Review (+ Tour Giveaway) : Trust My Heart

Trust My Heart
By Carol J. Post
Waterfall Press, 2016


Summary

Grant McAllister arrives in Murphy, North Carolina, with one aim: to sell his inherited property and leave as quickly as possible.

The big-city lawyer has no interest in his late, estranged grandparents or the dilapidated mansion he just acquired. After his high-profile divorce, he should be avoiding perky reporters, too. But Jami Carlisle is honest, funny, and undeniably appealing.

After breaking up with her safe-but-smothering boyfriend, Jami is determined to ace her first big assignment. A story about the McAllister estate is too intriguing to ignore---much like its handsome, commitment-phobic heir. Thanks to her digging, the pieces of Grant's fraught family history are gradually fitting into place, but also upending all his old beliefs.

The two draw closer as they share their dreams, until misread signals and misunderstandings begin to test their trust. But in the unspoiled beauty of the Smoky Mountains, there's healing and forgiveness to be found. And for Grant, this unplanned detour may be just what's needed to finally guide him home...

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2fg7WKG


My thoughts

Trust My Heart is an impressive contemporary romance set in the small town of Murphy, North Carolina. Carol J. Post has written several highly-rated stories in the Love Inspired Suspense line, which I’ve never read because I’m not much of a suspense fan, so I welcomed this contemporary. There’s an element of mystery surrounding Grant’s deceased grandmother and the McAllister estate that I thought was well done.

The Murphy, North Carolina setting was vividly conveyed and especially appealing, as I have spent many family vacations in the Smoky Mountains of this lovely state. It was fun to see this area through the eyes of Jami and Grant as she introduced him to several local activities – including hiking, geocaching, and whitewater rafting. A humorous secondary storyline involving Bernie and Hank, two quirky supporting characters, added depth.

When it comes to relationships, past experiences cause both Grant and Jami to have trust issues and insecurities, which felt realistic based on all that had happened. Also true to life is the different effect spiritually – one relying on faith, the other pulling away. I loved how mutual respect and friendship developed initially, then wanted to shake some sense into them when they reacted negatively rather than communicating when something happened to shake that fragile trust.

Trust My Heart has a solid spiritual foundation, and my favorite part was seeing Grant slowly open up as a result of Jami’s gentle witness. This is a story of forgiveness and second chances – and the characters reflect that, however much we might want a second chance, the extending of it is not always easy.

My only negative is that I would have liked more dialogue and action rather than so much dwelling on thoughts. Enjoyable story overall, though, and I hope there will be more Murphy, NC stories in the future.

Recommended.

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From medical secretary to court reporter to property manager to owner of a special-events decorating company, Carol J. Post's résumé reads as if she hasn't yet decided what she wants to be when she grows up. But one thing that has remained constant through the years is her love of writing. She started as a child composing poetry for family and friends, then graduated to articles for religious and children's publications. Now she pens fun, fast-paced inspirational romance and romantic suspense stories. Her books have been nominated for an RT Reviewers' Choice Best Book award and selected as an RT Top Pick.

When Carol isn't writing, she enjoys sailing, hiking, camping---almost anything outdoors. She also plays the piano and sings with her music-minister husband. Their two grown daughters and their grandkids live too far away for her liking, so she now pours all her nurturing into taking care of a fat and sassy black cat and a highly spoiled dachshund.

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I was provided a free copy of this book through Litfuse Publicity. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

http://litfusegroup.com/author/cpost

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GIVEAWAY

Join Carol in celebrating the release of Trust My Heart by entering to win her $75 Cozy Cash Giveaway.

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Trust My Heart
• A $75 Visa cash card
• A basket full of goodies made in North Carolina to keep you cozy in the cooler fall weather

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on November 23. The winner will be announced November 28 on Carol's blog.