To Capture Her Heart by Rebecca DeMarino – A Book Review

           

In this second book in The Southold Chronicles we once again enter the lives of the Horton family and their many friends, this time during the year of 1653.  Benjamin Horton, the second oldest son, is in love with his childhood friend, Heather Flower. Heather Flower, princess of the Montaukett tribe, struggles with her emotions following the rescue from her kidnappers who killed her groom on their wedding day.  Benjamin understands her need for time to heal, but worries about the intentions of her rescuer, Dutch Lieutenant Dirk Van Buren who also has eyes for the lovely princess.

     Through the telling of Benjamin’s story, DeMarino reveals the bond between the members of the Horton family and their dearest friends. She opens a window for her readers to see how the English and their native neighbors learned from, supported and depended upon one another. I found the descriptions of how daily chores and winter preparations were accomplished fascinating, and how bits of free time were spent inspirational. I am anxious to try Mrs. Horton’s recipe for pippin [apple] pie. 

     The story moves at a slow, relaxed pace, and will appeal to readers who like characters to be fully developed.  It will be less appealing to those who prefer being kept in suspense, steep climaxes and lots of action. The author was inspired by her own family’s history in the settling of what would become Long Island, and fans of historical fiction will appreciate the research behind her writing.

     While I don’t always read an author’s acknowledgements section, this time I did.  When reading the author’s comments about her father, Howard M. Worley, who authored his first book at the age of eighty-nine, I was reminded of an article I had recently read in Guideposts magazine.  Sure enough I flipped through and found Rebecca DeMarino’s article about her father’s writing and how it was impacted by a heart attack in the May, 2015 issue! The article demonstrates that Rebecca’s own family has a strong support system, maybe being what inspired the same among her fictional Horton family.

     I thank Revell Publishers and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for providing To Capture Her Heart for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.