Revells Blogger Program Presents: Choices of the Heart (The Midwives, #3) by Laurie Alice Eakes

Esther Cherrett comes from a proud line of midwives and was trained by her mother to take over the family calling. But when a scandal threatens all she holds dear, Esther takes a position as a teacher in the western mountains of Virginia instead. There she finds herself in the midst of a deadly family feud and courted by two men on opposite sides of the conflict. When it seems as though her past has followed her all the way into the mountains, all she wants is to run away again.br /> In this gripping story of trust, deception, and bittersweet loss, a young woman learns the true meaning of choices of the heart.


About The Author

Laurie Alice Eakes used to lie in bed as a child telling herself stories so she didn’t wake anyone else up. Sometimes she shared her stories withothers; thus, when she decided to be a writer, she surprised no one. Family Guardian, her first book, won the National Readers Choice Award for Best Regency in 2007. In the past three years, she has sold six books to Baker/Revell, five of which are set during the Regency time period, four books to Barbour Publishing, as well as two novellas to Barbour Publishing and one to Baker/Revell. Seven of her books have been picked up by Thorndike Press for large print publication, and Lady in the Mist, her first book with Revell, was chosen for hardcover publication with Crossings Bookclub. She also teaches on-line writing courses and enjoys a speaking ministry that has taken her from the Gulf Coast to the East Coast.br /> Laurie Alice lives in Texas with her husband, two dogs and two cats, and is learning how to make tamales.

You can learn more about her and her work at http://www.lauriealiceeakes.combr />

Read A Excerpt

My Review:

Ah the title is correct...what are the choices of our heart? The story takes place 1840 Virginia, a very different world than today. Young Esther Cherrett is a young woman what has been rather spoiled during her life, she is the only daughter. Her father is a Pastor, and her mother is a Midwife, who learned her skills from her mother and has passed them down to Esther. Esther does have a big problem...she is a terrible flirt, and when things go awry, she is blamed. No one will believe she is innocent...she has a reputation, and is not able to live it down.
She decides to take a teaching job, way up in the Mountains of Virginia. What she has run away from is now mild compared to what is going on here. More like the Hatfields and the McCoys...or the Tollivers and the Gosnolls. Brookses. Neffs. It appears that there is so little value for human life. They really are all related, and Mrs Tolliver is a sister to Mrs Brooks....terrible.
Esther is now giving up her medical knowledge...not, and going to be teaching. She is also being looked at as a potential wife for either Zach Brook or Griff Tolliver. Even though her past haunts her, she is not looking for a husband.
Loved looking at this beautiful Mountain area through Esther's eyes...so wonderful. This is a page turning, and compelling read. Travel back to old time Virginia, and enjoy!

I received this book through Revell's review program, and was not required to give a positive review.