Defiant Heart Virtual Book Tour and Review

Publisher: Penfield Press (April 15, 2013)
Category: Historical Fiction, WWII, General Fiction
Tour Dates: April-Mid May, 2013
Available in: eBook, 385

Set against the backdrop of small town America on the eve of World War II, Defiant Heart features two extraordinary characters and one unforgettable love story.

In the spring of 1941, young Jon Meyer’s family dies in a tragic accident, and he is sent to live in a small Indiana town.  He arrives to find himself unwanted and shunned.

Mary Dahlgren is the daughter of the town’s mayor.  A pretty girl, she could have the pick of the boys in town, including Vernon King, the star of the vaunted high school basketball team.  To the chagrin of her friends, though, Mary has always been more interested in books than boys.  That is, until she meets Jon.

But Jon and Mary are kept apart by an insidious campaign orchestrated by Mary’s father, who perceives their relationship a threat to his political aspirations, and Vernon, to whom Jon is a rival for Mary’s affections.  For months Jon is subjected to a painful ostracism.  Then, just when the young man’s earnestness and perseverance begin to win over many of the townsfolk and it appears that love may conquer all, tragedy strikes.

As the country is caught up in war, so too are the young lovers swept up in events beyond their control, leaving both fighting for their very lives.  If, against the odds, they are to be together, each will need to find the strength, the courage and the resourcefulness that beat only in a defiant heart.

Praise for Marty Steere’s Award Winning Book, Sea of Crises:

“Steere’s high-octane suspense tale takes off with all the intrigue and honor of the best space-age Westerns and political thrillers.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Steere’s assured prose is compelling, and the book’s intriguing plot will keep readers turning pages until the very end.”—Publisher’s Weekly

“Author Marty Steere is brilliant!… The action is non-stop and fast-paced and is mixed with just the right amount of mystery to make a perfect thriller…. [The] plot is plausible, the characters are realistic, and the writing is superb…so stunning a read that you will be unable to stop reading until the very end.”—Readers Favorite

“Sea of Crises is a mystery set amongst exploration, very highly recommended.”—The Midwest Book Review  

“Marty Steere’s Sea of Crises drew me in, held me at the edge, and gave my hand a comforting squeeze when I couldn’t stand to see what happened next. This is a thriller with heart that will leave its readers satisfied they followed the Cartwright boys into a dangerous adventure.” —BookIdeas.com

“[P]ulse-pounding…. I highly recommend you check out Marty Steere’s novel Sea of Crises!”—BestsellersWorld.com

About Marty Steere:

The son of a career air force officer, Marty Steere grew up on or near military installations across the country and overseas before settling in Southern California, where, when he’s not writing, he practices law.  His debut novel, Sea of Crises, was named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best of 2012.

Marty Steere’s Website / Facebook / Goodreads

Buy Link

Amazon

Defiant Heart Web Tour Schedule

So Many Precious Books April 5 Review & Giveaway                                       

Books, Books & More Books April 8 Review                                         

Books, Books & More Books April 9 Guest Post

Dr Bill's Book Bazaar April 10 Review              

Raging Bibliomania April 11 Review                                           

Cuzinlogic April 12 Review                               

Literary Addicts April 12 Interview

Joy Story April 17 Review                                 

 Bookworm Brandee April  23 Review                   

Bookworm Brandee April  24 Guest Post

Green Mountain Couple April 25 Review                                                             
Broken Teepee April 26  Excerpt
 Every Free Chance May  2 Review & Giveaway

Book Lover's Library May 3 Review                             

Book Lover's Library May 3 Interview

My Devotional Thoughts May 6  Review & Giveaway

Bookalicious  May 7 Review                             

Recent Reads May 8 Review                            

No Wasted Ink May 8  Interview

Bass Giraffe May 9 Review & Giveaway

Romance & Inspriation May 10 Review                        
Book Mark Blog May 13 Review                                              

The Self Taught Cook May 14 Review & Giveaway

Teena in Toronto May 15 Review      

My 5 Star Review

First of I had to point out that I read this book in 27 hours, the reasons
1. I overbooked myself and did not realize it so I knew I would have to put some effort in the short amount of time I had.
2. This book was so good that I had no reason to put it down. The story totally balled me over. As a reviewer I am privilege to get books - for free *smile* - before most other readers get them. And as such I treat it with honor and absolute care, making sure I really put some effort into the review. The same way I would love others to treat my book.
With all that said let me give you my review of this great Historical Romance, Suspense and Action. You guess it *smile* my kind of book.
The detailed and precise accounts of the events in the book that made up the story line draws you in from the start. The author's careful constructed plot unfolding to capture your attention from page one and kept the pace till the very last page. The flow of the story never stopped to amaze you, keeping the energy at all times. Well written it will entertain young and old lovers of Historical books. The events and people live like and believable interweaves with the history period the book was written in.
1941, War in Europe was in full swing, Hitler was on the top making life hard for the European countries. America still stood at the side watching as the war unfolds until that fateful day when Pearl Harbor was attacked.
The story begins months before the attack as we are introduced to the young man Jon Meyer, 16 years old, just lost his whole family, Jewish and living with the only living relative he had. Marvella Wilson, his grandmother. From the start this woman was cold towards him, keeping him at a distance. We learn quickly the reasons behind this evasiveness. The prejudice of people unfolding in the story line. As a piano teacher they finally found a bridge that would restore the relationship and set them on a better path.
What a beautiful young man, his character clearly defined to bring you a strapping youngster that knew how to do things right and if he did not know he would read and explore always doing more what was expected from him until it was fixed.
Osticized because of his believes he ventures out of the small town, on a bike he had rebuild and met Ben Wheeler a pilot and ex boxer who trained him in things necessary for his survival. At that time we did not know precisely why but as the story unfolds you see the influence of this man on the youngster. And what a joy that was when Jon finally stood up for himself against the bullies of the school because of this man's patience and training. I loved it! Later on in war this man's influence could still be seen as Jon enters the war zone as a radio operator. Great character and dedicated to the two young people because of his own loss.
He fell in love with Mary Dahlgren 16, brilliant student and the daughter of the man who you would learn would be the ultimate villain in the story. I could strangle him myself. The bullies could go and learn some lessons in evilness from this man. You guessed it, I really did not like him - at all. Owner of the Hardware store you first meeting with the man was likable but as his notorious desire for power and influence grew you learn quickly to dislike him. 
Vernon King Bully Ooops bully had only one thing in mind...him... at the cost of everyone else around him and at the end it almost cost Mary her life and Jon to be send to war for a crime he did not commit. His natural abilities and willingness to take charge making him a hero, saving his friends and officers against all odds.
Friends who betrayed them, wrong loyalty bonds, lies and a self centered father tried to keep them apart. 
The war effort was in full swing and by the time Mary discovered that her beloved were in England she too went after him, joining the Woman corps to find him. 
There were so many good characters in this book that all helped to carry the story and make it real. Sam, Walt, some of the teachers, Penny a nurse that became a friend later on, Tommy, Shim...the list simply goes on. Every ones role well defined and at the end their friendship and companionship gave hope in times when there were none. 
The love story unfolds with so much care, compassion and heart ache but at the end love did conquer as every one pulled together to bring them together.
There is so much to be said about this book but I will stop here and would advice to buy the book, you will not be dissapointed. 
A highly recommended read for young and old.

Did you like this review?

Please like it on Amazon