Everstone Chronicles book 4 The Cautious Maiden

The Cautious Maiden, book 4 of the Everstone Chronicles

Whitaker House, October 2016

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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 fiancé who hides both his emotion and his past, Violet must decide who to trust, and who to leave behind.

My review:

I read The Bound Heart, book 2 in the series, just before this one. Technically out of order, I’m glad I did, as this book carries on with the rogue, Vance Everstone’s, story. We left him wounded after his brother-in-law attempted to seek misguided revenge, and murdered Vance’s brother. Such devastation caused a complete spiritual change, which can be understandable with what Vance witnessed. While the books stand alone and feature different characters, they are all tied together and I would recommend reading at least The Bound Heart with this book.

Starting with a shocking attack, Crandall dives right in to contrast Violet’s depraved sibling with the former rake, Vance, who steps right into gentle heroism with great aplomb. Vance’s reformation comes with a new ability to see past his own carnal desires, and find his soul mate. The problem comes when he has to convince her of his true intentions despite her brother’s interference, and without scaring her off, especially since a good man who loves her might make a better choice. Vance tries to sacrifice his love for her, but his nature of getting what he wants resurfaces. Fortunately for Violet, Vance’s altruism and reconditioned heart works in time to prevent another tragedy.

The Cautious Maiden is historical romance with a little sauce, some pretty passionate kissing and devastating swoon-worthy heroism. As a history lover, I appreciated the details of this era of late nineteenth century New England, but would also have enjoyed some more sense of the exciting accomplishments taking place in medicine and technology and world events to more firmly set the Victorian feel. The story could have been plopped into any era, but that was okay with the richly drawn characters. Book 3, The Captive Imposter, is reviewed on this site.

Everstone Chronicles book 3 The Captive Imposter

The Captive Imposter 

November 2015, Everstone Chronicles Book3
Whitaker House

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About the Book:
What's in a name? For her own protection following the murder of her brother Will, hotel heiress Estella Everstone assumes the alias of Elle Stoneburner and takes a job as companion to an elderly widow. Never did she imagine that her position would lead her back to her beloved Everston, a picturesque resort property tucked away in the rugged mountains of Maine. Living below her station in a guise of anonymity has its struggles, but her spirits are buoyed by a newfound friendship with the hotel manager, Dexter Blakeley. And his distaste for the spoiled socialites who frequent his hotel causes her to take a close look at her own priorities and past lifestyle. When Estella finds herself in need of help, Dexter comes to the rescue with an offer of employment she can't refuse. As the two interact and open up to each other, Estella feels a growing attraction to Dexter--and increasing discomfort over concealing her identity. Yet, in spite of the false pretense she's putting forth, she's never felt freer to be herself than in his presence. But will he still love her when he learns the truth about who she is?

My review:

Crandall’s tale of presumptive and mistaken identity is a charming addition to the Everstone Chronicles. The setting at the end of the nineteenth century at a Maine resort adds a fresh feel to romance in which the journey drives the story to the expected happily-ever-after ending.

A few twists in this inspirational historical romance add page-turning intrigue. The reader knows this is the third in a series, but as the reasons for assumed identity are gradually revealed, never feel as though stepping into the middle of a story. Both hero and heroine begin their relationship under assumptions about the other, ala the mistaken identity trope, to sweet affect when Elle learns the truth about Dexter long before he learns her secret. Readers are tossed headlong into an old family fray and Elle grows up quickly as she learns more about her older siblings, the family past and present and their connections that were kept under the carpet.

Secrets and misunderstandings, adventure, danger and the past come together in this spiritual romance where angst over telling the truth may hurt worse than keeping a potentially life-saving secret. Told in first person throughout, readers of romantic historical fiction set in high society will enjoy Captive Imposter and the rest of the Everstone Chronicles. Book 4, The Cautious Maiden, released October 2016 and will be reviewed on this site on December 13. The Bound Heart was reviewed here.