REVIEW + GIVEAWAY: The Cautious Maiden by Dawn Crandall

The Cautious Maiden (The Everstone Chronicles #4)
by Dawn Crandall
Publisher: Whitaker House
Release Date: October 4, 2016
Genres: Christian, Romance, Historical
Pages: 304
Buy at: Amazon, CBD, B&N
Add on: Goodreads
Find the author at: website, Facebook, Twitter

Violet Hawthorne is beyond mortified when her brother Ezra turns their deceased parents’ New England country inn into a brothel to accommodate the nearby lumberjacks; but when Violet’s own reputation is compromised, the inn becomes the least of her worries. In an effort to salvage her good name, Violet is forced into an engagement with a taciturn acquaintance; Vance Everstone. 

As she prepares for a society wedding, Violet learns that her brother had staked her hand in marriage in a heated poker game with the unsavory Rowen Steele, and Ezra had lost. Now Rowen is determined to cash in on his IOU. With danger stalking her and a new fiance who hides both his emotion and his past, Violet must decide who to trust and who to leave behind.

Rating: ★★★★★ (5 out of 5 stars)

Review:

“How strange the workings of life were, that God could work so many things together.” -Dawn Crandall, The Cautious Maiden

The Cautious Maiden is the fourth and final book in the Everstone Chronicles, a Jane Austen-esque series chronicling the lives of different members in the prestigious Everstone family. This book starts with a lovely young lady by the name of Violet Hawthorne, whose parents recent deaths and unscrupulous brother Ezra’s brothel make it difficult for her reputation. To make matters worse, because of her brother’s actions she is irrevocably compromised and forced to accept a proposal from a man she hardly knows, Vance Everstone. Traveling to his family’s home to announce their rushed engagement proves difficult when Violet discovers that her brother bet her hand in marriage to a dangerous man and lost. Vance is determined to protect her, but Violet can’t help but wonder about their relationship as she finds herself falling for him more every day.

Dawn Crandall has done it again. Given us a beautiful historical romance to make us swoon! Violet and Vance’s story was simply perfect with everything I look for in a romantic novel. I liked that it wasn’t insta-love, it was definitely a gradual love story that entertained throughout. Vance was a bit of a tortured soul with a past and his growth regarding faith and love made for such a heartwarming story. And does it start with a bang! From the moment Violet’s hair is chopped off by her sketchy brother and Vance finds her crying, I knew this was going to be an absorbing read. There are very few novels where the character’s chemistry just flies off the page and this is one of them. Although the romance was fairly steamy for a Christian novel, it was still a clean read. I loved everything about this book, from the little details like the amazing quotes before every chapter to the emotionally-charged, explosive ending. The best thing I can say in my review is this – if you enjoy period romances you will adore this book.

“Vance was different, and for some reason, I’d known from the moment we’d met that he would be more than just another hotel guest.” -Dawn Crandall, The Cautious Maiden

Among one of my all-time favorite series, I can’t recommend The Cautious Maiden or The Everstone Chronicles enough. Dawn Crandall is a literary talent and deserves so much recognition for this wonderful series. Although I’m sad it’s ending, I will be re-reading and recommending to my sisters who love a good period as much as I do! This spellbinding book made for the perfect read as I sat in a coffee shop on a rainy day. Seriously, go get it!

*I received this book free from the publisher in trade for my honest review.

Giveaway:

The author is generously giving TWO awesome prize packs which include: a paperback copy of The Cautious Maiden, Trust/Wisdom Tea Set, and a KJVER Study Bible! Entering is easy via the Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks so much for reading my blog! Do you enjoy period romances? Have you read any of the books from The Everstone Chronicles? ♥