Starving Hearts

"Could find that extraordinary being you described some weeks ago? The charitable gentleman, who will overlook your faults and rescue you from the prison in which you believe you live?"

Annette blinked and swallowed hard.

"What makes you think he would have you? You are hideously opinionated, and you've an unnatural appetite for knowledge no respectable lady has any right to indulge. Heaven forgive me for allowing your father to educate you like a son. No man will abide your opinions. The face you have them is a detriment."

"That is unreasonable."

"Unreasonable? You know nothing of the word." Mother's eyes flickered, then she gazed out the window. "Your father is all mercy and kindness."

"But I need - "

"Hold your tongue and listen." She snapped back from the mysterious lapse. "What you need is to come to your senses regarding a Season and finding a good match."

"You mean allowing myself to be auctioned off to the highest bidder?"

"How dare you?"

"Would the metaphor of a breeding mare suit better?" Annette shuddered inside. Had she really said that?

"Insolent child! You know naught of the process."

"And I haven't the slightest interest in finding out."

"Well, it is high time you start. Otherwise, you might as well accept Sir Steven Likebridge, if he would take you."

Air evaporated from Annette's lungs, and her head started to swim - but not because of her health. It was that loathsome name."(Pg. 4).


Here's the thing about debut authors, either their novel will fall short of your expectations or it will be one that will make you an instant fan of their writing. The later is the case with Janine Mendenhall's novel Starving Hearts. It is the first novel in the Triangular Trade Trilogy and it has me hooked! I try not to read the accolades at the beginning of each book, but in this case I did because the back cover synopsis didn't really interest me in understanding why I chose this novel to read in the first place. Here is what sparked my interest to dig into this novel, "Starving Hearts is the kind of book that makes you want to stay up all night to finish it..." I can't tell you how very true that was when I began my journey into this amazing novel.

This is just the beginning of Annette Chetwynd's journey to discover the man who saved her from being assaulted by Sir Steven Likebridge. She fainted before she discovered who he was but there are moments when she remembers faint traces of her rescuer. Now she is bound and determined to find such a man, even through her mother is determined to marry her off to the first man with a title and wealth to go along with it. Yet her father is willing to hold off until Annette finds someone she loves.

Mr. Peter Adsley wants to find the perfect wife for his life as a pastor and believes that he has found the right one. He is all set to propose the night of the ball, but gets the surprise of his life when the rug is pulled out from underneath him and she accepts a proposal from his brother Richard instead. Now he is struggling to find someone else who might make a great pastor's wife when he runs into Annette seated beside him at dinner and realizes that she is the same woman he rescued more than a year ago and is captivated by her beauty and quick wit that is unlike anything he has ever experienced before. Is it possible that God has a better plan in store for him after all?

I received Starving Hearts by Janine Mendenhall compliments of Heritage Beacon Fiction and Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free copy of this novel in exchange for my fair and unbiased opinion. If you are a fan of traditional regencies, Downton Abbey, or Jane Austen, you won't want to miss this one. There is never a lack in the story line and you are rooting for Peter and Annette all the way since they meet formally over dinner. Yet things don't always work out the way you want and the odds are completely stacked against them from their families, to someone else who has sinister motives at heart. This is a brilliant novel that takes its time for readers to truly know these characters and you really feel like they are real people whom you care about. That is what makes this novel so enjoyable. I can't wait for the next novel in this series and for certain Janine Mendenhall is on my "Must have" list of anything she is going to write. Simply brilliant and worthy of all 5 out of 5 stars!

For more information about Starving Hearts, Janine Mendenhall or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Starving Hearts by Janine Mendenhall

You can find Janine Mendenhall on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Starving Hearts, please visit Litfuse Publicity's Book Tour Page.

   Will Annette's search for love and acceptance replace the loss and hurt in her heart? Find out in Janine Mendenhall's book one, Starving Hearts, of the Triangular Trade Trilogy. Since her assault, Miss Annette Chetwynd has been plagued by nightmares and worries about an arranged marriage. But she yearns to find her anonymous rescuer. Unfortunately, her health and intellect prevent it. Both repel suitors and cause Annette to doubt God’s existence, at least until He answers her prayers in an unusual way. . . .

Join in the search for love and acceptance with Janine and Starving Hearts by entering to win the Delightful Heart Gift Pack Giveaway.

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Starving Hearts
• A bottle of essential oils
• An essential oils diffuser necklace
• A chiffon scarf
• A shoulder handbag
• A copy of Jane Austen's World

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on September 12. The winner will be announced September 13 on Janine's blog.