Reluctant Hearts by Linda Griffin. a 226-page Contemporary Romance | Book Review
A book blog tour from Goddess Fish Promotions.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Marianne & Judy at Goddess Fish for providing me with the information for this tour.
Book Details
Reluctant Hearts by Linda Griffin Published by The Wild Rose Press on 04/24/2023
Genres: Fiction, Contempoary Romance
Format: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 226
Source: Goddess Fish PromotionsFour couples, four stories:
Darien Francis and Richard Li meet during a bank robbery, but she's afraid to love again.Shane Kenniston and Beth Parker are reacquainted years after she had a crush on him, but she is a recent widow, and Shane's life was upended by a false accusation.
David Early and Kate Howard meet in the laundromat, but her life is consumed by the needs of her disabled child, and David isn't ready for the responsibility.
Realtor Frank Ellison meets Kayla Barnes at an open house, but a mistaken first impression derails any chance of romance.
Can they all overcome the obstacles to love?
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Excerpt from Reluctant Hearts
“So, you don’t smoke, you don’t drink, and you don’t do Halloween? What do you do?”
“Whatever you’ll let me do, I guess,” he said. He hadn’t used that old line since college.
She was surprised, but she didn’t seem upset. She gazed at him speculatively for a few seconds and then leaned towards him. He didn’t want to take anything for granted, so he waited for her to kiss him first, but he responded without hesitation. She tasted of beer and cherry-flavored lip gloss. “Oh, gosh,” she said. “Wait till I tell Patty I kissed Mr. Kenniston.”
Excerpt provided by the author/publisher for use in this post.
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Purchase Links for Reluctant Hearts
Amazon – OneLink for every country
Reluctant HeartsShop on Amazon
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My thoughts on Reluctant Hearts
One of the strengths of Reluctant Hearts lies in Griffin’s ability to create believable and multi-dimensional characters. Each protagonist is flawed and relatable, and their hesitations and struggles feel genuine. This makes it easy for readers to become emotionally invested in their stories and root for their happily ever afters.
The compilation format of four interconnected yet standalone stories adds a unique twist to the book. While each story can be enjoyed independently, the common theme of reluctant love ties them together, creating a cohesive reading experience. It allows readers to explore different aspects of love and the obstacles that can arise, all within the confines of a single book.
Reluctant Hearts is an enjoyable read that will appeal to fans of contemporary romance. Linda Griffin’s ability to craft realistic characters and immerse readers in their emotional journeys is commendable. If you’re seeking a book that combines unusual circumstances, relatable characters, and a compilation of heartwarming love stories, then Reluctant Hearts is definitely worth a read.
I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
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I love my Amazon Kindle Unlimited Subscription. So many books, so little time!
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About Linda Griffin
Linda Griffin:
I was born and raised in San Diego, California, and earned a BA in English from San Diego State University and an MLS from UCLA. I began my career as a reference and collection development librarian in the Art and Music Section of the San Diego Public Library and then transferred to the Literature and Languages Section, where I had the pleasure of managing the Central Library’s Fiction collection and initiating fiction order lists for the entire library system. Although I also enjoy reading biography, memoir, and history, fiction remains my first love. In addition to the three R’s—reading, writing, and research—I enjoy Scrabble, movies, and travel.
My earliest ambition was to be a “book maker” and I wrote my first story, “Judy and the Fairies,” with a plot stolen from a comic book, at the age of six. I broke into print in college with a story in the San Diego State University literary journal, The Phoenix, but most of my magazine publications came after I left the library to spend more time on my writing
My stories have been published in numerous journals, including Eclectica, Thema Literary Journal, The Binnacle, The Nassau Review, Orbis, and Avalon Literary Review, and in the anthologies Short Story America, Vol. 2, The Captive and the Dead, and Australia Burns. Four stories, including one as yet unpublished, received honorable mention in the Short Story America Prize for Short Fiction contests.
Member of RWA and Authors Guild
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Purchase Reluctant Hearts online from a local bookstore.
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Easy Amazon Info Link
Amazon – OneLink for every country
If the above link does not take you to your country, here are a few more:
Please send me a note if your country isn’t listed and you would like to purchase using my links. Using my link does not change the price you pay. Amazon pays me a minimal amount out of their share.
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Giveaway!
Linda Griffin will award a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Visit more stops on this Goddess Fish tour for extra chances to win!
Official Tour Page for Reluctant Hearts
Full Tour Schedule:
May 10: Maggie Blackbird
May 10: Fabulous and Brunette
May 17: Sandra’s Book Club
May 17: Candlelight Reading
May 24: Iron Canuck Reviews & More
May 31: Gina Rae Mitchell
May 31: Haney Hayes PR
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If you would like to review books for Goddess Fish Promotions, please click the link below:
Goddess Fish Virtual Book Tour Host
The book sounds wonderful. Love the romantic cover!
Thank you!
Oh, sorry, now I see it!
I had a bit of a glitch, so you might have needed to refresh the page. Sorry about that.
I’m sure that was it. Thank you for the lovely review!
You are most welcome, Linda. Good luck with the tour.
Thanks for posting this, Gina, but I don’t see the review.
Great review and cover.
Thank you, Rita. The cover is by Jennifer Greeff
It is inevitable that everyone has their own history and past. But if the feelings between two people are real and pure, it’s important to take the other person’s past seriously
I couldn’t agree with you more!
In true love, mutual acquaintance is the most important. Even if there are sometimes ups and downs and challenges along the relationship path, trust and understanding between two people will help overcome these problems
I agree! Friendship is always the best basis for love.
True love is not about wealth, status and other external conditions, but about the inner communication and emotional connection between two people
Very well said!
Don’t give up true love out of fear or any other reason, because fate will give you what you want most, as long as you put in the effort
Good advice!
These stories show us different forms of love and make us realize that love is not always smooth, but it is worth pursuing and cherishing
Well said, Jade!
Each couple faces their own challenges, but they can genuinely listen to each other and support each other, which is true love
Right on!
Their different backgrounds and experiences give these stories different charms, and are fortunate enough to give readers more options and room for reflection
Thank you for dropping by, Brielle!
Even if the situation is not so ideal, all four couples have the courage and confidence to overcome the difficulties, which is admirable
Thank you for commenting.
Thanks for hosting~