The Heart's Haven

While I usually enjoy Jill Barnett’s characters, these two left a lot to be desired. There were also missed opportunities to develop both the narrative and the relationship, and a sad lack of her trademark humor.

Hallie Frediksen has had a teenage crush on Kit Howland for a long time but has avoided him since spilling soup on him two years ago. Fate throws them together when Hallie's father is lost at sea and Kit is named as guardian to her and her four younger siblings. When Kit's aunt Maddie finds Kit in Hallie's bed one morning, they are to be married immediatley to avoid scandal. Kit agrees to marry Hallie and is irresistibly attracted to Hallie but he doesn't trust his heart to her after his previous wife cuckholded him and then died in a carriage accident with her lover. Will Hallie persuade Kit to open her heart to her? Will kit ever trust another woman? Jill Barnett writes with style and it is always a joy to read her books, which are always filled with witty banter, funny incidents, sensual and tender moments. Hallie and her younger siblings provide funny antics, which you will smile at. Hallie is a strong heroine and Kit makes a caring hero. You will not be disappointed with Jill Barnett. Lealing

Hallie Fredriksen's father was lost at sea. To her great surprise, he had named his whaling agent friend, Kit Howland, as guardian of her and her younger siblings. Three years ago, Hallie was infatuated with Kit, and clumsily poured hot chowder in his lap. In her embarrassment, she hasn't been able to face him since. Now she will be forced to see him, and when she does, the familiar stirrings return. This time, however, her feelings are reciprocated, because Kit can't keep his hands off the beautifully grown up Hallie. Betrayed in love by his now deceased wife, he fights his desire for Hallie, sensing the danger she represents to his hardened heart. Fate intervenes, and they have no choice but to marry. Hallie will not only have to battle to melt her husband's heart, but a threat to their family puts their lives in peril. This was an early novel by Ms. Barnett, and one of the first books of hers I read. It was quite good, but looking back I can see tremendous growth in her writing since this. Kit's reason for keeping Hallie at bay is a little clichéd, but excellent writing, interesting characters, and the added humor ultimately make the story work. If you haven't read anything by Ms. Barnett, I wouldn't recommend beginning with this one. Instead, try SURRENDER A DREAM, or BEWITCHING and its sequel DREAMING, all of which represent some of her best work. If you're already a fan of this author, then this book is worth the read.

Hallie Fredriksen's father was lost at sea, she was shocked to discover that he had named Kit Howland to be her guardian. This was a man who she had always thought was hansome but who she had poured hot soup over during their last meeting.Hallie is left to care for her brothers and sisters when her father goes to see. This time it has been a long trip and everyone is starting to get antsy about his return. When one of her sisters breaks the branches off an apple tree in their neighbors yard and he demands payment she goes to the bank only to end up having to deal with Kit.Kit is very surprised to see she has grown up and doesn't even recognize her at first. He is drawn to her though he still fights the demons of his late wife.There is fires, loss and gain in this story. I liked it and recommend it to anyone who likes period romances from the American West Coast.

This book - like all of Jill Barnett's books - is absolutely hysterical. The problems that accident-prone Hallie gets into are truly hillarious and are some that I think we can all identify with in one way or another. I've read this book 3 times now and each time I read it I find things that I missed the time before. If you like her other books, then this one is definitely a must have. It picks you up and carries you away to another place full of adventure, humor and more than a little bit of romance. So fill up the tub, pour in the Calgon and take off with this book!