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Collision of the Heart
Mia Roper isn’t a typical nineteenth-century woman. Refusing to pass up the hard-won opportunity to prove herself as a journalist, she left Hillsdale, Michigan, hoping in vain that Ayden Goswell would follow her to Boston.
When the train bringing her back for her first major story crashes in a snowstorm outside town, Mia is stranded. Not even the survival of a fellow passenger, a toddler, can ease her heart’s sudden ache at seeing Ayden, now a history professor at the local college, courting someone else.
Ayden’s never gotten over the fact that the most fascinating woman he ever met chose her career over marriage…and he let her go. But marrying the department director’s daughter could at least guarantee him a permanent job. It’s a satisfactory arrangement, yet his kind, pretty bride-to-be has one simple flaw: she’s not Mia.
As soon as the trains are running, Mia will be leaving again, unless she and Ayden can reconcile ambition and love—and take a leap of faith together.
When the train bringing her back for her first major story crashes in a snowstorm outside town, Mia is stranded. Not even the survival of a fellow passenger, a toddler, can ease her heart’s sudden ache at seeing Ayden, now a history professor at the local college, courting someone else.
Ayden’s never gotten over the fact that the most fascinating woman he ever met chose her career over marriage…and he let her go. But marrying the department director’s daughter could at least guarantee him a permanent job. It’s a satisfactory arrangement, yet his kind, pretty bride-to-be has one simple flaw: she’s not Mia.
As soon as the trains are running, Mia will be leaving again, unless she and Ayden can reconcile ambition and love—and take a leap of faith together.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2013
48 people are currently reading
423 people want to read
About the author
Laurie Alice Eakes
56 books363 followersLaurie 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.
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.com
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.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
April 28, 2017
What a great book! I love the cover, I love the characters, and I love the plausibility of the “lost love” scenario. I was only 50% of the way through when I recommended it to a GR friend with confidence.
Collision of the Heart (2016, Waterfall Press) by Laurie Alice Eakes, is a Christian historical romance (with just a touch of suspense at the halfway point) set in Hillsdale, Michigan in 1856. This was previously published under the title The Professor’s Heart (2013, Heartsong Presents). The author’s website says that it “has since undergone author and editorial additions and improvements.” I’m so glad Ms. Eakes was able to get it republished. I chose it as my monthly Kindle Unlimited book because I previously enjoyed Lady in the Mist and two others by Ms. Eakes. Each one was a 4 or 5 star book for me. That firmly puts her on my favorite authors list.
Rating: 5 stars
The heroine: Euphemia Roper, 26, left Hillsdale eighteen months ago. Mia, as she is called, has been commissioned to write an article about Hillsdale College, because it’s one of a handful of colleges in the nation that allow women to take classes and earn degrees alongside the men. She is currently a freelancing journalist, but if she successfully writes the two articles she has planned, Mia will score a permanent position at her periodical. She decides it’s worth the risk of seeing the man who broke her heart a couple of years ago. But she (somewhat naively) plans to avoid him completely. However, the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry! Not too far from Hillsdale, her train collides with another coming from the opposite direction. (Interestingly enough, this is a true historical event which occurred in Ms. Eake’s native state.) Regardless of her own injury, Mia finds herself helping one passenger after another in various ways as the other passengers take turns jumping off the train. She’s very level-headed and knows that “calm would accomplish more than panic.”
The hero: Ayden Goswell (I love that name!), 28, is a history professor at the college. And there’s absolutely no hope of Mia avoiding him, because he is the knight in shining armor catching the people making the huge jump off the train. Six months ago, after deciding that Mia was gone for good, Ayden started courting the daughter of the head of the classics department at Hillsdale College. Ayden doesn’t love her, but he has a great liking for her, and the reader is given hints that the lady feels the same way. Even so, it is quite the conundrum, exacerbated by the fact that the unsolvable issue which separated Mia and Ayden remains a problem.
The following website gives the text of a news article about the train wreck from The Huntingdon Globe Pennsylvania, dated 02-13-1856.
https://www.gendisasters.com/michigan...
Christian elements:
This book is by a Christian author. While forgiveness was a major theme of the story, there wasn’t any preaching. Rather, the reader can occasionally see that the characters are Christian by the way they think and speak. Below are a few quotes to give an idea.
”She should have prayed to avoid Ayden.”
”She hadn’t been to church in far too many weeks as she pursued and followed her dream… She would return to church this Sunday and thank the Lord for preserving her life…”
”We’ve prayed and prayed for you, and I knew I was right to know God promised you’d come back.”
*A couple of very well placed verses spring to Mia’s mind and she contemplates the application to her life briefly.
Clean? Yes! Very.
What I liked:
*The writing is well edited, has pleasing prose, and has some nice vocabulary, which always enhances my reading experience.
*The descriptions of how the train crash affected the stranded passengers as well as the community of Hillsdale in the week afterward seemed very realistic.
*I dislike love triangles as a general rule, but this one is done so very plausibly and so very well. It didn’t bother me at all. Well done, Ms. Eakes!
*I love the chemistry between the hero and heroine.
“You’re too thin.”
“And you’re rude. Now set me down.”
How about this exchange?
“When don’t you need to work?” [emphasis added]
“I need to work as often as you do, Professor Goswell.”
*I like that Ayden wept when he and Mia went their separate ways. I really like seeing vulnerability (as opposed to merely anger) in a hero.
What I didn’t like:
*I prefer it when Christianity shines through more obviously in Christian fiction.
------------------------------------------------
I will definitely still continue to read more of Laurie Alice Eakes stories. I already have paperback copies of A Necessary Deception and Heart’s Safe Passage. I recommend this book to fans of American historical Christian romance.
Collision of the Heart (2016, Waterfall Press) by Laurie Alice Eakes, is a Christian historical romance (with just a touch of suspense at the halfway point) set in Hillsdale, Michigan in 1856. This was previously published under the title The Professor’s Heart (2013, Heartsong Presents). The author’s website says that it “has since undergone author and editorial additions and improvements.” I’m so glad Ms. Eakes was able to get it republished. I chose it as my monthly Kindle Unlimited book because I previously enjoyed Lady in the Mist and two others by Ms. Eakes. Each one was a 4 or 5 star book for me. That firmly puts her on my favorite authors list.
Rating: 5 stars
The heroine: Euphemia Roper, 26, left Hillsdale eighteen months ago. Mia, as she is called, has been commissioned to write an article about Hillsdale College, because it’s one of a handful of colleges in the nation that allow women to take classes and earn degrees alongside the men. She is currently a freelancing journalist, but if she successfully writes the two articles she has planned, Mia will score a permanent position at her periodical. She decides it’s worth the risk of seeing the man who broke her heart a couple of years ago. But she (somewhat naively) plans to avoid him completely. However, the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry! Not too far from Hillsdale, her train collides with another coming from the opposite direction. (Interestingly enough, this is a true historical event which occurred in Ms. Eake’s native state.) Regardless of her own injury, Mia finds herself helping one passenger after another in various ways as the other passengers take turns jumping off the train. She’s very level-headed and knows that “calm would accomplish more than panic.”
The hero: Ayden Goswell (I love that name!), 28, is a history professor at the college. And there’s absolutely no hope of Mia avoiding him, because he is the knight in shining armor catching the people making the huge jump off the train. Six months ago, after deciding that Mia was gone for good, Ayden started courting the daughter of the head of the classics department at Hillsdale College. Ayden doesn’t love her, but he has a great liking for her, and the reader is given hints that the lady feels the same way. Even so, it is quite the conundrum, exacerbated by the fact that the unsolvable issue which separated Mia and Ayden remains a problem.
The following website gives the text of a news article about the train wreck from The Huntingdon Globe Pennsylvania, dated 02-13-1856.
https://www.gendisasters.com/michigan...
Christian elements:
This book is by a Christian author. While forgiveness was a major theme of the story, there wasn’t any preaching. Rather, the reader can occasionally see that the characters are Christian by the way they think and speak. Below are a few quotes to give an idea.
”She should have prayed to avoid Ayden.”
”She hadn’t been to church in far too many weeks as she pursued and followed her dream… She would return to church this Sunday and thank the Lord for preserving her life…”
”We’ve prayed and prayed for you, and I knew I was right to know God promised you’d come back.”
*A couple of very well placed verses spring to Mia’s mind and she contemplates the application to her life briefly.
Clean? Yes! Very.
What I liked:
*The writing is well edited, has pleasing prose, and has some nice vocabulary, which always enhances my reading experience.
*The descriptions of how the train crash affected the stranded passengers as well as the community of Hillsdale in the week afterward seemed very realistic.
*I dislike love triangles as a general rule, but this one is done so very plausibly and so very well. It didn’t bother me at all. Well done, Ms. Eakes!
*I love the chemistry between the hero and heroine.
“You’re too thin.”
“And you’re rude. Now set me down.”
How about this exchange?
“When don’t you need to work?” [emphasis added]
“I need to work as often as you do, Professor Goswell.”
*I like that Ayden wept when he and Mia went their separate ways. I really like seeing vulnerability (as opposed to merely anger) in a hero.
What I didn’t like:
*I prefer it when Christianity shines through more obviously in Christian fiction.
------------------------------------------------
I will definitely still continue to read more of Laurie Alice Eakes stories. I already have paperback copies of A Necessary Deception and Heart’s Safe Passage. I recommend this book to fans of American historical Christian romance.
May 17, 2018
I was really hoping this book would be good since it is set in Michigan and the audiobook is narrated by one of my favorite narrators, Angela Dawe (though the narrator seems more at home with YA books than adult books).
It was good, though the plot focused more on the romance than it did on the mystery and danger surrounding the toddler found without his parents. I personally prefer more action, so my lack of enjoyment had more to do with personal preference than the book itself.
Still, I enjoyed getting a glimpse at Hillsdale College in its early years and a glimpse at a historical train wreck.
It was good, though the plot focused more on the romance than it did on the mystery and danger surrounding the toddler found without his parents. I personally prefer more action, so my lack of enjoyment had more to do with personal preference than the book itself.
Still, I enjoyed getting a glimpse at Hillsdale College in its early years and a glimpse at a historical train wreck.
March 5, 2017
Mia Roper rejected life in small town Hillsdale, Michigan in order to prove herself as a journalist in Boston. She hoped Ayden Goswell would follow her, but he did not. On assignment in 1856, she headed back to the town she had sworn never to return to. When her train crashes in a snowstorm outside of town, she is forced to face people from her past that she'd hoped to avoid, as she attempts to help rescue a follow passenger, a toddler.
Ayden never got over his love of Mia, but has attempted to move on with his life as a professor, and with a new woman.
When the two come face to face again, will they reunite, or run in fear? Can they rescue each other?
I loved this book; it was such a sweet story of second chances. In 195 pages, Eakes tells a complete, believable story. I am so thankful I had the opportunity to read this book, even before it re-releases, and I sincerely thank Laurie Alice Eakes and her publisher, Waterfall Press, for the complimentary copy. I'm happy to leave this honest review in order to encourage you to grab yourself a copy of this book. If you like sweet historical romances, you'll love this one!
Ayden never got over his love of Mia, but has attempted to move on with his life as a professor, and with a new woman.
When the two come face to face again, will they reunite, or run in fear? Can they rescue each other?
I loved this book; it was such a sweet story of second chances. In 195 pages, Eakes tells a complete, believable story. I am so thankful I had the opportunity to read this book, even before it re-releases, and I sincerely thank Laurie Alice Eakes and her publisher, Waterfall Press, for the complimentary copy. I'm happy to leave this honest review in order to encourage you to grab yourself a copy of this book. If you like sweet historical romances, you'll love this one!
August 15, 2016
Originally posted on Creative Madness Mama.Originally published as The Professor's Heart from the Love Inspired Heartsong Presents line, this story has been updated and renamed appropriately Collision of the Heart.
I stumbled across this novel last week when I was looking for an eARC to download before a road trip. I know that I have always enjoyed Laurie Alice Eakes stories and thus I decided I would give this one a try. From my understanding, another author friend had recommended the circumstances of a train wreck in Laurie Alice's home state and this was her story creation of possible events. I was enchanted from page one.
While I may be the rarity and do not see myself as much of a feminist, I appreciated the desire for independence from our heroine as she struggles with her passion for research and journalism and her love for a local boy now man that she has grown to love over many years and their lives intertwined. The story did well for our hero's perspective as well in his own struggles of moving on from the past and forward into his own new life.
The love triangle introduced was intriguing and for a minute or two, no matter how you would like the story to complete it was interesting to imagine it another way as the plot did leave it open for a while and for possible heartbreak for a least one, if not three (or more!) characters.
This is my first story from Waterfall Press, and now I've discovered many other favorite authors of mine have books published there as well! I will have to continue to check out their future publications as they come.
This review was originally posted on Creative Madness Mama.
May 7, 2020
Such a fun, fresh read!
Mia Roper and Ayden Goswell were in love once. Yet their visions for how their lives should go has collided and they split up upon their differences in a bitter way. Yet their ways meet once again, upon the trainwreck (literally). Can they realize they are still deeply in love with each other? Is love enough - or is security more important in life?
I loved that book! There is sassiness, horn-locking and dynamics - and also the deeper topics of security, control, dreams and "woman´s place" in life, work and love. I love that woman´s dreams are important and respected here (not always the situation even these days!). Throw in a toddler kidnapped and many funny, witty dialogues and I am all your, book! Wait - there is all of it? I am sold!
Recommended read.
Mia Roper and Ayden Goswell were in love once. Yet their visions for how their lives should go has collided and they split up upon their differences in a bitter way. Yet their ways meet once again, upon the trainwreck (literally). Can they realize they are still deeply in love with each other? Is love enough - or is security more important in life?
I loved that book! There is sassiness, horn-locking and dynamics - and also the deeper topics of security, control, dreams and "woman´s place" in life, work and love. I love that woman´s dreams are important and respected here (not always the situation even these days!). Throw in a toddler kidnapped and many funny, witty dialogues and I am all your, book! Wait - there is all of it? I am sold!
Recommended read.
November 15, 2016
For many reasons, I felt the urge to pick this story up, but I grin to admit that the biggest one was that the setting is not a half-hour southwest of where I live. How could I resist a story set on home turf even if it was in the past? The second chance romance, historical era, and new to me author were all factors that had me eager to give this one a read.
The story opens with intrepid woman journalist, Mia Roper, returning to the home town she swore she would never see again after her fiance broke his word to follow her to Boston. Mia went without Ayden to make her mark and follow her dreams while Ayden stayed behind to help out his family and pursue his career dreams as a professor of history at the local college. She thought she was beyond her feelings of anger and heartbreak, but riding the train into Hillsdale a year and a half after she left has brought all the memories back. If the assignment from the women's magazine editor to interview women college students and those who graduated from her alma mater wasn't so important to gaining a permanent position on staff at the magazine, she would have avoided it. She'll sneak into town, do her research and the article, and leave. But then a collision with another train, fire, injured passengers, a lost child alone, and her former fiance out helping with the rescue efforts send her plans crashing about her.
Ayden Goswell has adjusted to watching the woman he loved leave without him placing her career over what they had together. Now, he is seeing a sweet and lovely young lady, gentle and gracious with no big ambitious plans who won't break his heart. He is looking for the college to give him a permanent post as history professor and he will settle down into marriage and life in Hillsdale. But then one look into the eyes of the fiery woman who broke his heart and his equanimity is gone and all the feelings he buried rise to the surface. He wants to avoid Mia, but they have a young boy that needs to be reunited with his parents and all the people left stranded from the crash in the cold winter need help. Surely he can guard his heart and stay true to his course until Mia disappears out of his life again?
Alright, this was a second chance romance with two reluctant people brought together due to circumstances. They both seem to have legit reasons for their anger and it seems a hopeless cause at first glance even if they wanted to make amends. Mia is the more riled of the two and gets down right mean with her hurt and anger though both are fairly antagonistic in the beginning. I found the slow reconciliation and growing understanding well written and loved how the author brought them to see beyond each other's failings to their own and on to a solution if they will set pride and past grievance aside to take it.
The historical situations was an interesting one. Mia is trying to make her way in a world little suited for professional women and she fights to be taken seriously and accepted. Ayden always encouraged her career and promotes women's educations. The significance of the college in Hillsdale where Mia has come for her writing assignment and Ayden teaches is that it is one of the few at that time where men and women can both come in a co-ed environment to seek an education and earn a degree. I thought the author did a great job not just with the historical setting, but the social mores of the time.
There is a bit of suspense and mystery that make things exciting. I liked what it brought to the story, but also that it was not a strong piece since the romance conflict was already a strong one and this could have overbalanced into too much going on.
All in all, this was a lovely sweet historical romance that I was glad to read and definitely recommend to others.
I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
The story opens with intrepid woman journalist, Mia Roper, returning to the home town she swore she would never see again after her fiance broke his word to follow her to Boston. Mia went without Ayden to make her mark and follow her dreams while Ayden stayed behind to help out his family and pursue his career dreams as a professor of history at the local college. She thought she was beyond her feelings of anger and heartbreak, but riding the train into Hillsdale a year and a half after she left has brought all the memories back. If the assignment from the women's magazine editor to interview women college students and those who graduated from her alma mater wasn't so important to gaining a permanent position on staff at the magazine, she would have avoided it. She'll sneak into town, do her research and the article, and leave. But then a collision with another train, fire, injured passengers, a lost child alone, and her former fiance out helping with the rescue efforts send her plans crashing about her.
Ayden Goswell has adjusted to watching the woman he loved leave without him placing her career over what they had together. Now, he is seeing a sweet and lovely young lady, gentle and gracious with no big ambitious plans who won't break his heart. He is looking for the college to give him a permanent post as history professor and he will settle down into marriage and life in Hillsdale. But then one look into the eyes of the fiery woman who broke his heart and his equanimity is gone and all the feelings he buried rise to the surface. He wants to avoid Mia, but they have a young boy that needs to be reunited with his parents and all the people left stranded from the crash in the cold winter need help. Surely he can guard his heart and stay true to his course until Mia disappears out of his life again?
Alright, this was a second chance romance with two reluctant people brought together due to circumstances. They both seem to have legit reasons for their anger and it seems a hopeless cause at first glance even if they wanted to make amends. Mia is the more riled of the two and gets down right mean with her hurt and anger though both are fairly antagonistic in the beginning. I found the slow reconciliation and growing understanding well written and loved how the author brought them to see beyond each other's failings to their own and on to a solution if they will set pride and past grievance aside to take it.
The historical situations was an interesting one. Mia is trying to make her way in a world little suited for professional women and she fights to be taken seriously and accepted. Ayden always encouraged her career and promotes women's educations. The significance of the college in Hillsdale where Mia has come for her writing assignment and Ayden teaches is that it is one of the few at that time where men and women can both come in a co-ed environment to seek an education and earn a degree. I thought the author did a great job not just with the historical setting, but the social mores of the time.
There is a bit of suspense and mystery that make things exciting. I liked what it brought to the story, but also that it was not a strong piece since the romance conflict was already a strong one and this could have overbalanced into too much going on.
All in all, this was a lovely sweet historical romance that I was glad to read and definitely recommend to others.
I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
April 24, 2018
I read this on #KindleUnlimited
September 26, 2016
Romance, Christian, clean
This was more of a 3.5 for me.
While I enjoyed this story, the misunderstanding between the two main characters seemed a little forced as the novel continued. Mia and Ayden were great characters though. Her stubbornness, and dogged determination to get a story and get it published, to have her career was admirable. Ayden's desire to marry her, and the misunderstanding that led to their separation and hurts just seemed to be a little contrived, although in that day and time with communications not as fast as our present day, I could see how it would happen. When they finally were thrown back together, their past assumptions gradually come out and are resolved. I enjoyed the small town setting, the honest emotions of the characters, the family setting, and of course their honest hearts. Generally a good read for me.
Faith elements in the story that helped the characters, and helped move the action along a bit.
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This was more of a 3.5 for me.
While I enjoyed this story, the misunderstanding between the two main characters seemed a little forced as the novel continued. Mia and Ayden were great characters though. Her stubbornness, and dogged determination to get a story and get it published, to have her career was admirable. Ayden's desire to marry her, and the misunderstanding that led to their separation and hurts just seemed to be a little contrived, although in that day and time with communications not as fast as our present day, I could see how it would happen. When they finally were thrown back together, their past assumptions gradually come out and are resolved. I enjoyed the small town setting, the honest emotions of the characters, the family setting, and of course their honest hearts. Generally a good read for me.
Faith elements in the story that helped the characters, and helped move the action along a bit.
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
December 26, 2016
I never wanted to knock two heads together more in my life. LOL Don't you just love frustrating characters? Mia and Ayden are at polar opposite ends of a critical issue and neither will budge. And the thing is, I totally got both sides and I didn't know what the right outcome should be. But it sure was fun watching them butt heads while secretly yearning to rekindle their romance. Love the tension -- the sense of desperation as they both struggle to merge the past and the present. Delicious, page-turning frenzy kind of stuff. And some of the best barbed comments between the covers of a book! Add in an intriguing mystery and a spark of danger and you get an incredibly captivating read.
Please note: This book was originally published as The Professor's Heart by Heartsong Presents -- a book club selection of Barbour Publishing. Since it wasn't available to the general public, the author has republished it as Collision of the Heart which is the perfect descriptor for this story.
Please note: This book was originally published as The Professor's Heart by Heartsong Presents -- a book club selection of Barbour Publishing. Since it wasn't available to the general public, the author has republished it as Collision of the Heart which is the perfect descriptor for this story.
January 8, 2014
Laurie Alice Eakes never disappoints! She's the author I come to when I want to escape my life and settle in for a great romantic adventure. Her characters are so deep and relatable that after you finish the book, you feel like you've made new friends and wish the story wasn't over. A train wreck, a kidnapped child, broken hearts needing to mend, a woman with a career at a time such things were frowned upon, a love that was meant to be... all combine to create such a vivid tale, I could hardly put the book down. Another excellent story by Ms. Eakes!
December 12, 2017
Collison of the Heart is set in the mid 1800s, women are not allowed to vote and most are wives and mothers nothing more. It is frowned upon for them to have careers outside of the home. Mia Roper, however, went to college and wants to be a journalist so she leaves her small town in Michigan to move to Boston, also leaving behind the man she loves Ayden Goswell. This book details her return to the small town after a train wreck and her return to the man she loves and who loves her but not without some difficulty along the way. There is also a little suspense involved.
This book was good, it was written well but it just wasn't my cup of tea. Maybe I am not a fan of historical fiction or maybe I just like my romance a little dirty.
I won this book from the giveaways on Goodreads.
This book was good, it was written well but it just wasn't my cup of tea. Maybe I am not a fan of historical fiction or maybe I just like my romance a little dirty.
I won this book from the giveaways on Goodreads.
August 23, 2017
Nice and predictable
If you're looking for a good book that is comfortable, whose plot is predictable, this is the one. I gave it 4 stars instead of 3 because I would hate for someone to miss it if that's the type of book they like. It is a lovely, gentle read. A touch of suspense, a predictable love triangle which ends satisfactorily for all, with all loose ends tied neatly describes in a nutshell the contents of this book. For myself, I prefer something with more difficult problems and something with more psychological tension and stronger conflict, but I did want to recommend this for readers looking for that gentler read, and recommend the author as someone worth following up.
If you're looking for a good book that is comfortable, whose plot is predictable, this is the one. I gave it 4 stars instead of 3 because I would hate for someone to miss it if that's the type of book they like. It is a lovely, gentle read. A touch of suspense, a predictable love triangle which ends satisfactorily for all, with all loose ends tied neatly describes in a nutshell the contents of this book. For myself, I prefer something with more difficult problems and something with more psychological tension and stronger conflict, but I did want to recommend this for readers looking for that gentler read, and recommend the author as someone worth following up.
August 11, 2019
Absolutely lovely, short read.
I found this book by accident while browsing through other titles on Kindle and I am so happy that I did. It is an absolutely lovely, quick read with two headstrong main characters. I loved Mia. She was strong and determined and brave enough to seek out a career for herself during a time when women were expected to be housewives and nothing more. This is a well crafted story with romance and suspense. There is one part of the book that reminds me of "The Gift of the Magi," where two people give up something they love dearly because their love for each other is greater. A truly wonderful story. I am looking forward to reading more by this author.
I found this book by accident while browsing through other titles on Kindle and I am so happy that I did. It is an absolutely lovely, quick read with two headstrong main characters. I loved Mia. She was strong and determined and brave enough to seek out a career for herself during a time when women were expected to be housewives and nothing more. This is a well crafted story with romance and suspense. There is one part of the book that reminds me of "The Gift of the Magi," where two people give up something they love dearly because their love for each other is greater. A truly wonderful story. I am looking forward to reading more by this author.
May 18, 2018
I really enjoyed this period piece about a woman who gives up marriage to become a traveling journalist. On her way to her current assignment the train she’s riding in collides with another train and she’s stuck in the last place on earth she’d rather be; the small town where she grew up and where her former fiancé lives. While the town deals with the dead and injured, Mia and Ayden search for a lost toddler while they deal with their destruction of their relationship. Great characters, a smartly written storyline and a second chance at romance. This is a wonderful read!
December 30, 2016
Romantic Suspense at Its Best
While this is a romance novel interwoven with a suspense story about a train wreck and kidnappers this book is far from a train wreck of a novel, but then, nothing Laurie Alice Eakes writes ever disappoints. As always, she kept me flipping pages right to the end. A rewrite of a previous work, it's as fresh as the ink on pages yanked from the newsroom printing press. If you've never read it, you should.
While this is a romance novel interwoven with a suspense story about a train wreck and kidnappers this book is far from a train wreck of a novel, but then, nothing Laurie Alice Eakes writes ever disappoints. As always, she kept me flipping pages right to the end. A rewrite of a previous work, it's as fresh as the ink on pages yanked from the newsroom printing press. If you've never read it, you should.
October 3, 2018
I couldn't get into the hero. I didn't like him and felt like even after he realized her was wrong. It didn't seem like he really *got* it and I didn't really see the appeal to him beside his appearance apparently?? I don't see why the heroine would want to marry him so it was hard to root for them.
The mystery/action part was almost non-existent.
The mystery/action part was almost non-existent.
May 5, 2017
Good story
This author is a good storyteller and this one is enjoyable too. I was puzzled by two spots in other story where some of the narrative seemed omitted but it did not impact the story.
This author is a good storyteller and this one is enjoyable too. I was puzzled by two spots in other story where some of the narrative seemed omitted but it did not impact the story.
August 15, 2018
Did not enjoy the heroine, nor the hero. Too many grudges that needed to be overcome. Premise was good. Author did a great job of describing a train wreck and creating a town that embraced the victims of the crash.
September 19, 2017
Pretty good historical romance. I think the cover was what really drew me in. I am undecided whether I will pursue more of the author's books.
November 6, 2017
Well written and engaging.
I love when a novel draws me in and I begin to see pictures, rather than words. That makes a good story great.
I love when a novel draws me in and I begin to see pictures, rather than words. That makes a good story great.
October 24, 2018
La cosa prometía... pero se ha ido deshinchando y me he tragado páginas y más paginas sin lograr conectar con la historia.
March 21, 2018
A beautiful second-chance at love blended with a historical setting that trumped the romance.
May 24, 2021
such a sweet story with sweet romance. along with some mystery. i will read more books by this author.
Want to read
February 28, 2017I enjoyed reading this book.
August 18, 2016
I am so excited to write this review - I just love being able to give a book an enthusiastic 5 stars! I started this book and finished it in the same day because I just couldn't put it down for long.
Once again, Laurie Alice Eakes has given her readers a quality book with outstanding characters and storylines. I fell in love with the impetuous Mia Roper and her plans to make a name for herself in the journalism world. She has paid a high price for the attempt - a broken engagement with the handsome Ayden Goswell, who had once promised to follow her to Boston, but stayed in Hillsdale to teach and help his ailing father. They are unexpectedly brought back together when the train she's traveling on collides with another on the tracks near Hillsdale, Michigan (a true historical event). The whole community pitches in to shelter the stricken travelers, and Mia ends up staying with her old friends, the Goswells. The former lovers are thrown together as they search for clues about the identity of a motherless toddler Mia rescued from the burning train. Their conversations are as sharp and flashing-fast as the rapiers they once fenced with. Obviously neither one has gotten over their first love - not even the almost-engaged Professor Goswell. Tension reaches a fever pitch when they actually pick up their fencing weapons and square off again in a (well-researched!) match. They soon realize they have traded a once-in-a-lifetime love for a career that now pales in comparison, but is it too late? The perfect Miss Charmaine Finney, professional commitments, and a band of kidnappers stand in the way of their happiness. Eakes' trademark attention to detail and plot twists give this book an exceptionally satisfying ending to her story.
I won a copy of this book, which did not influence my review. I am glad this book (formerly published for book clubs under the title, The Professor's Heart), has been reprinted for wider circulation - I urge you to get a copy and spend some time in Hillsdale, Michigan with Eakes.
Once again, Laurie Alice Eakes has given her readers a quality book with outstanding characters and storylines. I fell in love with the impetuous Mia Roper and her plans to make a name for herself in the journalism world. She has paid a high price for the attempt - a broken engagement with the handsome Ayden Goswell, who had once promised to follow her to Boston, but stayed in Hillsdale to teach and help his ailing father. They are unexpectedly brought back together when the train she's traveling on collides with another on the tracks near Hillsdale, Michigan (a true historical event). The whole community pitches in to shelter the stricken travelers, and Mia ends up staying with her old friends, the Goswells. The former lovers are thrown together as they search for clues about the identity of a motherless toddler Mia rescued from the burning train. Their conversations are as sharp and flashing-fast as the rapiers they once fenced with. Obviously neither one has gotten over their first love - not even the almost-engaged Professor Goswell. Tension reaches a fever pitch when they actually pick up their fencing weapons and square off again in a (well-researched!) match. They soon realize they have traded a once-in-a-lifetime love for a career that now pales in comparison, but is it too late? The perfect Miss Charmaine Finney, professional commitments, and a band of kidnappers stand in the way of their happiness. Eakes' trademark attention to detail and plot twists give this book an exceptionally satisfying ending to her story.
I won a copy of this book, which did not influence my review. I am glad this book (formerly published for book clubs under the title, The Professor's Heart), has been reprinted for wider circulation - I urge you to get a copy and spend some time in Hillsdale, Michigan with Eakes.
August 17, 2016
I absolutely loved this story! Laurie Alice Eakes has done it again! I love her writing and her imagination to write such wonderful stories! She has been a favorite if mine since I first picked up her books in 2014 with the midwives series.
The reason I enjoyed this story was because I could see God's work on the move. He had to work especially hard on Ayden and Mia because of their stubborn hearts. One blames the other for their heart breaks and neither realize it takes two to work things out
I love Mia for her kindness and generosity towards helping others in need.
She is stubborn as well!! It's this stubbornness that often gets her in trouble. I wish I was more like her! She's my heroine! She's my heroine because I love the fact that she stands up for women. We ladies didn't get the right to vote until 1919. Men think we r still not supposed to have our own minds. Mia wanted women to be recognized for what we are instead of staying at home and wasting our minds as Ayden called it
Ayden is just as equally stubborn. He thinks he has to be right all the time just like most men do so he in turn does stupid things never once asking God for help before he does these things.
However; I do admire his admiration for women to want to go to college as he's always bugging his sister Rosalie about lol
He also teases her unmercifully but I guess that what siblings do.
I also lie the novel because Laurie is showing us how people came together in the wake of a tragedy. That small towns cared about one another. I wish it were that simple in today's world.
Like Mia said in big towns u can't trust no one or know what their about. If you lose your job, there is no one to pick u up if u fall.
Indeed there is someone that can pick you up if you fall. All you have to do is ask and ye shall receive. I believe most people have forgotten Him.
I cried at the end because things do have a way of working themselves out!
The reason I enjoyed this story was because I could see God's work on the move. He had to work especially hard on Ayden and Mia because of their stubborn hearts. One blames the other for their heart breaks and neither realize it takes two to work things out
I love Mia for her kindness and generosity towards helping others in need.
She is stubborn as well!! It's this stubbornness that often gets her in trouble. I wish I was more like her! She's my heroine! She's my heroine because I love the fact that she stands up for women. We ladies didn't get the right to vote until 1919. Men think we r still not supposed to have our own minds. Mia wanted women to be recognized for what we are instead of staying at home and wasting our minds as Ayden called it
Ayden is just as equally stubborn. He thinks he has to be right all the time just like most men do so he in turn does stupid things never once asking God for help before he does these things.
However; I do admire his admiration for women to want to go to college as he's always bugging his sister Rosalie about lol
He also teases her unmercifully but I guess that what siblings do.
I also lie the novel because Laurie is showing us how people came together in the wake of a tragedy. That small towns cared about one another. I wish it were that simple in today's world.
Like Mia said in big towns u can't trust no one or know what their about. If you lose your job, there is no one to pick u up if u fall.
Indeed there is someone that can pick you up if you fall. All you have to do is ask and ye shall receive. I believe most people have forgotten Him.
I cried at the end because things do have a way of working themselves out!
February 18, 2017
An entertaining fast paced light romantic tale of second chances. I do wish the the suspense of the kidnapped child could have been done better. It seemed like too much of an afterthought and resolved to quickly and easily.
I won this book from Goodreads!!!
I won this book from Goodreads!!!
August 5, 2016
Collision of the Heart is a historical romance set in 1856 in frigid winter in Michigan, the author’s home state. Laurie Alice Eakes gives us a story in which the main characters have to ultimately decide if their love for each other is strong enough. Does Mia love Ayden more than the opportunity to become a professional writer? Does Ayden love Mia more than a successful, secure career surrounded by loving extended family? Just when all seems predictable, the author twists the plot twice with surprises.
In Collision of the Heart, Eakes uses words as brush strokes with her well written descriptions of cold winter nights that draw the reader in to experience the evenings as the characters do. For example, Eakes writes of an upset Ayden that “His footfalls crunched on the frozen snow, loud in the quiet of the night.” The author arouses our senses with “The wind carried the scent of wood smoke with its promise of warm fires, hot soup, and hotter coffee.” In another passage, the author uses repetition of “ached” to good advantage to drive home both the thoughts and emotions of Ayden as he tries to work through his feelings for Mia.
Collision of the Heart is an easy going, enjoyable romance which captures the reader’s interest immediately with a train wreck, leaving passengers hurt and stranded in a small town for many days. We witness the kind and generous responses of most of the townspeople and follow the intrigue of an abandoned child. I recommend this book which will be released by Waterfall Press on August 23, 2016.
I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Waterfall Press for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
In Collision of the Heart, Eakes uses words as brush strokes with her well written descriptions of cold winter nights that draw the reader in to experience the evenings as the characters do. For example, Eakes writes of an upset Ayden that “His footfalls crunched on the frozen snow, loud in the quiet of the night.” The author arouses our senses with “The wind carried the scent of wood smoke with its promise of warm fires, hot soup, and hotter coffee.” In another passage, the author uses repetition of “ached” to good advantage to drive home both the thoughts and emotions of Ayden as he tries to work through his feelings for Mia.
Collision of the Heart is an easy going, enjoyable romance which captures the reader’s interest immediately with a train wreck, leaving passengers hurt and stranded in a small town for many days. We witness the kind and generous responses of most of the townspeople and follow the intrigue of an abandoned child. I recommend this book which will be released by Waterfall Press on August 23, 2016.
I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Waterfall Press for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 25, 2017
BACK OF THE BOOK BLURB
Mia Roper isn't a typical nineteenth-century woman. Refusing to pass up the hard-won opportunity to prove herself as a journalist, she left Hillsdale, Michigan, hoping in vain that Ayden Goswell would follow her to Boston.
When the train bringing her back for her first major story crashes in a snowstorm outside town, Mia is stranded. Not even the survival of a fellow passenger, a toddler, can ease her heart's sudden ache at seeing Ayden, now a history professor at the local college, courting someone else.
Ayden's never gotten over the fact that the most fascinating woman he ever met chose her career over marriage . . . and he let her go. But marrying the department director's daughter could at least guarantee him a permanent job. It's a satisfactory arrangement, yet his kind, pretty bride-to-be has one simple flaw: she's not Mia.
As soon as the trains are running, Mia will be leaving again, unless she and Ayden can reconcile ambition and love--and take a leap of faith together.
MY REVIEW
I have read several of Laurie's books and usually really enjoy them but for some reason I had a hard time getting into this one. I was so looking forward to reading it too as I love the cover as well as the author. It may not be a fair review as I had/have a lot going on in my life right now and it is hard to enjoy anything so PLEASE take a chance on this book, the story is good but with all I have going on maybe the book was too busy for me right now. Maybe I will read it again when, and if, things calm down for me. Like I say I normally really enjoy Laurie's books, so it is probably just me right now.
Mia Roper isn't a typical nineteenth-century woman. Refusing to pass up the hard-won opportunity to prove herself as a journalist, she left Hillsdale, Michigan, hoping in vain that Ayden Goswell would follow her to Boston.
When the train bringing her back for her first major story crashes in a snowstorm outside town, Mia is stranded. Not even the survival of a fellow passenger, a toddler, can ease her heart's sudden ache at seeing Ayden, now a history professor at the local college, courting someone else.
Ayden's never gotten over the fact that the most fascinating woman he ever met chose her career over marriage . . . and he let her go. But marrying the department director's daughter could at least guarantee him a permanent job. It's a satisfactory arrangement, yet his kind, pretty bride-to-be has one simple flaw: she's not Mia.
As soon as the trains are running, Mia will be leaving again, unless she and Ayden can reconcile ambition and love--and take a leap of faith together.
MY REVIEW
I have read several of Laurie's books and usually really enjoy them but for some reason I had a hard time getting into this one. I was so looking forward to reading it too as I love the cover as well as the author. It may not be a fair review as I had/have a lot going on in my life right now and it is hard to enjoy anything so PLEASE take a chance on this book, the story is good but with all I have going on maybe the book was too busy for me right now. Maybe I will read it again when, and if, things calm down for me. Like I say I normally really enjoy Laurie's books, so it is probably just me right now.
September 18, 2016
A sweet love story that takes place in Michigan during the 1850's. Mia returns to the town where she grew up, that hold bittersweet memories of a broken engagement. Her writing career took her away and now brings her back again.
The train that Mia is on, has a collision, and she helps passengers who are hurt and rescues a toddler. The townspeople rally around the passengers, giving them food and shelter. Mia is distressed to see her ex fiancé, who she left to pursue her career in Boston. Ayden is now engaged to another, which breaks Mia's heart. While trying to solve the mystery of the abandoned child she has saved, Mia also stands up for women's rights. She discovers that she is exactly where she belongs and never should have left.
This book was a delight to read and quite enjoyable. Not only is there a train collision, but a collision of the hearts of Ayden and Mia. Certain historical facts were highlighted in the train crash, which really happened. I loved reading about the closeness of the townspeople and how they supported one another.
I received this kindle edition of the book from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
The train that Mia is on, has a collision, and she helps passengers who are hurt and rescues a toddler. The townspeople rally around the passengers, giving them food and shelter. Mia is distressed to see her ex fiancé, who she left to pursue her career in Boston. Ayden is now engaged to another, which breaks Mia's heart. While trying to solve the mystery of the abandoned child she has saved, Mia also stands up for women's rights. She discovers that she is exactly where she belongs and never should have left.
This book was a delight to read and quite enjoyable. Not only is there a train collision, but a collision of the hearts of Ayden and Mia. Certain historical facts were highlighted in the train crash, which really happened. I loved reading about the closeness of the townspeople and how they supported one another.
I received this kindle edition of the book from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
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