Hidden Affections

A new novel by Delia Parr...

Annabelle Tyler and Harrison Graymoor are forced at gunpoint into a marriage quite unexpectedly during the year 1831. Both are determined to not fall in love but to endure for the required length of time deemed necessary for the circumstances. Annabelle who carries her own secret of a previous week long marriage to a man who stole her inheritance and ran off to marry another; finds her dependence on her faith in God strengthened by looking at the blessings instead of the trials. Harrison, who has already lost much in his life which has left him distant towards God, must learn how to trust God again.

What a wonderful book! 5 out of 5 stars for Historical Christian Fiction! Delia Parr has put an extensive amount of research into the time period of 1830's as well as the area of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and it is evident throughout the book. The characters, both main and supporting characters are well developed. I couldn't put the book down! It was engaging from the very beginning! This is the kind of Historical Christian Fiction that is easy to recommend to a variety of ages, high school through adult, not silly romance but a delight! I am curious to see if Delia other books are just as enjoyable!

I received this book for free from Bethany House Publishers

Delia Parr, pen name for Mary Lechleidner, is the author of 10 historical novels and the winner of several awards, including the Laurel Wreath Award for Historical Romance and the Aspen Gold Award for Best Inspirational Book. She is a full-time high school teacher who spends her summer vacations writing and kayaking. The mother of three grown children, she lives in Collingswood, New Jersey. Visitwww.deliaparr.com for more information.

The book starts off in high speed! Two strangers are in handcuffs and being focused by gun point to get married? What!? I'll encourage you to read on... which you'll want to anyway! Harrison and Annabelle are now married but both have baggage from their pasts they are dragging around. Will this marriage remain "in name only"? Will they be honest enough to listen to each other? Will they be willing enough to take a chance at love even though they open themselves up for pain?

The author, Delia Parr, did an awesome job of drawing me into the story!! There were a few responsibilities I put on hold to finish Hidden Affections! This is the first book I have read of hers, but now she's on my list of authors to check out more. The set up for the relationship was new and interesting. The action was continual, but I couldn't believe that everything occurred in only two months — It was a whirlwind! {Spoiler Alert} I knew (or assumed) that Harrison and Annabelle would end up together, but I didn't know how it would work out. I enjoyed the ride and suggest you hop on board this summer!

Disclosure: I received book free from Bethany House Book Reviewers' program. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Someone wrote in another review that this book bogged down in the middle. I never saw a slow moment in the story. Someone also wrote that the story was too incredible to believe. That's why it's called fiction.

Most of us, I believe, enjoy stories like this with situations that would never happen but are fun to imagine. As improbable as it was, it made a good story. Sam and Annabelle were totally opposite in financial situations, background, and in their hearts.

Annabelle's example of unselfish giving of herself taught Sam to begin to empathize with the poor and quietly help them.

Delia Parr will become a new name to add to a list of my favorite authors.

Annabelle was looking for a fresh start, not another

husband. Due to compromising circumstances, she

is forced to marry Harrison with only one outcome -

annulment, which later becomes a divorce. This is

last thing she wants to face again. Yes, it seems history

is repeating itself.

Hidden Affections was my first Delia Parr novel, but it won't be my last! I loved it! The plot was fun — girl and guy handcuffed by thieves during a robbery and then forced to marry in order to protect her "honor." From there, it only gets better. They plan to hide their marriage and secretly get an annulment; but somehow the news gets out that the "rich bachelor" in town has finally married. Now, they're stuck with each other until they can figure out a way to get "unhitched." In the meantime, romance begins to bloom and trouble comes in the form of past secrets.

This is the way I like my romances: clean, fun, entertaining, romantic and inspirational. You can't get better than that! I'm so glad I got to review Hidden Affections because now I'm off to find more of Delia Parr's books to read. This one is 5 stars!

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House with no expectations of a positive review. The opinions I expressed are my own.