Garden of Her Heart + Giveaway

random retro read

Can forbidden love amid the constraints of war?

A sweet World War II romance from USA Today best-selling Author Shanna Hatfield.

The moment the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, life shifted for Miko Nishimura. Desperate to reach the Portland Assembly Center for Japanese Americans, she’s kicked off the bus miles from town. Every tick of the clock pushes her closer to becoming a fugitive in the land of her birth. Exhausted, she stumbles to her grandparents’ abandoned farm only to find a dying soldier sprawled across the step. Unable to leave him, she forsakes all else to keep him alive.

After crashing his plane in the Battle of the Atlantic, the doctors condemn Captain Rock Laroux to die. Determined to meet his maker beneath a blue sky at his family home, he sneaks out of the hospital. Weary and half out of his mind, he makes it as far as a produce stand he remembers from his youth. Rather than surrender to death, Rock fights a battle of the heart as he falls in love with the beautiful Japanese woman who saves his life.

A poignant, sweet romance, Garden of Her Heart proves love can bloom in unlikely places, even under the most challenging circumstances.

My Review:

published in 2016

This tender and poignant love story made for an emotional read. From Miko’s heart wrenching opening scene to Rock’s equally tumultuous introduction, I was engaged and invested and committed to them both.

And, oh my, their journey highlights both the best and the worst humanity has to offer at a time when the whole world was on edge. The historical details of wartime America are enthralling (and infuriating) but the haven Miko and Rock manage to create in the midst of the chaos is utterly captivating.

His brash confidence balances her shy reticence as their two worlds merge into something unique. And forbidden. The gardener in me rejoiced in the familiar rhythm of planting and harvesting and finding hope in God’s bounty. Miko and Rock grow closer as they work together even as the harsh realities of America at war threaten everything they hold dear.

A cast of secondary characters including a devious interloper as well as a rambunctious nine-year-old neighbour add extra zest to this sweet romance. Still grinning over Petey’s colourful turns of phrase and his high energy antics.

I enjoyed listening to the audio edition narrated by Michael Rahhal who did an amazing job bringing these characters to life. A stunning performance for a stunning story!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook copy – winner’s choice

Canada – paperback, ebook or audible — winner’s choice

International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Garden of Her Heart, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday April 11 2026

15 thoughts on “Garden of Her Heart + Giveaway”

  1. I’ve read a lot of Shanna Hatfield’s books, but this is an older one I haven’t read. It sounds very good, but the Japanese Americans imprisoned during the war is infuriating as you said. Still, I’ve read enough of her books to know she’ll turn this WW2 story into something good. Leave it to the kids to lighten the mood. I especially like your line, “a haven in the midst of chaos”, sounds perfect.

    Sounds like my kind of story, I’m putting it on the tumbling tbr pile. Garden of Her Heart is on KU, so I’ll read it there and leave this copy for someone else to enjoy.

    Happy reading Wednesday! Oh btw, I read A Simple Kindness in Flatsboro, fantastic story I would love to see as a series.

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    1. I’m not as familiar with Shanna Hatfield’s books but I’ll definitely be looking for more now. This is definitely a Tracey kind of read, I think. Perfect spring/summer reading in the garden! 🙂 And yay! for you loving A Simple Kindness in Flatsboro. Such a different kind of story from my normal fare and so memorable. A series would be awesome! Hooray for KU – happy reading, Tracey!

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  2. GARDEN OF HER HEART sounds like a fabulous story. I love when we can get bits of history within an amazing story. I also love a story that makes you think and feel. Miko and Rock’s story seems to do all that and some. How this story has slipped through and isn’t even on my TBR list, but is now, is beyond me.

    Thank you for the chance to win a copy of this amazing story!

    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  4. I to have always love reading stories set around WWars and not sure yet how come. Could it be the compassion and love that drives the hero or heroine’s work through this sad time. This one has another plot so different from others I’ve read. Would love to read this one now too.

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    1. I agree with your thoughts on why we are drawn to WW novels. I also think it’s the strong sense of community and working together to overcome that draws me in emotionally. Good luck, Becky!

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  5. I’ve always looked forward to your Random Retros because they always seem the best of the best! New author for me, I would like to join this journey of rescue. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House lanehillhouse(at)gmail(dot)com

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