My Stubborn Heart [Kindle Edition]

Becky Wade (Author)

Book Description

A Sensational CBA Debut in Contemporary Romance

Kate Donovan is burned out on work, worn down by her dating relationships, and in need of an adventure. When her grandmother
asks Kate to accompany her to Redbud, Pennsylvania, to restore the grand old house she grew up in, Kate jumps at the chance,
takes a leave of absence from her job as a social worker, and the two of them set off.

Upon her arrival in Redbud, Kate meets Matt Jarreau, the man her grandmother has hired to renovate the house. From the first moment
she meets Matt, Kate can't help but be attracted to him--he's got a combination of good looks and charisma that draw and tug at her. But she knows there's zero chance of a romance between them. Matt's in love with his dead wife, and even if he weren't, Kate realizes that she's way too ordinary for him. For Matt Jarreau is no ordinary guy. Kate discovers that he was once a great NHL hockey player who left the sport when his wife--an honest-to-goodness former Miss America--was diagnosed with brain cancer. Matt's been hiding from people, from God, and from his past ever since. Yet Kate is absolutely determined to befriend him, to try to reach him, to help him in some small way.

No, Kate's not looking for love. She knows better than that by now. But when the stilted, uncomfortable interactions between Kate and
Matt slowly shift into something more, is God finally answering the longing of her heart? Or will Kate be required to give up more than she ever dreamed?

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Kate Donovan is burned out on work, worn down by her dating relationships, and in need of an adventure. When her grandmother asks her to accompany her to Redbud, Pennsylvania, to restore the grand old house she grew up in, Kate jumps at the chance.

Upon her arrival in Redbud, Kate meets Matt Jarreau, the man hired to renovate the house. Kate can't help being attracted to him, drawn by both his good looks and something else she can't quite put her finger on. He's clearly wounded--hiding from people, from God, and from his past. Yet Kate sets her stubborn heart on bringing him out of the dark and back into the light...whether he likes it or not.

When the stilted, uncomfortable interactions between Kate and Matt slowly shift into something more, is God finally answering the longing of her heart? Or will Kate be required to give up more than she ever dreamed?

"A beautiful story that proves sometimes falling in love is a matter of faith. Becky Wade creates characters readers will love."
--Lisa Wingate, national bestselling author of Blue Moon Bay and Dandelion Summer

"I love finding new authors, and Becky Wade is definitely one to watch. Her debut novel offers romance, laughter, and poignancy. The perfect combination for a night out with you and your book."
--Deeanne Gist, bestselling author of A Bride Most Begrudging and Love on the Line

"A feisty heroine, romance, and comedy make this a fabulous debut and Wade an author to follow. Recommended to readers who enjoy Melody Carson." --Library Journal [Starred Review]


"Wade creates charming characters, with great development, who make the reader really invested in the outcome of this heartwarming tale that proves the power of relying on faith." --RT Book Reviews

About the Author

Becky Wade is a graduate of Baylor University. As a newlywed, she lived for three years in a home overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, as well as in Australia, before returning to the States. A mom of three young children, Becky and her family now live in Dallas, Texas. Visit her Web site at www.beckywade.com.

Product Details

• File Size: 1036 KB
• Print Length: 355 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0764209744
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (May 1, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0073UPSLQ
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #72,627 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Becky Wade is the Queen of Emotion! April 27, 2012

By Katy Lee, Author

Format:Paperback

Normally, I am a fast reader, but this author had me slowing down to absorb each and every exceptionally placed word on the page. I didn't want it to end...even though parts of it hurt to read. A lot.

HEROINE: Kate Donovan has prayed for a husband and has now come to the town of Redbud, PA for a break from her childrens' services/social work job, which having worked in a simliar position, I can understand the need for a break. She's there to renovate her grandmother's childhood home. She's spunky and quick-witted. She's petite and funny. She has a beautiful, pure heart and someone I would love to be friends with. The one thing I wished differently for her was that she wasn't so down on herself about her looks. Yes, she had been dumped a few times, but even the beautiful people of the world have been. I didn't see any past experience in her life that would make her see herself in this light.

BUT having said that...I suppose when the hero is some beautiful, world famous athelete who could have any woman in the world, ANY simple woman would wonder if she was worthy to be on the arm of that guy.

And speaking of the HERO: Matt Jarreau is all that! I typically don't like jocks, because of their ego, but he is the exception. The story is not so much about his ability, but about his pain. He is wounded and hiding. Yes, he is beautiful, but he is not superficial, and, man, does he know how to treat a woman--when he sets his heart on her. He has a family who loves him and hates to see him hurt. They pray for him. They pray for someone to reach him. And God answers that prayer.

But sometimes God doesn't answer our prayers the way we think He should. And that's all I will say about that. :)

READ IT! You'll be glad you did.... My Stubborn Heart is filled with insight and great writing, tidbits to take away and ponder later...and even savor.

A thank you goes to the publisher for sending this to me in return for an honest review. Read more ›

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I Loved This Book! April 23, 2012

By Dawn M. Crandall

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This was one of those books I had no doubt I would love from the very beginning. I literally began reading it the moment I received it in the mail.... even though I had weeks before I needed to write a review for the blog tour. I'd never heard of Becky Wade before Litfuse offered me the chance to be on the author's blog tour. I'd never heard of the book either, but something about it caught my attention from first sight. Perhaps it was the cover, which was done extremely well. Or perhaps it was because it was about a rather hot, once-famous, wounded and brooding hockey legend hiding in his small hometown of Rosebud, PA working as a contractor just to stay busy. And btw, Rosebud is sincerely the cutest name of a town I have ever heard of. Oh, and the heroine is also as cute as a button, an Audrey Hepburn-look-alike with long red hair. Oh, and there's a two hundred year old elaborate mansion to be refinished, a seventy-something grandmother reconnecting with her school-hood friends-- and this gorgeous, silent man doing all of the renovations.
I wouldn't say that the book was divided 50/50 between the two main characters-- I think Kate's perspective took up more words than Matt's did-- and I have to say that I liked it. The reader got just enough of Matt's side of the story to understand what kind of torture he was going through.
I don't read a ton of contemporary romance-- mostly historical-- but I must say, if there were more there like this one, I would be eating them up. There was never a dull moment, and I just wanted to keep reading and reading and reading-- and I did so although I was sick with a head cold and really should have been getting my much-needed rest!... I liked the title-- it described Kate to perfection-- though to her credit, she wasn't stubbornly seeking a romantic relationship with this broodingly handsome Adonis of men, but stubbornly offering him her friendship-- which ended up making all the difference. And I loved Matt's character. As a widow, still deeply disturbed by his young wife's death, Becky Wade did a masterful job in getting him through his grief and to a place where he could love again. He was so well-written!
I also have to say something about the prologue and the epilogue. They were written omnisciently about the two main characters and turned out to be perfect thing for "book-ending" this book cover to cover.
I am so looking very forward to seeing what's next from Becky Wade. I love finding new authors to follow! Read more ›

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Favorite book this year! May 25, 2012

By kenziekylanmom1

Format:Paperback

Dare I say that this was one of my favorite book of the year? I've already read so many wonderful books this year but this was one that really struck a cord in my heart. It's all about Kate, her faith in God and on a rare note we find the author also writes as the male character Matt and his struggles after losing his wife to cancer. It's a different type of romance novel then I'm used to reading and I LOVED it. I can't wait to see what Becky has in store for us in the future, she's a talented author and storyteller and I know we will see many more fantastic books from her in the future. I give My Stubborn Heart 5 out of 5 stars because I didn't have one slow part in the whole book. The author is knowledgeable about antiques, hockey, the Dallas area and the love of God and how He always knows what's best for us.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My Stubborn Heart April 20, 2012

By Jana Chester

Format:Paperback

My Stubborn Heart loves this book! I absloutely loved Kate Donovan's character! She is fun, witty, spunky, determined and someone any woman would want as a friend. I neglected all daily chores to finish this book and couldn't wait to find out what happened with Matt and Kate. I loved the descriptions of the people, places and antiques throughout the book. This was an awesome read!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't stop reading. April 20, 2012

By Jane Jones

Format:Paperback

Becky Wade does a phenomenal job in her first novel! I laughed, I cried and stayed up all night finishing it. I was quickly drawn into the lives of Matt and Kate and couldn't put the book down until I knew the ending to their journey. Buy this book, it won't disappoint you.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars My Stubborn Heart May 11, 2012

By Tammi Dearing

Format:Kindle Edition

My Stubborn Heart is the first novel that I have read by Becky Wade.

Overall I enjoyed the story. I found the characters to be very likeable, although at times, a little quirky. The problems were realistic, and at times seemed overwhelming to the characters, but they were solved in believable ways. The book also was humorous at times, as well as, heartbreaking. I liked the way Becky was able to make the characters pop off the page, and her scene description is impeccable.

There were some things I didn't like, things that bothered me personally. I found the use of course language to be out of place in a Christian novel. I do realize that the author intended for the story to be as realistic as possible, but it didn't suit my taste and I ended up skipping parts of conversations because of it.

Another thing that didn't seem right, was the mention of yoga, as exercise. I am not going to be to elaborate here, but in my opinion it is not a God honoring activity. You may feel differently, that is something between you and God. Although I urge you to research its origins and make an informed decision.

Like I said earlier, I enjoyed the story; and I think that I would choose to read another book by Becky Wade if the opportunity arose.

I give My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade 4 out of 5 stars.

**My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade was provided for me free by Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest review.

More About the Author

During her childhood in California, Becky frequently produced homemade plays starring her sisters, friends, and cousins. These plays almost always featured a heroine, a prince, and a love story with a happy ending. She's been a fan of all things romantic ever since.

Becky and her husband lived overseas in the Caribbean and Australia before settling in Dallas, Texas. It was during her years abroad that Becky's passion for reading turned into a passion for writing. She published three historical romances with Avon Books, then put her career on hold for several years to care for her kids, then recently returned to writing sheerly for the love of it. She felt led to move to the genre of contemporary Christian romance and couldn't be more thrilled with it.

These days Becky can be found failing but trying to keep up with her housework, sweating at the gym, carting her kids around town, playing tennis, hunched over her computer, eating chocolate, or collapsed on the sofa watching TV with her husband.