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Singing to the Heart #2
Heartsong
Heartsong Series Book 2
Gabriel McKenna is living the dream. A rising country music star he’s no stranger to fame, money, or beautiful women. Despite his bad boy image, he’s also got a heart of gold, and when his ten-year-old brother is orphaned, he wants to take him under his wing. But the judge on the case is less than impressed by Gabe’s reputation and awards custody to the grandfather Gabe knows firsthand is abusive.
Michaela Finn is no stranger to heartache. Years ago she was engaged to Gabe McKenna, but two days before their wedding he ran off to Nashville with a female talent scout. Now Gabe is back in her life with an insane plan. Marry him, so he can get custody of his younger brother. Michaela can’t bear to think of any child being hurt, but she’s just not sure her heart can carry a happy tune when Gabe is playing lead…
Gabriel McKenna is living the dream. A rising country music star he’s no stranger to fame, money, or beautiful women. Despite his bad boy image, he’s also got a heart of gold, and when his ten-year-old brother is orphaned, he wants to take him under his wing. But the judge on the case is less than impressed by Gabe’s reputation and awards custody to the grandfather Gabe knows firsthand is abusive.
Michaela Finn is no stranger to heartache. Years ago she was engaged to Gabe McKenna, but two days before their wedding he ran off to Nashville with a female talent scout. Now Gabe is back in her life with an insane plan. Marry him, so he can get custody of his younger brother. Michaela can’t bear to think of any child being hurt, but she’s just not sure her heart can carry a happy tune when Gabe is playing lead…
178 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 5, 2016
6 people are currently reading
297 people want to read
About the author
Sara Walter Ellwood
21 books173 followersSara Walter Ellwood is an award winning author whose novel Gambling On A Secret was named by bestselling author Carolyn Brown in the Happy Ever After Blog on USA Today as one of her favorite romances of 2012. Although Sara has long ago left the farm for the glamour of the big town, she draws on her experiences growing up on a small hobby farm in West Central Pennsylvania to write her stories. She’s been married to her college sweetheart for nearly 20 years, and they have two teenagers and one very spoiled rescue cat named Penny. She longs to visit the places she writes about and jokes she’s a cowgirl at heart stuck in Pennsylvania suburbia.
She also writes paranormal romantic suspense under the pen name of Cera duBois.
She also writes paranormal romantic suspense under the pen name of Cera duBois.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 2, 2016
Gabriel McKenna and Michaela Finn were engaged to be married when an opportunity knocked on Gabe's door. One that he couldn't refuse. Unfortunately, it became the beginning of the end of his engagement with Michaela. Devastated Michaela retreated into ranch life while Gabe moved on and became country music's biggest star.
When tragedy struck both Gabe and Michaela's family, leaving Gabe's 10-year old nephew behind, they had to find a way to put the past behind in order to the help him. This brought Gabe back into Michaela's life, upending her hard fought peace of mind. But the issues of their past isn't as black and white as readers are led to believe. Gabe and Michaela shared a very complicated past that went beyond just the two of them. And this came into play throughout the book.
I liked how intertwined their lives were. It definitely made things complicated because there are things in their family life that I think contributed to why their relationship broke down in the first place. I wish I read that part though. I mean, sure, I was told what happened via the characters' thoughts but I was really interested reading about that moment because I needed to know why Gabe made the decision. Even though I know Gabe's reasoning, I am still more sympathetic towards Michaela's side of the story.
While I enjoyed the angst at first but it dragged on and on. They didn't really communicate. They just assumed a lot of things. 90% of their problem would have been solved had they at least try to communicate after they decided to help Gabe's nephew. Then the drama towards the end was a bit OTT for my taste. It would have been okay if Gabe and Michaela had time to build a genuine and loving relationship after their reconciliation but they never really had a chance to, like I said, talk and settle the past hurts between them. So it made the drama towards the end even more convoluted and unnecessary.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed it. I loved that the story itself felt like a country song about a love gone bad. It's all very angsty. Despite my reservations about the Gabe, I ended up liking his character. Michaela, too even though she did frustrate me at some point.
Overall, still a good book, and it's one that's definitely worth reading.
When tragedy struck both Gabe and Michaela's family, leaving Gabe's 10-year old nephew behind, they had to find a way to put the past behind in order to the help him. This brought Gabe back into Michaela's life, upending her hard fought peace of mind. But the issues of their past isn't as black and white as readers are led to believe. Gabe and Michaela shared a very complicated past that went beyond just the two of them. And this came into play throughout the book.
I liked how intertwined their lives were. It definitely made things complicated because there are things in their family life that I think contributed to why their relationship broke down in the first place. I wish I read that part though. I mean, sure, I was told what happened via the characters' thoughts but I was really interested reading about that moment because I needed to know why Gabe made the decision. Even though I know Gabe's reasoning, I am still more sympathetic towards Michaela's side of the story.
While I enjoyed the angst at first but it dragged on and on. They didn't really communicate. They just assumed a lot of things. 90% of their problem would have been solved had they at least try to communicate after they decided to help Gabe's nephew. Then the drama towards the end was a bit OTT for my taste. It would have been okay if Gabe and Michaela had time to build a genuine and loving relationship after their reconciliation but they never really had a chance to, like I said, talk and settle the past hurts between them. So it made the drama towards the end even more convoluted and unnecessary.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed it. I loved that the story itself felt like a country song about a love gone bad. It's all very angsty. Despite my reservations about the Gabe, I ended up liking his character. Michaela, too even though she did frustrate me at some point.
Overall, still a good book, and it's one that's definitely worth reading.
March 31, 2016
Second chance romances seem to be very popular at the moment unfortunately once again my problem was that I wasn’t fully aware of the fact and I personally always think that there is a reason why the romance didn’t happen the first time round.. All in all I give Heartsong 3 Stars.
I also went through a cowboy phase which has ebbed the past couple of years.
Gabe is famous and well he has a hole in his heart when it comes to Micki Finn. His father married Micki’s sister, they had an affair and shortly after Gabe’s mum died of cancer. Micki goes to inform Gabe that they didn’t in an accident and that his step brother Jesse is all alone with Micki. It isn’t clear if Gabe will go back. The farm will be sold and then they will be homeless.
To keep Jesse, Gabe asks that Micki marries him and also to keep him away from his abusive Grandfather as he wants to adopt him and the court of law states that they will have more of a chance so that he has a stable home. They become closer again and the truth comes out.
With all romances there is a happy ending! I’m afraid to say that I won’t read the previous books or the others to come after as there is just too much drama for my liking.
Book supplied by Tasty Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.
I also went through a cowboy phase which has ebbed the past couple of years.
Gabe is famous and well he has a hole in his heart when it comes to Micki Finn. His father married Micki’s sister, they had an affair and shortly after Gabe’s mum died of cancer. Micki goes to inform Gabe that they didn’t in an accident and that his step brother Jesse is all alone with Micki. It isn’t clear if Gabe will go back. The farm will be sold and then they will be homeless.
To keep Jesse, Gabe asks that Micki marries him and also to keep him away from his abusive Grandfather as he wants to adopt him and the court of law states that they will have more of a chance so that he has a stable home. They become closer again and the truth comes out.
With all romances there is a happy ending! I’m afraid to say that I won’t read the previous books or the others to come after as there is just too much drama for my liking.
Book supplied by Tasty Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.
January 5, 2016
*ARC Provided for an Honest Review*
I enjoyed the book for the most parts. There were some times that it was dragging as it carried on but my overall conclusion when I finished reading it was that it was a Great Read.
Also, it was like an obvious love story that's why I liked it. There were already signs that they should be together and when the death of Michaela's sister and her husband, it was even more obvious that fate really wants them together and I liked that. What I didn't like though is the hold backs of the characters. There were a lot of assumptions that I just don't see why. This made the book a little dragging for me.
The book went really well until that drama towards the end. Even I wasn't anticipating such but it happened. I remember thinking something like "Whoa really?" while I was reading the last few chapters but I am a sucker for a happy ending and I am even more of a sucker for second chance romance so I took this book quiet well when it ended. I'm so looking forward to the next installment of the series!
Review Posted @ Barely BAE's Blog
January 12, 2016
Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot. The second chance romance portion is interesting and the characters are very appealing. It’s a sweet story – how they end up back in the same sphere, working together and having to face their feelings.
However, I think they needed to talk about things a little more. There were a couple of moments where they were "I know you did something because of this reason" and I could only think “really? How do you know that?” There was no learning moment, no working thru it, just a statement. I think that if there had been more communication between them it would have worked, instead it seemed like they just forgave the past while not addressing it. And I think they need to have that understanding of each other and what happened in order to have an on-going HEA. Otherwise, what about the next time they hit a bump?
The ending also kinda falls in that same line. Most people are going to see part of it a mile away (and I’m not sure why the heroes would be even a little surprised about it), but there is a part that seemed to me to come out of nowhere. I liked to have a bit of a twist, but I kinda would have liked a little more of a suggestion of it earlier in the story as well. There is a tiny bit of a hint but not enough to actually work for me. It seems a bit TOO much of a surprise.
But even though it may seem like these are big issues, they really aren’t – they didn’t impact my overall enjoyment of the story. I still got totally involved in Micki and Gabe’s story as they found their way back to each other again. While I wanted there to be more discussion between them, I still found myself rooting for them all the way to that happy ending moment.
(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)
However, I think they needed to talk about things a little more. There were a couple of moments where they were "I know you did something because of this reason" and I could only think “really? How do you know that?” There was no learning moment, no working thru it, just a statement. I think that if there had been more communication between them it would have worked, instead it seemed like they just forgave the past while not addressing it. And I think they need to have that understanding of each other and what happened in order to have an on-going HEA. Otherwise, what about the next time they hit a bump?
The ending also kinda falls in that same line. Most people are going to see part of it a mile away (and I’m not sure why the heroes would be even a little surprised about it), but there is a part that seemed to me to come out of nowhere. I liked to have a bit of a twist, but I kinda would have liked a little more of a suggestion of it earlier in the story as well. There is a tiny bit of a hint but not enough to actually work for me. It seems a bit TOO much of a surprise.
But even though it may seem like these are big issues, they really aren’t – they didn’t impact my overall enjoyment of the story. I still got totally involved in Micki and Gabe’s story as they found their way back to each other again. While I wanted there to be more discussion between them, I still found myself rooting for them all the way to that happy ending moment.
(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)
January 31, 2016
Holy cow, I wasn't prepared for the whirlwind of emotions Heartsong put me through. After a lackluster end to my 2015 reading year, I was hoping to start off 2016 strong with a great book. I'd have to say that Heartsong definitely exceeded my expectations and I loved every moment of the book. Yes, there is a lot going on in the book, but everything flowed smoothly and I felt that it worked. Actually, when I went to Goodreads to mark it as read, I was surprised that it was less than 200 pages. To put so much drama and story into less than 200 pages must have been quite the challenge. Heartsong was fast paced with very few slow moments. The time jumps were smooth and worked for the amount of time that passed in the book. It was the perfect length for me. I adored the characters. I loved meeting Gabe and Michaela, but strong characters that want the best for an orphaned 10 year old boy. Watching them fall in love made my heart break at times, but soar at the end. I have my fingers crossed that I'll get to see more of Reese as I continue with the series. Gotta say, starting off the year with a case of "one more chapter" at 2 in the morning freaking rocked.
I received a copy for a honest review.
I received a copy for a honest review.
January 8, 2016
Review Posted at HarlequinJunkie.com
Gabriel ‘Gabe’ McKenna and Michaela Finn were once engaged. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out between them with Gabe leaving two days before the ceremony to pursue his dreams in Nashville. Now though, with his ten-year-old brother needing him more than ever, Gabe re-enters Michaela’s life. He needs her help if he’s to gain custody of his brother, and provide him with the kind of life he deserves. Instead, of one influenced by the kid’s immoral grandfather, if the old man wins custody. Read More
January 9, 2016
I wasn’t a big fan of this story. Now don’t get me wrong the story was well written and had an engaging plot, however the lead man came across as too much of an ass and the female lead too weak.
Gabriel McKenna ran off with another woman before his wedding to Michaela Finn. Gabriel become a big music star and Michaela practically lives her life like it’s on standstill. A tragic event leads to a marriage of convenience, but even when you hear Gabriel’s inner thoughts you just think ass. In my opinion not much love for a romance.
Rating 2 out of 5
Read@Book
Gabriel McKenna ran off with another woman before his wedding to Michaela Finn. Gabriel become a big music star and Michaela practically lives her life like it’s on standstill. A tragic event leads to a marriage of convenience, but even when you hear Gabriel’s inner thoughts you just think ass. In my opinion not much love for a romance.
Rating 2 out of 5
Read@Book
April 19, 2016
A well written beautifully romantic book it was an easy read but it sure had me on the edge of my seat and put me through the ringer of emotions it was like i was on a rollercoaster.... up then down... madness but i loved it, i will say at times it dragged a little but im sure with more books under authors belts it will get better.
awesome read
awesome read
Want to read
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December 30, 2015
Review to come Jan. 6!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews