Customer Reviews

Hannah Grace (Daughters of Jacob Kane, Book 1)

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

HANNAH GRACE by Sharlen MacLaren is an enjoyable historical novel set in 1903. Hannah Grace, along with her two sisters, help her father run the family general store. Hannah is spunky, strong, and not afraid to say what is on her mind. Engaged to the town doctor, she feels her life is pretty much planned out for her. That is, until Gabriel Devlin, the new sheriff shows up in town.
Gabe Devlin shows up in Sandy Shores to take his post as the new sheriff. Unbeknownst to him, a runaway boy has stowed himself in Gabe's wagon. Jesse is disheveled, undernourished, and mute. Gabe spreads word of the imp in hopes of finding his parents, or at least an explanation for his runaway tendencies.
Hannah and Gabe get off on the wrong foot when Gabe brings Jesse to the general store. Hannah immediately assumes that Gabe is an unfit parent as she spies Jesse's ragged clothes and holey shoes. Gabe is instantly frustrated by Hannah when she treats him like yesterday's trash. But, he doesn't let on that he's the new sheriff, leaving Hannah to completely humiliate herself when she seeks out the new sheriff to raise a complaint about the man she met in her store and his neglected son.
The instant dislike that both Hannah and Gabe feel for each other begins to blur as they spend more time together, as they both decide to look after Jesse. Confused by her feelings, Hannah doesn't know what to do about her pending engagement. She realizes she's not in love with Ralston Van Huff but has an even harder time convincing herself that the growing feelings she has for Gabe is indeed love.
The pace of the book takes off as you learn Jesse's story and why it is he's on the run. It's up to Gabe to protect the little boy he's come to think of as a son, and Hannah Grace, the woman he's falling in love with.
HANNAH GRACE was a pleasure to read. The spirited characters MacLaren created were fun and believable. Though historical romance books often have the same plot outlines, HANNAH GRACE had some interesting twists that made for a fresh read.

One of my favorite series of books is Shar MacLaren's Little Hickman Creek series. In the first book, "Loving Liza Jane", I was just captivated with her writing style, the storyline, the settings and the characters. She didn't disappoint in the following books either. I was sad to see that series end. So when I heard that she was writing the Daughters of Jacob Kane series I knew I wanted to check it out right away! So I delved into Hannah Grace and am so pleased to say that the settings, characters and storylines have changed - but Shar's writing style is fully intact and she has another series that is sure to be a winner. I really liked Hannah Grace and can't wait to see where she takes us with Maggie Rose and Abi Ann. She has picked another unique time and place and put a cast of characters around Hannah that made for a delightful jaunt everytime I opened the book. A new sheriff, a mute orphan, dad, 2 sisters, a band of murderers and thieves - a general store (I've always been delighted by general stores, maybe it's a Little House on the Prairie thing, I don't know), a growing town and the year 1904. It's fantastic. I'm already looking forward to the next one!

Perfect for : Personal reading, book club read

In a nutshell: This is a very enjoyable book. I was instantly pulled into the story. The Kane family is wonderful, and Hannah Grace (the eldest Kane daughter) is a wonderful and spirited young woman. She meets the new sheriff, Gabe Devlin, under strange circumstances, basically accusing him of abusing the boy he is with, who quickly runs out of the family store, Kane's Whatnot, causing Gabe to run after him, and Hannah to later storm into the Sheriff's office where she comes face to face with Gabe. I just love the pace of the book. It kept my attention riveted from start to finish. This is a fun read.

Extended Review:

Characters: I fell in love with the Kane family: daughters Hannah Grace, Abbie Ann and Maggie Rose , father Jacob Kane, and grandmother Helena. Gabe is the new sherrif in town, and he unknowingly brings Jesse Gant with him. Each character is wonderfully different from the others and helps the story to unfold in a way that keeps the reader's attention.

Story-Line: The book starts with a spirited discussion in the Kane household, and maintains its momentum throughout the book. I loved the intrigue surrounding Jesse, and the position it put Hannah Grace and Sherrif Devlin into.

Readability: I thought this book was an easy read and enjoyable from start to finish.

Overall: I absolutely love the cover! Isn't it beautiful?? I really enjoyed the book, and will be recommending it at my next book club. I will also keep my eyes out for the next book in the series!

Oh my heavenly stars, I absolutely fell in love with Sharlene MacLaren's writing! She is another new-to-me author and also one that is on my favorite author list!! I was so excited to have the chance to review "Hannah Grace", the first book in The Daughters of Jacob Kane series. This book did not disappoint me in anywany!

In this good, clean, sweet and sassy historical, Sharlen MacLaren introduces us to Hannah Grace, the eldest of Jacob Kane's sassy bunch. I was captured from page one, in which the story completely wrapped around my heart and pulled me into this heart-warming, God-filled story. When I met Hannah, my mother instincts kicked in and wanted to guide her in every way. But, boy when I met her beau, Ralston, I was inclined to want to pop him upside his head and tell him "wake up and don't be dimwitted!". And there was the matter of sweet Jesse Gant and the Sheriff Devlin who was looking after him. Both just stole my heart away!

I really enjoyed this fast paced read. I found myself often wishing the story wouldn't end. I laughed so much through this story. It's filled to over flowing with humor, love, family and friends coming together in times of crisis, over coming the problem by trusting in God and fully relying on His will.

This book is one worthy of 5 star praises and so much more. Please don't hesitate to take a chance with this book. It's truly an excellent story and I'm anxious to see what's happening to "Maggie Rose", Jacob Kane's middle daughter and book 2 in the series!

Hannah Grace, eldest daughter of Jacob Kane, has her life planned. She works at her father's general store with a mind to own it in the future. She's courting the town's physician. She's feisty and strong-willed, yet practical. And then comes Sheriff Gabriel Devlin, strong, outspoken, and a Christian to boot. Both Hannah Grace and the Sheriff have sworn off romantic entanglements, but a little boy from the historic Orphan Train moves in and untangles those intentions.

You cannot put the book down. MacLaren weaves a well-written tale, full of intrigue and surprises, that climaxes in an unexpected twist at the end. You will enjoy this story, and you'll never forget the urchin who grabs your heart from first mention.

MacLaren's career with books, including her acclaimed Through Every Storm, a finalist for Book of the Year (2007) by American Christian Fiction Writers, follows her 30-year career as a teacher. She's a native of Michigan, with a husband, two daughters and three grandchildren.

This is a wonderful historical. I was happy to see it is the first in a series about Jacob Kane's interesting daughters. The first book focueses on Hannah Grace. She loves working in the family's store and is courting the town doctor Ralston Van Huff. Is he the one she is supposed to spend her life with? Then the new sheriff, Gabriel Devlin, moves to town and just happens to be cute and godly. He discovers a stowaway little boy who cannot speak in his stuff. Hannah Grace finds herself loving the little boy and questioning her feelings for the new sheriff. There is the problem of what the boy's name and history is of course. Gabriel means to discover both and in the process uncovers more than just facts. This is not just a love story. I loved Long Journey Home (contempary story) by this author and I have two more of her historicals on my TBR shelf. Definately recommended. :)

Really enjoyed this book from start to finish. The characters were people you cared about. Can't wait to read the next one. Thank you for such a wonderful journey.

This is the series The Daughters of Jacob Kane. This is the first book in that series and it started out beautifully. Jacob Kane has three daughters and the oldest is Hannah Grace. I became quite partial to her, but will probably feel the same about the others as I read their stories. I'm really glad I got the whole series to read and review.
I really love Hannah's attitude about the little orphan boy Jesse. How both Hannah and Gabe take care of him, her during the day and him in the evenings and nights. First Jesse won't talk because he's been through some awful things, but Hannah and Gabe love him anyway and give him the security and peace he needs.
Both Hannah and Gabe aren't looking for love with each other, but sometimes when you aren't looking for something it gets you.
Hannah at first is really serious about the Dr. in town, but she hasn't asked the Lord if he was the one. I like this book because it tells us that God is interested in our little lives and He cares about every little thing we go through. He just wants us to talk to Him and really listen for His answer.
This is a sweet love story, but also has a lot of danger and adventure in it. I love how the criminals are after Jesse and how God takes care of them. You won't put Hannah Grace down until you are finished. It is an excellent book to read and keep on your book shelf. Easily a 5-star book. I highly recommend Hannah Grace.

Thank you to Whitaker House for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Hannah Grace was a great book, and easy to get hooked! The story was filled with God's words that helped bring to life how seeking Him each day is important. Also, a good story of love from many aspects. Great book to start of a great series of the Kane sisters

I always feel blessed when I win anything, especially an autographed book. The only downfall is the pressure of whether or not I'm going to like the story, knowing the nice thing would be to later let the author know what I thought of it. Having never read any of Sharlene MacLaren's books added to my worries.

I admired the front cover of HANNAH GRACE for a while before opening the book to the first page. It only took me HALF A PAGE to realize any fears of not liking Sharlene's writing, to disappear. By the end of the first chapter I knew not only was she an amazing writer on so many levels, I was quickly falling in love with the characters.

I love to have a picture of the hero on the cover. It bothers me to not know what he looks like beyond the story description. The front cover of HANNA GRACE is wonderful, though I missed not having the hero on there as well. Upon day two into reading this wonderful book, I turned it over to study the back cover. To my utter surprise, there in the shadows was the hero! What a wonderful surprise that was.

As an aspiring writer, I was blown away by the great lines Sharlene delivered with humor that easily flowed rather then feeling forced and stiff. The hero and heroine were everything you'd want in a character, and so much more. You were even given a sense of who Hannah's sisters were, leaving you wanting to read their story as well.

I'll be ordering the other two books in this series, DAUGHTERS OF JACOB KANE, MAGIE ROSE and ABBIE ANN. I can't wait to get started on them. Sharlene has now made my list of favorite authors for I'll be looking for more of her great books in the future.