Monday, June 6, 2011

Book Review

Hidden Affections

by Delia Parr                                                                

Bethany House Publishers

Handcuffs? Seriously? How archaic! This is 1831 after all. Annabelle Tyler was dismayed when forced to wear handcuffs during her wedding ceremony. The sheriff, however, had his own way of doing things. He doesn't take too kindly to men like Harrison Graymoor, the groom linked to Annabelle by those pesky handcuffs.

Graymoor's days as Philadelphia's most eligible bachelor are over. Or are they? Neither Annabelle nor Harrison want this union, so they make  plans for an annulment. But what seems so simple and obvious quickly turns into something complicated.

Annabelle holds a secret from her past, and Harrison wrestles with his own tragic memories. Sprinkle in a liberal helping of Philadelphia's society's expectations and a legal conundrum, and you have an interesting and tangled mix of events. Meanwhile, Annabelle and Harrison find themselves forming an unexpected friendship. As if they didn't have enough to deal with!

I've read a few books by Ms. Parr and enjoyed them, so naturally, I was curious about this one. I was hooked immediately. The characters and the unusual circumstances held my attention, and I read it in record time. Delia Parr mixes up a great recipe with action, emotion, and an intriguing plot. If you are a fan of historical fiction, I highly recommend this book.

What have you been reading lately? Anything worth recommending?

Blessings,
Karen

This book was provided by Bethany House for review purposes. No compensation was received.

27 comments :

  1. I read the opening to this story and was def. intrigued. I love the setup so hopefully I can buy this sometime and read it. Thanks for the review!

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  2. Sounds good. I'll add to my Goodreads list.
    I actually just read The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen and really enjoyed that. Very Jane Eyre-ish. :-)

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  3. Sounds like great fun, Karen. Thanks for the tip for a good summer read.

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  4. I've been working madly on my MS, and reading The Hating Game from Tali Roland (twenty pages left to finish). That's about it. Gotta knock out this MS and get it off to my editor.

    Have a great week!

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  5. Jessica,
    It was unique, that's for sure, and it grabbed me right away. Hope you get to read it.

    Jennifer,
    Loved The Silent Governess! Yes, I agree with you there. :)

    Annie,
    You are welcome. I really enjoyed it! Going to read your new one soon!

    Stephen,
    Cheering you on to finish the manuscript! Thanks for the reminder - I need to read Talli's book!

    Terri,
    I enjoyed it very much. Thanks for coming by!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  6. I need a maid, cook, house cleaner, and built-in editor so I can spend more time reading. This book sounds like fun. Thanks for sharing, Karen. Happy Monday.

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  7. Historical fiction is a genre that intrigues me, but I haven't read enough books in it.

    I'm currently reading a book called "The Waiting Place" by Eileen Button. Will post a review of that on my blog once I'm finished. :)

    Have a great day!
    Happy reading.

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  8. Joylene,
    You too? LOL That would come in handy for writing time too, wouldn't it? :)

    Jade,
    Will watch for that review, it sounds like an interesting book. Good to meet you!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  9. Looks like a great book! The cover alone would make me pick it up and read more. Beautiful!

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  10. Thanks for the review. I'll look out for Delia Parr's books! Sounds like fun.

    Blessings!!

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  11. Im having a writing contest.....My blog Amish Stories is having its first ever contest this week. The First prize winner will win 2 tickets to tour the farm where the 1985 move "Witness" staring Harrison Ford and Kelly Mcgillis was made in Strasburg,Pa . This farm is now Amish owned, and the family has given permission for folks to tour their farm. This may be the last time anyone will be able to walk and see the same things that Harrison Ford and the other actors saw during the making of "Witness". The Witness tour should last about 2.5 hours. In addition to the Witness farm tour tickets, 1st prize winner will also receive 2 tickets for Jacobs choice. There will also be a 2nd place prize, which will be 2 tickets for the Amish Homestead. Please go to My blog www.AmishStorys.com for contest details, and more information on the prizes. Richard from the Amish settlement of Lebanon county.

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  12. Thanks Karen for this review. I just finished reading Run baby Run, by Nicky Cruz. Well, that's a totally different story... but I LOVE auto biography books and personal testimonies, they inspire me!

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  13. Mystery? Ooo, I love a good one. And if you liked it, I'll bet I would, too.

    Great job, as always.

    Waving, smiling,

    Rhonda

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  14. Sarah,
    I know, the cover is lovely! Makes you wonder what will happen...:)

    Cheryl,
    She is one of my newer favorite authors. You just might enjoy her books!

    Richard,
    Thanks for stopping by and sharing this info! Sounds like an interesting contest.

    Marja,
    It's been a while since I read that book. I think I need to read it again!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  15. Rhonda,
    I think you just might! And then we could discuss characters and plot and all that good stuff!
    Waving back,
    Karen

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  16. Presently I'm reading "Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus" by Ann Spangler & Lois Tverberg - a great, understandable collaboration on the Jewishness of Jesus.

    I do need to get more non-fiction into my diet, though. This one just might be a good one to grab.

    Blessings,
    Kathleen

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  17. The most recent book I've finished is Everything That Rises Must Converge, a short story collection by Flannery O'Connor. It's amazing writing. I'll be reviewing it soon on my blog.


    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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  18. I finished reading The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson and have started on Single In The City by Sushmita Bose.

    Stieg Larssons is a thriller set in sweden. The one by Bose is about a single, good-looking, working woman in a new city in India. It is packed with humour and has these nutty illustrations. It doesn't fail to get a laugh at the turn of each page.

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  19. Thanks for the blog visit Karen. Please stop by anytime, and your readers to my Amish related blog. Richard from the Amish settlement of Lebanon county.

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  20. Oh, this sounds like a yummy read! Thanks for the reveiw; I'd not heard of this author before. I like the names she chose, too!

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  21. Love the book cover...it looks yummy. It has a dream like quality to it. I will add it to my TBR pile.

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  22. Kathleen
    Now that one sounds interesting! Will have to check it out, thanks. :)

    Lee,
    Look forward to your review. Glad you let us know!

    Joy,
    They sound intriguing. I especially like the sound of the one with humor. :)

    Richard,
    You are welcome! Enjoyed my stop there. Great contest, too.

    Jen,
    I did too. She's a good writer.

    Rachna,
    The cover is appealing, but what's inside is even better!

    Have a good day, all,
    Karen

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  23. Hi Karen -

    I must pick up one of Delia's books. She's been on my Wish List forever. :)

    Currently, I'm reading Rosslyn Elliott's debut novel, "Fairer Than Morning." I'll be recommending it, so I won't go into detail here.

    Blessings,
    Susan

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  24. Wow. You sure know how to hook a person! Sounds interesting!

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  25. The opening blurb about getting married in handcuffs grabbed my attention immediately. The cover is gorgeous too. Now I'm intrigued.

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  26. Susan,
    I think you would enjoy her writing. Looking forward to Rosslyn's review!

    Tammy,
    Well, it hooked me right from the start. It really was enjoyable if you like that kind of thing.

    Angela,
    I know, that got me too! It was a good read. :)

    Blessings,
    Karen

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Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Have a blessed day!