This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Rachelle Ayala is an award-winning USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance and romantic suspense. She has written more than fifty romances, from sweet to sultry, and is a writing teacher with her Romance in a Month method. Visit her Reader's Guide at http://rachelleayala.net/books/ for a list of books, audiobooks, and heat level.
Reviewed by Natasha Jackson for Readers' Favorite
Rachelle Ayala’s "Hidden Under Her Heart" is a wild roller coaster ride of emotions, drama and choices. Maryanne is a dedicated nurse who is a total failure at relationships; at least she thinks so, and has vowed to remain celibate until she finds a suitable man to marry. Then there is Lucas, a lapsed law student-turned-athlete. Lucas is charming, funny and sweet and of course, Maryanne is besotted. To Maryanne however, Lucas is more besotted with his triathlon, so she goes where all good celibate girls to find love: church.
Thinking that a “nice religious man” would be her savior ends up being Maryanne’s downfall but it is also what gives this tale such emotional depth. What is great about this story is that Ayala does not beat the reader over the head with her beliefs on reproductive rights and plunges the reader to heart of the matter as it stands to Maryanne, which is really what matters. The growth of Lucas from an immature boy to a man was spectacular and shows the mark of a great storyteller. The bond between Maryanne and Lucas grows from simple fondness to deep love, forcing them both to decide what things are important and what is just window dressing. At times Maryanne’s naivete will make you want to grab her and shake her, but Ayala does a great job of painting a picture of what a woman who has been victimized to this degree feels. Overall this was a compelling tale that was beautifully written.
