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The Artisan Heart
Hayden Luschcombe is a brilliant paediatrician living in Adelaide with his wife Bernadette, an ambitious event planner. His life consists of soul-wrenching days at the hospital and tedious evenings attending the lavish parties organized by Bernadette.
When an act of betrayal coincides with a traumatic confrontation, Hayden flees Adelaide, his life in ruins. His destination is Walhalla, nestled in Australia’s southern mountains, where he finds his childhood home falling apart. With nothing to return to, he stays, and begins to pick up the pieces of his life by fixing up the house his parents left behind.
A chance encounter with a precocious and deaf young girl introduces Hayden to Isabelle Sampi, a struggling artisan baker. While single-handedly raising her daughter, and trying to resurrect a bakery, Isabelle has no time for matters of the heart. Yet the presence of the handsome doctor challenges her resolve. Likewise, Hayden, protective of his own fractured heart, finds something in Isabelle that awakens dormant feelings of his own.
As their attraction grows, and the past threatens their chance at happiness, both Hayden and Isabelle will have to confront long-buried truths if they are ever to embrace a future.
When an act of betrayal coincides with a traumatic confrontation, Hayden flees Adelaide, his life in ruins. His destination is Walhalla, nestled in Australia’s southern mountains, where he finds his childhood home falling apart. With nothing to return to, he stays, and begins to pick up the pieces of his life by fixing up the house his parents left behind.
A chance encounter with a precocious and deaf young girl introduces Hayden to Isabelle Sampi, a struggling artisan baker. While single-handedly raising her daughter, and trying to resurrect a bakery, Isabelle has no time for matters of the heart. Yet the presence of the handsome doctor challenges her resolve. Likewise, Hayden, protective of his own fractured heart, finds something in Isabelle that awakens dormant feelings of his own.
As their attraction grows, and the past threatens their chance at happiness, both Hayden and Isabelle will have to confront long-buried truths if they are ever to embrace a future.
320 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2018
2 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Dean Mayes
8 books145 followersWhen he emerged in 2010, Adelaide based Intensive Care Nurse and author Dean Mayes, had almost given up on the prospect of ever being published. by then in his 30's with several abortive writing attempts under his belt, Dean believed he had missed his opportunity. But Dean had an idea for one last story he wanted to tell and, rather than allow it to wither and die in his imagination, he decided to blog it instead.
Quite unexpectedly, Dean's blog took off and after a chance encounter with Canadian based publisher Central Avenue in mid 2009, Dean's dream like tale about a young man who discovers he has taken on the memories and dreams of a complete stranger, became his first novel. Dean was signed to an initial two year contract and in 2010 "The Hambledown Dream" was published. The novel has since gone on to receive global attention and critical acclaim.
Dean set about penning a follow up novel that was not merely a repeat performance and in 2012 "Gifts of the Peramangk" a powerful Australian family saga. Chronicling a dysfunctional Aboriginal family in the struggle streets of Adelaide's suburban fringe, "Gifts of the Peramangk" has been described as significant literary achievement. In October 2013, it was nominated as a finalist in the prestigious EPIC Awards for contemporary fiction.
Dean's third feature length novel, a psychological thriller set in Melbourne called "The Recipient", showcased his ability to cross genres and deliver a taut and gripping tome about a heart transplant patient who discovers her organ donor was a murder victim - and that the murder remains unsolved.
Returning to his romantic roots, Dean released his fourth novel, "The Artisan Heart" in 2018. Set in Dean's home town, the novel is described as his most personal story and continues to illustrate Dean's abilities to craft realistic characters and situations.
During the Covid pandemic, Dean took a hiatus from writing to focus on his role as an Intensive Care Nurse. During this time, he managed to bring together a collection of short fiction, poetry and reflections together and will release "The Night Fisher Elegies" in 2022.
He also has plans to write a sequel to "The Recipient".
He lives in Adelaide, Australia with his wife Emily, their two children Xavier and Lucy. An Intensive Care Nurse with over 15 years of clinical experience in adult, paediatric and neonatal medicine, he can often be found lying on a hospital gurney at 3 in the morning - notebook in hand, madly scribbling ideas while on his break.
Dean is represented by Michelle Halket and is published by Central Avenue Publishing of Vancouver, Canada.
Quite unexpectedly, Dean's blog took off and after a chance encounter with Canadian based publisher Central Avenue in mid 2009, Dean's dream like tale about a young man who discovers he has taken on the memories and dreams of a complete stranger, became his first novel. Dean was signed to an initial two year contract and in 2010 "The Hambledown Dream" was published. The novel has since gone on to receive global attention and critical acclaim.
Dean set about penning a follow up novel that was not merely a repeat performance and in 2012 "Gifts of the Peramangk" a powerful Australian family saga. Chronicling a dysfunctional Aboriginal family in the struggle streets of Adelaide's suburban fringe, "Gifts of the Peramangk" has been described as significant literary achievement. In October 2013, it was nominated as a finalist in the prestigious EPIC Awards for contemporary fiction.
Dean's third feature length novel, a psychological thriller set in Melbourne called "The Recipient", showcased his ability to cross genres and deliver a taut and gripping tome about a heart transplant patient who discovers her organ donor was a murder victim - and that the murder remains unsolved.
Returning to his romantic roots, Dean released his fourth novel, "The Artisan Heart" in 2018. Set in Dean's home town, the novel is described as his most personal story and continues to illustrate Dean's abilities to craft realistic characters and situations.
During the Covid pandemic, Dean took a hiatus from writing to focus on his role as an Intensive Care Nurse. During this time, he managed to bring together a collection of short fiction, poetry and reflections together and will release "The Night Fisher Elegies" in 2022.
He also has plans to write a sequel to "The Recipient".
He lives in Adelaide, Australia with his wife Emily, their two children Xavier and Lucy. An Intensive Care Nurse with over 15 years of clinical experience in adult, paediatric and neonatal medicine, he can often be found lying on a hospital gurney at 3 in the morning - notebook in hand, madly scribbling ideas while on his break.
Dean is represented by Michelle Halket and is published by Central Avenue Publishing of Vancouver, Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
July 30, 2018
3.5 stars
This was one of those comfortable reads in which the formula is predictable but that's okay because it's exactly what I was looking for at the moment. Dr. Hayden Luschcombe flees to his childhood home in Walhalla with his career and marriage in shambles. Isabelle Sampi is struggling to get her bakery off and running and trying to raise her young deaf daughter all by herself. When the two of them meet they realize they share a past but the question is, do they share a future?
So yes, you can definitely see what direction the book is going a mile away but it still manages to be a satisfying read. It features main characters who are easy to like but are going through some rough times and you feel invested enough to want to make sure they get on that path leading to happiness. I love how the story featured a deaf child and how sign language was used to communicate with her. Overall, this was an enjoyable read and the Australian mountain setting was a good backdrop to the story.
I received a free advance digital copy of this book from Netgalley and Central Avenue Publishing. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
This was one of those comfortable reads in which the formula is predictable but that's okay because it's exactly what I was looking for at the moment. Dr. Hayden Luschcombe flees to his childhood home in Walhalla with his career and marriage in shambles. Isabelle Sampi is struggling to get her bakery off and running and trying to raise her young deaf daughter all by herself. When the two of them meet they realize they share a past but the question is, do they share a future?
So yes, you can definitely see what direction the book is going a mile away but it still manages to be a satisfying read. It features main characters who are easy to like but are going through some rough times and you feel invested enough to want to make sure they get on that path leading to happiness. I love how the story featured a deaf child and how sign language was used to communicate with her. Overall, this was an enjoyable read and the Australian mountain setting was a good backdrop to the story.
I received a free advance digital copy of this book from Netgalley and Central Avenue Publishing. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
August 31, 2018
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After disciplinary action at work and his marriage falling apart Hayden feels his life is spiralling out of control. He needed time to think and contemplate his future. With no family and no real friends in Adelaide he decides to return to his home town of Walhalla, in country Victoria. When he returns to the town of his youth, and the dilapidated house of his deceased parents, he is welcomed back with open arms.
Soon after Hayden arrives home he meets Isabelle (Belle) who is also starting over in Walhalla. Hayden and Belle have history and the memories aren’t pleasant. However in a small town it’s very hard to avoid each other.
At the beginning of the story you may think Hayden is a bit wishy washy. Belittled by his charismatic and powerful wife; he is reserved and downtrodden coming across as awkward and aloof. Don’t let this deter you. Hayden does grow and gain self confidence. However, the confidence he lacks in love does not carry over to his professional life. He is an excellent doctor well revered by his peers.
This is a sweet romance story of two broken people finding each other and falling in love.
Mayes touches on the societal issue of child abuse with the introduction of Genevieve a 7 year old deaf child. Placing a child as one of the main characters can be quite tricky however was well executed with Genevieve never pushed to the background or forgotten.
I especially loved Mayes’ depiction of life in the small rural town. The descriptions of the town, from the local cafe to the pub, are welcoming and warm. It’s easy to fall in love with this beautiful town and its friendly, unpretentious people.
I liked how Mayes weaved the word ‘artisan’ throughout the story making it more than a title; it became the essence of the story.
The Artisan Heart is as much a story of the town and its people, banding together in a time of need, as it is about Hayden and his finding himself, reconciling with his past and embracing his future.
I read an advanced reader copy of Mayes' novel The Recipient, an intense thriller centred around a heart transplant recipient, and I loved it. It was filled with mystery suspense and drama. Could Mayes go from writing a gripping thriller to a romance? I have to be honest and say I had my doubts; but Mayes did it! The story was perfect with well crafted characters and real emotion, drama and suspense.
I have no doubt you will fall in love with Walhalla and its residents. It was hard to say goodbye to them by the end of the story.
Mayes is fast becoming one of my favourite Australian authors and I do hope he continues with the Contemporary Romance genre.
*I received an uncorrected review copy from the publisher via Netgalley.
After disciplinary action at work and his marriage falling apart Hayden feels his life is spiralling out of control. He needed time to think and contemplate his future. With no family and no real friends in Adelaide he decides to return to his home town of Walhalla, in country Victoria. When he returns to the town of his youth, and the dilapidated house of his deceased parents, he is welcomed back with open arms.
Soon after Hayden arrives home he meets Isabelle (Belle) who is also starting over in Walhalla. Hayden and Belle have history and the memories aren’t pleasant. However in a small town it’s very hard to avoid each other.
At the beginning of the story you may think Hayden is a bit wishy washy. Belittled by his charismatic and powerful wife; he is reserved and downtrodden coming across as awkward and aloof. Don’t let this deter you. Hayden does grow and gain self confidence. However, the confidence he lacks in love does not carry over to his professional life. He is an excellent doctor well revered by his peers.
This is a sweet romance story of two broken people finding each other and falling in love.
Mayes touches on the societal issue of child abuse with the introduction of Genevieve a 7 year old deaf child. Placing a child as one of the main characters can be quite tricky however was well executed with Genevieve never pushed to the background or forgotten.
I especially loved Mayes’ depiction of life in the small rural town. The descriptions of the town, from the local cafe to the pub, are welcoming and warm. It’s easy to fall in love with this beautiful town and its friendly, unpretentious people.
I liked how Mayes weaved the word ‘artisan’ throughout the story making it more than a title; it became the essence of the story.
The Artisan Heart is as much a story of the town and its people, banding together in a time of need, as it is about Hayden and his finding himself, reconciling with his past and embracing his future.
I read an advanced reader copy of Mayes' novel The Recipient, an intense thriller centred around a heart transplant recipient, and I loved it. It was filled with mystery suspense and drama. Could Mayes go from writing a gripping thriller to a romance? I have to be honest and say I had my doubts; but Mayes did it! The story was perfect with well crafted characters and real emotion, drama and suspense.
I have no doubt you will fall in love with Walhalla and its residents. It was hard to say goodbye to them by the end of the story.
Mayes is fast becoming one of my favourite Australian authors and I do hope he continues with the Contemporary Romance genre.
*I received an uncorrected review copy from the publisher via Netgalley.
August 25, 2018
Attachment
We all have the genres that appeal to us and those that don’t. So I lifted this romance woman’s fiction book (the publisher's definition) as a request and armed with my sword and shield ready to repel any notion of across the room glances, that immediately saw two people falling totally, madly and eternally in love at first sight. I’m afraid the DNF flag would have gone up faster than a line of coke at a Charlie Sheen party.
I actually found The Artisan Heart really entertaining, heart-warming and engrossing. It was enjoyably clever, to observe how incidents and events affected the characters’ romantic moods, emotions and perspectives. It was refreshing to witness amorous engagements and how they are fostered and brought together sometimes in unexpected ways. The real-life balancing acts, between career and home life, between horror at a child’s suffering at the hands of an abusive parent and professional restraint (or not), and between future plans and family stubbornness from past decisions, were intelligently constructed.
I really enjoyed reading this entertaining novel and I would hope that similar stories wouldn’t be classed as women’s fiction to alienate men. I would like to thank Central Avenue Publishers and NetGalley, for an ARC version of The Artisan Heart in return for an honest review.
We all have the genres that appeal to us and those that don’t. So I lifted this romance woman’s fiction book (the publisher's definition) as a request and armed with my sword and shield ready to repel any notion of across the room glances, that immediately saw two people falling totally, madly and eternally in love at first sight. I’m afraid the DNF flag would have gone up faster than a line of coke at a Charlie Sheen party.
I actually found The Artisan Heart really entertaining, heart-warming and engrossing. It was enjoyably clever, to observe how incidents and events affected the characters’ romantic moods, emotions and perspectives. It was refreshing to witness amorous engagements and how they are fostered and brought together sometimes in unexpected ways. The real-life balancing acts, between career and home life, between horror at a child’s suffering at the hands of an abusive parent and professional restraint (or not), and between future plans and family stubbornness from past decisions, were intelligently constructed.
I really enjoyed reading this entertaining novel and I would hope that similar stories wouldn’t be classed as women’s fiction to alienate men. I would like to thank Central Avenue Publishers and NetGalley, for an ARC version of The Artisan Heart in return for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2018
Another soul-destroying event beckoned – paediatrician Hayden Luschcombe was exhausted from his relentless shift but knew his wife would expect him to be there on time. Well, THAT wasn’t going to happen. The look on Bernadette’s face when he finally arrived was not a surprise to Hayden – rather it was the norm. But it was the shocking discovery after another shattering day that spurred Hayden into action. His life wasn’t his own anymore; there was nothing in Adelaide to keep him there and the home he’d known all his life in the little Victorian town of Walhalla felt like a sanctuary.
The little cottage had collected dust and started to fall apart in the three years since his father had passed, but Hayden decided to fix the house that he remembered fondly from his childhood. His mother would be sad to see the state of her beloved garden – Hayden had nothing else to do, and the work would keep his mind away from the past…
A little girl began hanging around Hayden’s cottage – it turned out that she was deaf and the daughter of Isabelle Sampi, another memory from Hayden’s past. But Genevieve was a clever, gifted child and adorable as well – Hayden became friendly with both Genevieve and her mother, who was starting up her own bakery. Her bread and other treats were divine; she was popular with the townsfolk.
But there was danger looming. What would be the outcome for the town; for both Isabelle and Hayden who both had secrets in their pasts?
The Artisan Heart by Aussie author Dean Mayes is a gentle and tenuous romance, threaded with suspense, tension and a tumultuous past. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and loved the character of Genevieve; her stubborn and determined interactions by signing with those around her and her devotion and love of her mother. Romantic suspense at its best! Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for my honest review.
The little cottage had collected dust and started to fall apart in the three years since his father had passed, but Hayden decided to fix the house that he remembered fondly from his childhood. His mother would be sad to see the state of her beloved garden – Hayden had nothing else to do, and the work would keep his mind away from the past…
A little girl began hanging around Hayden’s cottage – it turned out that she was deaf and the daughter of Isabelle Sampi, another memory from Hayden’s past. But Genevieve was a clever, gifted child and adorable as well – Hayden became friendly with both Genevieve and her mother, who was starting up her own bakery. Her bread and other treats were divine; she was popular with the townsfolk.
But there was danger looming. What would be the outcome for the town; for both Isabelle and Hayden who both had secrets in their pasts?
The Artisan Heart by Aussie author Dean Mayes is a gentle and tenuous romance, threaded with suspense, tension and a tumultuous past. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and loved the character of Genevieve; her stubborn and determined interactions by signing with those around her and her devotion and love of her mother. Romantic suspense at its best! Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for my honest review.
September 7, 2018
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
The Artisan Heart is an Australian based contemporary romance novel. It is written by Dean Mayes, an author who is new to me but Mayes is an established author, he has already penned three novels. The Artisan Heart is a tender tale of second chance romance, reconnecting with your roots and starting over. It is a lovely small town tale that I enjoyed from cover to cover.
Dean Mayes places two strong leads at the centre of his novel, The Artisan Heart. Hayden, the primary male protagonist in The Artisan Heart is a paediatrician, leading the field in his delicate line of work. Hayden is married to Bernadette, a high flyer who is a successful event planner. When the book opens, we quickly learn just how much Hayden struggles to reconcile his busy work in the hospital with the constant stream of parties he must attend, organised by his wife. Hayden’s life is sent a jolt when he encounters a personal betrayal. The timing couldn’t be any worse, he is also involved in a traumatic ordeal at the hospital, resulting in an immediate suspension of duties. Hayden is lost and in order to reclaim his life, he flees to his childhood home. The one place that is meant to give Hayden comfort, proves to be an immediate challenge. Hayden is faced with the heavy task of repairing the crumbling cottage that was once his family home. Hayden’s return to Walhalla leads him to Isabelle Scampi, a local artisan baker and single mother to Genevieve. There is something special about Isabelle and Hayden just can’t shake the feeling that Isabelle might just be the woman to repair his broken heart. However, secrets from the past and the baggage this couple carries might threaten any chance of happiness.
I think I have found my answer to Australia’s Nicholas Sparks! I love Nicholas Sparks and my wonderful introduction to the writing of Dean Mayes, reminded me of this appealing US author’s writing, with an Australian edge. The Artisan Heart is an embracing kind of novel, that quickly envelopes you in a round of drama, romance, heartbreak and suspense. It is a book that I recommend to fans of contemporary romance, small town rural fiction and romantic suspense.
The Artisan Heart opens in quite the dramatic fashion. There was a rush of emotions as I began to read this novel. I soon developed an affection for the male lead, Hayden. There is a heady amount of emotion and sentiment attached to the early areas of this novel. The reader soon feels like they are faced with the same dilemma as Hayden and we root for his cause from the onset.
The characterisation is solid in The Artisan Heart. Both leads, Hayden and Isabelle, are very well drawn. Mayes pulls in his expertise as an intensive care nurse to provide a worthy picture of the work of Hayden, an ER paediatrician. While in Isabelle, it was such a welcome experience to learn more about the work of an artisan baker. I enjoyed each of these character arcs equally. Mayes does a great job of balancing the issues that each of the primary protagonists face. Hayden and Isabelle are fascinating characters in their own right, each has their suitcase of personal baggage and each has their flaws. I did find Hayden a little too good to be true at times, but the mistakes he makes helps us to see that he is human! My favourite character by far was Genevieve. Mayes presents this young girl with a great deal of intuition and sensitivity. Genevieve’s hearing impairment was treated well by Mayes and gave me an insight into a young child’s world inhabited by silence. The relationship that develops between Hayden and Genevieve is pretty special and this was a highlight of the book.
Relationships are at the very core of this novel. Mayes is in touch with what makes males and females tick, he is acutely aware of the issues we carry with us and our insecurities. The relationship that develops between Hayden and Isabelle is definitely a slow burn style romance and I liked it very much. This is not a predictable romance either, there are plenty of roadblocks, twists and turns to ensure that the aisle to happily ever after is not clear-cut. Mayes introduces a line of romantic suspense to his novel through the device of Isabelle’s ex, which complicates matters of the heart. However, the end result, after some heart wrenching situations, is tied up in a tidy fashion.
Before closing off my review, I must take the time to issue an acknowledgement of the setting in The Artisan Heart. Mayes does a superb job of outlining the main stage of this novel, which is based in a little picturesque Victorian based town. Walhalla is a richly presented locale. Likewise, Mayes excels in the presentation of the people who populate Walhalla. Although they do seem to live in each others hip pockets, there is a good sense of community that pervades the people of Walhalla and I loved it! I also appreciated the emphasis on Hayden’s family cottage to the storyline, it is a big character in its own right!
In the end, it gives me great pleasure to recommend The Artisan Heart. This is a heartwarming tale of love, connection and recovery.
*I wish to thank the author, Dean Mayes, for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
The Artisan Heart is an Australian based contemporary romance novel. It is written by Dean Mayes, an author who is new to me but Mayes is an established author, he has already penned three novels. The Artisan Heart is a tender tale of second chance romance, reconnecting with your roots and starting over. It is a lovely small town tale that I enjoyed from cover to cover.
Dean Mayes places two strong leads at the centre of his novel, The Artisan Heart. Hayden, the primary male protagonist in The Artisan Heart is a paediatrician, leading the field in his delicate line of work. Hayden is married to Bernadette, a high flyer who is a successful event planner. When the book opens, we quickly learn just how much Hayden struggles to reconcile his busy work in the hospital with the constant stream of parties he must attend, organised by his wife. Hayden’s life is sent a jolt when he encounters a personal betrayal. The timing couldn’t be any worse, he is also involved in a traumatic ordeal at the hospital, resulting in an immediate suspension of duties. Hayden is lost and in order to reclaim his life, he flees to his childhood home. The one place that is meant to give Hayden comfort, proves to be an immediate challenge. Hayden is faced with the heavy task of repairing the crumbling cottage that was once his family home. Hayden’s return to Walhalla leads him to Isabelle Scampi, a local artisan baker and single mother to Genevieve. There is something special about Isabelle and Hayden just can’t shake the feeling that Isabelle might just be the woman to repair his broken heart. However, secrets from the past and the baggage this couple carries might threaten any chance of happiness.
I think I have found my answer to Australia’s Nicholas Sparks! I love Nicholas Sparks and my wonderful introduction to the writing of Dean Mayes, reminded me of this appealing US author’s writing, with an Australian edge. The Artisan Heart is an embracing kind of novel, that quickly envelopes you in a round of drama, romance, heartbreak and suspense. It is a book that I recommend to fans of contemporary romance, small town rural fiction and romantic suspense.
The Artisan Heart opens in quite the dramatic fashion. There was a rush of emotions as I began to read this novel. I soon developed an affection for the male lead, Hayden. There is a heady amount of emotion and sentiment attached to the early areas of this novel. The reader soon feels like they are faced with the same dilemma as Hayden and we root for his cause from the onset.
The characterisation is solid in The Artisan Heart. Both leads, Hayden and Isabelle, are very well drawn. Mayes pulls in his expertise as an intensive care nurse to provide a worthy picture of the work of Hayden, an ER paediatrician. While in Isabelle, it was such a welcome experience to learn more about the work of an artisan baker. I enjoyed each of these character arcs equally. Mayes does a great job of balancing the issues that each of the primary protagonists face. Hayden and Isabelle are fascinating characters in their own right, each has their suitcase of personal baggage and each has their flaws. I did find Hayden a little too good to be true at times, but the mistakes he makes helps us to see that he is human! My favourite character by far was Genevieve. Mayes presents this young girl with a great deal of intuition and sensitivity. Genevieve’s hearing impairment was treated well by Mayes and gave me an insight into a young child’s world inhabited by silence. The relationship that develops between Hayden and Genevieve is pretty special and this was a highlight of the book.
Relationships are at the very core of this novel. Mayes is in touch with what makes males and females tick, he is acutely aware of the issues we carry with us and our insecurities. The relationship that develops between Hayden and Isabelle is definitely a slow burn style romance and I liked it very much. This is not a predictable romance either, there are plenty of roadblocks, twists and turns to ensure that the aisle to happily ever after is not clear-cut. Mayes introduces a line of romantic suspense to his novel through the device of Isabelle’s ex, which complicates matters of the heart. However, the end result, after some heart wrenching situations, is tied up in a tidy fashion.
Before closing off my review, I must take the time to issue an acknowledgement of the setting in The Artisan Heart. Mayes does a superb job of outlining the main stage of this novel, which is based in a little picturesque Victorian based town. Walhalla is a richly presented locale. Likewise, Mayes excels in the presentation of the people who populate Walhalla. Although they do seem to live in each others hip pockets, there is a good sense of community that pervades the people of Walhalla and I loved it! I also appreciated the emphasis on Hayden’s family cottage to the storyline, it is a big character in its own right!
In the end, it gives me great pleasure to recommend The Artisan Heart. This is a heartwarming tale of love, connection and recovery.
*I wish to thank the author, Dean Mayes, for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
May 9, 2018
This book was lovely... such a great heart-warming story with a gritty edge, and a romantic, hazy feel. How you get gritty and romantic/hazy together in one novel is a challenge, but Dean Mayes does it beautifully.
I love the start of this novel. We meet Hayden, a bike-riding doctor in the children's hospital in Adelaide. He has his own unique way of doing things in an emergency ward, but he gets away with it because he's a genius at what he does.
We meet Bernadette, Hayden's wife. She's in PR and she's going places... and quite quickly we get the sense that she'll be going places without Hayden.
As the reader, I thought it was such a clever ploy to gain reader sympathy for Hayden by juxtaposing these two careers. Hayden's emergency is a child burned in a scalding bath... Bernadette's emergency is the keynote speaker running late to a high-stakes business dinner.
Their marriage really is a train waiting to come off the tracks.
It's this marriage breakdown, and a meltdown at the hospital for Hayden, that lead him to return to his hometown of Walhalla, where the bulk of The Artisan Heart is set.
Hayden needs time to lick his wounds and recover, and recover he does with the help of a supportive town and a place that nurtures the artistic side of life.
He meets Isabelle, the local baker, and her daughter Genevieve - a wonderful character in her own right. Over time he learns about Isabelle's history, and the events that left Genie deaf.
It's just a gorgeous story of healing in a place that soothes the soul. It's a gentle pace of life out of the rat-race, where Hayden can work with his hands to restore his family's house and garden, and restore his damaged heart.
That's the 'nice' storyline for The Artisan Heart. As I mentioned, this also has gritty themes running at the base of it. These include the opening events at the hospital which lead to Hayden having an altercation with the father of the little girl admitted with scalding burns. We also have a point of view character that is Isabelle's estranged husband, and father of young Genie, Mitchell Crowley. Mitch has been in jail and is just about to get out. We know very early that he intends to defy court orders to come find his daughter, and we also know he's not a man who has been wrongfully jailed. This is one nasty pasty.
There is the inevitable showdown between the entire town of Walhalla (but particularly Hayden and Isabelle) to save Genie from Mitch - which I found really well written - and there is also the inevitable showdown between Hayden and Bernadette, when Berni decides she wants her husband back.
I know the author works in the nursing industry, and I appreciate that child injuries described in The Artisan Heart are quite likely drawn from events he has seen in his working life. This is where the 'gritty' comes through because it reads as ultra authentic.
I highly recommend this book to those who are looking for an extra layer above rural or small-town romance, with a realistic storyline, and original characters.
Thank you Dean Mayes for the read.
And thank you to Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
I love the start of this novel. We meet Hayden, a bike-riding doctor in the children's hospital in Adelaide. He has his own unique way of doing things in an emergency ward, but he gets away with it because he's a genius at what he does.
We meet Bernadette, Hayden's wife. She's in PR and she's going places... and quite quickly we get the sense that she'll be going places without Hayden.
As the reader, I thought it was such a clever ploy to gain reader sympathy for Hayden by juxtaposing these two careers. Hayden's emergency is a child burned in a scalding bath... Bernadette's emergency is the keynote speaker running late to a high-stakes business dinner.
Their marriage really is a train waiting to come off the tracks.
It's this marriage breakdown, and a meltdown at the hospital for Hayden, that lead him to return to his hometown of Walhalla, where the bulk of The Artisan Heart is set.
Hayden needs time to lick his wounds and recover, and recover he does with the help of a supportive town and a place that nurtures the artistic side of life.
He meets Isabelle, the local baker, and her daughter Genevieve - a wonderful character in her own right. Over time he learns about Isabelle's history, and the events that left Genie deaf.
It's just a gorgeous story of healing in a place that soothes the soul. It's a gentle pace of life out of the rat-race, where Hayden can work with his hands to restore his family's house and garden, and restore his damaged heart.
That's the 'nice' storyline for The Artisan Heart. As I mentioned, this also has gritty themes running at the base of it. These include the opening events at the hospital which lead to Hayden having an altercation with the father of the little girl admitted with scalding burns. We also have a point of view character that is Isabelle's estranged husband, and father of young Genie, Mitchell Crowley. Mitch has been in jail and is just about to get out. We know very early that he intends to defy court orders to come find his daughter, and we also know he's not a man who has been wrongfully jailed. This is one nasty pasty.
There is the inevitable showdown between the entire town of Walhalla (but particularly Hayden and Isabelle) to save Genie from Mitch - which I found really well written - and there is also the inevitable showdown between Hayden and Bernadette, when Berni decides she wants her husband back.
I know the author works in the nursing industry, and I appreciate that child injuries described in The Artisan Heart are quite likely drawn from events he has seen in his working life. This is where the 'gritty' comes through because it reads as ultra authentic.
I highly recommend this book to those who are looking for an extra layer above rural or small-town romance, with a realistic storyline, and original characters.
Thank you Dean Mayes for the read.
And thank you to Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
September 9, 2018
This is a heartwarming story that has great characters and a lovely location in Walhalla, Australia. I am not one for erotica or lovey-dovey over the top love stories, so this romance novel really hit the mark with me. It is carefully and delicately developed, giving us time to appreciate the growing feelings and attraction.
The main characters take a bit of time to come around to each other and each has their own problems that they're dealing with. Hayden is a paediatrician and his marriage has just taken a massive blow when he finds his wife in bed with her colleague. He runs off to Walhalla, the family home to sort his head out and figure what's going to happen next. Isabelle is a young mother with her daughter Genevieve, and she's just come out of an abusive and dangerous relationship.
Walhalla becomes as much a character in the story as any of the human characters and we get a sense of the community and social impact on a story. This book made me feel really good inside.
The main characters take a bit of time to come around to each other and each has their own problems that they're dealing with. Hayden is a paediatrician and his marriage has just taken a massive blow when he finds his wife in bed with her colleague. He runs off to Walhalla, the family home to sort his head out and figure what's going to happen next. Isabelle is a young mother with her daughter Genevieve, and she's just come out of an abusive and dangerous relationship.
Walhalla becomes as much a character in the story as any of the human characters and we get a sense of the community and social impact on a story. This book made me feel really good inside.
July 15, 2018
I am already a fan of Dean Mayes and am impressed with his ability to write in diverse genres while at the same time maintaining consistent quality. This book is a wonderful read, filled with incredible characters that jump off the page. I love how the characters play off each other so well. My favourite being Genevieve, a seven-year-old deaf child with spunk. I just wanted to hug her so many times. And then there is the wonderful setting of Walhalla, a cozy Australian mountain village, which is actually the main character for me. While reading this book, I felt myself walking the streets, smelling the freshly baked bread, smiling at the residents, listening to the birds and admiring the gardens. This is a place people come to get away from it all and discover who they are meant to be. A feel-good book with some tense moments, full of emotion and real people. I highly recommend this book. One I would read again.
September 28, 2018
Opens: High on the emergency-Department wall, a large digital clock flashed 6:00 p.m."
The Artisan Heart is a page turning and, at times, very gritty story set against a background of reconnecting with your roots and making a new start. Hayden is a pushbike-riding paediatrician who is so good at what he does that his sometimes unorthodox methods are overlooked. Like all ER staff he works long hours and is dedicated to his work, his patients coming first. This does not sit too well with his ambitious wife, Bernadette. She is building up her PR business and expects to be a high-flyer very soon, she expects Hayden’s full support – tiredness and sick and/or dying children are not considered a reasonable excuse to miss supporting her events.
The story opens with two emergencies – Hayden’s emergency is a child who has been badly burned and Bernadette’s emergency, and just as important to her as Hayden’s patient is to him, is being asked to make a last minute presentation at a political business dinner. If it goes well she will win a major government contract and she will have made it into the big time. After an earth shattering series of event surrounding the burnt child, meaning he misses the event, Hayden gets home hoping for comfort and understanding. What he gets is the vision of Bernadette getting her comfort horizontally with her advisor.
Hayden is overwhelmed by the two traumatic events, has an emotional breakdown and runs. He runs to his old family property in the mountain community of Walhalla, he has not been back since the recent death of his father. Hayden is rock bottom and broken, he needs time to heal and think about his future. As Hayden grew up here, and knows most everybody, he is welcomed back into the small community as if he had never left. Then he meets Genevieve, certainly not a resident he has met before. And no, she is not the love interest, she is a child – a deaf child – who has been playing on the property and has a whole ‘family’ of toys living there. It is Genevieve’s mother, Isabelle, who he knows from his school days where she would bully Hayden mercilessly. Isabelle has also returned to heal from dramas in her life, and is starting up her own bakery in Walhalla.
Gradually Hayden and Isabelle start to get close, barriers breaking down, but before they can get their happy ever after two impediments arrive in town on the same day. What follows had me on the edge of my chair. Twists and turns, along with hand over mouth events unfold before all is revealed, and even once the immediate danger was over there were no guarantees the story would end the way I thought it should end.
I loved Hayden’s character the most, Isabelle didn’t come quite as alive for me as Hayden did – but each had their baggage that influenced the choices they made in the course of the story. Also the setting of Walhalla is a real – a place that I have been to, staying in one of the old cottages in the town. I have travelled the Walhalla Goldfields Railway through the most amazing scenery, and while I don’t remember there being a bakery, there was a café that sold cakes and pies that tasted fabulous – so as I read it I had these memory in my mind. This is the first book I have read by Dean Mayes and it won’t be the last.
Rating:
Excellent Stuff – a real page turner and hard to put down. I carved out extra reading time just so I could finish it. This book got carted into the bathroom with me, read over meals, read at work, and/or kept me up late at night. If this author has more work, I will certainly read it.
I wish to thank the author Dean Mayes for my copy to read and review
The Artisan Heart is a page turning and, at times, very gritty story set against a background of reconnecting with your roots and making a new start. Hayden is a pushbike-riding paediatrician who is so good at what he does that his sometimes unorthodox methods are overlooked. Like all ER staff he works long hours and is dedicated to his work, his patients coming first. This does not sit too well with his ambitious wife, Bernadette. She is building up her PR business and expects to be a high-flyer very soon, she expects Hayden’s full support – tiredness and sick and/or dying children are not considered a reasonable excuse to miss supporting her events.
The story opens with two emergencies – Hayden’s emergency is a child who has been badly burned and Bernadette’s emergency, and just as important to her as Hayden’s patient is to him, is being asked to make a last minute presentation at a political business dinner. If it goes well she will win a major government contract and she will have made it into the big time. After an earth shattering series of event surrounding the burnt child, meaning he misses the event, Hayden gets home hoping for comfort and understanding. What he gets is the vision of Bernadette getting her comfort horizontally with her advisor.
Hayden is overwhelmed by the two traumatic events, has an emotional breakdown and runs. He runs to his old family property in the mountain community of Walhalla, he has not been back since the recent death of his father. Hayden is rock bottom and broken, he needs time to heal and think about his future. As Hayden grew up here, and knows most everybody, he is welcomed back into the small community as if he had never left. Then he meets Genevieve, certainly not a resident he has met before. And no, she is not the love interest, she is a child – a deaf child – who has been playing on the property and has a whole ‘family’ of toys living there. It is Genevieve’s mother, Isabelle, who he knows from his school days where she would bully Hayden mercilessly. Isabelle has also returned to heal from dramas in her life, and is starting up her own bakery in Walhalla.
Gradually Hayden and Isabelle start to get close, barriers breaking down, but before they can get their happy ever after two impediments arrive in town on the same day. What follows had me on the edge of my chair. Twists and turns, along with hand over mouth events unfold before all is revealed, and even once the immediate danger was over there were no guarantees the story would end the way I thought it should end.
I loved Hayden’s character the most, Isabelle didn’t come quite as alive for me as Hayden did – but each had their baggage that influenced the choices they made in the course of the story. Also the setting of Walhalla is a real – a place that I have been to, staying in one of the old cottages in the town. I have travelled the Walhalla Goldfields Railway through the most amazing scenery, and while I don’t remember there being a bakery, there was a café that sold cakes and pies that tasted fabulous – so as I read it I had these memory in my mind. This is the first book I have read by Dean Mayes and it won’t be the last.
Rating:
Excellent Stuff – a real page turner and hard to put down. I carved out extra reading time just so I could finish it. This book got carted into the bathroom with me, read over meals, read at work, and/or kept me up late at night. If this author has more work, I will certainly read it.
I wish to thank the author Dean Mayes for my copy to read and review
October 26, 2018
The Artisan Heart is a beautiful story of love, forgiveness and community spirit. When a young child came into the hospital after being burn in the bath emergency paediatrician, Dr Hayden Luschcombe suspected something was amiss with the explanations the child parents told them. After Dr Hayden Luschcombe found his wife Bernadette in their bed with another man, he felt his life was over. The readers of The Artisan Heart will continue to follow the twist and turns to see what happens to Dr Hayden Luschcombe.
The Artisan Heart is well written and researched by Dean Mayes and the first book I have read of his, and I loved it. I will certainly read more books by Dean Mayes. I love Dean Mayes portrayal of his characters and the way they intertwine with each other. I like Dean Mayes description of his settings which allow me to feel that I am part of the plot.
The Artisan Heart highlights the problems that emergency doctors and nurse have and the consequences it has on their health and wellbeing. The readers of Artisan will start to understand the difficulties that family violence has on the family. Also, the readers of The Artisan Heart will see how small communities support and protect each other.
I recommend this book.
The Artisan Heart is well written and researched by Dean Mayes and the first book I have read of his, and I loved it. I will certainly read more books by Dean Mayes. I love Dean Mayes portrayal of his characters and the way they intertwine with each other. I like Dean Mayes description of his settings which allow me to feel that I am part of the plot.
The Artisan Heart highlights the problems that emergency doctors and nurse have and the consequences it has on their health and wellbeing. The readers of Artisan will start to understand the difficulties that family violence has on the family. Also, the readers of The Artisan Heart will see how small communities support and protect each other.
I recommend this book.
December 3, 2018
My wife bought this book for my birthday and what a fantastic present it was.
The Artisan Heart by Dean Mayes is an outstanding novel. This was my first read of a book by this author and I'll be going back for more.
Hayden lives in Adelaide where he works as a doctor in a hospital and lives with his wife, Bernadette. When serious problems arise both at work and at home, Hayden makes his way back to his hometown, Walhalla. He takes up residence in his deceased parents once beautiful but now rundown cottage. After a spell of isolation, he begins to settle down thanks to old family friends, Max and Annette, and an at first troublesome but wonderful young deaf girl called Genevieve whom he eventually befriends.
The story is wonderful and far too good to fill this review with spoilers. It is a story that needs and should be read. It's so beautifully written that the town of Walhalla becomes a main character, which is no mean feat. I have never read a story in my life that makes me want to pack up my things and relocate. I'm not even joking! I fell in love with not only the town but nearly every person living there.
True to form as with any romance novel, not only is there the sublime smell of freshly baked bread in the air, but true love is also circulating. I have to point out that I've also never read a story that makes me want to set off for the local bakers in the early a.m. for a freshly baked loaf that's only just left the oven. I'm sure I once read that the aroma of baked bread is soothing for the soul. If that wasn’t written, then it should have been. Soothed is exactly how this novel will make your soul feel.
As we have all come to know: you can't have a perfect romance without a hint of trouble and believe me, it's brewing.
This is truly a superb novel and it would be a shame if you let it pass you by. I would love to see this adapted for the screen as I believe it would make a tremendous movie. Dean Mayes has written a magnificent novel and all I can say to anybody who reads this review is: go read it!
The Artisan Heart by Dean Mayes is an outstanding novel. This was my first read of a book by this author and I'll be going back for more.
Hayden lives in Adelaide where he works as a doctor in a hospital and lives with his wife, Bernadette. When serious problems arise both at work and at home, Hayden makes his way back to his hometown, Walhalla. He takes up residence in his deceased parents once beautiful but now rundown cottage. After a spell of isolation, he begins to settle down thanks to old family friends, Max and Annette, and an at first troublesome but wonderful young deaf girl called Genevieve whom he eventually befriends.
The story is wonderful and far too good to fill this review with spoilers. It is a story that needs and should be read. It's so beautifully written that the town of Walhalla becomes a main character, which is no mean feat. I have never read a story in my life that makes me want to pack up my things and relocate. I'm not even joking! I fell in love with not only the town but nearly every person living there.
True to form as with any romance novel, not only is there the sublime smell of freshly baked bread in the air, but true love is also circulating. I have to point out that I've also never read a story that makes me want to set off for the local bakers in the early a.m. for a freshly baked loaf that's only just left the oven. I'm sure I once read that the aroma of baked bread is soothing for the soul. If that wasn’t written, then it should have been. Soothed is exactly how this novel will make your soul feel.
As we have all come to know: you can't have a perfect romance without a hint of trouble and believe me, it's brewing.
This is truly a superb novel and it would be a shame if you let it pass you by. I would love to see this adapted for the screen as I believe it would make a tremendous movie. Dean Mayes has written a magnificent novel and all I can say to anybody who reads this review is: go read it!
June 14, 2018
ARTISAN HEART is more than a sweet romance. The book starts out with lots of action - an emergency room doctor under constant stress - who returns home at night to a wife who wants him to be more upscale and more glamorous like herself. The tension increases as the doctor tries to get her approval, never realizing what the real problem is. Yet, the reader senses something brooding and lurking behind the scenes. Dean Mayes, a writer extraordinaire, keeps readers guessing as the tension mounts, until an exploding reality sets in, and the doctor runs to save himself.
Sometimes there is nowhere to go but home. A hometown in the mountains calls to this doctor. Through the seasons of this village, townspeople gather, argue, make up and live in kinship with one another. The writer's descriptions are spell-binding. The town is surrounded, not only by mountains, but by creeks, rivers, and gulches. The town is full of quaint cottages, historical buildings, gardens, a cafe and pub. The setting and story are perfect for a Hallmark movie. So are the love scenes.
But settling down for the doctor will take awhile. First, there is the secret that the doctor's father left that must be uncovered, the woman he meets who is tough and defensive about love, the return of a violent man who the doctor must hunt down, and the final, destructive manipulation of the doctor's wife who returns to win him back. This book is filled with action, suspense, and heart-felt moments. It is an enjoyable read.
Sometimes there is nowhere to go but home. A hometown in the mountains calls to this doctor. Through the seasons of this village, townspeople gather, argue, make up and live in kinship with one another. The writer's descriptions are spell-binding. The town is surrounded, not only by mountains, but by creeks, rivers, and gulches. The town is full of quaint cottages, historical buildings, gardens, a cafe and pub. The setting and story are perfect for a Hallmark movie. So are the love scenes.
But settling down for the doctor will take awhile. First, there is the secret that the doctor's father left that must be uncovered, the woman he meets who is tough and defensive about love, the return of a violent man who the doctor must hunt down, and the final, destructive manipulation of the doctor's wife who returns to win him back. This book is filled with action, suspense, and heart-felt moments. It is an enjoyable read.
June 15, 2018
BEAUTIFUL!
What a delightful read!!
This man can write, damnit!!!
Amazing
I'm not so good with words, so I'll be short.
This is a beautiful story about two broken people who could see through darkness, emptiness, unfair world.
Hayden, oh... First I struggle a little with him, on first pages he looked a bit doormat for me... He married to one heartless b*tch. She was abusive with him, not physically but emotionally.
She only cared to climb up social ladder. He is an amazing ER pediatrician, was saving little children lives, but his wife only cared for him to attend some dumb social parties. She wasn't proud of him.... I still asking, why why Hayden did you marry her??
Later I warmed up to him, especially when he caught her cheating on him, his life suddenly was.... Was not his life anymore. He lost control and made some mistakes and suddenly he lost his job.
He went to his family cottage.
He met there Isabel and her girl. They met as children and Isabel bullied Hayden. But some time passed and they became friends and later lovers. They healed each other.
Only one thing I didn't like, he was with her without getting a divorce from his wife. It's not good for me. Man, wait a bit and become free man first!!!!
I will be reading more books from this author, I enjoyed enormously with this one.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to the author for providing a copy of this book via Netgalley
What a delightful read!!
This man can write, damnit!!!
Amazing
I'm not so good with words, so I'll be short.
This is a beautiful story about two broken people who could see through darkness, emptiness, unfair world.
Hayden, oh... First I struggle a little with him, on first pages he looked a bit doormat for me... He married to one heartless b*tch. She was abusive with him, not physically but emotionally.
She only cared to climb up social ladder. He is an amazing ER pediatrician, was saving little children lives, but his wife only cared for him to attend some dumb social parties. She wasn't proud of him.... I still asking, why why Hayden did you marry her??
Later I warmed up to him, especially when he caught her cheating on him, his life suddenly was.... Was not his life anymore. He lost control and made some mistakes and suddenly he lost his job.
He went to his family cottage.
He met there Isabel and her girl. They met as children and Isabel bullied Hayden. But some time passed and they became friends and later lovers. They healed each other.
Only one thing I didn't like, he was with her without getting a divorce from his wife. It's not good for me. Man, wait a bit and become free man first!!!!
I will be reading more books from this author, I enjoyed enormously with this one.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to the author for providing a copy of this book via Netgalley
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2018
Hayden Luschcombe is a successful pediatrician working for an inner-city children’s hospital where he spends long days and nights treating his young patients. He tries to be a good and decent husband to his wife, Bernadette, but he always falls short in her eyes. Their marriage is strained to say the least. When an unfortunate incident precedes a tragic event at work, it forced Hayden to run to his childhood home in Walhalla, a quaint small town where everyone knows everyone. Here he meets a deaf child, Genevieve and her mother, Isabelle, the town baker. Could this move and the chance meeting between him and Isabelle be the start of a fresh life for Hayden?
Hayden is such an awesome character. You can see his love for his patients and the pride he takes in his work. He is a pretty brilliant doctor in his field, but where he is successful at work, his marriage is almost the opposite. He can’t seem to do anything right to please his wife, Bernadette. I feel sorry for him being married to a woman who never seems to appreciate him. Hayden is a good man and his wife is so unsupportive. When Hayden goes back to his childhood home in Walhalla, he is able to finally be himself and reconnect with the past and the troubling times he had with his father prior to his death. It is nice to see that Hayden can finally feel like a man capable of doing so many things that his wife never appreciated.
Isabelle has a tragic past. One she ran far away from. Living in Walhalla with her deaf daughter, Genevieve affords her the ability to do what she loves most, baking. She is a do-it-yourself kind of women and rarely relies on others to help her. Isabelle is a strong independent women just trying to make a better life for herself and her daughter. She is really not looking for a relationship, as her last one is the reason why she ran. When she meets Hayden, she remembers him from when they were children. Isabelle was not very nice to him back then, but he is an attractive man now. One she feels drawn to even though she doesn’t want to be.
I love stories featuring a small town where everyone knows each other and everyone is treated as family. Growing up in a city, you really do not have that here at all where I live. So, it is nice to feel all the love and warmth coming from a small town and its residents. Everyone watches out for each other. The romance between Hayden and Isabelle did not feel rushed at all. They took the time to get to know one another before taking it a step further. It is just a feel good sweet romance that I really treasured. There is some suspense thrown into the mix which I felt lent an air of believability and really progressed the story. I could feel my heart pounding as the story took a turn and I felt that it wrapped up rather nicely while staying true to the heart of the story.
The Artisan Heart is a feel good heartwarming story with characters I have grown to love. The story moves at a nice pace affording me the opportunity to really connect with each of the characters and life in a small town. It is a wonderful beach read where you can relax and enjoy entering the world of Hayden and Isabelle and rooting for their happily ever after. I also would like to add how beautiful the cover is! It is warm and inviting and gives you that small hometown feel.
Hayden is such an awesome character. You can see his love for his patients and the pride he takes in his work. He is a pretty brilliant doctor in his field, but where he is successful at work, his marriage is almost the opposite. He can’t seem to do anything right to please his wife, Bernadette. I feel sorry for him being married to a woman who never seems to appreciate him. Hayden is a good man and his wife is so unsupportive. When Hayden goes back to his childhood home in Walhalla, he is able to finally be himself and reconnect with the past and the troubling times he had with his father prior to his death. It is nice to see that Hayden can finally feel like a man capable of doing so many things that his wife never appreciated.
Isabelle has a tragic past. One she ran far away from. Living in Walhalla with her deaf daughter, Genevieve affords her the ability to do what she loves most, baking. She is a do-it-yourself kind of women and rarely relies on others to help her. Isabelle is a strong independent women just trying to make a better life for herself and her daughter. She is really not looking for a relationship, as her last one is the reason why she ran. When she meets Hayden, she remembers him from when they were children. Isabelle was not very nice to him back then, but he is an attractive man now. One she feels drawn to even though she doesn’t want to be.
I love stories featuring a small town where everyone knows each other and everyone is treated as family. Growing up in a city, you really do not have that here at all where I live. So, it is nice to feel all the love and warmth coming from a small town and its residents. Everyone watches out for each other. The romance between Hayden and Isabelle did not feel rushed at all. They took the time to get to know one another before taking it a step further. It is just a feel good sweet romance that I really treasured. There is some suspense thrown into the mix which I felt lent an air of believability and really progressed the story. I could feel my heart pounding as the story took a turn and I felt that it wrapped up rather nicely while staying true to the heart of the story.
The Artisan Heart is a feel good heartwarming story with characters I have grown to love. The story moves at a nice pace affording me the opportunity to really connect with each of the characters and life in a small town. It is a wonderful beach read where you can relax and enjoy entering the world of Hayden and Isabelle and rooting for their happily ever after. I also would like to add how beautiful the cover is! It is warm and inviting and gives you that small hometown feel.
August 14, 2018
Dean Mayes has outdone himself. This was such a touching, beautiful story. Further review to come...
Read
November 6, 2022Dean is a (long-distance) friend of mine, so admittedly I am a BIT biased here. But the reason I was drawn to him in the first place was that I loved his writing (when I read his first novel, The Hambledown Dream), and subsequently learned he was an awesome person as well, so if that's bias, I'm proud to have it.
As Dean likes to do, in another characteristic I like about him, he has switched genre yet again for this book; it's pretty much a contemporary romance, which none of his others have quite been so far. But he brings his unique fearlessness to it, giving our characters nasty and upsetting experiences from which they arrive damaged, ready for the tranquil setting of Walhalla, Australia, to heal them.
Dean also, of course, excels at bringing alive an Australian setting. (That's one thing all his books have in common.) This setting was especially lovely, with lush, cool, forested mountains you might not associate with the desert-covered southern continent. And the small-town feel, along with the family dramas and budding romance, sometimes gave me a delightful Gilmore Girls feel. (Dean also likes Gilmore Girls. Another point in his favor.)
In past books he's brought us paranormal romance, gritty interracial family saga, and medical thriller, and now he brings us a beach read of a contemporary romance that serves as a lovely virtual vacation. Enjoy!
As Dean likes to do, in another characteristic I like about him, he has switched genre yet again for this book; it's pretty much a contemporary romance, which none of his others have quite been so far. But he brings his unique fearlessness to it, giving our characters nasty and upsetting experiences from which they arrive damaged, ready for the tranquil setting of Walhalla, Australia, to heal them.
Dean also, of course, excels at bringing alive an Australian setting. (That's one thing all his books have in common.) This setting was especially lovely, with lush, cool, forested mountains you might not associate with the desert-covered southern continent. And the small-town feel, along with the family dramas and budding romance, sometimes gave me a delightful Gilmore Girls feel. (Dean also likes Gilmore Girls. Another point in his favor.)
In past books he's brought us paranormal romance, gritty interracial family saga, and medical thriller, and now he brings us a beach read of a contemporary romance that serves as a lovely virtual vacation. Enjoy!
August 28, 2018
Full review: http://www.glimpsinggembles.com/2018/...
Dean Mayes is an author who continues to show his talent with his latest novel, The Artisan Heart. Dean has stepped into the romance genre with this compelling book, and though this varies from his other great books, this style fits Dean perfectly.
I have a not-so-secret confession. I am not a fan of romance books. But did I enjoy this book? Yes! I definitely believe that any romance lover will be bowled over by this book, and at the same time, the character development, intrigue and setting will immerse any reader into the story.
I received this ARC from Central Avenue Publishing, and I’m lucky enough to count Dean as a friend of mine. Regardless, this is an honest review of The Artisan Heart and contains my own thoughts and opinions. This novel comes out on the 1st of September, 2018.
Summary:
The Artisan Heart follows respected paediatrician, Hayden Luschcombe. He lives in Adelaide with his wife, Bernadette, a goal-oriented and driven event planner. One day, his seemingly idyllic life is turned on its head and he decides to travel back to his childhood home in Walhalla. This is a beautiful town surrounded by the mountains of South Australia.
As Hayden works on his old and dilapidated family home, he must try to get back on his feet. He spends time with the town people he grew up with and meets Isabelle, a determined single mother and artisan baker. These two, firm in their own mindsets and caught up with their struggles, begin to reveal what has been long hidden in each other’s hearts.
However, both their pasts loom and threaten to crush their happiness. If they ever want to have a chance at the future they deserve, they must confront what they have buried behind them. Is it possible?
Review:
The atmosphere and settings in this book are so intricate and real. It was exciting for me because the beginning of the book is set in an area of Adelaide in which I worked and lived years ago (and where I met Dean). It’s always interesting to read about a place that you know well. Dean transitions cleverly between the city and the small town that Hayden moves to and his different lives in each with a change of pace and mood that is clear and immersive. I could immediately tell that Dean has a passion for and connection with Walhalla as he truly brings out the beauty of this town.
I greatly enjoyed the character development in this book. These characters are multifaceted with their flaws and struggles, kindness and strength. It is clear that Dean has paid close attention to each of them. The fact that they felt so real has meant they have stuck with me long after finishing the book.
As you would expect from a romance book, this beautiful story is sweet and charming, but at the same time it has tension, mystery and drama, which, for someone like me who doesn’t typically read romances, helped to keep me hooked. There are some on-the-edge-of-your-seat moments, which, if you’re a fan of Dean’s previous work, you will know he delivers skillfully and powerfully.
It is great to see another well written book added to Australian literature, and The Artisan Heart is one that you should definitely check out. I gave this book 5 stars.
Dean Mayes is an author who continues to show his talent with his latest novel, The Artisan Heart. Dean has stepped into the romance genre with this compelling book, and though this varies from his other great books, this style fits Dean perfectly.
I have a not-so-secret confession. I am not a fan of romance books. But did I enjoy this book? Yes! I definitely believe that any romance lover will be bowled over by this book, and at the same time, the character development, intrigue and setting will immerse any reader into the story.
I received this ARC from Central Avenue Publishing, and I’m lucky enough to count Dean as a friend of mine. Regardless, this is an honest review of The Artisan Heart and contains my own thoughts and opinions. This novel comes out on the 1st of September, 2018.
Summary:
The Artisan Heart follows respected paediatrician, Hayden Luschcombe. He lives in Adelaide with his wife, Bernadette, a goal-oriented and driven event planner. One day, his seemingly idyllic life is turned on its head and he decides to travel back to his childhood home in Walhalla. This is a beautiful town surrounded by the mountains of South Australia.
As Hayden works on his old and dilapidated family home, he must try to get back on his feet. He spends time with the town people he grew up with and meets Isabelle, a determined single mother and artisan baker. These two, firm in their own mindsets and caught up with their struggles, begin to reveal what has been long hidden in each other’s hearts.
However, both their pasts loom and threaten to crush their happiness. If they ever want to have a chance at the future they deserve, they must confront what they have buried behind them. Is it possible?
Review:
The atmosphere and settings in this book are so intricate and real. It was exciting for me because the beginning of the book is set in an area of Adelaide in which I worked and lived years ago (and where I met Dean). It’s always interesting to read about a place that you know well. Dean transitions cleverly between the city and the small town that Hayden moves to and his different lives in each with a change of pace and mood that is clear and immersive. I could immediately tell that Dean has a passion for and connection with Walhalla as he truly brings out the beauty of this town.
I greatly enjoyed the character development in this book. These characters are multifaceted with their flaws and struggles, kindness and strength. It is clear that Dean has paid close attention to each of them. The fact that they felt so real has meant they have stuck with me long after finishing the book.
As you would expect from a romance book, this beautiful story is sweet and charming, but at the same time it has tension, mystery and drama, which, for someone like me who doesn’t typically read romances, helped to keep me hooked. There are some on-the-edge-of-your-seat moments, which, if you’re a fan of Dean’s previous work, you will know he delivers skillfully and powerfully.
It is great to see another well written book added to Australian literature, and The Artisan Heart is one that you should definitely check out. I gave this book 5 stars.
July 19, 2018
Looking for a realistic romance novel with just the right blend of drama and suspense? If you're more into Nicholas Sparks and Hallmark channel love stories as opposed to Harlequin romance novels, you'll definitely want to check out this new title from Dean Mayes.
Infidelity, new starts, and finding love in the most unexpected place, the story of Hayden could happen to anyone. While I know some people are into the whimsical, whirlwind romances, I thought this aspect of the novel made it more belieavable and relatable, which I enjoyed.
With a colorful cast of personalities, Mayes' writes in such a way that you quickly develop opinions of them, whether good or bad. To be honest, I didn't care for Hayden's character much at first! As the story dives deeper into his past and what drives him, though, that gradually changed. Not to mention, you can't help but start feeling for him more once he starts to “thaw out”.
I also found it refreshing to read a love story from the male's point of view! To tell the truth, I don't read many romance novels these days. I guess I got burnt out on them after I got married. I started finding a lot of them to be too...cheesy? So I really like the tone of this story and the different perspective. Plus, I'm really into thrillers. So the drama and, especially, suspense near the end of the book was an added bonus.
Definitely be sure to mark your calendar and grab a copy of The Artisan Heart this September! I highly recommend it!
*I received an ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review/opinion. No compensation was received. All opinions are my own.
Infidelity, new starts, and finding love in the most unexpected place, the story of Hayden could happen to anyone. While I know some people are into the whimsical, whirlwind romances, I thought this aspect of the novel made it more belieavable and relatable, which I enjoyed.
With a colorful cast of personalities, Mayes' writes in such a way that you quickly develop opinions of them, whether good or bad. To be honest, I didn't care for Hayden's character much at first! As the story dives deeper into his past and what drives him, though, that gradually changed. Not to mention, you can't help but start feeling for him more once he starts to “thaw out”.
I also found it refreshing to read a love story from the male's point of view! To tell the truth, I don't read many romance novels these days. I guess I got burnt out on them after I got married. I started finding a lot of them to be too...cheesy? So I really like the tone of this story and the different perspective. Plus, I'm really into thrillers. So the drama and, especially, suspense near the end of the book was an added bonus.
Definitely be sure to mark your calendar and grab a copy of The Artisan Heart this September! I highly recommend it!
*I received an ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review/opinion. No compensation was received. All opinions are my own.
September 7, 2018
I really enjoyed this, it had drama, romance and suspense and I found it hard to put down. I liked the way the two main characters Hayden and Isabelle helped each other to heal from past trauma. It was a really lovely story that kept me hoping for good outcomes to the different events that led them to the township of Walhalla. I also hoped that Haydens wife would get what she deserved. The township of Walhalla was just the sort of place I could imagine going to to get over my own problems, full of interesting and supportive characters.
Thanks to NetGalley and Central Avenue Publishing for a copy in return for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and Central Avenue Publishing for a copy in return for an honest review.
August 30, 2018
It's been ages since I read romantic suspense and I must say that this was a very pleasurable one.
Bernadette is a high-flying events planner, completely focussed on her own job with scant regard to her husband's career. As a paediatrician, Hayden hardly has a nine-to-five routine, but Bernie insists he be at her side during the parties she organises. When things reach crisis point on all fronts, Hayden leaves abruptly and heads into the Australian mountains and the place where he grew up.
Isabelle hasn't had things easy; she has retreated to her grandparents old bakery in the same small country town with her daughter, Genevieve, who is profoundly deaf. It's only a matter of time before she and Hayden are re-acquainted, bringing back unwelcome memories of their childhood. This is the tale of a small town, the people in it, and the community spirit which fosters strongly through the years.
A really good read, this was more complex than I expected it to be. The characters are - mostly - delightful; the author has skilfully created differing personalities, all well-rounded and with a history. Genevieve, in particular, is very charasmatic and a prime example of someone whose incapacity won't hold her back in life. A well-planned and excellently written story, and an entertaining one. The pace of the story changes with events and no matter what's going on, I found it kept my attention throughout. And, for those who know me well, it finished with all questions answered - my favourite type of novel!
My thanks to the author for alerting me to his work and to publishers Central Avenue for my copy via NetGalley. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.
Bernadette is a high-flying events planner, completely focussed on her own job with scant regard to her husband's career. As a paediatrician, Hayden hardly has a nine-to-five routine, but Bernie insists he be at her side during the parties she organises. When things reach crisis point on all fronts, Hayden leaves abruptly and heads into the Australian mountains and the place where he grew up.
Isabelle hasn't had things easy; she has retreated to her grandparents old bakery in the same small country town with her daughter, Genevieve, who is profoundly deaf. It's only a matter of time before she and Hayden are re-acquainted, bringing back unwelcome memories of their childhood. This is the tale of a small town, the people in it, and the community spirit which fosters strongly through the years.
A really good read, this was more complex than I expected it to be. The characters are - mostly - delightful; the author has skilfully created differing personalities, all well-rounded and with a history. Genevieve, in particular, is very charasmatic and a prime example of someone whose incapacity won't hold her back in life. A well-planned and excellently written story, and an entertaining one. The pace of the story changes with events and no matter what's going on, I found it kept my attention throughout. And, for those who know me well, it finished with all questions answered - my favourite type of novel!
My thanks to the author for alerting me to his work and to publishers Central Avenue for my copy via NetGalley. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.
September 24, 2018
The Artisan Heart by author Dean Mayes is a stand out read from start to finish! Hayden’s character is the type of character that you could read about forever and never tire of his antics. Full of heart, a complete sweetheart portrayal. Isabelle in all her initial prickliness warms the heart and Genie is a complete scene stealer. A small town read with a big heart feel. A read that puts a smile on your face. Five fab stars reading.
Review copy received from Central Avenue Publishing via Netgalley
Review copy received from Central Avenue Publishing via Netgalley
June 27, 2018
I received a digital ARC of this book for reviewing from Central Avenue Publishing via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
‘The Artisan Heart’ is a heartwarming story about two people with quite some bagage who want nothing more but to find comfort with each other in the peace and quiet of Walhalla, a tiny town in Australia’s southern mountains. If you’re looking for an easy summer read with steady characters, a great setting and a storyline that keeps you intrigued: look no further. Dean Mayes has done a great job with this novel, he’s written a touching story with a romantic feel.
I really loved the concept of the story, and I loved the way it was set up. We start out with Hayden and his fast paced life down in Adelaide. We meet his wife, Bernadette, an ambitious event planner who doesn’t seem to be a big fan of Hayden’s hectic work schedule and his irregular hours. It doesn’t take long before you realize that Bernadette – or Berni, as Hayden calls her – only needs him as her trophy husband. So when he shows up late to her events (or doesn’t show up at all, due to work), she retaliates and hurts him in the worst way possible. Having no friends or family of his own in Adelaide, Hayden doesn’t have any other choice than to flee back to his hometown. Walhalla. Once he’s there, he reconnects with his old friends Max and Nette and he’s forced to face his strained relationship with his father. He also meets Genevieve, a deaf girl who doesn’t seem too keen on having him around at first, but warms up to him pretty quickly. It was hard to put the book down at times, I really wanted to know how the story went, especially when I found out there were some dark and gritty secrets that weren’t going to stay buried for long.
Mayes is a great writer, I’ll give him that. He does a superb job describing the surroundings, it felt like I was actually in Walhalla myself. As if I was there, every step of the way. His characters on the other hand, were just a bit too bland for my taste. Yes, I’m fully aware that I’ve called them ‘steady’, but I never actually connected to them. I wanted too, but it was difficult because he kept changing the POV from Hayden to Isabelle to Genevieve to Max to Annette to Bernadette to Mitchell to Amanda to even Gregor the police officer. Sometimes it was a bit difficult to keep track of whose thoughts I was actually reading. As the story progressed, it got easier to distinguish the difference between the various voices, but I still found it a little distracting.
Our main character, Hayden, is a kind and giving man who deserves the world – but is a bit of a Gary Stue at the same time. He’s a fantastic doctor, but he’s also really good with cars, he knows how to cook, he fixes the roof of his cottage, he’s an excellent driver and even though he seems to be a bit socially awkward – he manages to fix the townproblems in less than one evening. I did my best to love him unconditionally, but I failed miserably. Maybe if Mayes had made him a bit more flawed, I would’ve liked him a little bit better. I did love his interactions with Genevieve, though. Those conversations – in sign language – were definitely a highlight.
Isabelle is a great character, though. She’s sweet and lovely, yet determind and tenacious at the same time. A single mom and determined to make her bakery work while raising her daughter all by herself. As a reader, you know there are some dark secrets she’s trying to keep buried, especially from Hayden and Genevieve. It was lovely to see Belle and Hayden grow, both individually as well as towards one another… Even though I did think it was a little bit too fast for Hayden to fall in love with her when his marriage to Bernadette only ended a month prior to it. Fair enough, he states multiple times that there was no saving his marriage, but it still felt a bit rushed to me.
Nevertheless, I think ‘The Artisan Heart’ was a great story, told by a fantastic storyteller. Mayes is definitely a great writer and I’ll make sure to keep an eye out for his next book.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
‘The Artisan Heart’ is a heartwarming story about two people with quite some bagage who want nothing more but to find comfort with each other in the peace and quiet of Walhalla, a tiny town in Australia’s southern mountains. If you’re looking for an easy summer read with steady characters, a great setting and a storyline that keeps you intrigued: look no further. Dean Mayes has done a great job with this novel, he’s written a touching story with a romantic feel.
I really loved the concept of the story, and I loved the way it was set up. We start out with Hayden and his fast paced life down in Adelaide. We meet his wife, Bernadette, an ambitious event planner who doesn’t seem to be a big fan of Hayden’s hectic work schedule and his irregular hours. It doesn’t take long before you realize that Bernadette – or Berni, as Hayden calls her – only needs him as her trophy husband. So when he shows up late to her events (or doesn’t show up at all, due to work), she retaliates and hurts him in the worst way possible. Having no friends or family of his own in Adelaide, Hayden doesn’t have any other choice than to flee back to his hometown. Walhalla. Once he’s there, he reconnects with his old friends Max and Nette and he’s forced to face his strained relationship with his father. He also meets Genevieve, a deaf girl who doesn’t seem too keen on having him around at first, but warms up to him pretty quickly. It was hard to put the book down at times, I really wanted to know how the story went, especially when I found out there were some dark and gritty secrets that weren’t going to stay buried for long.
Mayes is a great writer, I’ll give him that. He does a superb job describing the surroundings, it felt like I was actually in Walhalla myself. As if I was there, every step of the way. His characters on the other hand, were just a bit too bland for my taste. Yes, I’m fully aware that I’ve called them ‘steady’, but I never actually connected to them. I wanted too, but it was difficult because he kept changing the POV from Hayden to Isabelle to Genevieve to Max to Annette to Bernadette to Mitchell to Amanda to even Gregor the police officer. Sometimes it was a bit difficult to keep track of whose thoughts I was actually reading. As the story progressed, it got easier to distinguish the difference between the various voices, but I still found it a little distracting.
Our main character, Hayden, is a kind and giving man who deserves the world – but is a bit of a Gary Stue at the same time. He’s a fantastic doctor, but he’s also really good with cars, he knows how to cook, he fixes the roof of his cottage, he’s an excellent driver and even though he seems to be a bit socially awkward – he manages to fix the townproblems in less than one evening. I did my best to love him unconditionally, but I failed miserably. Maybe if Mayes had made him a bit more flawed, I would’ve liked him a little bit better. I did love his interactions with Genevieve, though. Those conversations – in sign language – were definitely a highlight.
Isabelle is a great character, though. She’s sweet and lovely, yet determind and tenacious at the same time. A single mom and determined to make her bakery work while raising her daughter all by herself. As a reader, you know there are some dark secrets she’s trying to keep buried, especially from Hayden and Genevieve. It was lovely to see Belle and Hayden grow, both individually as well as towards one another… Even though I did think it was a little bit too fast for Hayden to fall in love with her when his marriage to Bernadette only ended a month prior to it. Fair enough, he states multiple times that there was no saving his marriage, but it still felt a bit rushed to me.
Nevertheless, I think ‘The Artisan Heart’ was a great story, told by a fantastic storyteller. Mayes is definitely a great writer and I’ll make sure to keep an eye out for his next book.
July 14, 2018
A too-perfect romance that makes you remember the story is fictional.
Some guys can be too perfect; that seems like the case for our main character Hayden Luschombe. The "artisan" pediatrician who can woodwork, fix cars, fix just about anything on a house, can temper a high tension meeting and thinks of others for no apparent reason. He can forgive a childhood bully without consequence. When danger arises he is ready to go and doesn't question the sacrifice even though at that moment he has plenty to lose. Hayden is the character that you should fall in love with and yet I did not because even his flaw of being a little of a pushover with his wife is excusable and only makes him that much more the good guy. And not just the good guy but the better-than-good guy. He is so perfect that he comes off as more fictional than the story requires him to be.
To add to this, he never gets mad when his business is spread across the small town and he partakes in a romance while still fully married, without consequences. The good guy is unquestionably good, the bad guys are easily identifiable and the deserving heart is waiting in the wing. There is no confusion of character in the story. And it is not until I turned the final page of the epilogue that the hypocrisy of the main character was realized. It was missed under the heaping of "he-deserves-better attitude the narrative illustrates.
That being said I genuinely enjoyed The Artisan Heart. I was immersed in the story from the first few pages. The pacing was well built and it felt as if I was walking in the town of Walhalla, step-by-step as Hayden and Isabella picked up the pieces of their lives.
Yes, the character was too perfect and the relationship was cliche (win over the child to win over the mother, albeit unintentionally) but it is all the makings of a good romance novel. The Artisan Heart did not disappoint.
For its encompassing storyline, despite its too perfect character, I give The Artisan Heart 4/5 open book reviews.
Get your copy on September 1 when it is released internationally.
Some guys can be too perfect; that seems like the case for our main character Hayden Luschombe. The "artisan" pediatrician who can woodwork, fix cars, fix just about anything on a house, can temper a high tension meeting and thinks of others for no apparent reason. He can forgive a childhood bully without consequence. When danger arises he is ready to go and doesn't question the sacrifice even though at that moment he has plenty to lose. Hayden is the character that you should fall in love with and yet I did not because even his flaw of being a little of a pushover with his wife is excusable and only makes him that much more the good guy. And not just the good guy but the better-than-good guy. He is so perfect that he comes off as more fictional than the story requires him to be.
To add to this, he never gets mad when his business is spread across the small town and he partakes in a romance while still fully married, without consequences. The good guy is unquestionably good, the bad guys are easily identifiable and the deserving heart is waiting in the wing. There is no confusion of character in the story. And it is not until I turned the final page of the epilogue that the hypocrisy of the main character was realized. It was missed under the heaping of "he-deserves-better attitude the narrative illustrates.
That being said I genuinely enjoyed The Artisan Heart. I was immersed in the story from the first few pages. The pacing was well built and it felt as if I was walking in the town of Walhalla, step-by-step as Hayden and Isabella picked up the pieces of their lives.
Yes, the character was too perfect and the relationship was cliche (win over the child to win over the mother, albeit unintentionally) but it is all the makings of a good romance novel. The Artisan Heart did not disappoint.
For its encompassing storyline, despite its too perfect character, I give The Artisan Heart 4/5 open book reviews.
Get your copy on September 1 when it is released internationally.
August 29, 2018
This is a very human book. It deals with grief and relationships and finding yourself after losing your way. It never becomes fluffy or too overtly emotional. That is not to say I did not tear up at times...
The main scene for this tale is a small town in the mountains of Victoria, Australia, after our main character Hayden flees Adelaide when his marriage falls apart.
Although the book has a fairly dramatic, soap opera start, I started enjoying it much more once Hayden arrived in Walhalla. I liked the village's characters and the understated romance that develops between Hayden and Isabelle. I love the fact that the author wrote Isabelle's daughter as a deaf seven-year-old. I have not read a lot of books with disability representation. I liked the way there were snippets focused on a different character, so as the reader you knew trouble was brewing. You just did not know when it would hit.
In the end I found it this a satisfying read. I liked the characters and the relationships. However, I do wish I had more sense of place whilst reading it. Although the author wrote about the plantlife and some generic mountain scenery, I wanted a little more from it. But then, I really love it when an author really goes to town on descriptions of landscape and scenery, so that is a matter of preference. .
This is not a book that blows you away, but it has quiet charm and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The main scene for this tale is a small town in the mountains of Victoria, Australia, after our main character Hayden flees Adelaide when his marriage falls apart.
Although the book has a fairly dramatic, soap opera start, I started enjoying it much more once Hayden arrived in Walhalla. I liked the village's characters and the understated romance that develops between Hayden and Isabelle. I love the fact that the author wrote Isabelle's daughter as a deaf seven-year-old. I have not read a lot of books with disability representation. I liked the way there were snippets focused on a different character, so as the reader you knew trouble was brewing. You just did not know when it would hit.
In the end I found it this a satisfying read. I liked the characters and the relationships. However, I do wish I had more sense of place whilst reading it. Although the author wrote about the plantlife and some generic mountain scenery, I wanted a little more from it. But then, I really love it when an author really goes to town on descriptions of landscape and scenery, so that is a matter of preference. .
This is not a book that blows you away, but it has quiet charm and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
August 25, 2018
The Artisan Heart is a fictional story about Hayden Luschcombe. He is a married doctor who is not as happy as he should be. His wife, Adelaide is a party planner, and they both struggle to really connect just making it by. An incident separates them and causes Hayden to move. He decides, to go to Walhalla, situated in the south of Australia and introduces us to an exciting cast of characters.
Hayden meets a wonderful mother who happens to be deaf. She is a baker but struggling to succeed. The relationship between the two is what makes this story different from other fictional romance books.
As you enter this charmingly described world, you also experience the sense of connectivity between the characters. Each to its own was developed well. The pace was slow, but I think that added to the dynamic and intensity of the storyline.
Adelaide comes back to cause a stir, but her character wasn’t as strong as needed to really make her a villain. I am not sure if that was intentional, however, all together, this made the story sweet and simple.
I recommend this book to fiction readers, romance lovers and people who enjoy a well-written novel.
Hayden meets a wonderful mother who happens to be deaf. She is a baker but struggling to succeed. The relationship between the two is what makes this story different from other fictional romance books.
As you enter this charmingly described world, you also experience the sense of connectivity between the characters. Each to its own was developed well. The pace was slow, but I think that added to the dynamic and intensity of the storyline.
Adelaide comes back to cause a stir, but her character wasn’t as strong as needed to really make her a villain. I am not sure if that was intentional, however, all together, this made the story sweet and simple.
I recommend this book to fiction readers, romance lovers and people who enjoy a well-written novel.
November 19, 2019
An act of betrayal sends paediatrician Hayden Luschcombe to his childhood home, where old hurts and memories linger and two fractured hearts are slowly drawn together. A story of finding yourself and embracing the future, it was a truly enjoyable read. The Artisan Heart is gentle but with a firm edge - as warm and satisfying as the bread Bella (Hayden's unexpected love interest) bakes. In formula, it’s easy to see where this romantic tale is going, but that didn’t detract from the pleasure of being taken along for the ride, and besides, that's where I wanted it to go.
Mayes has a strength for describing food - I felt like I could smell Bella's bread. I wanted to make my own and eat it as I read. There's emotion and tension aplenty, and a terrific Aussie setting in a small town I hope to read more about. If you're looking for a feelgood story, check this one out.
Mayes has a strength for describing food - I felt like I could smell Bella's bread. I wanted to make my own and eat it as I read. There's emotion and tension aplenty, and a terrific Aussie setting in a small town I hope to read more about. If you're looking for a feelgood story, check this one out.
June 18, 2018
Really slow read for me. Stopped and started many times. An ok story but needed some help, I think.
September 17, 2018
This is an excellently written book that will play with your emotions. The characters are interesting, some are very likeable, some are despicable. There is romance, deceit, danger, and suspense. Very good descriptions of Walhalla. You will wish you were there. Just when you think all is well, the author throws you a sudden curve. This book is a page turner, plenty of suspense, so you will not be able to put it down. It is such a good book, I didn't want it to end.
January 2, 2020
Happy New Year everyone! May the year 2020 bring in more blessings and adventures. May the new decade be filled with abundance and love.
Christmas and New Year was a bit solemn for us because my brother-in-law had to be admitted to the hospital. What we suspected as just a spike in blood sugar and a slight stroke turned out to be a tumor in the brain which is blocking the fluids from draining and is growing near the brain stem. He had to undergo an operation immediately than risk a coma. Thankfully, we were able to borrow money for the operation. He was operated on the 26th to put a shank on his brain to drain the fluids and to lessen the building pressure. Another operation will be performed in a few days to remove the tumor which is benign and is just level one when tumors are concerned. Apparently, there are four levels or stages. At least, that's one thing we are thankful for and that we found it early, least he would just drop down into a coma while in the loo. That's how critical the situation would have been. We continue to pray that the next operation would be as smooth and there would be no complications and that he would make a faster full recovery. So, for those who will be reading this, please help pray for my brother-in-law. Thank you in advance.
When I chose this story as the first story to be reviewed for 2020, I did not have any conscious reason except that this should have been reviewed last year. After telling you about what our Christmas and New Year's celebration were like, I realized that this book has a lot of relevance to our experience mostly because the story is about a doctor. So, my telling you about my brother-in-law's case is actually a good introduction to this story or about the main character - Dr. Hayden Luschcombe.
Hayden is a very skilled pediatrician. He can easily spot things that most doctors would miss, thus is a very valuable asset to the hospital he works for. But after a very painful betrayal of his wife, he lost his cool while attending to a burned child at the emergency room and had an altercation with the child's father. He was suspended and might lose his license to practice. It was like Hayden's whole world came crushing down on him. His marriage is in shambles after he caught his wife cheating and now his career is lost as well. Worst, he had nowhere to go. No friends to find solace or comfort. His last and only resort was to go back to the one and only other place he knew - Walhalla. His hometown.
I had to reread the earlier parts of this story that led to Hayden's misfortunes. I had to make sure I had it right. What was imprinted in my consciousness was the part where Hayden spent in Walhalla after he lucked out, which is probably most of the story and the most amazing part. It turned out, life has a way of working out and for Hayden, it was Walhalla. Walhalla, along with its very kind-hearted people, had helped Hayden get back on his feet and rediscover his first love - woodworking. Aside from being a very good doctor, Hayden is a very skilled wood worker. It was in Walhalla where he found the strength and the inspiration to get his hands working again and create wooden masterpieces. It was also the place where he comes to terms with his past and his present and eventually, consider plans for his future.
Aside from Hayden, the two other inspiring characters in this story are the mother and daughter pair - Isabelle and Genevieve Sampi. Isabelle is a very talented baker. She could bake delicious and mouth-watering goodies. While reading this book, I could imagine the delicious aroma of bread baking and I can't help but miss the relaxing and uplifting mood baking brings to me. It's a very good form of stress relief which I have missed badly. I haven't done a lot of baking lately. But last New Year's eve, I got to relive the high of baking again because my sister asked me to make a banana cake when she saw that we had too many bananas that had gone too ripe. They were leftover from the hospital given by friends who visited.
One very memorable scene in this story is how Hayden and Genevieve first met. It was a very hilarious one. The pint sized Genevieve packed a very mean kick and Hayden's unfortunate groin could attest to that. Also, Genevieve is deaf. She was so surprised that the doc is really good at sign language. These three souls (Isabelle, her daughter and the doc) turned out to find solace in each other and fixed whatever is broken within themselves. As fate would have it, Walhalla is definitely the "Valley of the Gods" as it is called because these three people have found the healing they needed to start life over.
This is a very touching story which tugged at my heart in so many different ways. I emphatized with Hayden. With him losing it and going ballistic with the parent was to me a very classic human reaction. I can understand his frustration and if I were in his place, I would have done the same thing. I would have creamed that abusive father till he admits to what he did to his own child. But then, society and values require us to be the bigger man, damn it! To be rational in a very frustrating situation. What the heck, right? But then, with the doc ending up in Walhalla, a place where he remembered he was loved, was a way for him to find hope once again.
Love, hope and that dreams do come through if you work hard enough, are the main themes of this story. In spite of the very unlucky start of Hayden, with his marriage and career ending, he found comfort and hope in the welcoming and very kind arms of Walhalla. He then resolved to fixed his messes, starting with his parents' cottage. I guess, for some of us, whose issues aren't as tangible or the damage can't be literally fixed or put back together, we have to start the healing with the things that we can manually do something about. With Hayden, it was the cottage, then his dad's last wood work and then when he felt better enough about himself, he started fixing his life. The story tells us to take one thing at a time because to take on everything at once is too overwhelming. Instead of making things better, we may end up doing more damage. No one came back from the ashes in one go. Even the phoenix requires time to build strength and start the embers before rising to its rebirth. One step at a time because healing is gradual. It doesn't take overnight. It's a slow process. For others, much slower, depending on the person's drive to make things better and how much the emotional, physical and mental damage is. And it doesn't hurt also to have people who believe in you. That no matter how much you messed up, they believe that you can pull through because they've seen you when you were at your best. They have faith that you are a lot bigger than your messes. You can be better. You can do a lot better.
I give this book 5/5 doctor's bag. It's a very good story of starting over and doing what we truly love. And it couldn't be just one thing but we could be passionate about many things. Just like Hayden, he doesn't have to choose between being a wood craftsman and a doctor, he could be both. He could do well with a chisel and a stethoscope. He's skilled at those two things. He could heal people with compassion and create works of art with wood with a passion. He could be an artisan doctor. He only has to be reminded of the joy that woodworking brings to him and from there he could feel better. To learn to forgive himself and start over. With that in mind, I hope that whatever our misses in 2019, we leave it there. We start over this year just like Doc Hayden, Isabelle and Genevieve and make a better life than the one we had the previous year or the years before that. To just aim to be better. Cheers to new beginnings and to living life with a passion and living our passions. If you have not found your passion or anything that makes you feel so alive, then find it!
What we were as children doesn't necessarily translate to the people we are now.
- Dean Mayes, The Artisan Heart -
Thank you again Dean Mayes and Netgalley for the review copy. Sorry, this review took a whole year to come out. Happy New Year!
Christmas and New Year was a bit solemn for us because my brother-in-law had to be admitted to the hospital. What we suspected as just a spike in blood sugar and a slight stroke turned out to be a tumor in the brain which is blocking the fluids from draining and is growing near the brain stem. He had to undergo an operation immediately than risk a coma. Thankfully, we were able to borrow money for the operation. He was operated on the 26th to put a shank on his brain to drain the fluids and to lessen the building pressure. Another operation will be performed in a few days to remove the tumor which is benign and is just level one when tumors are concerned. Apparently, there are four levels or stages. At least, that's one thing we are thankful for and that we found it early, least he would just drop down into a coma while in the loo. That's how critical the situation would have been. We continue to pray that the next operation would be as smooth and there would be no complications and that he would make a faster full recovery. So, for those who will be reading this, please help pray for my brother-in-law. Thank you in advance.
When I chose this story as the first story to be reviewed for 2020, I did not have any conscious reason except that this should have been reviewed last year. After telling you about what our Christmas and New Year's celebration were like, I realized that this book has a lot of relevance to our experience mostly because the story is about a doctor. So, my telling you about my brother-in-law's case is actually a good introduction to this story or about the main character - Dr. Hayden Luschcombe.
Hayden is a very skilled pediatrician. He can easily spot things that most doctors would miss, thus is a very valuable asset to the hospital he works for. But after a very painful betrayal of his wife, he lost his cool while attending to a burned child at the emergency room and had an altercation with the child's father. He was suspended and might lose his license to practice. It was like Hayden's whole world came crushing down on him. His marriage is in shambles after he caught his wife cheating and now his career is lost as well. Worst, he had nowhere to go. No friends to find solace or comfort. His last and only resort was to go back to the one and only other place he knew - Walhalla. His hometown.
I had to reread the earlier parts of this story that led to Hayden's misfortunes. I had to make sure I had it right. What was imprinted in my consciousness was the part where Hayden spent in Walhalla after he lucked out, which is probably most of the story and the most amazing part. It turned out, life has a way of working out and for Hayden, it was Walhalla. Walhalla, along with its very kind-hearted people, had helped Hayden get back on his feet and rediscover his first love - woodworking. Aside from being a very good doctor, Hayden is a very skilled wood worker. It was in Walhalla where he found the strength and the inspiration to get his hands working again and create wooden masterpieces. It was also the place where he comes to terms with his past and his present and eventually, consider plans for his future.
Aside from Hayden, the two other inspiring characters in this story are the mother and daughter pair - Isabelle and Genevieve Sampi. Isabelle is a very talented baker. She could bake delicious and mouth-watering goodies. While reading this book, I could imagine the delicious aroma of bread baking and I can't help but miss the relaxing and uplifting mood baking brings to me. It's a very good form of stress relief which I have missed badly. I haven't done a lot of baking lately. But last New Year's eve, I got to relive the high of baking again because my sister asked me to make a banana cake when she saw that we had too many bananas that had gone too ripe. They were leftover from the hospital given by friends who visited.
One very memorable scene in this story is how Hayden and Genevieve first met. It was a very hilarious one. The pint sized Genevieve packed a very mean kick and Hayden's unfortunate groin could attest to that. Also, Genevieve is deaf. She was so surprised that the doc is really good at sign language. These three souls (Isabelle, her daughter and the doc) turned out to find solace in each other and fixed whatever is broken within themselves. As fate would have it, Walhalla is definitely the "Valley of the Gods" as it is called because these three people have found the healing they needed to start life over.
This is a very touching story which tugged at my heart in so many different ways. I emphatized with Hayden. With him losing it and going ballistic with the parent was to me a very classic human reaction. I can understand his frustration and if I were in his place, I would have done the same thing. I would have creamed that abusive father till he admits to what he did to his own child. But then, society and values require us to be the bigger man, damn it! To be rational in a very frustrating situation. What the heck, right? But then, with the doc ending up in Walhalla, a place where he remembered he was loved, was a way for him to find hope once again.
Love, hope and that dreams do come through if you work hard enough, are the main themes of this story. In spite of the very unlucky start of Hayden, with his marriage and career ending, he found comfort and hope in the welcoming and very kind arms of Walhalla. He then resolved to fixed his messes, starting with his parents' cottage. I guess, for some of us, whose issues aren't as tangible or the damage can't be literally fixed or put back together, we have to start the healing with the things that we can manually do something about. With Hayden, it was the cottage, then his dad's last wood work and then when he felt better enough about himself, he started fixing his life. The story tells us to take one thing at a time because to take on everything at once is too overwhelming. Instead of making things better, we may end up doing more damage. No one came back from the ashes in one go. Even the phoenix requires time to build strength and start the embers before rising to its rebirth. One step at a time because healing is gradual. It doesn't take overnight. It's a slow process. For others, much slower, depending on the person's drive to make things better and how much the emotional, physical and mental damage is. And it doesn't hurt also to have people who believe in you. That no matter how much you messed up, they believe that you can pull through because they've seen you when you were at your best. They have faith that you are a lot bigger than your messes. You can be better. You can do a lot better.
I give this book 5/5 doctor's bag. It's a very good story of starting over and doing what we truly love. And it couldn't be just one thing but we could be passionate about many things. Just like Hayden, he doesn't have to choose between being a wood craftsman and a doctor, he could be both. He could do well with a chisel and a stethoscope. He's skilled at those two things. He could heal people with compassion and create works of art with wood with a passion. He could be an artisan doctor. He only has to be reminded of the joy that woodworking brings to him and from there he could feel better. To learn to forgive himself and start over. With that in mind, I hope that whatever our misses in 2019, we leave it there. We start over this year just like Doc Hayden, Isabelle and Genevieve and make a better life than the one we had the previous year or the years before that. To just aim to be better. Cheers to new beginnings and to living life with a passion and living our passions. If you have not found your passion or anything that makes you feel so alive, then find it!
What we were as children doesn't necessarily translate to the people we are now.
- Dean Mayes, The Artisan Heart -
Thank you again Dean Mayes and Netgalley for the review copy. Sorry, this review took a whole year to come out. Happy New Year!
July 4, 2018
The Artisan Heart is a breath of fresh air. I absolutely loved this book. I couldn't put it down and was sad to see it end. The writing is so good. It'll suck you into the story. It's told in multiple POV's and it's clear when the viewpoint changes. The story flows seamlessly and will keep you engaged.
Reviewed on behalf of Once Upon an Alpha.
Reviewed on behalf of Once Upon an Alpha.
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