Book Review: The Cautious Maiden by Dawn Crandall

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Synopsis from author’s website:

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

My review:

Having read about Vance and Violet in the previous books in this series, I was curious as to how the author would handle them. Particularly Vance who was quite a scoundrel in the previous stories. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised that the author managed to take a man who I didn’t like at all and turn him into someone who I came to respect. And she gave him a love of his own in Violet. Good job.

While I wasn’t able to connect as well with this story as I did the previous one, I did enjoy the transformation of Vance from a scoundrel to a flawed man trying to follow God. He still struggled with his past and with his sinful nature (as we all do), but he found something worthy to help him with the struggle. That was his affection for Violet.

I felt sorry for Violet. Here is a good upstanding woman who has a brother with low moral standards getting her into trouble. She struggled with her self-worth and I loved that Vance boosted her confidence in herself.

What I enjoyed most about this book:

Vance’s transformation.

What I didn’t like about this book:

That Violet pushed Vance away at one point based on the actions of a woman who was obviously looking to cause trouble.

My rating:  4 out of 5 stars

Would I recommend this book to others?  Yes I would. I really liked the way that the author addressed the struggle of trying to live a Godly life in the midst of living with consequences of past actions. This is the fourth book in the series and it is a standalone, but I would recommend that you read the other books in the series to better appreciate Vance’s character.

Note:  I received this book from the publisher.  I was not required to give a positive review.  All of the opinions I express here are my own.

Where can I read more about this author and their books?

Dawn Crandall, author website

The Cautious Maiden by Dawn Crandall (4 out of 5 stars) #BookReview #amreading

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