A Loyal Heart

  • Author: Jody Hedlund
  • Publisher: Northern Lights Press
  • Print Length: 195 pages
  • Release Date: March 6, 2018
  • I Rate it:    
  • GenreChristian
  • Purchase on Amazon

Book Summary

He’s taken her as his prisoner. But she’s holding his heart captive. In gaining their freedom, will they lose what matters most?

When Lady Olivia’s castle is besieged, she and her sister are taken captive and held for ransom by her father’s enemy, Lord Pitt. Loyalty to family means everything to Olivia. She’ll save her sister at any cost and do whatever her father asks—even if that means obeying his order to steal a sacred relic from her captor.

As Lord Pitt’s commander, Sir Aldric is in charge of the beautiful but feisty new prisoner. He has his hands full attempting to keep Lady Olivia out of trouble. When Lord Pitt throws her in the dungeon and threatens to hang her for stealing, Aldric conceives a plot to save Olivia’s life—betrothal to him.

Can Olivia give up the prestigious match her father has arranged with a wealthy marquess in order to marry a lowly knight like Aldric? And can Aldric move beyond his past mistakes to embrace love again? When loyalties are tested, they’re thrust into danger that could cost them their love and their lives.

“…heart-stopping . . . will make a solid addition to any YA romance collection.” School Library Journal

Write Now Literary Book Tours - Taffy Book Blast Tour

Guest Post from Jody Hedlund

The Growing Need for Sweet Young Adult Romances

By Jody Hedlund

This past year my youngest daughter turned twelve and entered seventh grade. And she decided that she wanted to read my books.

Of course I was thrilled that she was taking an interest in my writing. But since my adult historical romances are more intense and contain some mature themes, I handed her the young adult series I’ve written.

As she started the first book, I peeked in her room a time or two to ask her how she liked it.

“It’s the best book you’ve ever read, right?” I teased.

“It’s okay,” she replied, teasing me right back.

The true test for how much she liked the series came when she couldn’t put the book down. She hid away in her room and read all day. Then she read the second book the next day and the third book the day after that.

She never did gush over the series. But she didn’t need to. Her serious reading marathon told me all I needed to know! Then when I was writing the fourth book in the series, she asked me if she could read it early before it was published which was another testament to how much she enjoyed the series.

“As long as you promise to say that I’m your favorite author,” I said, teasing her again.

I’m happy to say that she finished A Loyal Heart just as quickly as the others. Although I’m not sure that I’m her favorite author, I’m satisfied that she loved the series.

Even more, I’m thrilled that I could hand her sweet romances full of chivalrous qualities—like courage, sacrifice, honor, and loyalty. As she’s being entertained, she’s learning lessons about character traits that are important in relationships.

My daughter, like other young teens I’ve talked to, really enjoys medieval settings and stories. In some ways, those kinds of stories connect them to the princess fairy tales they used to love when they were little. Let’s face it, even adult readers still love stories about knights and castles and daring damsels!

In a book market for teens that has grown increasingly dark, jaded, and sexual, I only wish I had more to offer my daughter and other young women. It’s my passion to continue providing wholesome, clean romances for teens, books I know will encourage and uplift as well as entertain.

How about YOU? Is there a teen reader you know who needs an alternative to what’s available in the market? I encourage you to gift them with A Loyal Heart. And make sure to enter the giveaway for a chance to win the entire series that you can read, pass along, or even gift to your library.

Jody Hedlund is the best-selling author of over twenty historicals for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Award. She lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, she’s learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!). When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.

<h2><span class="wrap"><span class="inner">About The Author</span></span></h2>

Winner of the 2016 Christian Book Award for fiction and Christy Award for historical romance, best-selling author Jody Hedlund writes inspirational historical romances for both youth and adults.

Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, she’s learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!).

When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.

You can connect with her on:

Jody Hedlund

Book Review by Bree Herron

I have learned that there are just some authors you come to expect the unexpected from. Jody Hedlund is one of those authors, I do usually love her stories but with this one, I was beyond surprised at how much I loved it. It was a story that takes the reader by the pages and pulls them into the story.

Characters

Olivia, Lady Olivia and Aldric or as I like to call him, Mr. Hot Stuff. Seriously, for a YA novel he certainly had me smitten and dreaming of being a damsel in distress. Though Olivia is anything but that, she was one tough cookie a match that couldn’t be faced by Aldric without losing his heart. They worked each other strengths, but also made each other want to be better daily. I love that Olivia was a bit unconventional and that Aldric was trying hard to make amends for his past (though he doesn’t need to entirely). Olivia is one protective gal of those she loves, and she stays that way through the book even when she started to see the truth in others, she was willing to love them.

Enjoyable Moments

These two meet crossing swords and that sets their relationship off. I love when Olivia was attempting to free herself and her sister. It was always humorous. One aspect the book held was the wonderful banter between Aldric and Olivia, Aldric and Lord Pitt. Aldric had built unique relationships with each and even though Pitt was suppose to be the bad guy, Aldric showed readers otherwise. Pitt also brought a smile to my face with his ability to make Aldric face the facts, even in the case of love. Love, loyalty and faith were the dynamics played through the story so beautifully that I was re-reading points of the story to get the warmth over and over again.

Synoptic

Little did I know that this book would transport me to a medieval time where Lords ruled the land under the King. It was as if I became a character in the story, and was working each scene and moment as though I had lived them. I loved the feeling of hope and our personal loyalty to faith that came from this book. It was breathtaking and beautiful.

I Rate it

I have fallen for this series, have you enjoyed it yet?

**DISCLAIMER: I was provided an opportunity to read this book as an Advanced Reader Copy in return for a fair and honest review.

<h2><span class="inner">Giveaway</span></h2>

To celebrate her tour, Jody is giving away a grand prize of An Uncertain Choice, A Daring Sacrifice, For Love & Honor, and A Loyal Heart!!! Find out all the details and enter to WIN at A Loyal Heart Celebration Tour Giveaway. Make sure to comment on this post for 9 extra entries into the giveaway!

May the Books be Ever in Your Favor.

Professional Reader Affiliates

NetGalley Professional Reader Frequently Auto-Approved 200 Book Reviews 2016 NetGalley Challenge Reviews Published Great Escape Tour Host BethanyHouse Blogger Reviewer

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5 Comments

  1. Kay Garrett

    Thank you for your wonderful review on “A Loyal Heart” by Jody Hedlund and for being part of the book tour. The more I read about this book the more I know I must read it.

    I have this book on my TBR list and would love the opportunity to read it.

    Reply
  2. Kathleen

    I’ve finished the prequel and book 1 and am on my way through. What a great series! Thanks for reviewing!

    Reply
  3. kim

    Love all of jody’s books.

    Reply
  4. Jody Hedlund

    Hi Bree, thank you for hosting me in the Celebrate Lit blog tour! I’m glad that the book surprised you with enjoyment! 🙂

    Reply
    • Bree Herron

      Loved it, truly was an awesome read!

      Reply

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