A Story of Hope and Second Chances! 'When the Meadow Blooms' - by Ann H. Gabhart

 

About the book:

Hope blooms at Meadowland

If any place on God's earth was designed to help one heal, it is Meadowland. Surely here, at her brother-in-law's Kentucky farm, Rose and her daughters can recover from the events of the recent past--the loss of her husband during the 1918 influenza epidemic, her struggle with tuberculosis that required a stay at a sanatorium, and her girls' experience in an orphanage during her illness. At Meadowland, past troubles become rich soil in which faith can grow.

Dirk Meadows may have opened his home to his late brother's widow and her girls, but he keeps his heart tightly closed. The roots of his pain run deep, and the evidence of it is written across his face. Badly scarred by a fire and abandoned by the woman he loved, Dirk fiercely guards his heart from being hurt again.

But it may be that his visitors will bring light back into his world and unlock the secret to true healing.

My review:

This was such an interesting story about a new life for Rose and her girls and also for Dirk, who'd become a recluse after the fire.  The girls went through a lot, from losing their father and their mother getting sick to having to live in an orphanage with a mean headmistress.  I was so happy for them to find the wonderful farm at Meadowland but they discovered a mystery when they learned about the fire that burned Dirk and the question of where his fiance disappeared to.  It was interesting learning the facts of what happened as they pieced it together, along with some clues that showed up.  I liked both girls a lot but Sienna, especially, was a character as she loved animals and nature so much but also had this fairy-like quality to her.  There were a couple of subtle romances happening and also Dirk's journeying back to God after he'd turned his back after the fire.  Rose and the girls had a strong faith in God and brought hymn-singing and laughter back into Dirk's life.  He started to open his heart to them, too.  This ended up being a story of hope and second chances!  I highly recommend it!

I received a free copy of this book from Revell.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

           The Author

1. 

   © Memories by Chris

   Ann H. Gabhart

   Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of Along a Storied Trail, An Appalachian Summer, River to Redemption, These Healing Hills, and Angel Sister, along with several Shaker novels--The Refuge, The Outsider,...

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Funny, Emotionally Satisfying Journey! 'All That Fills Us' - by Autumn Lytle

 

About the book:

The journey toward healing starts with a single brave step--but it is never walked alone

Mel Ellis knows that her eating disorder is ruining her life. Everyone tells her rehab is her best option, but she can't bring herself to go. Broke, broken, and empty in more ways than one, Mel launches one last-ditch effort to make hers a story worth telling. She will walk her own road to recovery along the lesser-known trails of the North American wilderness.

Though she is physically and mentally unprepared to face the difficulties that lay ahead, she sets off on foot from Michigan. Her goal? Mount Rainier National Park in Washington State. During the long journey, she meets strangers with their own stories, as well as ghosts from her past who can no longer be ignored. But though the land she travels threatens her success at every turn, it's her own dark thoughts she'll have to overcome in order to find peace in the life and the body she has been given.

My review:

I started out reading this book thinking what is up with this girl that she would go on this trip in her condition.  I thought she was crazy and while I still think so, it ended up being an amazing journey of self-discovery as she learned so much about herself and her flawed beliefs about God through the many people she met who took the time to care about her.  Each person she met had some wisdom for her she needed to hear and showed up at just the right moment when she couldn't go on.  I've never been up close with someone who I knew struggled with this mental illness so it was hard sometimes to hear the destructive thoughts Mel had about herself.  At the same time she was pretty funny and I felt like strangling her and laughing with her almost in the same breath.  I was pretty angry with her mom for some of the stuff she said and also sad because she doesn't understand grace at all, from God or how to give it.  There's a little bit of romance as Mel thought back on a past relationship.  The writing was wonderful and I'd highly recommend this book for the emotional and satisfying journey!

I received this book free from Revell.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

About the author:

1. 

   Laurie Burin

   Autumn Lytle

   Autumn Lytle identifies with a strange group of humans who enjoy running long distances and writing even longer books. Along with being a forever-recovering anorexic and exercise addict, she is a weirdly good checkers player and finder of four-leaf clovers....

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Giveaway and Review of 'Midnight's Budding Morrow' - Regency Wallflowers 2 - by Carolyn Miller

 

About the book:

Can real love grow between a wallflower and an unrepentant rogue? Sarah Drayton is eager to spend time with her best friend at her crumbling Northumberland castle estate. Matrimony is the last thing on her mind and the last thing she expects to be faced with on a holiday. Yet she finds herself being inveigled into a marriage of convenience with her friend's rakish brother.

When James Langley returns to his family's estate, he can't be bothered to pay attention to his responsibilities as the heir. War is raging and he wants only distraction, not serious tethers. But his roguish ways have backed him into a corner, and he has little choice but to obey his father's stunning decree: marry before returning to war, or else. Suddenly he finds himself wedded to a clever and capable woman he does not love.

Sarah craves love and a place to belong, neither of which James offered before returning to the battlefront. Now everyone around her thinks she married above her station, and they have no intention of rewarding her for such impertinence. It isn't until her husband returns from war seemingly changed that she begins to hope they may find real happiness. But can she trust that this rake has truly reformed?

When tragedy strikes, this pair must learn to trust God and his plans. Will they be destroyed . . . or will they discover that even in the darkest depths of night, the morning still holds hope?

My review:

This was another enjoyable story by Carolyn Miller!  She really knows how to pull you in and get invested in the characters.  I liked seeing how James changed and tried to do better but was frustrated sometimes by the misunderstandings between them.  I found myself getting angry at how people treated her, especially a couple of the servants and her father-in-law.  She was such a wonderful person and I wanted to see her respected and loved.  She endured too much sadness in her life already.  While she had faith in God, it took a blow after a tragedy and James was a newer Christian also, so struggling to find his way a bit.  This story was a little heavier than other Carolyn Miller books I've read, though I haven't read them all yet, as it dealt with depression though it didn't dwell on it too much.  There's some sweet romance and a wonderful portrayal of forgiveness and second chances.  This book worked well as a stand-alone, though I'd suggest reading the first book as it's very enjoyable, too.  I'd recommend this book!

I received this book free from Read with Audra & Kregel Publications.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

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Wonderful Addition to Hope Harbor! 'Sea Glass Cottage' - A Hope Harbor Novel 8 - by Irene Hannon

 

About the book:

When painful pasts collide, can love overcome heartache--and triumph despite the odds?

Christi Reece is desperate. The one-time golden girl's life has tarnished, and a cascade of setbacks has left her reeling. She needs help, and she's certain Jack Colby is in a position to provide it.

When she shows up in Hope Harbor, however, Jack wants nothing to do with the woman who betrayed him. He's built a new life on the Oregon coast--and there's no room in it for Christi, even after she takes refuge in a charming but mysterious cottage nearby. Yet it soon becomes apparent his opinion of her may need revising . . . especially when he ends up needing her help.

Can these two hurting souls open their hearts to a new beginning?

Come home to Hope Harbor--where hearts heal . . . and love blooms.

My review:

It was so good to get back to Hope Harbor again!  It's a wonderful place filled with wonderful people and gorgeous scenery, not to mention great tacos!  I loved the characters and how they're both trying to fix the past.  It was amazing to see how Christi had transformed because of her faith and how much she cared about people now.  I also liked the secondary story about grieving parents who are separated and the little boy from a foster home who comes into their lives.  There were themes of forgiveness, second chances and trusting God and people again.  There were also a couple of sweet romances.  I just loved how this book was so positive.  You can go through hard times and there's always hope!  I can't wait to visit again!

I received this book free from Revell.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

           The Author

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   © DeWeesePhotography.com

   Irene Hannon

   Irene Hannon is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than 60 contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. In addition to her many other honors, she is a three-time winner of the prestigious RITA Award from Romance Writers of America. She is...

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