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Hold My Heart
Barbara DelinskyHold My HeartGillian Montgomery is a talented artist with a loving family and promising future. But her life takes a shocking turn when she loses everything in a plane crash—and awakens from a coma seven weeks later. At first, she's What is she doing in a hospital in North Carolina? And who is the incredibly handsome stranger who's been visiting her every day? His name is Jed Dawson, a man she met in an art gallery. He's taken her under his wing—and into his heart—as a favor to the grandmother she never knew she had. As Gillian grows stronger each day, so do her feelings for Jed. And with every kiss, he restores her passion for life—with the power of love…
- GenresRomance
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 1982
61 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Delinsky
312 books4,371 followersI was born and raised in suburban Boston. My mother’s death, when I was eight, was the defining event of a childhood that was otherwise ordinary. I took piano lessons and flute lessons. I took ballroom dancing lessons. I went to summer camp through my fifteenth year (in Maine, which explains the setting of so many of my stories), then spent my sixteenth summer learning to type and to drive (two skills that have served me better than all of my other high school courses combined). I earned a B.A. in Psychology at Tufts University and an M.A. in Sociology at Boston College. The motivation behind the M.A. was sheer greed. My husband was just starting law school. We needed the money.
Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.
I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.
My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.
My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013. Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015. Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.
2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky
Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.
I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.
My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.
My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013. Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015. Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.
2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 28, 2018
Jill is the perfect submissive heroine. Yes, she’s had tragedies in her life, but wake up, girl! I didn’t like any of the characters very much, but . . . It did have a happy ending.
May 6, 2025
I liked both the H and h, and I loved the Appalachian background, but what kept me from giving this another star was some of the other characters. Both the h's mother and grandmother were wrong to stay away from each other so many years and only communicate through letters. Despite how their husbands' felt, they were mother and daughter and should NOT have let anything (or anyone) keep them apart!
The h's father, though he loved both his wife and daughter, was too possessive and over-protective, as well as selfish (though he didn't see it that way). He thought he had his reasons, but he was still wrong.
And why the h's parents decide to wait until a tragic accident tom tell their daughter a truth she should have been told years ago is beyond me! Just so ridiculous!!
I also think more time should have been devoted to the h and her grandmother getting to know each other, there wasn't enough of them together.
One thing I really liked, was the h returning after less than a week when she was upset and needed time to think. She realized she was being selfish running off and worrying her grandmother and then H. Too few h's think like that when they pull their disappearing act.
I also, liked the h's artistic career, being an amateur artist myself.
Despite its flaws, this was a good story, worth checking out.
The h's father, though he loved both his wife and daughter, was too possessive and over-protective, as well as selfish (though he didn't see it that way). He thought he had his reasons, but he was still wrong.
And why the h's parents decide to wait until a tragic accident tom tell their daughter a truth she should have been told years ago is beyond me! Just so ridiculous!!
I also think more time should have been devoted to the h and her grandmother getting to know each other, there wasn't enough of them together.
One thing I really liked, was the h returning after less than a week when she was upset and needed time to think. She realized she was being selfish running off and worrying her grandmother and then H. Too few h's think like that when they pull their disappearing act.
I also, liked the h's artistic career, being an amateur artist myself.
Despite its flaws, this was a good story, worth checking out.
January 12, 2025
not convinced.
After reading a few books where stalkers assert their right to follow or confine someone, I struggled with the lockup mentality of the male lead. Turns out ok in the end but was a stretch.
After reading a few books where stalkers assert their right to follow or confine someone, I struggled with the lockup mentality of the male lead. Turns out ok in the end but was a stretch.
June 28, 2015
Creo que ya lo he dicho en muchas ocasiones, pero va de nuevo: Me molestan muchísimo esas autoras que confunden la violencia con la pasión y el amor con la obsesión, y aquí tenemos un clarísimo ejemplo y lo peor del caso es que aún, en estos tiempos hay mujeres que también lo ven de la misma manera.
Nunca he podido ni podré comprender como, si es que una persona realmente te ama, puede hacerte semejante daño.
Un típico macho multimillonario que se cree con el estúpido derecho de hacer lo que e plazca con la mujer en la que pone el ojo.
Y la otra imbécil que cae rendida a sus pies, haciendo todo lo posible por complacerlo.
Nunca he podido ni podré comprender como, si es que una persona realmente te ama, puede hacerte semejante daño.
Un típico macho multimillonario que se cree con el estúpido derecho de hacer lo que e plazca con la mujer en la que pone el ojo.
Y la otra imbécil que cae rendida a sus pies, haciendo todo lo posible por complacerlo.
May 23, 2015
A woman with a story... one of many
Awesome writing, I never fail to be intrigued by Barbara's stories. She writes of life;it's ups and downs,yet manages to find the beauty in each tapestry she has woven. Life is like that when you choose to focus on the golden lining rather than stark cloud. We all have them. Her writing s always manage to inspire the hope and faith that the current storm will somehow serve a greater purpose.
Awesome writing, I never fail to be intrigued by Barbara's stories. She writes of life;it's ups and downs,yet manages to find the beauty in each tapestry she has woven. Life is like that when you choose to focus on the golden lining rather than stark cloud. We all have them. Her writing s always manage to inspire the hope and faith that the current storm will somehow serve a greater purpose.
December 7, 2012
not a really accurate rating cuz i really don't know how to rate this
April 6, 2013
it was okay - I had a hard time getting into the story
November 19, 2013
Simple summer reading.
March 25, 2016
THE BEST!
So far, this is the best book that Barbara has written.( And I have read most of them)
Can't wait to read another
So far, this is the best book that Barbara has written.( And I have read most of them)
Can't wait to read another
March 28, 2017
DNF - I've decided I just can't do older books from authors I like now. I've tried to read several older books by several authors I generally like and I just can't deal with the jerky main male characters and the annoying female characters who lose all control the minute the jerky main male character walks into the room. I find the stories to be annoying, not romantic.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews