Thursday, October 14, 2021

About the Book

Book: A Heart’s Forever Home

Author: Lena Nelson Dooley

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: August 17, 2021

A single lawyer whose clients think he needs a wife.

A woman who needs a forever home…or a forever family…or a forever love.

Although Traesa Killdare is a grown woman now, the discovery that her adoption wasn’t finalized sends her reeling. Especially when her beloved grandmother dies and the only siblings she’s ever known exile her from the family property without a penny to her name.

Wilson Pollard works hard for the best interest of his law clients, even those who think a marriage would make him more “suitable” in his career. And when the beloved granddaughter of a recently deceased client comes to him for help, he knows he must do whatever necessary to make her situation better.

As each of their circumstances worsen, a marriage of convenience seems the only answer for both. Traesa can’t help but fall for her new husband—the man who’s given her both his home and his name. But what will it take for Wilson to realize he loves her? Will a not-so-natural disaster open his eyes and heart?

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About the Author

Lena Nelson Dooley has been an author for 36 years. Her 51st book released in June 2020. Raised in Arkansas, she married a Texan 56 years ago. They have lived in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex for decades. She is an active member of ACFW and one of the founding members the DFW local chapter. She’s often been a speaker for other writers’ groups and conferences, both as a keynote speaker and a workshop teacher. Her fans love reading her books filled with characters who grip your heart.

More from Lena

I’ve been a lover of history for decades. In college and graduate school, all my elective courses were history. Of course, I chose the countries and eras I wanted to learn about. When I began writing novels, my first one was a contemporary story. After that at least 75% or more of my novels have been historical, all the way from 1805 through the early 20thcentury.

One of the hallmarks of my historical novels is the authenticity I write into the stories. Because of the amount of research I’ve done over the years, I’m kind of an expert in 19thcentury history. My characters and their stories are completely fictional, but the other things in the book are mostly true. I search until I find what I need to know or until I reach a complete dead end.

The history of the orphan trains has interested me since I first learned about them. One of them ended in Fort Worth where a pastor and his wife helped find the last orphans a home. A few didn’t get a home, so they took them in. In the 20th century that became an orphanage, then a home for unwed mothers.

A Heart’s Forever Home has three settings—Fort Worth, Texas; Waco, Texas; and New York City. It’s a Marriage of Convenience story and much more. This is another type of story I like to read and I like to write. Finding a different reason for the necessity of the marriage is interesting.

I’d found an event that occurred north of Waco in 1896. It was so bizarre I wanted to include it in a book. It was a perfect fit for this story and became an important catalyst in the story.

I’m what’s called in the industry a seat-of-the-pants author, more or less. I do have the complete outline of the story in my head. When I sit down to write, I know where I’m going, but I don’t have every single scene plotted out as some authors do. And I pray… a lot. During the time I’m writing a book, God drops ideas into my thought processes. Not just while I’m writing, but other times, too. That’s the exciting thing about writing. This keeps it fresh for me.

When you’ve finished reading this story, I hope you’ll let me know what you think of it. I really like getting reader feedback.

MY REVIEW

This has been a very enjoyable story to read. It was easy to feel like part of the story by the beautiful writing. The author does a wonderful job of making each character come to life. The tine period is interesting as we follow along on a journey that demonstrates the compassion and love that one man has for his bride.

Traesa has a good life living in a mansion where she has been since she was adopted from the orphan train. I have always been intrigued by this part of history. It is hard to believe that children were put on a train hoping that someone would adopt them. Traesa has been blessed with a family that has cared and loved her.

Things take a dark turn when Traesa’s brother storms into the house one day. He brings with him a sense of danger and unleashes it on Traesa. Finding herself homeless she turns to the family’s lawyer for help. It can’t be true that she was never adopted and she has to prove her brother wrong. Everyday that her brother resides over the mansion, her fear rises for her safety.

Wilson wants to help Traesa prove that she was adopted and offers his help to her. I thought Wilson was a gentleman with a big heart. I was very surprised at the turn of events that find Wilson and Traesa joining in a marriage of convenience. Wilson’s desire to protect Traesa is heartwarming and his willingness to marry Traesa was emotional. I loved how the author brings these two people together as they work to find papers to prove who Traesa is.

For me the best part of the story is when Wilson seeks spiritual guidance for his marriage. He wants to follow what God has ordained marriage to be. Wilson shows how much he wants this marriage to be more that just a convenient type but more of a Godly marriage.

As they travel across country I loved how the author describes the beautiful flowers of Texas. I live in Texas and liked reading about the bluebonnets and other flowers that Texas is famous for. I think this trip allows the couple to become more comfortable with each other. Their stay with Wilson’s family in New York brought Tresa a sense of belonging when Wilson’s family welcomes her with open arms.

I really enjoyed this story and hated to see it end. It has a lesson in hope, trust and listening to God that allows the two main characters to follow their heart. I am left with sone unanswered questions which I hope the author addresses in the next book. Overall a clean, historical read that brought out the importance of having God in your marriage and trusting Him to keep you safe.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.