I loved the first book in this series, The Vagabond Vicar, that I read several years
ago and was thrilled when the author reached out to let me know she was releasing a
sequel! Check out an interview with the author, an excerpt, and a giveaway below...
ago and was thrilled when the author reached out to let me know she was releasing a
sequel! Check out an interview with the author, an excerpt, and a giveaway below...
Gloved HeartBy Charolotte
Adult Historical Romance
ebook, 227 Pages
April 20th 2019
Summary
Can she ever trust again?
Amy Miller is struggling to come to terms with her new life as a mother, while being a reluctant guest in a rigid gentry household. A victim of abuse, she is determined to never trust a man again.
Henry Russell has loved Amy for as long as he can remember, but his family want nothing to do with her. A chance encounter with Amy rekindles a friendship which might save them both.
The discovery of a secret which holds the key to Amy’s past will change them forever, and jeopardise any chance they have for happiness. Can Henry show Amy that true love will give her everything she could ever need?
Note, although this is a 'sweet' read, there is some subject matter that may offend sensitive readers, including mention of a rape and very mild violence and coarse language.
Author Interview
Would you tell us a little more about GLOVED HEART?
GLOVED HEART is the second book in the “Hearts of Amberley” series. It tells the story of Amy and Henry who you may remember from the first book. It can be read as a standalone but if you’ve read THE VAGABOND VICAR you’ll enjoy seeing your favourite characters again.
Would you tell us more about the main characters from the story?
Amy Miller is the new mother of a baby conceived in less than ideal circumstances. She is struggling to come to terms with her new living arrangement, while being haunted by her past trauma. She has sworn off men for good, but she comes to rely on the friendship of Henry Russell. Henry is a farmer – strong both physically and as an emotional support for Amy. He’s a redhead, and can be hot-headed when he’s passionate about something. The depth of his love for Amy as well as his patience make him a true hero in my eyes.
How would Amy describe Henry, and how would Henry describe Amy?
Amy says - Henry is a good friend from my childhood who I can rely on. As long as I can keep him at arm’s length I’m happy to spend time with him.
Henry says – Amy is a beautiful, strong woman who captured my heart long ago. She always says what she thinks and has been so brave during her recent struggles. I admire her more than I want to admit.
How does it relate or compare to THE VAGABOND VICAR?
In THE VAGABOND VICAR Amy was involved in dramatic events which helped shape the outcome of that book. At the end of the book, her life is about to change dramatically, and GLOVED HEART tells the story of what happens next. You’ll also find out more about other characters from the first book, especially William, Cecilia, the Fortescues and the Barringtons. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t read THE VAGABOND VICAR – you can still enjoy GLOVED HEART on its own.
How was writing this second book different than the first?
For starters, I had to get through a very busy period in my life before I could dedicate time to the story – marriage, house renovations, building a new house, and having a baby! My experience of writing this book was very personal, as I was also a new mother just like Amy. The love story in this book has quite a different tone to the first one. THE VAGABOND VICAR is about discovering love for the first time and has a quality of wonder to it. GLOVED HEART is about a heart in recovering, about taking a chance to love again even when you’re scared.
What do you love most about this story?
I love Henry’s steadfastness and his refusal to give up on Amy even when it looks like she’ll never be able to trust him. This is also a book about strong women and the relationships between them. It’s really the women who drive the story and I loved exploring their unique bonds despite their different stations in life.
Was there any interesting research you did or facts you learned for the story?
I had to do a lot of research on Regency farming practises, given my hero is a farmer and a lot of the story takes place at the farm. I also had to research babies and childcare during that period. It was interesting to see all the differences in how the aristocracy would bring up their children compared to the ordinary people.
When you want to escape into a book what genre do you generally pick up? Any favorite authors?
Of course I like to read sweet historical romance, similar to what I write, but I also like women’s and general fiction. At the moment I’m reading Carolyn Miller.
When you’re not reading or writing, what other hobbies do you enjoy?
I like to play the piano and sing. I’m a member of my local choir. I like to go for walks and play boardgames with my husband. Most of my free time right now is taken up with wrangling a toddler!
What are you working on next?
I’m working on book three of the “Hearts of Amberley” series, BARRINGTON MEETS HIS MATCH. What will happen to our dastardly villain when he meets a woman he can’t charm? Will he see the error of his ways?
Excerpt
Amy was glad of the ride back to Briarwood. She was so weary she thought her legs might give way. Her emotions were close to the surface, threatening to brim over. Henry had touched on more than one nerve with his innocent line of questioning just now. He was right to wonder why a respectable couple such as the Fortescues, who she had hardly said a word to in her life, would stoop so low as to house an unwed mother when no one else wanted her. She had asked herself that question many times; it was reasonable for him to wonder too.
She wanted to believe his assertions that they wanted to make her more like them so she would belong. But she couldn’t bring herself to foster such a happy illusion; she was no more an innocent young girl who would see the best in people first. She knew most people were hiding something, and their actions were not always a good indicator of their motivations or intentions. In fact, sometimes they acted to deliberately deceive. She couldn’t believe the Fortescues would intentionally hurt her, as there was undeniably an altruistic motive for most of their actions. But their efforts to re-make her in the image of a lady were an affront to her very identity.
“Miss Miller?”
Amy turned to see Henry waiting for her on the cart. She laughed at him. “Come now, Henry, don’t address me as if you were my chauffeur. It’s only Amy, and it always has been.”
She stepped towards the box and he automatically offered his hand to help her up. She stared at it, dismayed.
It was perfectly natural for him to help her up into her seat, but despite her recent familiarity with him, she still could not stand to let their hands touch. She tried to fight the irrational terror which overtook her. Nothing bad would happen, it would be over in a matter of seconds and Henry was not going to abuse the situation, was he? But she could not bring herself to put her hands in his.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
He shook his head as if to dismiss her apology. “It’s nothing, just put your foot here, and hold on here, and you can pull yourself up.”
She nodded, did as he instructed, and managed to hoist herself up onto the seat.
Henry took up the reins. “Are you comfortable?”
She met his eyes and nodded again, startled by how close his face was to hers. “Thank you.” Her voice came out as a squeak and she immediately felt herself colouring. She focussed on the lane ahead as Henry brought the cart around and steered the mare down towards the road.
He sat as far as he could to the right of her while still maintaining control of the cart, but the seat was not very wide, so their thighs were still only inches apart. She could see his muscles flexing within his buckskin trousers. Suddenly she was unbearably warm.
Comfortable? Perhaps too comfortable.
She could not resist taking sly glances at him as they bounced along towards her home. The freckles across his nose had multiplied, giving him a boyish charm. His shock of fiery hair was tossed about in unruly waves like a turbulent sea. He caught her looking at him, and threw her a bashful smile, which she couldn’t help returning before forcing her eyes to her lap. She caught a whiff of his scent; he smelled of the grasses and earth and a rich, masculine aroma.
The motion of his hands guiding the reins caught her attention as they rounded a corner, and she took in his strong, toned forearms. He’d rolled his shirt up above his elbows, and even beneath all that fabric his upper arms bulged. His chest strained against his waistcoat. He was a robust working man, of course he would be… strapping. It was just that she’d never had such leisure to observe all this before. Or perhaps she had just never taken notice, never appreciated him in his masculinity. She’d been a slip of a girl when she’d last spent any length of time with him, without any notions of forming attachments. Now, she was all too aware of him, and the nearness of him. She began to feel a little light-headed, and her heart seemed to be pulsing through her entire body.
She hadn’t felt like this since… her breath quickened as a painful pang hit her heart. She’d rather not remember the last time.
“Amy? Are you all right?”
Henry was looking at her seriously as he guided the cart through the gates that led to Briarwood.
She tried to slow her breathing, but the rising panic could not be quelled.
The last time she had felt this way, it had nearly destroyed her. It had made her giddy, blind, defenceless. She’d been a gullible fool, and she had paid the price for her infatuation with her innocence.
The last time she had felt this way, it had nearly destroyed her. It had made her giddy, blind, defenceless. She’d been a gullible fool, and she had paid the price for her infatuation with her innocence.
Fear closed over her heart in a vice-like grip, and she clutched the sides of the seat with white knuckles. She could not explain to him, could not summon any words lest she begin to cry.
The cart came to a stop outside the house, and she leapt to the ground, nearly falling over.
“Amy!” Henry cried, dismounting in a flash and coming around to her side. “What on earth is the matter?”
She darted away from him, wishing she hadn’t let her fancies get the better of her, that she could go back to the simplicity of their recent friendship. Perhaps she still could if not tempted in such a way.
“Goodbye, Henry,” she called as she began walking away from him. “Thank you.”
Then she turned and took quick steps up to the front door, banging until she was granted admittance. Once inside, the house felt like a safe place for the first time. She was in no danger of being overcome by treacherous feelings here. She went to her room and closed the door, leaning back against it. She would have no reason to see Henry again, and it was just as well. She could not risk putting her heart in danger again.
Other Books in the Series
The Vagabond VicarBy Charolotte
Adult Historical Romance
ebook, 279 Pages
October 14th 2014
Summary
All William wanted was to save the world. Now he cannot even save himself.
William Brook is an idealistic young cleric, desperate to escape dreary England for a mission adventure in exotic lands. It's his worst nightmare come true when he is posted to a parish in a small backwater village, populated with small-minded people and husband-hunting mamas. He’s determined not to form any ties and to escape the country as an independent single man.
A free spirit, Cecilia Grant is perfectly content to remain in her family home in Amberley village - when she's not wandering the countryside at all hours painting. Marriage options are few, but that won't stop her mother from engineering a match with one of the ruling family's sons. Cecilia attempts to win the man, but what is it about the new vicar and his brooding ways that is so appealing? Could he be the only one who has ever really understood her, and can she discover what he is running away from?
As William struggles not to fall in love with the lady's intoxicating beauty and mysterious eccentricity, he finds himself drawn into the lives of the villagers, despite their best efforts to alienate the newcomer. When he makes it clear he's not sticking around, Cecilia strives to restrain her blossoming feelings for him. Just when it seems love may triumph, dark secrets are revealed in Amberley and a scandal from William’s past may see the end of not only his career, but his chance at finding an everlasting love.
The Vagabond Vicar is an unashamedly romantic historical novel you'll fall in love with. If you love Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, can't get enough of Downton Abbey or Cranford, or just prefer old-fashioned boy-meets-girl stories, try reading Charlotte Brentwood.
Read my review HERE.
(Affiliate link included.)
About the Author
Earning a degree in communication studies, she was seduced by the emerging digital world and has since worked with the web and in marketing. She is a member of the Auckland chapter of RWNZ.
Now mother to an adorable human tornado, Charlotte is trying to find the time for reading, seaside walks, warbling at the piano and quaffing far too many hot chocolates.
Giveaway
1 winner will receive an ebook of GLOVED HEART
Sponsored by the Author
Open internationally
Ends May 5, 2019
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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