A Heart's Disguise Review + Giveaway

A Heart's Disguise by Colleen Coble

Journey of the Heart Book #1

Visit the Author's website HERE

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publishing Date: March 3, 2015

Goodreads Summary:

In the aftermath of the Civil War, a young woman searches for her lost love at the edge of the West.

The Civil War has destroyed Sarah Montgomery's marriage before it's even begun.

After Sarah receives word that her fiance, Rand Campbell, has been killed fighting for the Union, her brothers and ailing father persuade her to pledge herself to Ben Croftner--despite her strong misgivings. But when Sarah finds out that Rand is in fact alive--and that Ben Croftner knew it--she indignantly breaks off the engagement and goes in search of Rand.

But Ben Croftner does not take rejection lightly--and a single woman with a sick father makes an easy target. When Sarah is abducted by her treacherous fiance, Rand finally comes to her aid . . . only to reveal that he has been posted at Fort Laramie, Wyoming, and intends to take her there as his wife. But could Sarah leave her dying father's side for the love of her life? And what plans are forming in the jealous heart of Ben Croftner?

I received a copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Buy a copy today! 

My Thoughts:
'A Heart's Disguise' is actually Coble's first published novel. Now, more than 50 books under her belt, Coble was given the chance to republish her first story through serialization. Her author's note in the beginning is cute and much appreciated, adding a lot of backstory to the novel and it's history.

Because it is a serialization, so much happens so quickly. We meet up with Sarah at a barn dance where she is being proposed to by a wealthy man, Ben Croftner, but he is not the man she loves. That man is dead...or so she is lead to believe. When her love, Rand, comes riding back into town, he doesn't stop to take a breath but dives right into accusing Sarah of forgetting about him. Sarah, overjoyed that Rand is alive, quickly breaks her engagement to Ben and turns to Rand assuming, and who wouldn't, that they could be together again. But Rand can't forgive her. Still, Rand comes to Sarah's aid...only to reveal he is heading for Wyoming to make his own life.

The drama is thick and the emotions, well, just plain crazy. Sarah was a well formed character hurting from the loss of her fiance only to joyously discover he is alive and yet then be rejected by him. Rand is waaay too emotional. He is the definition of rollercoaster. He needed to take a breath, relax and think a little. It is hard to see why Sarah fell for him in the first place.

'A Heart's Disguise' does give us a brief glimpse into Coble's writing voice and style. I haven't read anything else by her before, so I can only assume her writing improved since this first story. However, this one? Not great. It had a lot of potential and I am still excited to read the next installment in April. I'm optimistically rating it with 3 stars. Keep an eye out for my review next month for further thoughts!!

Until then...........

Celebrate book one in Colleen's A Journey of the Heart series by entering to win a Kindle Fire and RSVPing to her May 5th author chat party!


One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• A copy of A Heart's Disguise
• A copy of A Heart's Obsession (blog tour coming in April)
• A copy of The Inn at Ocean's Edge (blog tour coming in April)

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 7th. Winner will be announced May 8th on Colleen's website. Plus be sure to clear your calendar on the evening of May 5th because Colleen is hosting an author chat party on Facebook to celebrate her A Journey of the Heart series and the release of The Inn at Ocean's Edge! RSVP here!