Cora's Heart

ConfessionsFR4 stars

31 March 2013 at 5:50pm

Ever since I read Loretta Hill’s rural contemporary The Girl in Hard Hat, I have fallen in love with beautiful rural contemporary stories with strong characters and beautiful scenery. So, it was no-brainer for me to accept this for review from the publisher. Cora’s Heart is the first book that I’ve read by Rachael Herron in her “Cypress Hollow” series. This is the fourth book in the series and each of them follows a different woman. This story is about Cora, a woman who has experienced a lifetime of hurt and is about to experience a whole lot more. Ever since she was little, Cora wanted a place and family to call home. And she it found when she was a teenager after years in the foster system Placed in a group home in Cypress Hill, it took one family and a special woman to give her some sense of happiness. Mac and Logan became her family and the boys looked out for her. Unseen circumstances saw her marring Logan but she regretted it and was heartbroken years later when Logan died and Mac didn't come home for the funeral. Then out of the blue prodigal son Mac returns home years later and brings backs feelings and memories that Cora had buried away. Will Cora's heart be healed or will be broken. Only time will tell. Read my full review here http://confessionsfromromaholics.com/coras-heart-by-rachel-herron/

Shelley4 stars

28 March 2013 at 7:04pm

Cora's Heart is a story of unrequited love and second chances. As teenagers Logan, Mac and Cora were close friends but circumstances resulted in Cora marrying Logan, despite the simmering attraction between her and Mac. With Mac's return to Cypress Hollow both are confronted with their regrets and their guilt. I think Herron develops the relationship between Mac and Cora well, showing how their adolescent attraction has never really faded despite time and distance. I really liked Cora and thought her neuroses were endearing, rather than annoying. I love the idea of her What If.. book, something Cora uses to give her peace of mind. Having had such an itinerant childhood her need for stability and control makes perfect sense, but her fierce independence also leaves her closed off from intimate interactions. Risking her heart with Mac is difficult and Herron shows Cora's struggle to let go and risk everything for happiness. Mac is a little more of an enigmatic character. Though he has a plausible reason for missing Logan's funeral and failing to visit over the years, I did think it was a little weak. Still he is an appealing hero, protective of Cora, the memory of his cousin and willing to do what he thinks is the right thing despite the cost to himself. I breezed through Cora's Heart in an afternoon and found it a light, sweet and satisfying romance. And if you knit you will adore the pattern for a pretty sweater included in the last few pages.

MrsMichelleS5 stars

23 March 2013 at 2:06pm

This was such a wonderful, heart warming story. And I particularly like the crafting angle – it added another dimension to the whole story for me. There is a great twist in the middle of the story, which I did not see coming and then the second twist which again took me by surprise and was even better. It is a lovely romance that sat with me after I had finished it – it called to me to read again. And on second read it is just as good. I’m always a bit hesitant when reading a book from the middle of a series, however it did not matter that I had not read any of the other books. I felt connected to all the characters without knowing all the backgrounds. The places and town were described so beautifully that I want to visit the farm, go to the farmers market, purchase some fresh products or wool for knitting. My only criticism is that I wish (really, really wish) that the two main male characters (Logan and Mac) were brothers, rather than cousins. But really, they were as close as brothers, so its only a very small criticism. I really didn’t want this story to end – I’m looking forward to reading some other books from Rachael Herron. Highly Recommended.

Book Muster Down Under0 stars

13 March 2013 at 12:14pm

Once again Rachael Herron takes us on a journey to the sleepy town of Cypress Hollow where we discover a bit about the girl whom Eliza Carpenter took in, Cora Sylvan. Valuing her independence above all else having grown up in and out of orphanages, Cora has only really had herself to depend upon. Now a young widow herself, she takes nothing in life for granted and is rather pragmatic, preferring to plan her life using the never-ending list of “what if’s” she journalises. When Mac, her deceased husband’s cousin arrives back in town he threatens to disrupt the quiet life she has managed to build for herself when he finally reveals the real reason for his reappearance. Along with the very real prospect of financial ruin after unintentionally setting fire to her shed *** workshop, thereby obliterating all the hard work she has put into her canned goods and knitting yarn, she will need to ultimately confront Mac and learn the real reasons behind him leaving Cypress Hollow. With her extensive knowledge of knitting, creative flair and keen eye for detail, intertwined with her lyrical writing style, Rachael has created a story with likeable characters, a touch of comedy and lots of knitting with a satisfying plot. A recommended read for those ardent knitters out there who enjoy their craft with a side of romance and humour. Full review http://bookmusterdownunder.blogspot.com.au