Monday, September 9, 2013

Book Review and Giveaway: Blackmoore


I loved Julianne Donaldson's first book, Edenbrooke, (which is specially priced on Kindle at $1.99 for September. You can find it here) and I will admit with no shame that that book has been my go-to rainy day book since I read it.  Until now.  Blackmoore is so hauntingly beautiful, I know I will be reading my favorite passages from it for a long time to come.

The thing that sets Donaldson's work apart for me is her memorable characters.  Kate and Henry in Blackmoore had me hanging on their every interaction.  There are moments that are funny, moments that are sentimental, as it should be between two childhood friends, and moments that are so romantic you find yourself sighing along with the heroine.  It was so easy to identify with them, the societal rules that cause problems, the family that keeps them apart, and the undeniable connection that brings them together.

Kate's longing to go to Blackmoore and her joy in being there (that is only marred by the bargain she makes with her mother) makes Kate's character leap off the page and brings the reader into being right there with her and feeling what she is feeling.  The scenes up in Henry's secret hideaway were truly phenomenal and he was a hero that every good romance should have.  Not to mention the twist at the end that kept me up far past my bedtime so I could see how it played out. Donaldson does not disappoint on any level--the characters, the setting, the story, they are all well done.  I highly recommend this one to any historical romance fan.

If you want to win a copy of this book, just go like Julianne Donaldson's Facebook page here and then come tell me you did that in the comment trail.  Winner will be announced next week.


Here's the back copy:

Kate Worthington knows her heart and she knows she will never marry. Her plan is to travel to India instead—if only to find peace for her restless spirit and to escape the family she abhors. But Kate’s meddlesome mother has other plans. She makes a bargain with Kate: India, yes, but only after Kate has secured—and rejected—three marriage proposals.

Kate journeys to the stately manor of Blackmoore determined to fulfill her end of the bargain and enlists the help of her dearest childhood friend, Henry Delafield. But when it comes to matters of love, bargains are meaningless and plans are changeable. There on the wild lands of Blackmoore, Kate must face the truth that has kept her heart captive. Will the proposal she is determined to reject actually be the one thing that will set her heart free?

Set in Northern England in 1820, Blackmoore is a Regency romance that tells the story of a young woman struggling to learn how to follow her heart. It is Wuthering Heights meets Little Women with a delicious must-read twist.

28 comments:

Debra Erfert said...

Wuthering Heights? Isn't that a morose story? I've never seen it, or read it, but that's what I hear. I do love a good historical romance, though. I'll have to seriously think about this one.

WJ said...

Been to Facebook and back. Loved Edenbrooke! Can't wait to read get latest:)

Emily M said...

I already liked it! So excited for this one!

Julie Coulter Bellon said...

Debra, enter the giveaway! Thanks WJ and Emily.

Taunya Butler said...

Went to facebook and liked Julianne Donaldson's page!! So please sign me up for the giveaway!! Thanks - Julie for all the great book recommendations!!

Anonymous said...

Liked! Saw that Edenbrooke was $1.99 and HAD to buy it. I mean, Amazon makes it so easy what with the one click and all. ;)

Debra Erfert said...

Julianne has over 1,600 likes on her Facebook page. I almost fainted when I saw that. How connected is she? I'd love to know her secret, if and when I actually get to that point of wanting all those "like"s on my author's fan page.

Gayle said...

I've liked her page and love her books!

Kathy C said...

Duly liked. Loved the first one and can't wait to read the second!

Mary Preston said...

Liked on FB

WUTHERING HEIGHTS and LITTLE WOMEN are two favorites of mine, so I'm looking forward to a wonderful read.

Rebecca Lamoreaux said...

I Liked her! I have for a long time ;) Also, yes, Wuthering Heights is a great story! I love it, but my entire group hated it when we read it - they thought I was weird ;)
Yes, Deb, I would love to know her secret too! I couldn't believe how many people are following her!

Heidi Reads... said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Heidi Reads... said...

I already like her on facebook! I have been so excited to read her next book ever since I finished Edenbrooke :)
Thanks for the giveaway!

colorvibrant[at]gmail[dot]com

brendajean said...

Liked Julie's FB page. Loved Edenbrooke and can't wait for Blackmoore:) Thanks for the giveaway!!

bchild5@aol.com

Bgriffs said...

I "liked" her fb page. And I love her books!! jbgriffs at aol dot com

Michelle J. said...

I like her on Facebook!

Duchess Mouse said...

Just returning from 'liking' Julianne Donaldson's facebook page. Don't know why I didn't think to do it sooner, as I loved Edenbrooke! Thanks!

Cheryl said...

I can't wait to get my hands on Blackmore somehow. I loved Edenbrooke so much!!!!! Thanks to the link to Julianne's FB page. I liked it and look forward to getting her updates on my FB page. Hope I win!!!

Cheryl.larson@sbcglobal.net

Cheryl said...

I can't wait to get my hands on Blackmore somehow. I loved Edenbrooke so much!!!!! Thanks to the link to Julianne's FB page. I liked it and look forward to getting her updates on my FB page. Hope I win!!!

Cheryl.larson@sbcglobal.net

DanielleThorne said...

I just read about this author in LDS Living and I'm excited to check out some of her work!

Alisha said...

Just 'liked' Julianne Donaldson on Facebook (I already liked her books in real life)! Thanks for the opportunity to win this amazing book!

Tiffany said...

I've already liked her page! She's an amazing author!!! I hope I win!!

Lisa said...

Loved Edenbrooke. Can't wait to read this one.

Brooke said...

I've already liked Julianne Donaldson on FB because I loved Edenbrooke and I'm so looking forward to reading Blackmoore. Thanks!

Katie W said...

I liked her page on facebook--her books are great!! I'm excited to see you have another new one coming out too. :)
Katie
snapdragon77(at)hotmail(dot)com

Melissa said...

Liked her FB page! Thanks for the giveaway - I am very excited to read it! melis.chandler@gmail.com

alis said...

I liked her facebook page. would love to read the book!

CAT said...

Liked Julie's FB page. Loved Edenbrooke!! Way better than Pride and Prejudice in my opinion!! Can't wait for Blackmoore:)
Thanks for the giveaway!!
061961 at g mail dot com