Follow the Heart, Great Exhibition Series #1
5
5
3
3
Wonderful Book By Kaye Dacus
I've read all of Kaye Dacus' books and I've enjoyed every single one, own them all. She is just at home writing historical or contemporary novels. A lot of authors do not move as well between genres, but Dacus does this admirably. I always buy her latest book because I know I'm in for a wonderful reading time!
This book gives us two stories, actually, of brother and sister, Christopher and Katharine Dearing. Both are sent to England with the admonition to marry wealth to support their family after their father's disastrous investment back in Philadelphia.
Both Christopher and Kate fall in love with the wrong people, neither of which will be able to help their family back home financially. They must sacrifice their happiness to help family. But is this what God wants for them? Doesn't God want His children to be happy?
Christopher and Kate learn many valuable lessons in this novel, how to follow your heart and also how to trust God to bring happiness to your life and not the decisions you make.
If you miss this book, you miss a wonderful read.
May 3, 2013
Wonderful Start to a new Series
Katherine Dearing has been sent from Philadelphia to England to find a rich husband who will be able to salvage her familyâÂÂs financial situation. But at twenty-seven, is she too old to attract a rich husband? Or any husband? Accompanying her is her younger brother, Christopher, who has recently qualified as a solicitor specialising in railway law. He too is under pressure to marry well, although having a profession at least means he can support himself, but both of them find they are attracted to the wrong people.
The siblings are staying with their maternal uncle, Sir Anthony Buchanan, and their cousins, Edith, Dorcas and Florence. There Sir Anthony organises a house party where Kate and Christopher are introduced to many members of the aristocracy, including Viscount Thynne . They also meet Andrew Lawton, a garden designer currently working on the Wakesdown Manor gardens, and Honora Woodruff, governess to the youngest Buchanan.
I really liked the characters, even the ones I didnâÂÂt like (if that makes sense). Edith reminded me of Lady Mary from Downton AbbeyâÂÂwell written, but unpleasant and with too high an opinion of herself. Dorcas and Florence were much more likeable, even though they were only minor characters, so I hope we see more of them. A lot of the plot revolved around the gardens, as Kate is a keen gardener, albeit one with quite different ideas to Andrew.
I am always nervous when I see a novel set in England by an American writer, especially a historical. I have had too many ruined by insufficient research and an abundance of Americanisms, so I am relieved and pleased to say that Follow the Heart had no cultural cringes or historical anachronisms (and, in regards to factual errors, the subplot was heavily related to gardening, a subject I know little about, so I really canâÂÂt comment). I was also very pleased with the way the Christian aspects of the story were handled, particularly with Kate. My one issue is that the end of the novel felt a bit rushedâÂÂalthough that could be more about me reading too fast to find out how the problems are resolved.
This is the first novel in the new Great Exhibition series, set around Prince AlbertâÂÂs Great Exhibition at Crystal Palace, London, in 1851. As Follow the Heart finished just after the beginning of the Exhibition, I look forward to seeing more of the Great Exhibition in future novels (hint, hint).
Thanks to B&H Publishing and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
April 30, 2013
Follow the Heart
This was a really sweet, tender, beautiful book. I loved it from the first page and I hope there might be a book 2 coming!
Kaye Dacus is a wonderful author and she stood out in the crowd with this book!
Follow the Heart is a book of family ties, hurt hearts, financial struggles, new love, faith discoveries and true friendship. The characters are very well written and their lives seem very real. I appreciated their desire for more in life and their willingness to sacrifice for each other. I also loved how they learned to allow God to have control of every part of their days.
This book also has a fun description of fashions in the early 1900s. The dress fittings and wardrobe details are exceptional. Usually that doesn't stand out to me but this book made me want to go for a dress fitting and wear beautiful fabrics!
I enjoyed watching the characters walk through this time in their lives. I know you will too!
February 19, 2013