My Hope Next Door by Tammy L. Gray

Book Description:
Can love grow in the shadow of a broken past?

Former bad girl Katie Stone can feel the weight of her reputation settle over her as she drives home for the first time in years. Feeling deeply guilty about her past mistakes, Katie wants to do the right thing for once. But the small town where she grew up is not nearly as forgiving as she'd hoped. Despite it all, she's determined to help her parents cope with her mother's recent illness, and Katie finds a surprise ally in the man next door.

Asher Powell never minded being the son of a small-town pastor until a recent breakup leaves him wounded by lifelong members of his church. He remembers his new neighbor as a mean-spirited high school troublemaker, but he senses that her newfound faith and desire for forgiveness are sincere.

Through an unexpected friendship, two people from different worlds find peace, hope, and a second chance they never dreamed was possible.

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Gray has once again written a deeply moving story. She excels at writing novels with grit, heart, complete realism - the broken beautiful. Her characters are far from perfect but are moving along on a journey seeking truth, reaching for hope and compelled by grace. I loved the open and honest look at those who have fallen and desire to live a redeemed life. The struggle, the hurts, the shame and grief come through; but so does the hope, love, grace and redemption. 

I was truly gripped as I watched both Katie and Asher navigate not only their friendship and feelings for one another; but also in the ways that they struggled with their issues, others, their trust, and how they grew along the way. Even some of the secondary characters tugged hard at me; giving me a desire to see their lives transformed as well. Although there is no indication that this will be a series, if Gray happened to follow up with their stories I would be delighted to read them. 

Another well told novel, that is both captivating and stirring!

 

Love Everlasting (Isle of Hope series Book 2) by Julie Lessman

Book Description:
He sets hearts on fire. 
She’s been burned by love. 
Can hope survive the flames of the past? 

School teacher by day, ghostwriter by night, sweet and shy Shannon O’Bryen doesn’t mind writing romance on the sly, but to live it? No, thank you, not since the man she loved turned out to be a player who broke both her heart and her spirit. Now focused more on her faith and her fiction, she vows the next time she falls in love, it will be safely—through the pages of a book. 

Dr. Sam Cunningham is a charismatic player who breaks hearts as regularly as he washes his pearl-white Corvette. Abandoned as a baby, Sam was an orphan shuffled through the foster-care system, bitterly driven to prove he is worthy of love—the kind that lasts forever. Once he learns Shannon is a romance writer, he enlists her help in winning back his ex-girlfriend. She teaches him about faith and the true definition of love, and he soon discovers he’s been seeking it in the wrong place all along—and with the wrong girl. But can he convince a woman who's been burned by love to open her eyes—and her heart—to a love everlasting? 
*** This book will be released on Sept. 30, 2016.

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   WARNING - Reading this novel is addictive! Seriously! Julie Lessman is one of my favorite authors and I absolutely look forward to reading each and every novel she produces. She has once again captured my attention, heart and emotions with her newest release, Love Everlasting. From page one I was hooked, and to be honest I had a really hard time putting the book down last night and going to bed. I wish I could have devoured this novel in one sitting. Then again, I really did not want it to end either! 

   Lessman is gifted with the ability to write not only witty, humorous and romantic stories, but also ones with heart, hope, faith and true love. She organically weaves in messages of faith and deep truths, that elicit hope and meditation. She did no less with this story. Her characters, main and secondary just shine. They are written with depth and live with you long after you turn the last page. I love the dialogue, and seeing the interactions not only between the two main love interest, but with their families and friends as well.

   In Book 2, we get to see Shannon and Sam, a.k.a Dr. Love, take the forefront but do not worry Tess and Ben's story continues to play out as well! Each of these stories plus getting to catch back up with characters from Book 1 is completely delightful. There were moments that left me grinning, as I am now; and other moments that took me through a range of emotions but left me completely satisfied! Also, completely eager for Book 3, Love Unchanging due out next year!

   Now back to our focus, Book 2! I love, love, loved it! Shannon is a study of contrasting traits, that blend to draw you to her; being both sweet and shy, a woman of faith but also feisty and a woman with deep hurts. Shannon battles with trust issues for a very good reason. She battles with trusting men but also with herself. Sam, is the GQ looking guy who seemingly has it all; he is charming and kind but also a complete player. Watching their friendship and story unfold was beautiful. Their story painting a reflection of the truth of God's everlasting love. Love that is a real, 1 Corinthians 13 kind of love. Love that is patient and forgiving, love that endures and does not fail. (Click here to see the way Julie pictures her characters.) 

   I simply cannot say enough good things about this novel and series! If you have not read Book 1 or its' prequel, I highly encourage you to do so. And if you have not ever read a book by Lessman this series is a great place to start. This is Lessman's first contemporary series. Her previous, historical series are fabulous! When starting there check out A Passion Most Pure; still one of my absolutely fave books by any author. 

Blessed and happy reading,

 

*** Thank you to the author for the ARC. This is my honest and sincere review. 

Running on Empty: An Unforgettable Christian Love Story by Ruth Logan Herne

Book Description:

Anne Kellwyn has a secret. It's cost her everything to keep it, including her marriage. Now she may have to pay an even higher price to reveal the truth, but is she too late? Back home to care for her dying mother, Anne is faced with the past she ran from and a future she can't have, a future that includes Joe McIntyre and the happily ever after she'd dreamed of years ago.

Chief of Police Joe McIntyre takes his position seriously. A lead-by-example Christian, he's put to the test when his ex-wife appears with another man's child after eight years of silence. Anger and pride challenge his small-town-hero existence, driving him out of his comfort zone. Faced with choices he made eight years before, can he tackle the present to ease Anne's future so she's no longer "Running on Empty".

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   Wow, what an incredible story! Herne delves into some tough stuff in Running on Empty, but she does so with an honest, and soft touch. There is grace, compassion and truth warring to win out over the evil, deceit, pride and judgmental attitudes present. 

  In this novel, we deal with the subject of child predators and the impact on both the victim and others. This is a sensitive subject, and Herne handles it well. We are given the right dose of the truth but again it is handled gracefully. While this is a heavy topic, the story is not a downer. There is a wonderful redemptive thread woven throughout and illuminating nuggets of faith that add to the overall tale. This is one of those stories that you hate to set down, but when you must, it lingers on your mind.

   I enjoyed seeing Anne and Joe work through their issues individually and together. The romance was sweet and touching. I really cannot say enough good things about this one. Definitely worth the read!

                   *** Currently available on Kindle Unlimited!

Back in the Saddle: A Novel (Double S Ranch Book 1) by Ruth Logan Herne

Book Description:
The Prodigal Is Coming Home 

It’s been a long time since Colt Stafford shrugged off his cowboy legacy for shiny Manhattan loafers and a promising career on Wall Street. But when stock market manipulations leave him financially strapped, the oldest son of legendary rancher Sam Stafford decides to return to the sprawling Double S ranch in Gray’s Glen, Washington. He’s broke, but not broken, and it’s time to check in with his ailing father, and get his legs back under him by climbing into the saddle again.

He doesn’t expect to come home to a stranger pointing a loaded gun at his chest— a tough yet beautiful woman that Sam hired as the house manager. Colt senses there’s more to Angelina Morales than meets the eye and he’s determined to find out what she’s hiding...and why. 

Colt’s return brings new challenges. Younger brother Nick has been Sam’s right-hand man at the ranch for years and isn’t thrilled at having Colt insert himself into Double S affairs. And the ranch’s contentious relationship with the citizens of Gray’s Glen asks all the Stafford men to examine their hearts about what it truly means to be a neighbor.  And as Wall Street recovers, will Colt succumb to the call of the financial district’s wealth and power—or finally the courage to stay in the saddle for good?

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Family, faith, hope and romance! A prodigal story done right!

Back in the Saddle is a well written and engaging story. It had me in its' grip from early on and held me captive until the end. I delighted in the characters, and in seeing not only relationships change but people as well. The faith elements to the story felt organic and enriching. Completely delightful and worth the read!

This is the first novel that I have read by Ruth Logan Herne but it will certainly not be the last! I am really looking forward to the next book in the series due out next month, and even beyond that the youngest brother's book some time down the road!

Just a Kiss (A Summer Harbor Novel Book 3) by Denise Hunter

Book Description:

Riley Callahan’s plans to reveal his secret feelings for his best friend are ruined when his life is drastically altered in Afghanistan.

Watching the love of his life falling for his brother was enough to send Riley straight to boot camp. But over a year later, he’s officially a marine, and Beau and Paige are no longer an item. When Riley’s tour in Afghanistan is up, he intends to confess his feelings to Paige and win his best friend’s heart once and for all.

But all that changes when an IED takes the life of a comrade and leaves Riley an amputee. Now he’s heading home, injured and troubled. His plans to win Paige are a distant dream. She deserves so much more than the man that’s left. All he can do now is put some healthy distance between them. But upon his return he discovers his family has arranged for him to stay with Paige.

Paige is a nurturer at heart and happy to take care of her best buddy. By all appearances he’s adjusting miraculously well to his disability. But as the days pass, Paige begins to see that the smiles and laughter are just a mask for the pain he’s hiding. He has nightmares and mood swings, and his unwavering independence keeps him from accepting help from anyone, including her. To make matters worse, her job is in serious jeopardy. The animal shelter that she’s poured her heart into has lost its funding, and she has three months to come up the money needed to save it.

As the weeks wear on with the two in such close proximity, Paige’s feelings for Riley begin to shift into unchartered territory. Why is she suddenly noticing his corded arm muscles and the way his lips curl at the corners? Will she be able to deny her feelings for another Callahan brother? And will Riley let his heart heal so he can let Paige in?

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Beautifully told, heartfelt and captivating; Just a Kiss more than lived up to my expectations!  Which have been building up since Book 1. Hunter does a wonderful job of portraying all that Riley is going through as he returns home; an amputee and with PTSD. His struggles and frustrations, his interactions and relationships are well written and very believable. I have to say, that Hunter found the perfect balance of realism without making the book too heavy.

I found myself completely caught up in the story from the start and with the characters. This was a novel I did not want to put down and I am thrilled to have had the time to read it today. Although this is the 3rd Book in the series, it could be read as a stand alone novel. However, I still believe you will enjoy it more if you read the previous books first. I loved the whole series, and getting to see the characters again in each book as their stories progress.

Just a Kiss, is filled with hope, faith, friendship, love, heartache, forgiveness and all the things that make this a very worthwhile read! Loved it! My only regret is that the series has come to an end!