Prize of My Heart by Lisa Norato ~ Review

The opening of “Prize of My Heart” had a pull for me as a reader. Characters were immediately introduced and I was instantly wondering how these three main characters would play together upon the page.

            There is a sweet chemistry between Lorena and Brogan. And Drew is such a sweetheart, the little boy you can see delving into the fresh cut strawberries, but giving a smile to melt your heart. He made me smile all through the novel.

            The concept of Brogan searching for his son and finding him in this little boy who thinks he already has a family is one that definitely kept me turning pages. It’s a great concept for a historical novel.

            I thought a bit more of the book than I liked was too “telling” and took me out of the story, left me feeling distanced from the characters. The dialogue tended to clump together and give more information than I felt was necessary at times. I read the novel quickly and caught the strong undertones and overall themes and layers, but it didn’t really “invite me in” as strongly as I would have liked.

            The ending is totally sweet. Loved the epilogue. And of course, I love a happy ending, and this one is perfect.

            This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers for my copy to review.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

An unsolved mystery separates ex-privateersman Captain Brogan Talvis from his lost son--his only living relation, his only family. Shortly before her tragic demise, his wife abandoned their infant to strangers, refusing to reveal the child's whereabouts. 

Now, three years later, Brogan has discovered the boy at the home of a shipbuilder's daughter, Lorena Huntley.Lorena guards a dark secret about her young charge. She finds herself falling for the heroic captain who has come to claim his newly built ship, unaware his motive for wooing her is to befriend the boy he plans on reclaiming as his own--until the day another's evil deceit leaves her helplessly shipbound, heading toward England.

As the perfect opportunity to reclaim his son unfolds, Brogan is haunted by thoughts of Lorena in her dire circumstance, and he is forced to make a heartrending choice between his child and the woman who has begun to capture his heart. But only his unselfish sacrifice can win him the greatest prize of all--love.