Friday, March 15, 2019

Unwrapping a Guest Review by Connie Fischer of A GUARDED HEART by Heidi Kimball

Greetings my darling readers, I know I’ve been remiss in providing you reviews of good reads this past year and I apologize. Life has a hold on me which does not allow me much reading time. I have tried to make up for that in publishing my own good reads for you and I hope you’ve given them a try. So to make up for my neglect, I will be offering up guest reviews for you enjoy. I hope to be back reviewing for you soon but in the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy my dear friend, Connie Fischer’s reviews to guide you to good reads. Enjoy and Happy Reading!

I present to you a guest review of A GUARDED HEART by Heidi Kimball, published March 1, 2019.


Blurb for A GUARDED HEART:

Three years after a shocking scandal destroyed her family and forced her into isolation, Eleanor Hayward finally has an opportunity to put her painful history and dashed hopes behind her. But reentering society is no simple task. In her cousin's glittering ballroom, Eleanor is stunned when she comes face-to-face with the man who broke her heart those years before.

Edmund Fletcher thought he had laid the past to rest until he unexpectedly encounters the woman who so nearly became his wife. Soon to be engaged to another, Edmund knows he must let go of the complicated feelings he harbors for Eleanor. However, when the Hayward scandal resurfaces and the truth behind their parting is revealed, Eleanor and Edmund are left reeling. Tormented by thoughts of what could have been, they realize it is impossible to rewrite history. But is there a future in which they might both find happiness—and true love?

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Connie’s Review:

Herefortshire - 1816

Miss Eleanor Hayward, her cousin, Miss Caroline Warwick, and Caroline’s parents are hosting a ball to introduce Eleanor to their friends and neighbors. She has recently come from her home in Kent. She is nervous about meeting these people, but many are kind. There is a past event involving her brother that brought shame to her family. When she is introduced to Mr. Edmund Fletcher, she is shocked that he doesn’t seem to remember her from three years ago. Ah - but he does remember her and their past association when she had broken his heart when he found her in the arms of another man.

Kent - 1813

Eleanor has walked to her friend’s home called Claremont and home of the Clark family. Beatrice came out to meet her along with her older brother, Charles, and younger sister, Louise, who all welcomed her. Among the group is Edmund Fletcher. The group then set off to tour an Abbey and Castle. Eleanor and Edmund spend time together getting to know one another and enjoying chatting.

The story switches back and forth from the time Eleanor and Edmund came to know one another to three years later after something had happened that tore them apart. Edmund haughtily suggests that Eleanor treated him badly but she doesn’t know what he means. She thinks he just decided back then that his higher station in life compared to her modest one meant that they would not suit.

Both of them are hurting but are reluctant to discuss the past. Eleanor is hiding a family secret that Edmund doesn’t fully understand. If there a way that they can open themselves up honestly and see if their love can be rekindled?

This is a story of miscommunication and pride: two things that can wreck relationships. It is clean, and the verbiage is true to the time period. I found the book to be somewhat sad and depressing, however, that’s what the plot is about.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A GUARDED HEART by Heidi Kimball, Covenant Communications, available now in ebook, print and audio at Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.

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