Title: In The Heart of Paradise
Author: Jamie McGillen
Publisher: Self-published indie author
www.jamiemcgillen.com
Genre: Historical Fiction
In the Heart of Paradise was everything I had hoped for and more. It’s the third book in the ‘Rainier Series’ and reunites us with Anna and Ben Chambers. Anna is truly one of my favorite characters ever written and Anna & Ben together are #couplegoals.
Anna had already accomplished grand adventures and summiting mountains, but in this book she is finds herself with child and in for the biggest adventure yet. But, is she ready to settle down? Her body gives her warning signs early on in her pregnancy that maybe she should and she feels caught between protecting her family and living a fulfilling life on her terms. But maybe she can have both?
The other half of the book focuses on Anna’s new friend, Elizabeth. Elizabeth is a wonderfully written character that I think readers are really going to connect with. She struggles with nervous tendencies that have been getting worse as she’s explored becoming a nurse; inspired by her idol Florence Nightingale. She also begins courting a man and wonders how she will keep these “fits of mania” to herself and if he will want a girl like her if he knew the truth.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 In the Heart of Paradise at its core is about love. Love of a child. Love of caring for people. Love of your friends. Love of your family. Love of your town. The author does impeccable research with the time period details that she includes. I am swept away as if I am living in the early days. It humbles me to appreciate what I have and makes me wonder if I could live with less. I highly recommend this book and series. I hope the author continues it someday. I would love a book focusing on the Anna’s good friend Heather and the Duwamish culture.