Pit of Ambition by Ta’Mara Hanscom Book Review

Ta'Mara has published her Caselli Family series before, but she is now relaunching the series starting with The Pretender and Pit of Ambition!  Join this super fun blog tour and find out more about the first two books (of five). Also, make sure you check out the great giveaway!

About the Books

The Pretender: A Blackguard in Disguise is the first volume of 5 in the family epic series The Caselli Family Series. It begins in South Dakota in 1975 where eighteen-year-olds could order 3.2 beers in a bar and loaded guns were kept under the counter. Frankie Valli sang My Eyes Adored You, and American soldiers returning from Vietnam struggled with their new reality.

It’s within this tumultuous season of American history that Tillie Caselli meets Noah Hansen, and they are never the same again. Their lives were mysteriously intertwined – and had been for many years – yet they had no idea.

From the moment they met, Tillie and Noah wanted to spend the rest of their lives together, but a deliberate omission will keep them apart – and that same omission will be responsible for the escape of a murderer, and a bride’s deception.

These compelling stories are interwoven with Biblical truths and light-hearted, real life events from the author’s own past. Easy to understand and relate to, as well as encouraging.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GPVK3FU/

Pit of Ambition is the second volume of 5 in the family epic series The Caselli Family Series.

Five years have passed since Noah and Tillie’s “chance” meeting. They’ve married other people by now, and are both beginning their families.

In the pursuit of professional and political success, Alex runs headlong into a pit of pride and ambition...and Giuseppe begins to hate the husband he chose for his daughter.

Alex and Noah are doing business on many fronts, which will bring Noah to town for an unintended meeting with Giuseppe. Tension abounds as he attempts to conceal his daughter’s identity from Noah.

Alex strays when Tillie needs him the most, and it’s Noah who will bring him home. But, instead of learning Tillie’s identity, he connects with her brothers, especially Marquette.

Unbeknownst to Noah, his new foreman is a member of the crime family Marquette has sought since 1968.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HT5IZHO/

About the Author

I was born and raised in South Dakota, and I love her people and rich history. For many years I’ve also had a deep love for Italy and her colorful chronology. I was fortunate enough to visit Italy on my 25^th wedding anniversary, and I added some of the details of my travels to my fictional series The Caselli Family Series.

My favorite sport is baseball – Detroit Tigers – and I can’t wait until the next time I get to see them play in Comerica Park.

I live for the next family barbeque.

My husband and I own a national pizza franchise in Iowa, where we currently reside. We have three grown children and one grandson. We’ve rescued two cats and one Pomeranian.

I teach AWANA Cubbies and speak at women’s events. 

www.TaMaraHanscomBooks.com.

https://tamarahanscom.wordpress.com/

https://www.facebook.com/TaMara-Hanscom-Author-473920855079/?ref=bookmarks

https://twitter.com/TaMaraHanscom?lang=en&lang=en

Giveaway

Ta’Mara is generously offering a $50 Amazon gift card! There are many different ways in the Rafflecopter to enter. The more you choose, the better chance you have of winning.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Excerpt/Interview/Review

Tour Schedule

February 26
Bookish Orchestration – Introductory post
Rachel Rossano's Words – Author Interview
Adventures in Publishing – Author Interview
Rebekah Lyn Books – Book Review and Character Spotlight

February 27
Simply Kelina – Book Review
Letters from Annie Douglass Lima – Character Spotlight

February 28
Little Homeschool on the Prairie – Book Spotlight
Seasons of Opportunities – Book Review
Because I said so -- and other adventures in Parenting – Book Review

March 1
Moments – Book Spotlight 

Reader's Cozy Corner – Book Review

Fiction to Ignite Your Faith – Post from the author

March 2
New Horizon Reviews – Book Review
God's Peculiar Treasure Rae – Book Review
Adventures Of A King Daughter – Book Review

March 3
Bookish Orchestrations – Giveaway Winner

My Thoughts: 

I was excited to read book 2 in the Caselli Family Series. Sometimes a story captures your heart. I just loved the first book in the series and all the characters and the story line just grabbed my attention immediately. If you haven’t read the first book, The Pretender: A Black Guard in Disguise the second book could be read as a stand-alone book as the author does a wonderful job getting you up to speed with what transpired from the first book. However, I highly recommend that you read it first as you will really get to know the characters and fully understand all the details in this story. The first book is also a wonderful book.

The author has many stories going on within this book with the different characters. However the main characters are Noah and Tillie and you will get reacquainted with them even more. I just adore these characters. They are very realistic. I really like that they are down to earth and very realistic characters. Noah is easy going and has a tender heart that truly cares about people. Noah puts his family first before his construction company. Tillie is trying her best to be happy and keeps herself busy as her husband’s ambition keeps him more and more away from home. She loves Alex unconditionally.

Tillies’s family is fun and each one unique but, all have strong Godly character. Tillie’s father Giuseppe is tearing himself up with guilt with his deception as he sees his son-in-law Alex’s drive and ambition for his career. His daughter is precious to him and what he sees going on is heartbreaking. Giuseppe is even more torn with the situation that happens around Tillies birth of her and Alex’s twins. Giuseppe meets Noah after praying for the man for so many years. He sees the man that he has become, husband, father, and a man of integrity.

Then you have Marguette and Tara who are the most intriguing characters as they search for clues finding Mario Ponerello not knowing how truly close they are.

Marguette is just a big bear when it comes to his sister Tillie and I love the relationship that he builds with Noah after he figures out who Noah is. Marguette decides to make peace with his sister’s husband Alex despite how he feels about him inside for the sake of his sister. 

I’m not going to give away any spoilers. The story surprised me and I have to say that I didn’t expect many things in this story to happen.

You are left with a cliff hanger that made me wish I had book 3 right away-I’m ready for book 3 in the series and can’t wait to read it.

This series has been an all time favorite of mine. I read a lot of books and I have few that grab my heart like this one has. Thank you Ta’mara Hanscom for an amazing heartfelt story.

I received a free copy of this product from Reata Publishing in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this information accordance with the FTC Regulations.