I had a slow start in liking this story, but by the end I was fully into the story. Can be easily read as a stand alone book, but if reading the series, this story is about Esther Cherrett, the daughter of the main characters in book one. Esther leaves the home and family she loves because of a scandal and finds herself taking a job as a teacher (instead of a midwife) in the mountains of Virginia. There she will discover and be in the middle of a long standing family feud that will eventually turn deadly. To top that off she is being sought after by two different men, from the feuding families. One will win her heart, if she doesn't run away again. ( )

Esther Cherrett has had a pampered upbringing that resulted in a spoiled, self-absorbed young woman...until one night changed her life completely. Afterwards, Esther's life is filled with regret, shame, and self-loathing...so much so, that she decides that she can no longer stay with her parents or even in their hometown. Esther decides to leave in the middle of the night and take a chance on a new life, in which no one knows her or her terrible secrets. When she arrives at the very rustic mountain community she is to teach for, she begins to wonder just what she signed up for. Two families are virtually at war with one another and all sides suffer. Can Esther help to bring peace to this community or will her sins of the past interfere with her future...will love conquer all or fuel the fires of familial war that needs to be extinguished before all are consumed in its' inferno.

This was a good end to The Midwives series my Ms. Eakes. I enjoyed seeing characters from the previous two novels and learning what had happened to them, as well as becoming acquainted with new ones. ( )

Review can also be seen on blog here http://crossromance.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/choices-of-heart-by-laurie-alice-eake...

Choices of the Heart was another first with a new author for me. Once again, I read this title the third in a trilogy without having read the other two. Perhaps I really ought to start reading series at the beginning as intended!

The story itself was good enough, with a fairly original concept and some interesting characters. It was not hard to sympathise with poor Esther, who it seemed really could not have done anything that bad, yet was effectively driven out of her hometown by the hatred of his neighbours. The device of the feuding families adds tension and danger .

Esther, though hurting and in many ways still afraid was a strong and bold enough character, as were the two male leads Zach and Griff, both of whom were manly men with a soft side who seemed to genuinely care for the city girl thrown into their midst.
Some of the minor characters were also likeable for their unique characteristics or personalities, like Zach’s sister, with her desire to like the well-bred uptown ladies, and the mischievous younger children. The elements of faith, and meaningful messages also seemed to be woven well into the story, with some passages that really spoke to me. Some of the descriptions of Medical practices and herbal or ‘folk’ remedies could prove interesting.

Yet Choices of the Heart is not a story I would list among my favourites. It was pleasant and enjoyable but probably not a book I liked enough to want to keep and read over and over. Like another book I read this year, it seems to be that this novel it about standard fare for this genre. There were some elements that could make it stand out, like the heroine being a member of a profession that doesn’t seem to get much coverage.

Yet there also seemed to be a certain amount of (forgive the term) ‘fluffy’ romance. The hurting protagonist having to overcome their personal demons, emotional angst and painful past or risk losing the opportunity to embrace true love is a formula that may have been used before.
Really also, Esther’s behaviour did at times seem a little inconsistent, with her being afraid of getting close to any man one minute, then letting him kiss her the next.

Some things seemed a little too quick and easy, such as Esther’s overcoming of her religious doubts. As I recall in one place she was convinced God had abandoned her entirely, and that she would have to leave, then not long afterwards realizing this was not the case and getting reconciled with Griff.
A little bit of a too easily and quickly wrapped up resolution perhaps, after all the tension and high emotion? This tension itself could be argued to be a little too dependent on overly dramatic events, with one stabbing and one shooting... in about 100 pages.....

Overall Choices of the Heart was a good read, but it is still not a period setting that I find myself too enamoured by, and the story did always seem to really stand out from a lot of others in the genre.

I received a copy of this book free on request from the publisher for review. All the opinions expressed therein are my own. ( )

Ah the title is correct...what are the choices of our heart? The story takes place 1840 Virginia, a very different world than today. Young Esther Cherrett is a young woman what has been rather spoiled during her life, she is the only daughter. Her father is a Pastor, and her mother is a Midwife, who learned her skills from her mother and has passed them down to Esther. Esther does have a big problem...she is a terrible flirt, and when things go awry, she is blamed. No one will believe she is innocent...she has a reputation, and is not able to live it down.
She decides to take a teaching job, way up in the Mountains of Virginia. What she has run away from is now mild compared to what is going on here. More like the Hatfields and the McCoys...or the Tollivers and the Gosnolls. Brookses. Neffs. It appears that there is so little value for human life. They really are all related, and Mrs Tolliver is a sister to Mrs Brooks....terrible.
Esther is now giving up her medical knowledge...not, and going to be teaching. She is also being looked at as a potential wife for either Zach Brook or Griff Tolliver. Even though her past haunts her, she is not looking for a husband.
Loved looking at this beautiful Mountain area through Esther's eyes...so wonderful. This is a page turning, and compelling read. Travel back to old time Virginia, and enjoy!

I received this book through Revell's review program, and was not required to give a positive review. ( )

CHOICES OF THE HEART by Laurie Alice Eakes is an exciting inspirational historical romance set in the western mountains of Virginia in 1842. It is book 3 in "The Midwives" but can be read as a stand alone. See, "Lady of the Mist" and "Heart's Safe Passage". Filled with deception,a Midwife,suspense,secrets,lies,scandal,seeking refuge,feuding,trust,faith,mountain people,romance, love, and a bittersweet loss. Follow, Ester Cherret,a Midwive,who is running away from a scandal,Zack Brooks and Griff Tolliver,mountain folk on a mission, on a journey of secrets,danger,and "Choices of the Heart". A fast paced story that is bittersweet at times,filled with faith,and love at others. Be warned, Ms. Eakes has woven a story with realistic characters that will have you turning pages with your heart in your throat. The plot is intriguing with realistic actions. You will be sucked into the drama and the people of the Mountains of Virginia during the 1840's. A must read for anyone who enjoys historical romance, Mountain people, and love. Received for an honest review from the publisher. For more information visit the author's website,Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group and My Book Addiction and More.

“Available January 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

RATING: 4.5

HEAT RATING: SWEET

REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction and More/My Book Addiction Reviews ( )