Surrender Your Heart

Seriously Sweet St Louis #3

by Cynthia Rutledge, Cindy Kirk

Mixing things up could make her Thanksgiving wonderful!

Nurse Grace Comstock needed a date for Thanksgiving STAT. She never expected Dr. Nick Tucci, who volunteered at the free clinic where she worked, to offer to escort her.

At the feast Nick convinced her family that he was her adoring boyfriend. Even Grace found herself falling under the handsome doctor’s spell.

She soon finds herself wishing their pretend relationship might blossom into true love.

Though Nick has fallen hard for Grace and wants her in his life for good, she’s reluctant to open her heart to him. The handsome doctor must somehow find a way to convince her that her pretend boyfriend is ready to become her loving husband.

Originally released as Loving Grace.

Genres: Christian Romance, Romance

186 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Cynthia Rutledge started writing after taking a class at a local community college. But her interest in the written word started years earlier when she was in her teens. At sixteen she wrote in her diary, "I don't know what I would do if I couldn't be a writer."

It took Cindy years to return to her first love---writing. Unlike some writers, Cindy wasn't interested in shorter works of fiction. She jumped feet first into book length fiction. She loves reading and writing romance because she believes in the power of love and in happily ever after. An incurable romantic, Cindy loves seeing her characters grow and learn from their mistakes and, in the process, achieve a happy ending.

Cindy hopes that once you read her books you'll be able to tell she is an eternal optimist, one who truly believes in the power of love. She invites you to kick off your shoes, pick up one of her books and get to know her.

She now writes for Harlequin Special Edition and Montlake Romance under Cindy Kirk. Check out her website www.cindykirk.com, friend her on Facebook and follow her on twitter @cindykirkauthor

Reviews

[Susan Gorman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surrender Your Heart is the third novel in Cindy Kirk’s Seriously Sweet St Louis series. Loved this fast paced, character driven romance.
Pediatric surgeon Nick Tucci surprised me in a good way. He is tired of his sister playing matchmaker for him because her friends see dollar signs, not Nick as an individual. He has offered to accompany his co-worker Grace Comstock home for Thanksgiving weekend. Nick wants to enjoy turkey, stuffing and pie and watch football. He doesn’t count on enjoying the weekend and getting to know Grace and her family.
Grace is feeling family pressure; especially since her younger, married sister has just become a mother. She reminds herself that handsome doctors like Nick aren’t interested in the girl next door. After several failed relationships, Grace has built a wall around her heart. Although she loves her work at the clinic, she longs for a husband and family of her own—this made her very relatable.
I adored Grace’s nosy Aunt Nellie! She was always meddling in Grace’s life —and as a reader I couldn’t help but adore Nellie. Loved that Nick flirted with Nellie and adored their fun, teasing back and forth banter –it added a lot of humor to the story!
I adored Nick and Grace’s story and loved the unexpected plot twists at the conclusion of Surrender Your Heart! I adored the sizzle between Nick and Grace, the witty dialogue and the romance.
If you are looking for a book to warm your heart during this snowy weather—grab a copy of Surrender Your Heart!

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet romance, and a quick read. Grace wants to take a "boyfriend" to her family Thanksgiving celebration, so that her family will stop bothering her about relationships. Nick agrees to go, and they learn to like and then love each other. Although this is a fairly common romantic trope, it was well done and I found it hard to put it down before I came to the end of the story. I think they found each other at just the right points in their lives. Also, Grace's aunt Nellie is a great character!

Thanks to the publisher for giving me an ARC to read and review!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Nick and Grace's story. What started out as pretend grows into something serious as they both discover what they want is each other. It is a sweet novella. The characters are real and fun. I especially enjoyed Aunt Nellie! It's a very satisfying love story that leaves you with a smile.
I received an advance reader' copy from the publisher and am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher and am voluntarily reviewing it. This book was a very quick read. Clean, Christian romances are one of my faves and this one definitely doesn’t disappoint. Great series!

[Gillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great sweet read. I love all the characters that Cindy Kirk creates.
I will start with what I love about the Seriously Sweet St Louis series. These can be read as stand alone books or as a great series.
I really loved Crow (Sal) and Sara's story and wasn't sure if I could love anyone, but Nick is such a great character.
This book starts with Crow (Sal)'s brother, Nick. The renowned doctor seems to have it all, but love. He doesn't want to see his family at Thanksgiving and deal with this sister and her friends. So he takes a chance and decided to go home with the administrator of the free clinic he works at, Grace, who he doesn't know.
Grace is a great girl, but is always down on herself. She is worried to go home for Thanksgiving. Her younger sister is married and had a baby and Grace is single and 30. So she has the plan to find a guy friend to come home with her and pose as her boy friend. When Dr. Nick offered, she doesn't know what to think.
Grace has been hurt and doesn't think she is beautiful enough for a guy like Nick. He only dates model type girls, but her Thanksgiving with him goes so well. Grace assumes this relationship will end when she gets back to St. Louis, but when her aunt decides to join them in the city and wants to stay with Nick the ruse must continue.
The two find a friendship and love, but can Grace over come what she thinks she deserver to see what is in front of her eyes?
Also there is an update on Sal and Sara!!!
What I love the most about this story is it's not the typical bringing a fake boyfriend home for the holidays, we skip over the holiday and get all the highlights and see the relationship develop even if Nick and Grace don't see it.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher and am voluntarily reviewing it.

[Maria Carina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, this book was indeed, seriously sweet.

We have Grace and Nick, a nurse and a doctor, both single, both victims to their families' non stop meddling with their romantic lives. They meet at the clinic where Grace works at and Nick volunteers at.

Somehow, Nick gets wind of the fact that Grace needs a faux boyfriend to bring home for Thanksgiving and he volunteers to do this for Grace. This was slightly self serving on his part because he needed to get his meddling sister off his back as well, but unexpected surprises always pop up at the most opportune times. In and of itself, the faux relationship scenario would have been a win-win situation, right? RIGHT! The situation, however, proves to be more than just win win. It proves to be a happily ever after.

Grace does not really believe that Nick would be interested in her for real because she has some issues about her looks and status in life (who doesn't?). I love that Nick sees beyond that and realizes that he has found the pearl of great price in Grace. Of course, there are twists and turns and other unexpected loves found along the way, and these just makes this story even more endearing and heartwarming.

I love reading Cindy Kirk's books because it always feels like coming home, reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. The books are always written from the heart and you feel this in every page, every phrase, every word. That is a rare gift, and one that I feel so very lucky to have found.

* I received an ARC of this book, but this review is written voluntarily and all opinions are my own.

[Susan Roncevich · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Surrender Your Heart” is a short and sweet love story that will bring a smile to your face. This is the third book in the “Seriously Sweet St. Louis” series. It can be read as a standalone but I really loved and recommend the first two books as well.

Grace Comstock is a Nurse and a Clinic Director at a free clinic. She needs a date to take home for Thanksgiving and Dr. Nick Tucci volunteers to be her fake boyfriend as he doesn’t want to be set up by his sister with one of her friends at his family’s Thanksgiving dinner. Grace can’t imagine that Nick could possibly be attracted to her as he is very good looking. As women often do, she sells herself short. Grace’s Aunt Nellie is an interesting character. She is protective of Grace and had been since Grace was born with the same red hair as hers. She has never been married and has no children of her own but is like a second mother to Grace which can sometimes be frustrating for Grace. Aunt Nellie sees something between Grace and Nick which neither of them acknowledges. Just to keep things interesting, Aunt Nellie goes home to St. Louis with Grace and Nick to have knee surgery and as fate would have it, she also finds love.

I enjoyed this story very much! It is always great to find escape in a sweet love story. Cindy writes a story filled with hope, faith, angst and love and best of all, a happy ever after!
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher and am happy to voluntarily review it.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Grace Comstock and Nick Tucci. Grace is a nurse who works at a free clinic, and Nick is a doctor who volunteers at the free clinic. Neither Grace nor Nick has a positive view of the other. Grace needs a fake boyfriend to take home to Iowa for Thanksgiving, and Nick needs an excuse to avoid his sister’s matchmaking efforts at his family’s Thanksgiving festivities. As expected, both Grace and Nick become attracted to each other, but Grace is put off by her false perception that Nick is kind of a player. Grace and her family are strongly opposed to pre-marital sex, and the self-appointed guardian of the 30-year-old Grace’s virtue is her never-married aunt.

While the aunt’s behavior was kind of amusing while everyone was in Iowa, I couldn’t believe how she inserted herself into Grace’s life back in St. Louis, even living in Nick’s house while she supposedly is in St. Louis for medical reasons. This book is written with the typical Cindy Kirk style, and I enjoyed the developing relationship between Grace and Nick. However, I found the actions of Grace’s interfering aunt overly intrusive and kind of ridiculous for the 30-year-old Grace. While some readers might either appreciate the aunt’s zealous guarding of Grace’s virtue or find her behavior amusing, I thought the aunt’s behavior detracted from the story.

There are strong Christian themes in this book, but I did not find these distracting from the story.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher and am voluntarily reviewing the book.

[Ann-marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the continuing Seriously Sweet Series that focus on Christian Faith romance. In this story we meet again Dr.Nic Tucci (#2 Crow's brother). Nic volunteers once a week in a clinic where
Grace Comstock works. Grace has been burned by love before and sees Nic as a handsome man whose aloof and doesn't see her as any beauty. Nic finds out through his doctor friend Larry that Grace is looking for a date/pretend boyfriend to take home to meet her family for thanksgiving day. Grace is shocked and surprise when Nic volunteers to go home with her, She at first thought it was a joke and till she realizes he means it. As with these storylines both Grace and Nic realizes that they are falling for each other but is afraid to say so. We also get an additional storyline, Grace's older aunt Nellie also find's love. I relish seeing an older couple which is too often not feature finding love.A delightful christian base novel for women who love their romance pure and leaving it to their imagination. Giving an arc by the author.

[Nicole Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an Advanced Reader Copy from the publisher and am voluntarily reviewing it. Another glimpse into the Tucci Family. Readers will love this book as well. The anticipation has built if you read the first two books in this series. Dr. Nick Tucci is the brother Sal Tucci. Nick is looking for a reason to get out of Thanksgiving with his family and yet another fix up from his loving sister (I can't wait to hear her story; she is a character). He takes Grace Comstock up on the need for a fake boyfriend over the holiday weekend. Grace is the Director of the free clinic Nick volunteers at once a month. She is down home and most importantly down to earth. Nick has always been someone that she knew would never look her way but it was short notice and he was willing, so why not?

The fake couple get through the weekend without a hitch until Grace's Aunt, Nellie, decides she needed to come to St. Louis as a chaperone for the couple. Instead of this fake relationship ending as intended, the couple had to keep things going for a few more weeks. Will feelings change or will the fake relationship proceed as planned?? Feelings always have a way of getting involved somehow.

Readers also get a glimpse of Sal and and pregnant Sara, could this book be any sweeter? Similar to the previous books in this series, there is a faith element that makes you fall in love with these characters even more. You want the best for them because they deserve it. Cindy Kirk brings the Sweet to St. Louis and you are going to enjoy every minute of it.

[Claudia Yoder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surrender Your Heart is the third novel in Cindy Kirk’s Seriously Sweet St Louis series.
I love reading Cindy Kirk's books because it always feels like coming home, reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. The books are always written from the heart and you notice that differenc in her writing. These books have a different pace which exclude the sex scenes but it doesn’t take away from the genre or the romance.
I love fake boyfriend stories and this a good one. Grace and Nick are coworkers at a clinic and Nick comes home with her to avoid his own meddling family. This continues longer than the holidays. Nick does want a gold digger, Grace doesn’t believe anyone would want a girl next door after some failed relationships. I love just loved their story and I think you will too. I also love that we get a chance to find out how Sal and Sara are doing from the previous book.

* I received an ARC of this book, but this review is written voluntarily and all opinions are my own.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surrender Your Heart is the third in the Seriously Sweet St. Louis series. This follows the story of Grace and Nick and a case of pretend becoming reality. Nurse Grace Comstock is fed up of her family bemoaning the fact that she is not married nor in a relationship. She asks her colleague Dr. Nick Tucci to come home with her as her "boyfriend" hoping this will keep her family quiet. She cannot believe that Nick would ever have any romantic feelings for her as he is handsome and popular. Nick is also tired of his sister's matchmaking attempts, so is happy to volunteer to play Grace's boyfriend. He soon realizes what has been in front of him all this time and he must now try to convince her that his feelings are real!

This is another sweet story with wonderfully engaging characters. Cindy has come up with the goods again!

I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Anissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Seriously Sweet St. Louis Series but it very much can be read stand-alone as there is little to no tie-in with the previous characters/stories (1x cameo at the end). This is a very short, clean, Christian story. Due to its limited pages the story moved at warp speed with limited transitions between times/place leaving the reader lost for a sense of time during the story and little-no character development.

While it was an overall enjoyable short-clean read (finished in 2+ hours), it definitely did not meet the Cindy Kirk standard of descriptive, painting the scenes, and amazing-engrossing characters. I am looking forward to the next book in the series and hopeful it will tie all the characters in and give a sense of connection.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher and am voluntarily reviewing it

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trusting in love for the first time!!!

Trusting in love for the first time!!! This is about Dr. Nick Tucci and Grace Comstock. This is a cute short story about two who are helping each other out during a four-day Thanksgiving weekend, but in the end Aunt Nellie takes it all the to Christmas. Grace doesn’t want to come home again with no boyfriend so the word in the clinic is that she needs someone to act as her boyfriend so that her family would leave her alone for being the oldest and not in a serious relationship. Nick is about to be set up by his sister, so this is an escape plan for him which all he wants is some turkey and pumpkin pie.

Sal and his Christian singer of a wife are also at the end of the story but again its Nick, Grace and Aunt Nellie that make this story wonderful. Note – Aunt Nellie gets a surprise in this too!

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nick is the brother of Raven and Crow.  He is a Doctor, Grace is a nurse at the clinic with him. He hears Grace needs a boyfriend for a trip back home. He volunteers. Her Aunt decides to travel back to St. Louis with them to see a Dr. for her knee.
The spend a lot of time together. Her Aunt Nellie gets engaged to Paul, whom she met at her Doctor's office.
Grace mistakes Sal for Nick, slaps him for cheating, then runs. Nick finds her, explains everything, asks an important question. She says yes, and then the epilogue is them married, pregnant, and going to Nellie's for Thanksgiving.
On a side note, Sal and Sara are pregnant.
Very short, sweet romance novel.
Up next is With Just One Kiss, the blurb sounds amazing.

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Dawn of Sandwiches. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Dr. Nick and Nurse Grace. Nick has been previously mentioned as Sal’s (Crow’s) brother in the previous book. Nick is a pediatric ortho surgeon and Grace is a nurse in one of the facilities that Nick works in. Grace mentions that she needs a date for her family’s Thanksgiving weekend and Nick is looking for an escape from his family’s Thanksgiving dinner. He volunteers to go with her. And though she has her doubts about him going with her, she accepts his proposal. Grace has the option that she is not beautiful and that Nick would not be interested in her, but she was wrong. Nick proves his love for her and gets her to believe that she is worthy of love. Ms. Kirk has done a great job with this new series and I do like the Christian tones in the series. I have received this as an ARC from the publisher.

[Anita (Hearts and Whodunits) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nurse Grace Comstock never believed in herself, and felt that no handsome man would want to date her. That was until Dr. Nick Tucci decided to "play" her fake boyfriend during a visit to Grace's family home during Thanksgiving. She tried no to fall for him, but she did. What was she going to do when she realized he fell for her as well?
This was a short, lovely contemporary Christian romance by an author who is a master romance author. The main characters were lovely, and I enjoyed their connection. Grace's aunt was a great addition, and I am glad she had her own happy ending. If only her stories were real, oh well, I can't wait to read the next one.
I received an advanced reader's copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surrender Your Heart is the second of the St Louis series by Cindy. The story tells us about two adults who work in the same charity hospital coming together for the first time as a pretend couple to attend her parents Thanksgiving. Getting to know each other, they both hold their faith in high regard and don't sleep together, telling each other what they'd like to do in their future lives. Initially, they were due to "split up" when they went back home after Thanksgiving but her aunt decided she needed her knee being seen by another surgeon in St Louis recommended by Nick. What none of them reckoned with was Aunt Nellie falling in love with her surgeon while Grace and Nick were realizing their feelings. Wonderful tale of love, faith and family.

[JigsawGirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the basic storyline was good. I feel like I was raced through Nick and Grace's story, and got no time to savor it. That was surprising with a story coming from Cindy Kirk.

Grace was not my favorite person. She had a tendency to have internal conversations and react to them without having an actual conversation with the person involved. I really didn't like the situation that occurred with Sal, but I would have like to have seen the aftermath.

I was glad Nettie got her HEA. Her character seemed to soften up a bit after returning to St. Louis. This was not a bad book. It just touched on a couple of my pet peeves. I would recommend you read this and judge for yourself. 3.5 stars

I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy of this book received from the publisher.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good fake relationship, and this book delivered! It was such a sweet, fast read. I sat down to read and the next thing I knew I was already 75% done!

Grace has some self esteem issues that made me just want to give her a hug and tell her she really doesn't need a man...but also it's okay if she wants one! She's not really where she wants to be in her life, but her doubts and insecurities hold her back. Nick sees her for the amazing person she is and while I think if he was just a little more open, the (very short) conflict would not have occured.

I think the star of the book though was Nellie, a little gem of an aunt who I want to read more about!

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher and am voluntarily reviewing it.

[Candice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of those sweet holiday romances where the girl brings home the fake boyfriend to save face with the family. I enjoyed the book the only thing I wish is that it would have had more chapters involving the time they were at Thanksgiving that included the little touches and the fun times they were pushed together and out of the comfort zone of I hardly know you too I want to know you more. I felt like it kind of skipped over those first moments of falling in love. I still enjoyed the book and thought it was a great quick read, clean romance. I just wish it had a little bit more meat in the middle.

I received an advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Tanya Greenaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surrender your heart is the 3rd book in this series. I received an advanced copy.

Have you ever been invited somewhere where you wished you have been with someone for company?

Grace has to go home for the holidays, her mum and aunt only wants what's best for Grace! She decides she needs a fake bf and having Nick (the cute doctor) offering to go with her, makes Grace see he's not just a pretty face, he's good at being fake, until they realise they are starting to get feelings for one another. To make it more uncomfortable Grace's aunt decides to nudge them a bit more and suggests she come home with them to get a second opinion. Add to the fact she suggests she stays at Nick's home. All this just to keep them together longer!

Can the fake turn into the real thing?

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace Comstock has given up trying to find a temporary boyfriend to take home for the Thanksgiving weekend when Dr. Nick Tucci volunteers. Grace is really surprised since Nick has never been friendly. The weekend goes well, but Grace knows once they are back in St. Louis she will never see him again. Grace’s aunt Nellie rides back to St. Louis with them so she can consult a specialist about her knee surgery that doesn’t seem to be healing properly. Grace suspects her aunt is up to something especially when she says she is going to stay with Nick. Will Aunt Nellie’s plans to help Grace with Nick work?

I received an ARC from the publisher and am voluntarily reviewing it.

[Maria Grass · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher and am voluntarily reviewing it.
A great short story by Cindy Kirk. Really enjoyed Grace and Nick’s journey to HEA. Grace suffered from low self-esteem about the way she looked, whilst Nick was really confidant. Nick fell for Grace and I don’t think Nick knew that Grace felt that way about herself. Instead of admitting the way they felt about each other they both danced around it with Grace feeling that that was no way that Nick could feel the same way about her and Nick not wanting to push too fast. I loved Grace’s Aunt Nellie who after being a spinster for 60 years also found her HEA. A great short read.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher and am voluntarily reviewing it.

A sweet read about Dr. Nick Tucci and Grace Comstock. Grace does not want to go to her parent's Iowa house for Thanksgiving without a date and Nick does not want to go to his parents house as he knew his sister, Raven wanted to set him up with one of her friends. Nick and Grace realize, with the help of her aunt, that they do enjoy their friendship and are falling in love.

It is refreshing to read a book that does not have people falling into bed with each other, and learn to value each other as a people instead of objects and understanding the sanctity of marriage.

[Delsora Lowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

What would possess a handsome, sought after bachelor doctor to agree to be a pretend boyfriend for an entire weekend and be subjected to scrutiny by his “date’s” family? He has his reasons, and they don’t include being interested in a woman he has known for several years, but barely noticed. This book is all about finding family in the strangest ways, realizing what you never knew you missed, and taking a leap of faith. A fun, sweet book with a lovely, quirky mentor character that adds an extra dose of love, spice, and family togetherness.

I was given an Advanced Reader Copy of this book for an honest and voluntary review.

[Camiba · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher and am voluntarily reviewing it. Me Kirk continues her St Louis series with Dr. Nick Tucci and his unexpected quest for love. I felt the story was too brief, as I was left longing for more background on Grace and Nick’s experience as colleagues. I also would have enjoyed a more thorough telling of their time together over Thanksgiving. However, this story was very sweet in its romance and worth a read. A great aspect of this series as it’s easy to jump in without reading the previous novels. But if you read one, you’ll want to read them all.

[Bandora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet and enjoyable story but it moved at warp speed with little transitions between times and places within a chapter.

I loved Nick's character but Grace was hard to tolerate with her repetitive self-esteem issues, it was understandable at first but towards the end of the book I was sick and tired of her insecurities.

While it was overall enjoyable, I wish it had moved a little slower without changing settings from one paragraph to the next.

I received an advanced copy and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

[Mary Ludwig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher but I am reviewing it voluntarily.

This is the third book in Cindy Kirk’s Seriously Sweet Series. The series is clean romance with a faith element. The books so far can be read by themselves or in the series.

I enjoyed reading this book. Grace and Nick make a wonderful couple. Although the “relationship” wasn’t truth in the beginning it quickly turned. Nick and Grace began to develop true real feelings for one another. Looking forward to the next book in the series!!

[Nicole Pilarski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this may be the first time I’m truly at a loss to write a review for one of Cindy’s books. Surrender Your Heart truly fits the “Seriously Sweet St Louis” Series, that I’m not sure what else to say. Cindy tells another fantastic story with Grace & Nick. Nick shows himself to be a true gentleman and is looking to not spend Thanksgiving with a sister who will set him up yet still be able to have his turkey and pumpkin pie. He offers to help out Grace so she doesn’t show up to her family Thanksgiving without a boyfriend. We’re treated to not only Grace & Nick’s story in Surrender Your Heart, but we get a story for Aunt Nellie as well. She’s a hoot! This was a great quick read for me and I loved the Grotto scene. I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher and am voluntarily reviewing it.