To Capture Her Heart by Rebecca DeMarino - REVIEWED

About The Book:
In an uncertain time, she faces a choice that will change her life forever
It is 1653 and Heather Flower, a princess of the Montaukett tribe, is celebrating her wedding feast when a rival tribe attacks, killing the groom and kidnapping her. Though her ransom is paid by an Englishman, she is bound by her captors and left to die--until she finds herself rescued by handsome Dutch Lieutenant Dirk Van Buren.

Still tender from her loss, Heather Flower begins to heal in the home of the Hortons, English friends of her people. Torn between her affection for Dirk and her longtime friendship with Ben Horton, Heather Flower must make a difficult choice--stay true to her friend or follow her heart. 

Exploring a unique slice of history, Rebecca DeMarino transports you to the wild land that would eventually become Long Island, New York. 

My Thoughts:

“The one thing he’d learned growing up from his parents was to bring your troubles to the Lord first, and He would answer you in His time.”  (p.53)

Benjamin’s thoughts early on in Rebecca DeMarino’s novel, To Capture Her Heart, is a glimpse into the heart of a very fascinating story!  Set in the mid-1600’s, this book captures both enchanting and dangerous dynamics between the European settlers and Native American Indians.  DeMarino has done meticulous research and captured the many nuances of this early American culture.  Well, it wasn’t American then, was it? 

The warring factions between tribes presented many dangers to the Europeans fleeing England in search of religious freedom.  DeMarino captures the spiritual differences accurately throughout the story, and some of the tension in the story-line occurs between those who are believers and those still doubtful of anything that might replace tradition.  Another facet that DeMarino captures beautifully is the strife that is created when the Indians and Europeans fall in love! J  She weaves many complex relationships within her novel, and, honestly, creates a tension that captures the reader early in the story and keeps them entranced throughout!  That, fellow-fiction buffs is good writing!

I somehow missed the first of this series, but I can say with confidence that you are still able to follow the story.  Based on the first chapter preview of the third novel, I know I probably missed some of the depth of her characters, but that only makes me want to go back and read the novel I missed!  Again, more evidence of great writing!

I am very happy to recommend The Southold Chronicles  (in particular, To Capture Her Heart) to everyone!

Please go HERE to win fabulous prizes!!

About the Author:

Rebecca DeMarino is the author of A Place in His Heart and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, and The Southold Long Island Historical Society. She was a 2011 Genesis Award semi-finalist. Rebecca is retired from a major airline and lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Tom. Learn more at www.rebeccademarino.com.