Asher

Heroes at Heart #6

by Maryann Jordan

Two outcasts shared a friendship in childhood, but for Asher Swain, his memories were tortured by an accident that claimed his only friend.

Years later, he met a woman reading as she sat by a pond in a park. The two strangers began a friendship over a love of literature that developed into love for each other.

But, when Asher realized they shared a past as well as their present, he kept his secret, afraid for Penelope to find out who he really was.

When the truth is revealed, will they be ripped apart or will their love make them stronger?

Loosely based on the fairy tale, The Ugly Duckling.

Language and sexual situations similar to what you would find in an R-rated movie.

Genres: Romance

312 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 6, 2019

About the author

As an Award Winning and International Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo Best Selling Author, I have always been an avid reader. I joke that I "cut my romance teeth" on the old historical romance books. I’ve written as a hobby for over 30 years. In 2014, I finally gave in to the characters in my head pleading for their story to be told. Thus, Emma's Home was created.

My first novel, Emma's Home became an Amazon Best Seller in 3 categories within the first month of publishing. Its success was followed by the rest of the Fairfield Series and then led into the Love's Series. From there I have continued with the romantic suspense Alvarez Security Series and now the Saints Protection & Investigation Series.

My books are filled with sweet romance and hot sex; mystery, suspense, real life characters and situations. My heroes are alphas, take charge men who love the strong, independent women they fall in love with.
I worked as a counselor in a high school and have been involved in education for the past 30 years. I recently retired and now can spend more time devoted to my writing.

I have been married to a wonderfully patient man for 35 years and have 2 adult, very supportive daughters.
When writing, my dog or one of my cats will usually be found in my lap!

I love to hear from readers, so please email me!
authormaryannjordan@gmail.com
http://www.facebook.com/authormaryann...
www.maryannjordanauthor.com

Reviews

[Syndi]

What a nice surprise I enjoyed this book very much. This is my first read by Miss Jordan. This is a adult romance version of Ugly Duckling. The story and the plot is powerful by using a simple honest words. It is very touching to see the childhood friendship between Penny and Asher. Both of them have a very heart breaking, lonely childhood.

An accident tear them apart and fast forward 24 years later, somehow fate brings them together again. Their meet in the pond is a very subtle and a respect to old classic literature. Then the story progresses into romance. A sweet melancholic romance.

Overall this is a very enjoyable read.

4 stars

[Diane (Books and Tequila Blog)]

I absolutely loved this book! It is everything I want in a romance story. Characters I could love and root for. Heartache, heartbreak and heart-soaring feels. I never struggled to feel the emotion of the characters.

“Your scars don’t bother me, sweetheart,” he said. “They’re part of you. Tragic badges of what you went through, but badges of honor of what you survived.”
She held his gaze and asked, “Who’s quote did you just repeat?”
Shaking his head slowly, he replied, “No one. That’s straight from my heart to yours.”

Every time I read a book by Maryann Jordan I’m struck by how much thought and meaning she puts into every name, every quote and every event that she weaves into her stories. In Asher, these meanings and connections are really highlighted as this story of “ugly ducklings” who find that they are truly magestic “swans”.
-5 Stars!-

[Sandy]

This was a heartfelt twist on The Ugly Duckling. No one was ugly in this story except for the niece of Penny’s boss. Nice tribute to classic reads and Asher is an awesome alpha. Penny learns to accept herself and Asher is able to let go of guilt he was holding onto for years. Completely safe and inspiring story.

[Deanie Nelder]

As children, fellow ugly ducklings Asher and Penelope were best friends, until his stepfather hit her with his car, injuring her severely (and making Asher think she died). Fate has them meeting again in a park, where their attraction to each other grows, until Asher realizes that she's his friend who he thought was dead. He doesn't tell her for a while, which is one of the problems with this book. He should have told her, especially as their emotional relationship (and physical relationship) was progressing. Otherwise, I really like the characters and they end up as a really great couple.

[Kari Hansen]

Asher has come a long way from the boy with the painful past and has created a good life for himself but the only thing missing is love. Penny has a painful past of her own that she has tried to overcome but it is hard when others won’t let her.

Penny is more comfortable with books than people so when Asher sees her in the park reading he is intrigued by her and wants to know more. As they spend time together feelings develop but when Asher realizes that their pasts are entwined due to a tragedy how will Penny react?

This is a heartbreaking and heartwarming story about two people whose hearts have always belonged to each other and they find each other under the most unlikely of circumstances.

[My Love of Books]

I always get excited when Maryann Jordan comes out with a new book, and I absolutely love that I get the pleasure of reading it before anyone else!!

Asher is a beautiful love story that I had a hard time putting it down. It had me hooked on the first page, and I knew this book would have everything I look for in a book.

I don’t want to post any spoilers so I will just say that this book is beyond amazing, it’s a true love story that you can’t wait to find out how it ends!!!

I wish I could it a 100 stars because it deserves it. Take a chance on this book and I promise you won’t be disappointed!!!!

Job well done MaryAnn, thank you for taking me on that book journey

[BP34]

Wow, what a story. Mary Ann Jordan never ceases to amaze me as a writer. This book will grab your heart and take you on a romantic journey. Heartbreak and heartwarming at the same time. This is Asher and Penny's beautiful love story. Grab a comfortable spot because once you start reading you'll find this book hard to put down. Emotional and gripping. Asher was one of Miss Ethel's boys and this story is loosely based on the fairy tale, The Ugly Duckling. A great read that I read as an arc and voluntarily chose to review.

[Leanne ~ Tales From The Heart]

A romance that will last the ages. I could see what was coming and read with anticipation for the author to put all the pieces together. A tale of "The ugly duckling" or rather two of them. These two characters were perfect for each other, I thoroughly enjoyed their story. At times I was choked up with tears. What a beautiful story this was.

[Nancy Lochary Walker]

The book, Asher, written by Maryann Jordan is another superb story with hints of the Ugly Duckling story. It’s a story of friendship and love lost and found again. The characters Asher and Penelope have lived a rough life but are seeing the silver lining with age. This book is a must read.

[Wendy Hodges]

OMW! This story had me in pieces, keep the tissues at the ready because you will need them. Wonderful and very emotional, characters easy to to love. Life can be so cruel and though this is fiction it does make you realise that there are kids out there living this life. It's tough and raw, brutal for children who are so very sensitive, all they want is love and acceptance, something most of us take for granted. To have disabilities then used against you as an adult just adds to the pain, but it isn't just on the surface, some things fester inside for many years before something triggers it enough to finally heal. This story is all of that and such a beautiful but powerful read.

[Teresa Christianson]

Ugly duckling to beautiful swan. What an amazing story

Two childhood best friends separated by a tragic accident and circumstances that are reunited twenty some years later. They didn't recognize each other but when Asher first new she was the Penny from his past that he thought died in an accident, he was so shocked he couldn't say anything. The longer he waited the harder it got to tell her, so he kept it secret even though he knew he should. When she finds out she is hurt and angry and tells him she needs time. Does she forgive him? Will he ever get over the guilt that he always felt because he blames himself for the accident?

[Rebekah Carulli Hanson]

Awesome!

This is a great story about Asher and Penny. Two neglected and abused children who became friends until a horrendous accident separates them. Years go by and fate brings them back together and what you have is a tear jerker love story about second chances and a love that never diminished over time.
Maryann had created a wonderful series filled with guys who were thrown away and prevailed and women who are scarred and broken inside but finds freedom in the love of the guys. Oh course you can’t forget the beautiful woman who opened her home and heart and created a family of the broken boys that became a brotherhood.

[Shadine]

better and better

The Heroes at Heart series by Maryann Jordan is phenomenal. The stories of each of Miss Ethel’s boys from starting at her place as foster mom to growing up into fine upstanding men falling in love and the trials that each man and their ladies have gone through brings me to tears .

[Janie]

Asher, aka Johnny, and Penelope, aka Penny, meet again after many years, and the issues they had as children. They are the main characters in book 6 of 10 in the "Heroes at Heart" series. There is a lot to this story, and it is wicked good. The characters from books 1-5 show up in this story. I recommend the entire series.

[Tree Schwartz]

This series just keeps going and going - in a good way. Beautiful. Asher and Penny are beautiful inside and out. This story, I do not know where to start. The history of these two, the present and their future. Maryann has knocked it put of the park. I loved it! 🦢❤️🦢❤️🦢❤️

[Linda]

Wonderful Series

I love anything Maryann Jordan writes but this series is especially good. I love that each are based on fairy tales and the quotes from literature that enhance special moments. Way to go Maryann! Keep your wonderful writing coming!

[Cullen]

Asher and Penny

This is a story of young love that was separated but found it's way back. As always there is a little laughter a few tears and a lot of love. Ms Ethel's boys were so lucky to be placed with her and we are so lucky to be able to learn their stories.

[Sue Smith]

Wow... what an emotional story, it brought tears to my eyes.
The emotional trauma these two survived is exceptional.
I loved Asher and Penny's story, it's my favourite so far in the series.
Yet another awesome book in the Hero's at Heart series, love all of Miss Ethel's boys.

[Vinia Deduyo]

Great story. I cry so many times. Thank you for sharing your story with us.

[Ankita]

Really loved both the main characters.

[Sandra Webb]

One of my favorites!

[Eileen]

Asher and Penny

This book grabbed me from the beginning. The writing was excellent and my heart broke for both Asher and Penny. It was wonderful how they got to their HEA!

[Angie]

Too predictable, sorry 😔

[Charlene]

Loved

I loved this book by Maryann Jordan. I also loved these characters. I can’t wait for the next book in series. I would recommend this book and all of Maryann’s books.

[Julia E]

A Miracle

Heartwarming blessings for. Everyone. This. Story should be required reading for graduating into decent society. A must read to think about living

[Sandy birmingham]

Wonderful!

This entire series is so awesome, words can't express how it has made my heart feel! These books are definitely re-read keepers!

[Karen Gray]

Another great book that could no be put down

[Teresa]

Asher

This series is very sweet,all have sad backgrounds but happiness is in the future. Poor Asher had it worst until they was both six then penny's life got darker

[Nicole]

Short and sweet review from me this time....

I cried i smiled and i felt the love in this book 5 Stars for an outstanding story.

[Glenda Bettin]

Another great book