Book Review and Giveaway!

I am thrilled to be part of the blog tour for Jennifer Moore's new romance, Miss Whitaker Opens Her Heart. I've really enjoyed Ms. Moore's books in the past and was looking forward to this one!

Sarah Whitaker is a sweet girl who longed to be with her father. She's to join him on his ranch in Australia, but after the five month voyage to get to him, she finds out he's been killed. Determined to manage the ranch herself, after a ten year struggle, she becomes one of the best ranch managers in the area. But that comes with a price, as she's also been betrayed by those she should have been able to trust. Because of that, she's closed off her heart to anyone---until she meets Daniel Burton.

Through a series of misconceptions, Daniel and Sarah get off on the wrong foot. He thinks she's a heartless employer and while he feels a connection to her, he pushes that down. He's not going to let himself be drawn into her spell. But what if he's wrong about her? Can there be something more than friendship between them?

I really loved the push and pull with the two main characters and how they came to like and respect each other. It definitely wasn't insta-love and I enjoyed the build up. (The sparkle between them was so great and definitely the kind that kept me up late!) The back stories of the two characters really provided a lot of depth and believability for the circumstances and will tug at your heartstrings. The changes each character goes through is what makes this story stand out, not only for the main characters, but the supporting cast as well.  I particularly enjoyed the setting of Australia in this time period, and the details made it so real! It was very well done. The author had obviously done her homework with sheep farming and penal colonies, and it really came to life in this story.

I could hardly put the book down, and this is definitely going onto my Favorites shelf for a rainy day re-read. Loved it!

Don't forget to scroll all the way down and enter the giveaway!

You can download your Kindle copy here

Here's the back copy:

Australia, 1814

As a young child bound for a strange country, Sarah Whitaker dreamed of life with her father on his sprawling Australian ranch. But her hopes were shattered when she learned of his death and of her new role as heiress of the largest sheep farm in New Wales. Orphaned in a land greatly populated by petty criminals exiled from England, the future seemed grim. But now, ten years later, Sarah has defied the odds and become a successful businesswoman—much to the chagrin of her male counterparts. Hardened to the dishonesty of both her fellow ranchers and the felons in her employ, Sarah has learned one important truth: no one is to be trusted.

Daniel Burton is a lucky man. Sentenced to death for his role in a horse race scandal, Daniel was granted reprieve thanks to the influence of his wealthy relatives. Now, rather than death, Daniel faces exile in Australia—an opportunity to put past mistakes behind him. But when he purchases land with the intention of farming it, he unwittingly arouses the wrath of his new neighbor, Sarah. What begins as a battle of wits, however, soon becomes a warm friendship—and perhaps something more. But when Daniel’s secret past is revealed, will Sarah be able forgive yet another deception?

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