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A Worthy Heart (Courage to Dream Book #2)
A Worthy Heart (Courage to Dream Book #2)
A Worthy Heart (Courage to Dream Book #2)
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A Worthy Heart (Courage to Dream Book #2)

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5/5

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Can an Irish Lass with a Dream
for America Find True Love?

Maggie Montgomery's long-held wish to see America is finally coming true. She'll visit her beloved brother Rylan and his wife, Colleen, and at the same time, escape Neill Fitzgerald's unwanted attention. In addition, Maggie has a secret! She plans to remain in America to seek her fortune and to hopefully find love. While visiting Irish Meadows, she meets an intriguing man whom she thinks is a stable hand. Only when Rylan demands she stay away from Adam O'Leary does she realize he's Colleen's brother, recently released from prison. Nonetheless, Maggie can't seem to make her heart conform to her brother's request.

Adam O'Leary has never felt worthy of his place in the family. Spending time in jail only reinforces his belief. Now that he's free, Adam hopes to make amends and earn back his family's trust. Falling in love with Maggie Montgomery, however, was never in his plans.

Despite everyone's effort to keep them apart, the two develop a bond nothing can break--but has Adam truly changed, or will the sins of his past prove too much for Maggie to overcome?
LanguageEnglish
Release dateDec 29, 2015
ISBN9781441229403
A Worthy Heart (Courage to Dream Book #2)
Author

Susan Anne Mason

Susan lives with her husband, two children and two cats in a suburb outside of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In addition to writing, she works part-time as a church secretary. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA). When not writing, Susan enjoys scrapbooking and researching her family ancestry on-line.

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Reviews for A Worthy Heart (Courage to Dream Book #2)

Rating: 4.571428095238095 out of 5 stars
4.5/5

21 ratings8 reviews

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Maggie Montgomery is off on a trip to New York accompanied by her brother Gabe. She needed to get away from a man who she didn't care to become invoked in. The story is set in the early 1900s and the details that the author gives about this time period is picturesque . Maggie is keeping a little secret from her family that has stayed back home in Ireland . Will they be devastated when they find out her intentions? Maggie is a very strong willed young woman with a determined spirit. I loved her character and how the author really played up her character traits with grace and elegance. Her brother has a big dream of becoming a firefighter back in Ireland. Will his dream come true, or will someone change his mind and stay in New York? The story has several characters that will have an encounter with each other as the adventure keeps us mesmerized. The addition of Aurora Hastings and Adam O'Leary from IRISH MEADOWS to this book is a wonderful treat as we get to know them better. Their characters are interesting and a key ingredient to a well thought out storyline. Does Adam's checkered past make him an untrustworthy person? Can he repair his relationship with his father? It is a great historical romance book filled with love, determination and faith. I must mention how breathtaking the cover of this book is. I received this book from The Book Club Network for an honest review.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This historical romance was a pleasant, easy read. It is the second book in the series Courage to Dream. Even though I have not read the first book, it didn't make it difficult to follow the story, though reading the first book would have made this bit more enjoyable. The characters were well developed nd easy to understand. Even the minor characters were more than just names, you feel like you actually understand them. A well editied book is always a plus in my estimation. This book didn't disappoint. The edititing was fantastic. The words were easily understood, another plus for me. The story also showed the forgiveness of God. It was well developed in the plot. There was a bit of mystery, a small touch of violence, family turmoils and romance, all neatly wrapped in this book. The one thing that disappointed me was that I was left wondering about one of the minor characters. It was hinted at what my have happened, but never fully explained. I would recommend this book. I was given this book in exchange or my honest review through bookfun.org.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I loved this book. This is the second book in the Courage to Dream series. I could not put this book down. This is a continuation of the book Irish Meadows. Maggie Montgomery comes to America to escape from a guy who is obsessed with her. She never wants to leave America and enjoys meeting Adam O'Leary. Her family does not like him because he just got out of prison nod needs to make amends to his family and learn to like himself again. Many people learn good lessons and this is so good. I received this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A Worthy Heart by Susan Anne Mason is the second book in Courage to Dream series. It is June of 1914 and Maggie Montgomery has just arrived in New York City from Ireland. Maggie broke off her engagement to Neill Fitzgerald and came to America for the summer (or so everyone else believes). Maggie does not plan on going back to Ireland. Maggie is looking forward to reuniting with her brother, Rylan and his wife, Colleen. Gabriel "Gabe" Montgomery accompanied his sister to America. Gabe is a fireman and is eager to see the equipment used in the states. Then Gabe runs into Aurora Hastings. Aurora wants to be a nurse, but she is a society lady. Her father, of course, expects her to marry well (like the doctor who is interested in her) and makes sure that Gabe knows his opinion of him. Gabe is attracted to Aurora, but there is little chance of her family approving of the match. However, fate seems to keep throwing them together especially after Gabe rescues Aurora from a fire in her home. Adam O'Leary has just been released from prison and wants to make amends with his family. Adam (he is Colleen's brother) and Maggie meet each other at Irish Meadows. Maggie is warned to stay away from Adam (and Adam is warned to stay away from Maggie). Their paths continue to cross and love starts to bloom. Is there a chance of love and a happily-ever-after for these two couples? The four of them will have many obstacles to overcome. They will need to have faith and believe that God has a plan for them. A Worthy Heart is a lovely novel. It is well-written and enjoyable to read. The story line is predictable (but it did not bother me), but I still liked it. It has a sweet ending that will have you making a happy little sigh (the kind where you close the book and sigh with pleasure at a good ending). I give A Worthy Heart 4 out of 5 stars. A Worthy Heart has engaging characters and a good setting. I liked the time period (1914). The author did a good job of showing what life was like during this time period. It was interesting to learn about early fire fighting techniques. While A Worthy Heart is the second book in the series, you can easily read it as a stand-alone book. However, the first book is a pleasure to read and will help you understand Rylan, Colleen, and Adam. I see more books by Susan Anne Mason in my reading future. I received a complimentary copy of A Worthy Heart from the publisher courtesy of The Book Club Network, Inc. In exchange for an honest review of the novel.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Maggie Montgomery and her brother Gabe are thrilled to finally visit New York, with Ireland on the brink of civil war and Maggie wanting to escape a broken engagement there is no better time to visit their older brother in America. Rylan and his new wife run an orphanage and Maggie and Gabe plan on not only visiting but helping out where needed, little do they know that Maggie is wanting her stay to be more.. permanent. She immediately sets off looking for employment but she quickly runs into trouble, her ex-fiance. As if her heart wasn't already battered enough, the nice man she met at her sister-in-law's house turns out to be a convict. Will she never find anyone suitable? Or is there more than meets the eye? Despite everyone's warnings she and the felon, Adam, (also her sister-in-law's brother) start to become friends. Just when they think they might be able to make things work, a horrible bout of typhoid wreaks havoc on the orphanage. Will God be able to see them through? Will Gabe and his new love interest be able to weather the storm? Set in pre-world war I New York this Christian romance will have reader's asking for me. It is the second in an installment, but I was able to read it just fine without having read the first one first. For fans of inspirational and historical romance.I received this book for free from Bethany House Bloggers in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Sunday, February 21, 2016A Worthy Heart by Susan Anne Mason, © 2016Courage to Dream series, Book 2Now, on to Adam O'Leary's story. He kept to himself in Book 1, Irish Meadows, scowling when he did appear.Book 2 - A Worthy Heart ~ Adam O'Leary, newly released from prison, searches to make a new life for himself in New York. The feisty Maggie Montgomery, visiting from Ireland, makes him wish he was a better man - worthy of her heart!Visiting for the summer, Gabe Montgomery and their sister, Maggie, join their brother, Rylan, and his family in New York City, traveling from Cork County, Ireland, their home. Gabe has come as a chaperone for his sister. Surprises await them as they take to the change. Gabe is a firefighter back home and volunteers at a nearby station to take back new skills to his station in Cork. Called upon to go with the fire crew to put out a fire, it is the home of a young woman he met at a gathering at O'Leary's Irish Meadows horse farm. (Rylan's wife is the former Colleen O'Leary.)Maggie enjoys being at the orphanage her brother, Rylan, oversees. Working with the children is a delight. One drawback is missing her mother back home. But an adventure, for sure. Especially when she meets the stable hand at Irish Meadows, seeing him for the second time, after sending him flying from watching them at play at the orphanage yard.A favorite character who stood out to me is John McNabb, pastor at the Shepherd of Good Hope Church. He was such an encourager to Adam O'Leary through many dismays and mishaps upon Adam's return to society. He had frequently visited Adam in prison and gave him an open invitation to come see him when he was released.Adam O'Leary's character showed what faith in God and falling back on his own view of himself erupted change ~ for the better or to downfall. The strength that he portrayed upheld assurance invested by those who believed in him, so much stronger than defeat could prevail. This is a wonderful story of hope and dreams being realized, even with despair and starting over, again and again. Forgiveness and doing right, regardless of how he was received, opened the door to discovery and reconciliation.Adam bent to pick up a couple of flat rocks and skipped them out over the water, watching the ensuing ripples skitter toward the shore. Events in his life resembled these stones, cast out into new territory, each creating its own set of ripples and consequences. Adam might not understand the way God worked in his life, but he had to trust it was all for the greater good.--A Worthy Heart, 274All of these characters were fittingly portrayed in a story of their own. Very strong building and thought out content. Conflict and support very vivid. I would like to see a further story containing the other two Montgomery brothers mentioned back in Ireland ~ and a continued series of Rylan and Colleen's children. A lot of writing forthcoming, I hope!***Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for sending me a review copy of Susan Anne Mason's second book in her Courage to Dream series, A Worthy Heart. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***The third and final book in the Courage to Dream series releases under the title, Love's Faithful Promise, and is the story of the younger O'Leary children when they become adults. The book is ready for pre-order and releases in September 2016.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Title: A Worthy Heart (Courage to Dream Series #2)Author: Susan Anne MasonPages: 400Year: 2016Publisher: BethanyMy rating is 5+ stars. When Irish Meadows the first book in the series was released, I read it with a voracious appetite! Now, having just completed A Worthy Heart, I am not exactly sure what to write. You see it really is so good and entertaining with suspense, mystery, faith and romance it defies my ability to write a review, but I will make an attempt.There are two families that are central to the novel’s suspense and romance: One family lives in America and the other family lives in Ireland. In America, the Montgomery family has various business ventures that have obtained success, but not all is happy in their home. In Ireland, the O’Leary family has Ryland now joined by his brother Gabriel and their sister Maggie. Some of the O’Leary family has chosen to remain in Ireland. There are hints that a war may be brewing with Ireland being pulled into the fracas by Britain as they are under British rule.I loved how the author wove several characters’ personalities and their own lives with the bigger picture. Each person in the two families has their own story to tell along with where their personal faith is or where it isn’t and for some we get to know why. The society era the story is placed in is during a time when people married within their own social class, and the father had much to say about who his daughter could or couldn’t marry.In the novel, there are troubles that stretch some characters’ faith that I am sure some real people can identify with today. One theme that seemed most prevalent throughout the book was redemption and how in the characters’ settings some needed a second chance to prove how God had changed them.I sure hope the author is planning more novels in the future whether for this series or something new as she can tell a good story with such realism that people are bound to be drawn into this fictional world. Last but not least to mention in the books is the telling theme of how much higher, brighter and different God’s love is from any human being’s love. Terrific and touching themes, characters and more await those who open the Courage to Dream series!Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    A Worthy Heart was a book that I never wanted to end, and wish there was another book in this series, such a joy to page turn!This is the second book in this series, and yes I loved the first, and they can both stand alone, but they are so good you will be quickly attached to O’Leary family.Two more members of the Montgomery family arrive from Ireland and quickly become involved in this growing family. We are updated on what has happened since we left Irish Meadows, and now Colleen and Rylan have adopted delightful Delia.We are reunited with the outcast of the family Adam O’Leary, as he is released from jail. Now I did not like Adam in the previous book, but he appears to be a changed man? We are about to discover what he is really about.This story has a bit of everything, a few romances, and we wonder who will end up with whom. There is a stalker, and we meet the famous Mary Brown, a real person, and the sad wake she leaves behind.I really enjoyed this book, the characters are so rich and real, and I felt I was walking the streets of New York City, and entering St Patrick’s, I could almost hear the organ playing. Don’t miss this one!I received this book through Bethany House Blogger Program, and was not required to give a positive review.

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A Worthy Heart (Courage to Dream Book #2) - Susan Anne Mason

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