Review: Starving Hearts by Janine Mendenthall (Litfuse Blog Tour)

Title: Starving Hearts
Author: Janine Mendenthall
Publisher: Heritage Beacon
Pages: 300
ISBN: 978-1-938499-84-5
Publication Date: May 16th, 2016

Synopsis:

Since her assault, Miss Annette Chetwynd has been plagued by nightmares and worries about an arranged marriage. 

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. . . .

Mr. Peter Adsley is joining the clergy, and he desires a godly wife by his side. After a failed attempt to obtain one, he engages in a clandestine meeting with the bewitching young woman who keeps crossing his path. But she is so unsettling.

Destined for disappointments, Peter and Annette both endure disgraceful situations. Will Peter’s faith sustain him through overwhelming setbacks? Can Annette overcome her doubts? Or will their starving hearts yield to the machinations of a mad man?

Review:
I have been a fan of regency books for a while, so when a new regency book comes out I get a little excited to see how an author will portray this romanticized time. I also enjoy seeing how the authors will build their world and if they stick close to Austen or only use that as a just a base.

Right off the bat of Starving Hearts, I could see that Janine Mendenthall is a fan of Jane Austen. She did her best it seemed as to try to stick to the style of writing. The story for me did start off a little slow, but in all honesty, reading Austen did too.

As the story started I didn't really feel much of connection to Annette. She started off as a little childish, but as the story moved on she did grow on me and she seemed to mature as the the real background of the story opened up. This book focused mainly on the slave trade in England and the abolishment of it.

I did like how the villain was in this story. A well crafted villain helps move the story along and offer the right amount of suspense and mystery.

There were some things about this story that popped out at me that took away from my attention, but I want to try to read and enjoy the story, so I tried to over look some things and not nitpick.

If you are into regency based stories, it might be a book you want to try.

3 out of 5

About the Author:

Janine Mendenhall teaches teens English, of all things! Sometimes she sleeps, but most nights she reads, writes, or watches movies like “Pride and Prejudice” and claims she’s researching her next book. “Splickety Love” and “Splickety Prime” have published her flash fiction. She and her husband, Tom, live in North Carolina where they and their two golden retrievers help gratify the needs of their five children and two cats.






Giveaway:
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.

Thank you to Litfuse, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.