Review Tour: Fated Hearts (+$25 Amazon GC Giveaway!)

Title: Fated Hearts 

Author: Becky Flade

Series: 

Pages: 226

Date Published: 2015

Publisher: Crimson Romance

Format: Kindle

Genre: Romance

Source: Goddess Fish Blog Tours
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Synopsis:

Psychiatrist Henley Elliott fled her quiet life in Cleveland for a gypsy lifestyle, trying to stay one step ahead of her painful memories. When she breaks down in quirky little Trappers' Cove, Minnesota, she meets Sheriff Carter McAlister - a man healing from his own share of hidden heartbreaks.

At the request of a friend, Carter offers Henley a job to help her get back on her feet . . . but soon he can't resist trying to sweep the intriguing woman off them. Breaking through her carefully built shell proves to be a near-impossible task, and to make matters worse, a dangerous new presence in the Cove seems to be targeting Henley. They must learn to trust in each other in order to keep her safe.

Can Henley and Carter leave their secrets and scars in the past to get a second chance at happily ever after?

~My Thoughts~

Henley is a tough cookie. The synopsis does enough to really describe the plot of Fated Hearts, so I'll just get into characters and likes and dislikes and all that. Henley had a lot of baggage...possibly...She kept everything really close to the chest, particularly from Carter, but also in a way to the reader/audience. I felt like she just wouldn't open up and let me see who she really was. I, like Carter, wanted to find out more about her. Unlike me, Carter also had more...sensual plans for our heroine. Carter kind of has that cocky man's-man persona that is enthralling, yet annoying at the same time. I have to say though, he and Henley felt like they went well together. 

I really enjoyed the emphasis the author put on creating a neighborhood or village in Trapper's Cove. The collection of small town zanies was very cute and you could imagine the old neighbors, sassy diner waitress, etc. in any small town in the US. The side characters helped give personality and meaning to the town so you feel right at home in the setting. 

This book suffers from a case of information dumping. I find this occurs when descriptions really only tell the audience what's happening rather than shows it. My favorite writing quote is, "Don't tell me that the moon is shining, show me the play of moonlight over broken glass." Both parts of the sentence talk about how the moon is shining, but only the second paints a real picture for you. In this book, I felt like I just got told things instead of having them shown for me via the characters' experiences and choices. The first chapters in particular struggle with this, which is really easy because the first chapters paint the picture, give us history, and explain where and when the characters are, as well as why. It's so easy to just plop all the information down on the page instead of crafting it slowing. 

Definitely give Fated Hearts a shot if you're looking for a quick read that hits all the highs and lows a romance novel should. Will it change the world? No...but not every book has to in order to be enjoyable and sweet. 

~Try an Excerpt!~

“It’s not like that. Carter and I are friends. Just friends.”

“I know you were out at his place the other night. I thought—”

“It’s not like that,” she emphasized.

“Yes, it is,” Carter corrected, strolling into the room. “Hey, Doug. Morning, Doc.”

She looked around for an object to throw at him. From the wink Carter threw her way, she guessed he had a good idea of exactly what her intentions were. He wasn’t that charming. She refused to smile.

“No, it’s not,” Henley argued. Doug stood there, his expression miserable. The grin Carter wore implied he found her amusing. She eyeballed the stapler and wondered how much damage it could inflict if propelled.

“You know, Doc, hitting an officer of the law is as much a criminal act here as it is in Cleveland.” Yeah, he had her number.

“Take off that star then.” Turning up her nose, she sat with as much dignity as she could muster.

~Meet Becky!~ 

A coffee addict and born city girl, I tend to place my stories in and around southeast Pennsylvania, or at least have a character or two from the area. Home is where the heart is and I make mine with my very own knight in slightly tarnished armor, three beautiful daughters ranging in ages from college through pre-school, two grandsons and a charming son-in-law. When I’m not busy living my own happily ever after, I’m writing about someone else’s.

I’d love to have you visit with me on my blog; at Facebook and Twitter; on my Goodreads and Amazon author pages; or write to me directly at beckyfladeauthor@gmail.com.

 Becky will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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