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Nurse Lorenna Fields always took her job at Chicago's Lakeview Hospital seriously, determining never to become personally involved with her patients. Then a mysterious man with eyes like onyx is admitted after a shipwreck on Lake Michigan. He has lost his memory and sight. Renna feels a special kinship with this man and soon dubs him Mr. Blackeyes. Soon the two build a strong trusting friendship, and Renna shares her faith in the Lord. But she dreads the day her patient will recover. His memory will take him away from her to family and friends now forgotten, and his regained sight will reveal a secret about herself that Renna has been trying hard to hide. But someone else besides Renna doesn't want "Mr. Blackeyes" to remember the past...and may not allow him to live to see the future.

290 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

10 people are currently reading
203 people want to read

About the author

Andrea Boeshaar

64 books322 followers
Andrea Kuhn Boeshaar has been married for more than 30 years. She and her husband, Daniel, have three adult sons, daughters-in-law, and two precious grandchildren. Andrea's educational background includes the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, where she studied in English, and Alverno College where she studied in Professional Communications and Business Management.

Andrea has been writing stories and poems since she was a little girl; however, it wasn't until 1984 that she started submitting her work for publication. Eight years after that, she was convicted about writing for the Christian market. She read books in her genre (Inspirational Romance & Women's Fiction), studied the market, and worked hard to hone her craft.

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5 stars
51 (36%)
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57 (41%)
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24 (17%)
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Alexandria &#x1faf6;&#x1f3fb; Books.
160 reviews162 followers
September 17, 2024
wow i am so pleasantly surprised by this book! who knew historical christian romance could have such great banter, tension, and suspense! it wasn’t amazing but for what it was, i heavily enjoyed it and it helped me out of a week long reading slump!
Profile Image for Andi Tubbs.
970 reviews82 followers
January 6, 2011
I fell in love with this story. A amnesia patient, Mr. Blackeyes, who can't see, a nurse, Renna, who has a birthmark on her face that believes she is unlovable because of her birthmark. In caring for Mr. Blackeyes she begins to care for him and believe that he could actually care for her. Mr. Blackeyes, who was quite the scoundrel before his accident that brought him into the hospital, yet through Renna's care and her father's conversations with him, he becomes a Christian and sees that what he has done in the past was wrong. It is a beautiful story of redemption, and loving someone for who they are as person not what they look like on the outside. I highly recommend this book and I give it a lighthouse and shine a light on it for pointing a path to God.
Profile Image for Glenda L.
544 reviews30 followers
February 5, 2011
I am thoroughtly enjoying this series ... can't wait until the 4th one comes out ... May 11. This is a tail of faith and love. It is about a Captain who is given a second chance. It is a heart rending tale of a man who can have any woman he wants and a woman no man has ever wanted because of a birthmark. What a beautiful story!
Profile Image for Fiction Addict.
54 reviews2 followers
October 22, 2016
Boeshaar’s books in this series just continue to get better and better and this one is not a disappointment. With taut writing, a solid mystery and wonderful dialogue, Boeshaar takes you on an adventure that is fun and dynamic. Anyone who has made a mistake in their life and needed to confront that mistake with their faith will sympathize with Brian Sinclair’s situation. On top of that, if you’ve ever spent time believing that you’re not worthy or if people really knew you, they wouldn’t like you, then this book will be a pleasure.

I expected a solid romance when I opened the pages of this book. What I didn’t expect was to be drawn so completely into the story that I didn’t want to put the book down. I literally devoured it in just a two day time period and when it was over, I really wanted more. I’m glad Boeshaar has another book expected in this fantastic series.
Profile Image for Gaylina.
320 reviews8 followers
October 31, 2021
First book I’ve read by this author. Quite excellent. Love the history of life in Chicago in 1866. Great plot and character development. Wonderful story. Beautiful Gospel presentation. And a true story of redemption. I wish I would have read the first two books in the series but this is a totally stand alone book. I just found a new author that I love!!!
38 reviews
June 29, 2020
LR

Another enthralling story by Andrea Boeshaar!! I totally enjoy reading her books from the beginning to the end. About to read the next one.
Profile Image for Bonnie Olive.
259 reviews3 followers
March 23, 2022
I so enjoy this series by this author.
a man was found flouting in the lake from a ship wreck and when taken to a hospital a nurse nurses him back to health. he was blind and had lost his memory.
Profile Image for Debbie.
3,635 reviews88 followers
December 28, 2010
"Unexpected Love" is a historical romance (with the emphasis on the romance) set in 1866 in Chicago and Milwaukee. This book is the third in the series, but you can understand it even if you haven't read the previous novels. However, the main characters in the second novel play a large role in this novel, and the male lead in this novel was a main character in the previous novel, so this novel does "spoil" the previous one.

The romance was predictable; I never doubted they'd get together and it hit all the common beats. However, the "romance novel misunderstanding" was nicely set up and more realistic than most: Renna couldn't believe that a 'playboy' rich man who could have any woman he wanted would be interested in a middle class girl like her who had an ugly birthmark on her cheek. "Mr. Blackeyes" was drawn to her earnest personality but felt that he had to lie to soothe her fears or he'd lose his chance to get to know her better. But the lie becomes increasingly difficult to keep up.

There was a nice level of historical detail about the setting and everyday life woven into the story, but it's not as heavy on these details as some historical romances. The suspense was created by the relationship tensions, some physical danger, and some uncertainty about "Mr. Blackeyes" being able to resume his life after being thought dead for several months.

Many of the characters were Christians. Several Bible verses were quoted. The characters did get a bit preachy at each other at times, but it was in-character and flowed naturally. There was a very minor amount of "he cussed" style bad language. There was no sex. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable novel to those who like heart-warming romances.


I received this book as a review copy from the publisher.
Profile Image for Renee.
796 reviews
May 3, 2011
Andrea Boeshaar is a new favorite author of mine. Yes I liked Unwilling Warrior and Uncertain Heart but this book just confirmed why I'm adding Ms. Boeshaar's books to my "must read" list. First the hero who we met in book 2, Uncertain Heart was...well a rake (my favorite) who in this book, gets reformed! Second the heroine is realisticlly flawed. She's far from being a perfect beauty and lacks in confidence like a lot of young women today who fear letting love in. And thirdly, this is just an all around good romance! I'll admit that lately I've been getting bored with the historical fiction I've been reading but I'm pleased to say that this was not the case with Unexpected Love.

I enjoyed the characters, the romance, the redemptive themes and even the little bit of mystery and intrigue that was thrown in the mix. Mr. "Pirate Blackeyes" who you will get to meet if you decide to read this captured my heart which is just what a hero should do in my opinion. He went from a manipulative playboy to a devoted father and friend to Lorenna and her family. I really enjoyed this book and I'm really looking forward to book 4, Undaunted Faith to be released in May of this year.
Profile Image for Paula-O.
558 reviews
August 2, 2014
Seasons of Redemption series book #3"Unexpected Love"
by Andrea Boeshaar


Great story with the character Lorenna Fields who is a nurse that meets a patient who is blind and has amnesia,she calls him Mr Blackeyes and takes special care of him.
Renna as her dad calls her works long hours and many menial task in her wards. Her superiors think she waste too much time with patients and gets emotionally involved. She has a heart that won't let her do otherwise.
Captain Brian Sinclair was lost at sea when his yacht sank from an explosion and his mother-finance and friend lost their lives. He was lucky to be seen by a ship nearby and picked up and brought for medical care. It was sometime before he knew who he was and his memory returned in bits and pieces. Renna was his caregiver and friend and when he was well enough physically her family offered him a place to stay while he continued to heal and get his memory back.
Brian and Renna spent much time together and he soon found himself liking this young woman a lot.
This story has a mystery,murder and mayhem along with romance and adventures you don't want to miss. I look forward to the next book.
Profile Image for Holly (2 Kids and Tired).
1,060 reviews9 followers
December 24, 2010
Renna is a fantastic character. Strong willed, capable and beautiful, she is burdened by the very noticeable birthmark on her face. Believing that no man will love her because of it, she dedicates her life to nursing. "Mr. Blackeyes" is the blind amnesiac she falls in love with. As he regains his sight, Renna's fear is that her face will turn him away.

"Mr. Blackeyes" is the rogue turned believer, who wishes to change his ways as he remembers and regrets his past actions. Can he convince Renna that his love is real and that she is the woman he wants by his side.

There was a teaser for this book at the end of Uncertain Heart which made me anxious for its release. I was so curious about Captain Sinclair and what happened to him and I wasn't disappointed. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and read it in an evening.

This is the third book in the Seasons of Redemption series by Andrea Boeshaar. While it can stand alone, it's a far richer story if you've read the first two books. A terrific story and one that I can wholeheartedly recommend.
Profile Image for Lori Twichell.
292 reviews7 followers
October 22, 2013
Boeshaar’s books in this series just continue to get better and better and this one does not disappoint. With taut writing, a solid mystery, and wonderful dialogue, Boeshaar takes you on an adventure that is fun and dynamic. Anyone who has made a mistakes in life and need to confront them with their faith will sympathize with Brian Sinclair’s situation. On top of that, if you’ve ever spent time believing that you’re not worthy or if people really knew you, they wouldn’t like you, then this book will be a pleasure.

I expected a solid romance when I opened the pages of this book. What I didn’t expect was to be drawn so completely into the story that I didn’t want to put the book down. I literally devoured it in just a two day time period and when it was over, I really wanted more. I’m glad Boeshaar has another book expected in this fantastic series.


*Review copy provided by Realms. Thank you!
Profile Image for Natalie .
157 reviews3 followers
January 6, 2011
Tour Date: January 6, 2011
Renna is a nurse and one of her patients was in a horrible boating accident that left him blind and with amnesia.
This beautiful man is a John Doe and Renna names him Mr. Blackeyes because (his eyes) "They’re as black as pitch and as shiny as polished stones."
Renna gets to know him and tries not to fall for him because she knows once he see's her, he will be like all the others. But later on, what he does, is beautiful and a great story of love and redemption.
Highly recommend!

Profile Image for Brenna.
158 reviews39 followers
October 8, 2011
I liked the fourth book in the series more, but this was a sweet, fast read that sucked me in and kept me entertained. Renna's stubborn obsession with her birthmark and the skewed view of herself it produced made me at first sympathetic and then later impatient, and Brian's deceit seemed a little forced for plot/conflict purposes, but other than that I liked it. I do wish the children could've played more of a part of the story, though; the short glimpses provided, especially of the girls, weren't nearly enough for me to really get a feel for them as characters.
129 reviews
December 22, 2015
This is the 3rd book in a series and the second book I have read by this author.

I did give this book four stars as it was very well written and I loved how each character in this book was described so well. It is about a nurse with a large birthmark on her cheek and many people have judged her by that. It seems that is all she sees now. An unknown man with amnesia in need of a miracle turns up as one of her patients and many of her prayers are answered. This book is about her parents and the love of family and commitment and trust in the L-rd.

Would recommend this book to others.
Profile Image for Miss Pippi the Librarian.
2,748 reviews60 followers
March 20, 2012
Loreena Fields takes her nursing duties at Chicago's Mercy Hospital seriously. Nursing is more than healing the body, it's healing the mind and the soul. A half-drowned man enters her ward and she feels for him. He cannot see and he cannot remember. Dubbed, "Mr. Blackeyes" she asks her family to pray for him and visit with him when their schedule allows.

Time Period: Post Civil War, 1866
Location: Chicago, Illinois & Milwaukee, Wisconsin
1 review
September 3, 2012
I absolutely loved the original Heartsong presents version of this book. I had lost it and was so happy that it was available for Kindle. I was disappointed to realize that the story had been changed by adding to it and slightly changing the story line. It was still a good book, but I think the extra content was necessary and did I didn't enjoy the story quite as much.
Profile Image for D.
1,069 reviews
September 1, 2012
This book was good. I thought the author spent too much time writing about Renna's insecurities even after she found out how Brian really felt about her.
Profile Image for Linda.
22 reviews
September 28, 2012
Unbelievable, cliff-hanging drama, at the end! Well-worth the read until 2:00 a.m. I was sad to finally finish and may very well start all 3 over again; even though I now know how each one ends.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews

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