Double Review + Giveaway!

I have two books to share with you today.  They are the first two books in the "Where The Heart Lives" series by Robin Lee Hatcher.   

The first book is called Belonging. 
About the book:
In the high desert town of Frenchman’s Bluff, Idaho, Felicia Kristoffersen has set out to create a future for herself that is better than her painful past. Alone in the world with only her faith to sustain her, she must prove herself as this tiny community’s new school teacher. She cannot, must not, fail. But, there are those who never wanted her there to begin with.

Five years after the death of his wife, local merchant Colin Murphy cares about just one thing: raising his daughter, Charity. Colin wants to give her the educational advantages he never had. The new schoolmarm’s inexperience doesn’t sit well with him, and if this teacher up and marries like the last one did, Charity’s heart will be broken once again.

A woman who hasn’t known love. A man who lost the love he had.

In the midst of the wide, sage-covered plains, each is about to discover that life’s bitterest circumstances truly can work together for good.

My thoughts:
I enjoyed getting to know Felicia in this book and appreciated her determination to succeed as a teacher starting out in a new place.  She quickly makes friends and is well-liked by some of the women of the town, yet others are skeptical about her.  Colin's character was easy to like as well as he obviously cares for his daughter Charity and wants her to succeed.

This was a great read, and I was looking forward to more about these characters and their relationship.

And now for book two, Betrayal.

About the book: 
It’s the turn of the twentieth century and drifter Hugh Brennan is a man well acquainted with betrayal. Hugh finds himself drawn to the attractive widow, Julia, yet when he looks into her eyes, he recognizes the same hurt that haunts him.
Julia Grace has little reason to trust men, but she’s going to have to trust someone if she’s to keep her ranch from the clutches of her dead husband’s half-brother. Is it possible God had a hand in bringing Hugh to her door?

My thoughts:
Julia is trying to keep her ranch after the loss of her husband.  When Hugh comes up with a lame horse, for some reason she allows him to stay and do some work for her for a couple of weeks while his horse heals.  They both have such big secrets and painful pasts that it makes it hard for them to trust each other.  This was another wonderful book, and I am looking forward to book 3.   

As a side note, Hugh and Felicia (from book 1) are brother and sister.  They were separated in their childhood when they were orphans. 

Giveaway!
If you would like to win BOTH of these books, please leave a comment on this post.  Any comment is fine!  Be sure to leave an email address so I can contact you if you win.  Giveaway open to US residents.  The giveaway ends Friday, January 25, 2013 at 10 p.m.   I will choose a winner and announce it on the blog on Saturday.

Thank you to Zondervan for sending these books for my review as well as a copy to have a giveaway for my readers.

Have a day of blessings!