To Capture Her Heart is the first book I have read by Rebecca DeMarino. While I enjoyed the premise of the Indians and the English and the Dutch struggling to find their place in the New World, the book did not find a place among my favorites.

I liked DeMarino's characters, but somehow failed to fully connect with them. Given the gravity of some of the situations presented, maybe I felt there wasn't enough suspense.

I did enjoy getting a look at Mary and Barnabas's family and how they came to be a cohesive, loving household. That part of the novel will propel me on to read the next book. Both are worth a reader's consideration. DeMarino has well-presented varying attitudes of the many different peoples towards each other.

I gratefully received a copy of this book from Revellreads in exchange for an honest review. ( )

An interesting look at history and friendships. Heather is a princess whose life is changed during her wedding feast. After finding herself kidnapped and then left in the wilderness, she finally finds herself with friends and trying to get on with her life. She meets many during this time including the one show helped her to get home from the wilderness.
I liked seeing how the friendships and more played out in this book. It was well written and it also gave you a taste of what life was like during this time period.
I received this book free to read and review. ( )

This is the second book in the Southold Chronicles and as good or better than the first. This is a time period(1653) that is not written about as much anymore. It is nice to see some Indians and some whites being able to work together. Heather Mflower must decide whether she wants to spend her life with Dirk or her longtime friend Ben Horton. There are many ups and downs for all of them and for the country. This is in the New York area and people are deciding if they want to follow the Dutch or the English. I can't wait for the next book. I received a copy from the author and from Revell Reads for a fair and honest opinion. ( )

In this Christian Historical Romance Rebecca DeMarino beautifully recreates life in 1653 on Long Island. There is a settlement from England living peacefully near the American Indian Montauk tribe, yet uncomfortable with the Dutch settlement nearby. You enter their homes and lives with detail of thought as well as surroundings. It's easy to see yourself there and become part of the characters' lives - some of whom are based on the author's actual ancestors. Her writing style reminds me somewhat of Lorraine Snelling in the Red River series. I have been researching my ancestry and some of my family came over during this time. I try to picture what it must have been like for them, and this helps.

This is the second book in the series. Although I wish I had read the previous book, there was enough fact provided to pick right up on the story. An Indian princess is captured at her wedding by another tribe and forced to watch as they murder her new husband, who was also a lifelong friend and companion. She is then taken into the woods in Connecticut and left to die even though her father paid the ransom. A Dutch Lieutenant tracks and rescues her, and they come to care for one another on the way back to her family, even though the girl is in shock and mourning. She also has friends amongst the English, and two of them intercept their return home to escort her the rest of the way.

The return is difficult for her to come to terms with after the brutal murder of her husband, so she goes to stay with her Aunt who lives near the English settlement. The story is about the girl, Heather Flower, learning about God and regaining her life, being loved by two men whom she deeply cares about. She is at home with the English as well as her own native customs, but there is still a cultural separation between the people. You will feel torn with her as she struggles with her love for both men and learns to live again, finding out where she fits. This was a page turner for me. I eagerly waited to see what would happen next and it was filled with real life happenings in the settlement and other characters lives as well. I very much want to read the next story in the series (there's an excerpt included at the end of the book). Isn't that cover just gorgeous?

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Revell/Baker Publishing Group - Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html. ( )

Title: To Capture Her Heart (The Southold Chronicles Book #2)
Author: Rebecca Demarino
Pages: 352
Year: 2015
Publisher: Revell
My rating is 4 stars out of 5.
There are some characters originally introduced to readers in book one of the series, A Place in His Heart, that are in the sequel. Of course, new characters are in the story of book two, which takes place in the late 1600’s; the era has a fascinating and rich history that is woven in the story. The timing of the story shows tension between various people groups, different belief systems, and yet in some of the homes there are daily prayer and Scripture reading as a family.
Life is precarious and a day-to-day existence is the norm, and danger from warring Native American tribes brings some action into the story. Included also is the war in England with the Dutch, which is now at an end, and the Southold community is expected to begin living in peace with their neighbors. Some intermarriages between people from different cultures isn’t advocated at first, but the beginning of hearts turning to accept change in marriage decisions is slowly blooming.
The book held my interest because of the rich history of the people and area, which was new to me. I enjoyed reading how fathers would rise early to lead the family in prayer and Scripture reading before members of the family dispersed to complete the daily chores their lives depended on. The growth in the community along with changes in law required new roles mainly for the men. The women took care of hearth and home, gathering together at harvest time to prepare food for the coming winter, or sewing for an upcoming wedding.
I thought much on how in our instant society we have lost in some way a very real awareness of our dependency on God for each day’s food, clothing, etc. America is filled with much history that has its basis in people coming to her shores to leave a place where they couldn’t worship. America is filled with true stories of various peoples learning to live life in peace and in community.
The author ends the book with an opening that I am sure will be continued in book three. I didn’t locate the title of this third book, but I am excited to know that I haven’t read the last of a rich history and faith that came to America’s shores so long ago!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” ( )