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Zinnia Colby doesn’t like keeping secrets from her close knit family, but an exciting new job gives her no choice. The last thing Hart Land guest David Ingram expects is a conflict of interest with his client and the General’s granddaughter. When scandal rocks Zinnia’s world, David might be the only one who can set things right again. A heartwarming feel-good romance!
“You can’t go wrong with a Chris Keniston book!” RaeAnne Thayne, New York Times bestselling author of the Haven Point series.
More on Hart Land Lakeside Inn:
Come and stay in one of the quaint and cozy cottages at Hart Land—but be warned, once you meet the family and delightful cast of characters, you may never want to leave.
Fiona Hart is the devoted matriarch. Elegant, wise, and arts patron, but despite all her efforts, she has yet to find her own artistic outlet. Lucy isn’t just a housekeeper, she’s part of the family. She also fancies herself a real life Dolly Levy, except she’s much better at cooking up trouble than the perfect match. Innkeeper and retired general Harold Hart believes in hard work, discipline, and whatever his beloved wife wants. Katie O’Leary runs the One Stop, makes the best Irish soda bread this side of the Blarney Stone, and no one is quite sure if it’s more than her baking that has the magic touch. Did we mention the Harts have nine granddaughters?
Having grown up spending summers together on the lake, the cousins are as close as sisters—closer. Each woman knows there’s no place like Hart Land. They can always count on their grandfather’s gruff, their grandmother’s sage advise, Lucy’s fresh baked cookies, Katie’s inspiration, the calming scent of fresh air—and each other.
Follow along with friends, family, neighbors, and guests as the Harts maneuver life’s curves, and just maybe find love along the way.
"Small town, big family, and mismatches that will steal your heart! Delightful!" Roxanne St. Claire, New York Times bestselling author of the Dogfather Series.
Look for more books in the Hart Land Lakeside Inn series:
Heather - book one
Lily - book two
Violet - book three
Iris - book four
Hyacinth - book five
Rose - book six
Callytrix - book seven
Zinnia - book eight
Poppy - book nine
“You can’t go wrong with a Chris Keniston book!” RaeAnne Thayne, New York Times bestselling author of the Haven Point series.
More on Hart Land Lakeside Inn:
Come and stay in one of the quaint and cozy cottages at Hart Land—but be warned, once you meet the family and delightful cast of characters, you may never want to leave.
Fiona Hart is the devoted matriarch. Elegant, wise, and arts patron, but despite all her efforts, she has yet to find her own artistic outlet. Lucy isn’t just a housekeeper, she’s part of the family. She also fancies herself a real life Dolly Levy, except she’s much better at cooking up trouble than the perfect match. Innkeeper and retired general Harold Hart believes in hard work, discipline, and whatever his beloved wife wants. Katie O’Leary runs the One Stop, makes the best Irish soda bread this side of the Blarney Stone, and no one is quite sure if it’s more than her baking that has the magic touch. Did we mention the Harts have nine granddaughters?
Having grown up spending summers together on the lake, the cousins are as close as sisters—closer. Each woman knows there’s no place like Hart Land. They can always count on their grandfather’s gruff, their grandmother’s sage advise, Lucy’s fresh baked cookies, Katie’s inspiration, the calming scent of fresh air—and each other.
Follow along with friends, family, neighbors, and guests as the Harts maneuver life’s curves, and just maybe find love along the way.
"Small town, big family, and mismatches that will steal your heart! Delightful!" Roxanne St. Claire, New York Times bestselling author of the Dogfather Series.
Look for more books in the Hart Land Lakeside Inn series:
Heather - book one
Lily - book two
Violet - book three
Iris - book four
Hyacinth - book five
Rose - book six
Callytrix - book seven
Zinnia - book eight
Poppy - book nine
- GenresRomance
156 pages, Paperback
First published August 31, 2020
About the author
Chris Keniston
150 books393 followersA native New Yorker, Chris Keniston was on her way to Australia when she fell in love with North Texas. Little did she know the balmy seventy-degree October days would turn into fry-an-egg-on-the-sidewalk heat in August!
Twenty years later, she started scribbling short stories about her favorite TV shows, giving them lives more to her liking - and the elusive happy ending. Not long after, a dear friend dragged her to a local writers’ meeting. After winning multiple writing contests and making the finals in the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious Golden Heart contest, she now spends her days, and nights, writing contemporary romantic fiction with lots of emotion, plenty of surprises, and, of course, the happily ever after.
Chris lives in suburban Dallas with her husband, two human children, and two canine children. Though she loves her puppies equally, she admits being especially attached to her German Shepherd rescue named Gunny. After all, even dogs deserve a happily ever after.
Die gebürtige New Yorkerin Chris Keniston war auf dem Weg nach Australien, als sie sich in Nord-Texas verliebte. Damals wusste sie noch nicht, dass die milden einundzwanzig Grad des Oktobers sich im August in eine Hitze verwandeln würden, in der man ein Ei auf dem Asphalt braten könnte. Zwanzig Jahre später verbringt sie ihre Tage und Nächte mit dem Schreiben von zeitgenössischen Liebesromanen mit viel Gefühl, einigen Überraschungen und natürlich mit Happy End.
Als stolze Mutter von zwei menschlichen Kindern lebt Chris mit ihrem Mann und ihren beiden Hundekindern in einem Vorort von Dallas. Obwohl sie ihre vierbeinigen Familienmitglieder gleichermaßen liebt, gibt sie zu, dass sie eine ganz besondere Bindung zu ihrem Deutschen Schäferhund Gunny aus dem Tierheim hat. Schließlich verdienen auch Hunde ein Happy End.
https://www.chriskeniston.com/deutsch...
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 23, 2020
This is another good book in Hart land. I wish I could find a place like that to live! Zinnia is one of the grandchildren of General Hart. She is working hard in New York City and has had to sign an NDA with her demanding boss. I was glad to see he lets her off for a few weeks to go help with her cousin’s wedding at the Hart family home. The General has a lot of friends that have grandsons! David is one of the grandsons of the General’s friend that teaches at a university and works as a lawyer. I can’t imagine how busy he always is, but was glad to see he took his grandfather’s advice and went to stay at the Hart’s place. Zinnia and David seem to hit it off. It is funny though how Lucy tries to match people up and has someone else in mind for David. There are things going on behind the scenes that Zinnia has no idea about, but gets mixed up in it. This is an enjoyable book that I encourage you to read. I was given a copy of the book and voluntarily wrote a review.
July 23, 2020
Another winner in Hart land by Ms. Keniston. Book 8 and I loved every minute of it. Soon to be released: July 29th, 2020
Zinnia has a very stressful job as a project manager to someone famous, and she’s trying to make her new boss happy. Whatever she does she can’t tell anyone about what she does.
I love how she and David meet. It’s so sweet. You could say they fell for each other. So much more to come though, and Lucy with her matchmaking skills. It’s hilarious.
When Zinnia learns things about David and what he does they hit if off..
As her world turns upside down he’s there for her. The whole family and friends are. But David knows more then anyone. Buy the book to see what happens. You will be glad you did.
Check out all the books if you have not already. All great books.
Zinnia has a very stressful job as a project manager to someone famous, and she’s trying to make her new boss happy. Whatever she does she can’t tell anyone about what she does.
I love how she and David meet. It’s so sweet. You could say they fell for each other. So much more to come though, and Lucy with her matchmaking skills. It’s hilarious.
When Zinnia learns things about David and what he does they hit if off..
As her world turns upside down he’s there for her. The whole family and friends are. But David knows more then anyone. Buy the book to see what happens. You will be glad you did.
Check out all the books if you have not already. All great books.
August 29, 2020
Keniston is at the top of my favorites list when it comes it comes to soulfully sweet stories. She puts her heart behind each and every word and that lightens up the dark corners of the heart. Zinnia is a reminder of how beautiful life can be. If we let a little love in our heart. Zinnia and David humor you with heart and give hope that the world can be a beautiful place again.
July 19, 2020
Zinnia by Chris Keniston is the eighth book in a series called Hart Land. The series is based on the small town of Lawford (in NH) with the General (Harold Hart) and his wife, Fiona. They have nine single granddaughters who one by one will find their own love. Lucy the housekeeper is bound and determined to be matching them all up, but she is an accident waiting to happen. The General and Fiona run a small hospitality business with cabins, with their house full of people and laughter.
Zinnia has signed a nondisclosure agreement with her boss. He doesn’t want her to talk about, even with her family or even say his name. Zinnia agreed and was his executive assistant. She handled everything for him and luckily he is away for the next month, so she is out of New York and in NH at the lake with her family. There is a wedding coming up and lots of great food, luckily she can do her job remotely if she can get a connection to the internet.
David is a lawyer who is on vacation up in NH for a break between teaching semesters. He also has a couple of clients he is advising, so he does need to connect to the internet. Searching for a hot spot he falls over Zinnia who is crouched on the ground with a towel over her to see her computer. After literally falling for her, they are put together and find a lot in common, perhaps even falling in love.
I enjoyed this novel and found David and Zinnia interesting characters. I found the town’s characters and daily activities fun to read about. The scene about the bears was described so well. Chris Keniston’s books are sweet and fun love stories that warm your heart and lighten your soul. Zinnia is a fun read in the Hart Land series.
Zinnia has signed a nondisclosure agreement with her boss. He doesn’t want her to talk about, even with her family or even say his name. Zinnia agreed and was his executive assistant. She handled everything for him and luckily he is away for the next month, so she is out of New York and in NH at the lake with her family. There is a wedding coming up and lots of great food, luckily she can do her job remotely if she can get a connection to the internet.
David is a lawyer who is on vacation up in NH for a break between teaching semesters. He also has a couple of clients he is advising, so he does need to connect to the internet. Searching for a hot spot he falls over Zinnia who is crouched on the ground with a towel over her to see her computer. After literally falling for her, they are put together and find a lot in common, perhaps even falling in love.
I enjoyed this novel and found David and Zinnia interesting characters. I found the town’s characters and daily activities fun to read about. The scene about the bears was described so well. Chris Keniston’s books are sweet and fun love stories that warm your heart and lighten your soul. Zinnia is a fun read in the Hart Land series.
July 30, 2020
Zinnia is another of General Hart’s “flower” granddaughters. All of the cousins are named after a flower. Zinnia has an important job for a secret boss. Secret in that she can’t tell anyone who she works for. When he takes a four week vacation unexpectedly, she heads immediately to Hart Land to help with her cousin’s wedding.
David is burnt out after teaching summer school at the law school. Now he needs to buckle down & write an article for a law magazine. His grandfather convinced him to go rent a cabin by the lake from his old military buddy, General Hart.
David & Zinnia don’t realize they are being skillfully maneuvered by two excellent strategists. Both men want to see their favorites married off & settles down. David & Zinnia start out only seeing their differences but realize some chemistry is there. Can they find a way to make it work? Or did the two war buddies bomb at this mission?
The author has done an excellent job crating this family of assorted characters & personalities. You would never think a General would resort to matchmaking but it’s really amusing to see it work. Lucy, the long time housekeeper thinks she’s a matchmaker but she just gets in the way of the General’s plans. I love the humor in these books with all the girls doing their best to avoid his plans. The descriptive narrative has you drawing pictures in your mind of the cool, crisp lake & it’s rustic cabins. This is a favorite series of mine & I can’t wait for the next story. Highly entertaining, sweet clean series!
David is burnt out after teaching summer school at the law school. Now he needs to buckle down & write an article for a law magazine. His grandfather convinced him to go rent a cabin by the lake from his old military buddy, General Hart.
David & Zinnia don’t realize they are being skillfully maneuvered by two excellent strategists. Both men want to see their favorites married off & settles down. David & Zinnia start out only seeing their differences but realize some chemistry is there. Can they find a way to make it work? Or did the two war buddies bomb at this mission?
The author has done an excellent job crating this family of assorted characters & personalities. You would never think a General would resort to matchmaking but it’s really amusing to see it work. Lucy, the long time housekeeper thinks she’s a matchmaker but she just gets in the way of the General’s plans. I love the humor in these books with all the girls doing their best to avoid his plans. The descriptive narrative has you drawing pictures in your mind of the cool, crisp lake & it’s rustic cabins. This is a favorite series of mine & I can’t wait for the next story. Highly entertaining, sweet clean series!
July 29, 2020
Another fantastic addition to a fabulous series! Chris Keniston continues to delight us with delightful characters that, above all, includes a retired General grandfather who can't help but secretly scheme in assisting all of his granddaughters in finding worthy husbands.
When law professor David Ingram's grandfather sends him to Lawford Mountain for some peace and quiet while finishing up some work he isn't expecting to fall in love with the location much less the people. Especially one particular General's granddaughter. But what will happen when the secrets they've both been forced to keep come to light?
Zinnia is thrilled to have time off at her grandparent's home to help with her cousin's wedding plans. However, trying keep the details of her occupation confidential has been a chore with so many nosey and determined loved ones.
With Zinnia and David quickly finding they have so much in common and get along so well will secrets eventually ruin any possibility of a future together?
I received an ARC and voluntarily offer this review.
When law professor David Ingram's grandfather sends him to Lawford Mountain for some peace and quiet while finishing up some work he isn't expecting to fall in love with the location much less the people. Especially one particular General's granddaughter. But what will happen when the secrets they've both been forced to keep come to light?
Zinnia is thrilled to have time off at her grandparent's home to help with her cousin's wedding plans. However, trying keep the details of her occupation confidential has been a chore with so many nosey and determined loved ones.
With Zinnia and David quickly finding they have so much in common and get along so well will secrets eventually ruin any possibility of a future together?
I received an ARC and voluntarily offer this review.
July 21, 2020
If you are looking for a light sweet romance, the books in this series are for you. Zinnia's boss is taking a four week off which gives her a break from her high powered executive assistant position. Zinnia goes to Hart Land to visit family and help with her cousin's wedding. At his grandfather's suggestion, law professor David books a stay at Hart Land to write an article for the law journal. When David literally runs into Zinnia looking for a wireless connection, an instant connection is made. I received a free copy of this ebook from the author. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. One of the things that I enjoy about this book and the series is the old-fashioned small town setting, where they still have a barber shop pole. I love the sweet and clean romance that springs between Zinnia and David. It's nice to see a romance start with a couple enjoying the simple things in life. I look forward to the next book in this series.
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July 31, 2020Zinnia is the eighth book in the Hart Land series. Although this is part of a series it can be read as a stand alone, as each book focuses on one of the grandchildren’s stories.
Zinnia is normally busy in the big city with her work and doesn’t get enough time with the family at the lake. But just recently her boss said that he was taking the next four weeks off and she could work remotely. Which worked out wonderfully so she could be home and help out with the preparations for her cousins wedding.
David’s grandfather is friends with the general and suggest that David go to Hart Land and have some time at the lake after he was saying how he wasn’t able to focus on his work that needed to be done. Going to the lake was just what he needed, but the lack of internet at the lake isn’t helping him get his focus on work.
This is a sweet romance that just gives the reader a break from all of the stresses in. The world around us. I think you would enjoy diving into the Hart Land series.
Zinnia is normally busy in the big city with her work and doesn’t get enough time with the family at the lake. But just recently her boss said that he was taking the next four weeks off and she could work remotely. Which worked out wonderfully so she could be home and help out with the preparations for her cousins wedding.
David’s grandfather is friends with the general and suggest that David go to Hart Land and have some time at the lake after he was saying how he wasn’t able to focus on his work that needed to be done. Going to the lake was just what he needed, but the lack of internet at the lake isn’t helping him get his focus on work.
This is a sweet romance that just gives the reader a break from all of the stresses in. The world around us. I think you would enjoy diving into the Hart Land series.
July 17, 2020
Zinnia by Chris Keniston is a wonderful romance filled with all the characters from the series including the General and his lovely, but a little crazy wife as well as all the daughters and cousins. David ends up at Hart House for a long weekend from his teaching and law work. Zinnia is there to help with her cousin’s Heather’s wedding. But along with help from Lucy, the housekeeper she instead finds that love is in the air for her also. This book is for those who wish everybody would find their one person to love.
July 29, 2020
Forewarned...and all that, so I was anxious to see how David and Zinnia would work it out. Book after book, tale after tale, Chris consistently manages to draw you in for another sweet journey. Even when you think; "I loved the previous characters so much , I know I won't care for these the same way." She proves you wrong and you love and root for the new ones too. I hope that makes sense. I highly recommend this series.
July 30, 2020
Welcome back to Hart Land! Zinnia, working for an employer with a NDA and David, a lawyer and professor both looking for a break find themselves together with the Hart family. The General is on top of things with his matchmaking while Lucy is entertaining.
Chris Keniston did a great job with the flow of the story keeping the reader engaged from start to finish. Zinnia and David are very sweet together as are the rest of the Hart family. Definitely a fun and sweet romance to check out!
Chris Keniston did a great job with the flow of the story keeping the reader engaged from start to finish. Zinnia and David are very sweet together as are the rest of the Hart family. Definitely a fun and sweet romance to check out!
August 1, 2020
Zinnia has a job she loves but is required to keep the details secret from her large extended family. When she goes back to her grandparents lakeside resort Hart House to help get ready for her cousin’s wedding, a scandal threatens her job. Zinnia has been distracted by David, a guest at the resort, who was sent there by his grandfather for a break from his legal career. Romance blooms in this series about the Hart family.
August 7, 2020
Another great addition to the Hart Land Series. After I read each one, I think "this is my favorite" and then I read the next installment and well, you get the picture!
I loved the characters in this story and it always makes me sigh with happiness each time that we return to Hart Land. It's like a breath of fresh air!
Not only is this a wonderful addition to this series, but it's a stand alone!
I loved the characters in this story and it always makes me sigh with happiness each time that we return to Hart Land. It's like a breath of fresh air!
Not only is this a wonderful addition to this series, but it's a stand alone!
August 19, 2020
Another wonderful story by Chris Kengiston. She does a great job in writing her stories. Zinnia Colby comes home for her cousin ,Heather Preston's wedding. She meets David Ingram ,a teacher and lawyer who is the grandson of her Gramps, the General, friend. This series is clean and keeps you wanting to see which sister or cousin will find a husband next. I received an ARC of this book and I highly recommend reading this story.
July 21, 2020
This is another hit by Chris Keniston in her Hart Land Series! I love the sweet romance, wonderful stories, clean living that are in her books. This one had a bit of mystery to it as well. I recommend this book, I know you’ll enjoy Zinnia & David’s story, too. I was gifted an advanced reader copy and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book.
July 29, 2020
Zinnia is an administrative assistant whose job has required her to sign NDAs to the point she can’t even tell her family who she works for.
David is a lawyer/law professor with a bit of time on his hands.
Both have former Marine grandfathers with a matchmaking bent.
Where better to coax a romance to bloom than Hart’s Mountain?
Where the flower named cousins gather, romance blooms.
David is a lawyer/law professor with a bit of time on his hands.
Both have former Marine grandfathers with a matchmaking bent.
Where better to coax a romance to bloom than Hart’s Mountain?
Where the flower named cousins gather, romance blooms.
July 29, 2020
The General is at it again playing matchmaker. While Lucy doesn't have a clue - (didn't she see David and Zinnia hitting it off? ) the General is a pro. When these two meet sparks and sand fly as well as electronics LOL. Their connection was not only attraction but something they have in common - gotta read. The ending was really sweet and these two are one of my favorite couples.
August 2, 2020
Likeable characters and a decent story. Felt a bit unfinished but that’s only because Zinnia lost her job and hadn’t gotten another at the end. To be fair she didn’t seem like she thought it would be difficult. It’s just a loose end that bothered me. I like my happy endings to have everything about where they will live and work resolved, or it’s harder to believe in it.
August 19, 2020
The eighth book in the Hart Land series and it is just getting better with each new story. It is well written with a very good storyline, the story flows smoothly from page to page. I enjoyed reading Zinnia Colby and David Ingram's story. I would recommend.
July 15, 2023
Working for the Mob?
I thought it was great how she didn't know she was working for the Mob! I love all the characters Thelma and Louise, Floyd the barber who's really not but nobody knows his name. The feeling that is invoke back to a bygone age is great!
I thought it was great how she didn't know she was working for the Mob! I love all the characters Thelma and Louise, Floyd the barber who's really not but nobody knows his name. The feeling that is invoke back to a bygone age is great!
July 30, 2020
My 8th return to Hart Land was as warm and wonderful as the first seven! Chris Keniston has another winner with her newest release, Zinnia. Zinnia is pleasantly surprised when her secretive boss takes two weeks off and gives her the whole break! She however is not prepared for how his world with cross hers. David is more than content to takes his grandfather's suggestion to spend some time are Hart Land as the tries to focus on a project, but he finds one major distraction on the property of his grandfather's old friend, the delightful Zinnia Colby, one of the General's few unmarried granddaughters. He finds, as I do, delight in all of the people gather to work on Heather's wedding but Zinnia is in a category all on her own. The novel is short but truly fun and sweet.
July 19, 2020
Zinnia enjoys her fast paced and unexpected job. Being home for the big wedding is even more important. David is visiting the Hart's at the insistence of his grandfather and for a much needed break. What a great pair and a wonderful read.
August 9, 2020
Zinnia: Hart Land Book 8 is by Christ Keniston. I can’t believe the series is almost finished. It has been really good. Interestingly, very little has been said about Zinnia except that some of them are worried about her. Zinnia does not talk about her new job.
Zinnia has changed jobs often since she left school. She gets bored with her jobs and goes on to the next. It isn’t that she doesn’t like them, she does. She just wants something different. This job is basically as a personal assistant for a very rich man. She handles all his work and home appointments, buys his gifts, makes his reservations, and basically keeps him organized. In order to get the job, she had to sign a statement that forbids her to talk about her boss, even who he is or what he does, or anything about his family. He has been keeping her so busy, she hasn’t been home in a while. That helps since she is use to telling her cousins everything and now she can’t. Then her boss tells her he is taking time off and she should make the necessary adjustments. In addition, he doesn’t care where she is when she does the little work that she will have to do with him on vacation. Now she can go home for Heather’s wedding.
David Ingram is a lawyer and a law professor. He had volunteered to teach a summer session and was looking forward to his time off before school. He had an article to write for publication and hasn’t started it. His grandfather calls to get him to come to Hart Land to relax in their cottages. He is thinking of taking his wife down for a visit soon. It would be a good place to meet up. David packs up and takes his Grandfather’s advice.
The place is beautiful and very peaceful and quiet. The cottage is warm and cozy and comfortable; but one thing is missing- Internet and phone service. David isn’t use to being without those. He is told there are spots throughout hart Lake that has plenty of connections, you just have to look for them.
Zinnia had found a spot with Internet and is finishing up her work so she can rest and relax when someone trips over her and sends her sprawling in the sand. It is David, looking for service and he doesn’t see her. Both are workaholics and can’t talk about their work so they get along and David helps her when her sisters try to find out about her job. Let the fun begin.
Zinnia has changed jobs often since she left school. She gets bored with her jobs and goes on to the next. It isn’t that she doesn’t like them, she does. She just wants something different. This job is basically as a personal assistant for a very rich man. She handles all his work and home appointments, buys his gifts, makes his reservations, and basically keeps him organized. In order to get the job, she had to sign a statement that forbids her to talk about her boss, even who he is or what he does, or anything about his family. He has been keeping her so busy, she hasn’t been home in a while. That helps since she is use to telling her cousins everything and now she can’t. Then her boss tells her he is taking time off and she should make the necessary adjustments. In addition, he doesn’t care where she is when she does the little work that she will have to do with him on vacation. Now she can go home for Heather’s wedding.
David Ingram is a lawyer and a law professor. He had volunteered to teach a summer session and was looking forward to his time off before school. He had an article to write for publication and hasn’t started it. His grandfather calls to get him to come to Hart Land to relax in their cottages. He is thinking of taking his wife down for a visit soon. It would be a good place to meet up. David packs up and takes his Grandfather’s advice.
The place is beautiful and very peaceful and quiet. The cottage is warm and cozy and comfortable; but one thing is missing- Internet and phone service. David isn’t use to being without those. He is told there are spots throughout hart Lake that has plenty of connections, you just have to look for them.
Zinnia had found a spot with Internet and is finishing up her work so she can rest and relax when someone trips over her and sends her sprawling in the sand. It is David, looking for service and he doesn’t see her. Both are workaholics and can’t talk about their work so they get along and David helps her when her sisters try to find out about her job. Let the fun begin.
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