Press. Hearts Crossing is her first inspirational romance and marks her debut at White Rose Publishing.

A resident of suburban Detroit, she’s happily married with two kids and a family that never fails to support and encourage. An active member of Romance Writers of America, she’s a long-time member of Greater Detroit RWA where she served the chapter in a number of capacities, most notably as treasurer and two terms as president.