Her Guarded Heart by talented storyteller Sharlene MacLaren is Book 3 in her Hearts of Honor Series. All three of these Christian historical romance novels are extraordinary. Each may be read as a stand-alone, but the series is too captivating to miss even one of the stories.

Set in Ohio, Her Guarded Heart is the story of Anna Hansen and her young brother, Billy Ray. These two siblings have experienced so much loss. Both parents have died, the bank is repossessing their farm, and without help from neighbors they would not have enough food.

It is also the story of youngest Fuller son, Jesse. He wants to help their neighbors, Hansen family. Something not quite right is up with the bank’s repossession and sale of their property. Jesse comes up with a solution, but Anna is not certain it is the right one.

Author MacLaren has a gift of bringing timeless life and spiritual lessons to life in her books. This one was especially moving. The characters were relatable and authentic. It took me a chapter to become invested in the story, and once I did there was no putting this book down. I loved the growth and development of the characters. Most are lovable, but when it comes to villains, MacLaren can pen a doozy.

This lovely novel contains romance, adventure, mystery, danger, hope, faith, and twists and turns. It was nice to visit with the friends from Book 1 & 2, also. I hope Laura (Ma) Fuller gets her own book next. She has become one of my favorite people in this series.

I very highly recommend this book and entire series. There are discussion questions at the end, and it would make a captivating book club choice. It receives 5 out of 5 stars from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest thoughts.

About the Book

Book: Her Guarded Heart

Author: Sharlene MacLaren

Genre: FICTION / Christian/Romance/Historical

Release date: February 1, 2022

At age twenty-one, Anna Hansen has had more than her share of hardship. Her mother died when she was eleven and her father just passed away under mysterious circumstances, leaving her to care for her ten-year-old brother, Billy Ray. She struggles to hang onto the family farm but it’s facing foreclosure and things are looking grim.

Next door, Jesse Fuller’s drive, work ethic, and skill ensure that his family’s farm is a growing success. His brothers think he should marry Anna to help out her and her kid brother…while also enabling the Fullers to expand their operation. But Jesse has never had romantic feelings for Anna and the idea doesn’t appeal to him.

In the meantime, Horace Blackthorn is hell-bent on acquiring the Hansen farm for reasons of his own. And he’ll do whatever it takes to get it—lie, cheat, steal…even murder.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Born and raised in west Michigan, Sharlene MacLaren attended Spring Arbor University. Upon graduating with an education degree in 1971, she taught second grade for two years, then accepted an invitation to travel internationally for a year with a singing ensemble. Afterward, she returned to her teaching job, then in 1975, she reunited with her childhood sweetheart, and they married that very December. They have raised two lovely daughters, both of whom are now happily married and enjoying their own families. Retired in 2003 after thirty-one years of teaching, Shar loves to read, sing, travel, and spend time with her family—in particular, her adorable grandchildren!

Shar has always enjoyed writing, and her high school classmates eagerly read and passed around her short stories. In the early 2000s, Shar felt God’s call upon her heart to take her writing pleasures a step further, so in 2006, she signed a contract with Whitaker House for her first faith-based novel, Through Every Storm, thereby launching her professional writing career. With almost two dozen published novels now gracing store shelves and being sold online, Shar gives God all the glory.

Shar’s novels have won numerous awards. Most recently, Their Daring Hearts was named a 2018 Top Pick by Romantic Times, and A Love to Behold was voted “Book of the Year” in 2019 by Interviews & Reviews. The two prior books in Shar’s Hearts of Honor series, centered on the Fuller brothers, include Her Rebel Heart and Her Steadfast Heart.

Shar has done numerous countrywide book signings and has participated in several interviews on television and radio. She loves to speak for community organizations, libraries, church groups, and women’s conferences. In her church, she is active in women’s ministries, regularly facilitating Bible studies and other events. Shar and her husband, Cecil, live in Spring Lake, Michigan.

More from Sharlene

• Setting is Lebanon, Ohio, after the Civil War
• The lead character’s father dies under mysterious circumstances; the next day, President Lincoln is assassinated
• This is Sharlene’s 24th novel with Whitaker House

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 22

Connie’s History Classroom, February 23

For Him and My Family, February 24

Fiction Book Lover, February 25 (Spotlight)

deb’s Book Review, February 25

Inklings and notions, February 26

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 27

Artistic Nobody, February 28 (Spotlight)

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 1

Texas Book-aholic, March 2

Bizwings Blog, March 3

Simple Harvest Reads, March 4 (Spotlight)

Britt Reads Fiction, March 4

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 5

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, March 6

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sharlene is giving away the grand prize package of a $20 Starbucks gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1ab32/her-guarded-heart-celebration-tour-giveaway