Showing posts with label adoption. Show all posts
Showing posts with label adoption. Show all posts

Thursday, November 14, 2013

TO KNOW YOU ~ Win a Personal Coaching Session with Shannon Ethridge and $100 to Lisa Leonard Designs!

About the book: 

 Julia Whittaker's rocky past yielded two daughters, both given up for adoption as infants. Now she must find them to try to save her son.

Julia and Matt Whittaker's son has beaten the odds for thirteen years only to have the odds---and his liver---crash precipitously. The only hope for his survival is a "living liver" transplant, but the transplant list is long and Dillon's time is short. His two older half-sisters, born eighteen months apart to two different fathers, offer his only hope for survival.

But can Julia ask a young woman---someone she surrendered to strangers long ago and has never spoken with---to make such a sacrifice to save a brother she's never known? Can she muster the courage to journey back into a shame-filled season of her life, face her choices and their consequences, and find any hope of healing?

And what if she discovers in her own daughters' lives that a history of foolish choices threatens to repeat itself? Julia knows she's probably embarking on a fool's errand---searching for the daughters she abandoned only now that she needs something from them. But love compels Julia to take this journey. Can grace and forgiveness compel her daughters to join her?
Read first chapter: 

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/qbiOA
Landing Page and Litfuse Tour Schedule 11/1 – 11/19

About the authors: 

 Shannon Ethridge is a best-selling author, speaker, and certified life coach with a master's degree in counseling/human relations from Liberty University. She has spoken to college students and adults since 1989 and is the author of 21 books, including the million-copy best-selling Every Woman's Battle series. She is a frequent guest on TV and radio programs and mentors aspiring writers and speakers through her BLAST Program (Building Leaders, Authors, Speakers & Teachers.)

Learn more about Shannon:http://www.shannonethridge.com

Kathryn Mackel is a best-selling author and acclaimed screenwriter for Disney and Fox. She was on the screenwriting team for Left Behind: The Movie, and Frank Peretti's Hangman's Curse. She is the acclaimed author of "The Surrogate", "The Departed", and "The Hidden" and resides in Boston, Massachusetts, with her husband.

Learn more about Kathryn: http://www.kathrynmackel.com


In To Know You, Shannon Ethridge and Kathryn Mackel explore 
how the past creates the present . . . and how even the most 
shattered lives can be redeemed.

Q&A with Shannon about her new book -- 

Enjoy learning a little bit more about the story behind the story of Shannon Ethridge's new novel To Know You. And don't forget to RSVP to Shannon's Facebook party on 11/19 and enter to win $100 to Lisa Leonard Design and a personal coaching session!

Q. Tell us a bit about the story behind your latest novel. Where did your inspiration spark from?

A. I was sitting in an airport in 2003 after my first non-fiction book, Every Woman’s Battle, had released.  I opened an email oozing with kind words of affirmation for the book, and posing the question, “When will you write fiction?”  I’d just finished Francine Rivers’ Redeeming Love and had been overwhelmingly inspired by the power of a well-crafted story.  I thought, Wow – releasing an entire series of fiction works that inspire women to let go of their past sexual and emotional baggage -- that’d be SO fun and fruitful!

Q. What’s your next book or project ?

A. I have my 20th non-fiction book releasing through Thomas Nelson in January 2014, called The Passion Principles: Celebrating Sexual Freedom in Marriage.  Then Kathy Mackel and I have a follow-up novel called Veil of Secrets which will release in July 2014, focusing this time on the rocky sexual relationship between Will and Melanie Connors, who just happen to be the parents of Destiny Connors (from To Know You).

Q. What’s your favorite character you've written so far?

A. I loved Destiny in my first novel, To Know You.  She has this hard edge and doesn't leave people wondering how she really feels about anything.  She just puts in out there without blinking, without mincing words, without apology.  I was always told that I don’t have an “edit button,” so I felt a real connection to Destiny whenever she’d pop off about something.  Plus she has tattoos and rides a motorcycle – two things I've never had the hootzpah to do.

Shannon Ethridge is celebrating the release of  To Know You (co-written by Kathryn Mackel), by giving away a $100 gift certificate to Lisa Leonard Designs and a personal coaching session, as well as throwing a Facebook Author Chat Party!

toknowyou-rafflecopter

One winner will receive:
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 19th. Winner will be announced at the "To Know You" Facebook Author Chat Party on the 19th. Connect with Shannon and friends for an encouraging evening of fun chat, book club discussion, giveaways, and a chance to win a PERSONAL COACHING SESSION WITH SHANNON!

So grab your copy of To Know You and join Shannon on the evening of November 19th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word — tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK or TWITTER or Pinterest and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on 11/19!

My Thoughts

Julia and Matt Whittaker would do anything to help their son, Dillon.  All attempts have failed to find a liver donor.  If only Julia had the courage to ask strangers, the two daughters whom lived with their fathers.  Could one of them make a sacrifice and become a liver donor for Dillon.  

I lost my grandson before he turned two years old.  He became a donor. How helpless you feel when you are faced with so many decision and sometimes nothing left to done.  To make the decision to be a donor is an ultimate sacrifice for those giving and the ultimate gift to those receiving.

 I was hesitant to read the book because of my lose.  The pain of loosing a child never really goes away you hang on to the fact that God granted you the gift of having that person in your life as long of God chose for them to be with us. 

This book has heartache, hope, faith, forgiveness and redemption.  It will help one see how God can give us healing through our pain. 

What would you do if you were asked to be a living donor?

I recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity Group for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  This review is my honest opinion.


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Monday, April 1, 2013

Catherine's Pursuit ~ McKenna's Daughters Series, Book 3 ~ by Lena Nelson Dooley ~ Giveaway

The search for her sisters will become a spiritual journey for the entire family.

Raised by her father, Catherine McKenna has never lacked for anything, surrounded by people to take care of her every need. On her eighteenth birthday she discovers that not only did her mother die when she was born, but she has two identical sisters. Although her father vowed not to look for his daughters, Catherine made no such promise. Setting out on her own with one clue and her maid in tow, she's determined to find her sisters.

Collin Elliott has seen better days. After losing his ship to a violent and unexpected storm, he is trying to recover--physically and emotionally. When Angus McKenna sends him to find, follow, and protect his daughter, he wants nothing more than to finish his task and return home. Can he help her find her sisters?

And will the discoveries they make along the way teach them both what's most important in life?

What people are saying about "Catherine's Pursuit".
"A heartwarming tale filled with history, adventure, faith, and love." --Lisa Wingate, bestselling and award-winning author of Dandelion Summer and Firefly Island

Author: Lena Nelson Dooley
Title: Catherine's Pursuit
Series: McKenna's Daughters, book 3
ISBN-10: 1621360199
ISBN-13: 978-1621360193
BISAC: FICTION / Christian / Romance / Historical

Buy links: Amazon, CBD, Barnes&Noble



About Lena Nelson Dooley

Award-winning author, Lena Nelson Dooley, has more than 700,000 books in print.

Helping other authors become published really floats her boat, with over 20 signing their first book contract after her mentoring. Three of her books have been awarded the Carol Award silver pins, and she has received the ACFW Mentor of the Year award. The high point of her day is receiving feedback from her readers, especially people whose lives have been changed by her books.

Her 2010 release Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, won the 2011 Will Rogers Medallion Award for excellence in publishing Western Fiction. Maggie’s Journey appeared on a reviewers Top Ten Books of 2011 list. It also won the 2012 Selah award for Historical Novel. Mary’s Blessing released in May 2012. It recently appeared on a review site’s Top Five Reads in 2012 list. Catherine’s Pursuit is coming in February 2013.

In addition to her writing, Lena is a frequent speaker at women’s groups, writers groups, and at both regional and national conferences. She has spoken in six states and internationally. She is also one of the co-hosts of the Gate Beautiful blog radio show.

Lena has an active web presence on Shoutlife, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Linkedin and with her internationally connected blog where she interviews other authors and promotes their books.

Find her online here:
Other blogs where she’s a regular contributor:
http://www.bustlesandspurs.com/


GIVEAWAY ~ U.S. residents only
Provided by Lena Nelson Dooley
Win a Paperback Copy of 
Catherine's Pursuit
 1 Winner
Just leave a comment below with your email.
(I need your email to contact you if you are the winner)
Ends April 5th, 2013
Winner announced on April 6th, 2013


My Thoughts:

Catherine McKenna is all excited about her party.  She is turning eighteen years old and her father has arranged a party for the special occasion.  When she heads downstairs she hears raised voices. As she nears the source, it is apparent her father and Aunt are arguing about something her Aunt felt her father should tell Catherine.  She surprised both of them by asking her father what was it that he needed to tell her.  He looked very upset and he was pale.  He apologized and told her there was something he had been keeping from her but had planned telling her when she was older.  That something was, that when she was born she was a triplet and had two other sisters at which time her mother died giving birth.   Her father walked out of the not able to say more.  From this she assumed her sisters had died at birth along with her mother.  When she discovered her sisters were alive and had been adopted by two different families. She schemed to sneak away to find them taking her maid and only leaving a note for her father.   She had little information to go on but she was a spoiled headstrong girl not aware of the danger she might confront.

Collin Elliot has recovered from an injury he acquired when he was Captain of a McKenna ship.  He felt like a  failure because the ship sank but was able to save the crew.  Angus McKenna had offered Collin a job to find his daughter and protect her at any cost.  Just what Collin wanted to do was track down the spoiled Ice Princess.

Sure enough when he found her she was being accosted by a drunk.  He intervened for her until the drunk called her Mary Murray, which was her sister's name.  Could this drunk really know her sister?  Collin kept trying to keep the drunk away from her and when she realizes that Collin is her father's employee she agreed to let him continue on with them to find her sisters.  Was she close to finding Mary?  Even though she thinks Collin is handsome he may become a problem in her quest to find her sisters.

Lena Nelson Dooley writes of the third McKenna daughter and the search to put all three girls together again.  It was funny, heartbreaking, mysterious, adventurous and romantic.  It was the whole package an amazing series wrapped up in a big bow.  Angus McKenna  finally forgives himself by the grace of God and prays to be reconnected with all three of his daughters.  Could Angus possibly wish for more?  Leave it up to this author to give more!

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:  I won a free copy of this book from the author's.  I was not required to write a review.  This is my honest opinion.

If you found this review helpful vote yes or no here.
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Friday, January 4, 2013

The Color of My Heart by Sarah Martin Byrd ~ Interview & Giveaway

About Book

 Living in the foothills of North Carolina, Laura Carter has it all: a nice home, wonderful adoptive parents, two lovely teenage daughters, and a to-die-for handsome husband. As they celebrate freedom on the Fourth of July, she’s certain that nothing could ever shatter her perfect American life: Or could it?
An unexpected letter from her great-grandmother brings Laura face-to-face with her birth family. At their first, shocking meeting, she receives a stack of diaries that trace a heartbreaking voyage from Africa to Jekyll Island, Georgia, via a slave ship. Thanks to the missionary who lived with her ancestors in Africa and taught them how to speak and write English, Laura holds in her hands a gripping record of their lives.
Could the realities of her mixed-race heritage destroy her family? Laura tries to live honorably, but her husband resists, and daughter Lakin has her own secrets. Lurking in the shadows is a small group called the brethren. The brethren’s dirty deeds are meant to preserve the purity of race in a South that still wears old patches of hate. Will they succeed in chopping down Laura’s family tree, or will the newest branches have a better chance at peace and acceptance in a more open-minded South?
Dedication page reads:  Dedicated to the oppressed of the world
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female, for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.   And if ye be Christ's then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."        Galatians 3:28-29

Excerpt: First two chapters of The Color of My Heart!

  • ISBN-13: 9781620201145
  • Publisher: Emerald House Group, Incorporated
  • Publication date: 10/30/2012
  • Pages: 288


About Sarah Martin Byrd
I started keeping a diary as a young girl, writing down my thoughts, dreams and worries. At fifteen, a good friend died in a car accident, my first poem titled The Black Car, was for his family. Since, I have penned many other poems to console friends, family and myself.

In third grade, after being made to read a children’s classic, The Boxcar Children, I was forever hooked on books. In the early 90’s I realized I was never going to be happy until I wrote my own novel. An avid reader, I stepped out of the box again, and instead of living through other writers I began my own journey, enrolling in a writing program at The Institute of Children’s Literature. I graduated and started my first book, In the Coal Mine Shadows. It took me thirteen years to finish that first novel. I was, at the time, a wife, mother and full time Advertising Manager for our local newspaper. Finally, having finished In the Coal Mine Shadows I didn’t know what to do with it. I still don’t. It lies restless on a shelf. Longing for eyes to see it.
Then as fate would have it, five years ago, I grasped the opportunity to retire from the newspaper business, stay home and yes…write full time. After In the Coal Mine Shadows, Guardian Spirit was birthed and now The Color Of My Heart is ready to launch. I recently finished another novel, The River Keeper. It is now in the editing stage.

Q & A with Sarah
Q. What led you to write The Color of My Heart? 

A. Growing up I was the minority. Everybody else seemed to be living a normal life. But my childhood was far from the norm. My heart was molded by the way I was treated, and I promised myself to never look down my nose at anyone. No one knows the path children have been led down by the actions of their parents.


Q.  Have you had any encounters with racism?

A. Yes, of course I've lived in the South all my life. I have friends who have children in mixed marriages. I've seen and heard more than my share of hurtful remarks.


Q. How does Laura’s husband respond to her discovery? What do you hope readers learn from his reaction? 

A. He is appalled when he finds out that his perfect wife is tainted with African American blood. I pray the readers of "The Color of My Heart" see how very wrong Tam is by judging from the outside in.


Q. What is your understanding of freedom?

A. Having the right to be who you are and not try to be someone else because that is what society thinks you should be. Freedom is being on level ground with all. Being treated equal. 


Q. How can you share the themes of this book with children?

A. This story will teach children that God created all. People of different color, shapes, personalities and origins, but He made us in His image. We are all His children.  I would hope that children would loose the urge to bully after reading this story.


Q. What do you hope to accomplish by writing this book? 

A. My hope is that after a person reads "The Color of My Heart" they will look at their fellow man differently. I hope people's hearts will be humbled by this story. We should be judged by our character, not by our color. 


Q. You seem to weave a lot of history throughout your books. Are the historical facts true in "The Color of My Heart?"

A. I always weave history throughout my writing. I love doing research. Yes, the historical facts about the last slave ship named The Wonderer that landed at Jekyll Island on November 28, 1858 are true. In Captain William C. Corrie's logbook on October 4, 1858 four hundred and eight-seven souls left port from the Congo River in Bengula, Africa for the six-week journey to America. Only four hundred and nine people survived. Seventy-eight died on that forty-five day journey across the ocean.
On December 18th, 1865 the 13th Amendment was officially adopted into the Constitution, two hundred and forty-six years after the first shipload of captive Africans landed at Jamestown, Virginia and were bought as slaves. In 1808 a slave was counted as three/fifths of a person for census. How very sad is that! 
A portrait of the slave ship the Wanderer, which landed off Jekyll Island on Nov. 28, 1858. It carried 400 Africans, mostly boys. COURTESY OF THE JEKYLL ISLAND MUSEUM
Q. Is your personality reflected in any of your characters? 

A. Oh yes. I don't think a writer can create characters without adding a little of themselves to each one. In "The Color of My Heart" my heart is that of Laura Carter's. Most of the time all my characters are all a little part of people I know or have known. 

GIVEAWAY
Win a Paperback Copy of 
THE COLOR OF MY HEART
Provided by Ambassador-Emerald International
 1 Winner
Just leave a comment with your email.
(I need your email to contact you if you are the winner)
Ends January 11th, 2013
Winner announced on Jan. 12th, 2013



My Thoughts

Laura Carter had a happily ever after life with a handsome husband and two beautiful teenage daughters.  She had the wonderful adoptive parent's that raised her as their own and with a strong belief in God.  She knew nothing about her birth mother.

One day her fairy tale started falling apart when she received a letter from her birth family stating her birth mother was not well and needed Laura to come to her home.  Her visit with her birth family revealed her roots were from Africa beginning with an educated African woman her small daughter that were kidnapped, shipped to America in the hull of a ship then sold into slavery.

At first Laura did not want to believe her mother and great-grandmother but the proof was in a set of journals written by women of color, all no doubt her ancestors.  Out of concern for her the health and well being of her birth mother and one hundred year old great-grandmother she insists on staying with them as their caretaker.  Even her daughters wanted to stay some to help and to learn more about their grandmother and great-grandmother.

 This was news her husband did not want to accept.  It made him sick that the blood  running through the veins of  his wife and children was tainted blood.  Ever since he was a young boy he had been raised with an iron fist by his father and was forced to join a white supremacy group called the brethren.  He did not approve of the groups tactics but feared his father's anger if he did not go along with their madness.  Her husband feared what the brethren were capable of , especially his father, if they found out about his wife's roots and tainted blood. 

Laura knew nothing of her husband's dark secrets but suspect something evil brewing. The relationship with Laura and her birth family flourished, but the relationship with her husband was becoming more like a nightmare than a fairy tale.  Laura puts her faith and trust in God for the healing of her family.

Would his father really harm Laura and the children?  What horrors await?

 When it comes to Laura's father-in-law and the brethren I can't help but remember the  expression, "O, what a tangled web we weave when we practice to deceive."  written by Sir Walter Scott.

The author has written about how the color of ones skin can create a variety of opinions and feeling within our culture.  Add the element of the women ancestors journals was major plus in this story.  It lets the reader see the hardships and heartfelt feelings of these women without actually seeing a color.  You will see them as men, women and children with the very same hearts and minds being punished because of the color of their skin, no other reason. 
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female, for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.   And if ye be Christ's then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."        Galatians 3:28-29

I highly recommend this book.

I rate this book a 5+ out of 5.

Disclosure
I received a free copy of this book from Ambassador-Emerald International for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  It is my own opinion.

 If you found this review helpful vote yes or no here.

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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Every Perfect Gift by Dorothy Love ~ Lifuse Tour & Giveaway/Review

About Every Perfect Gift:  


Book 3 in Dorothy Love's Hickory Ridge Romance series.

Ethan and Sophie long to share a future together. But the secrets they're not sharing could tear them apart.

Sophie Caldwell has returned to Hickory Ridge, Tennessee, after years away. Despite the heartaches of her childhood, Sophie is determined to make a home, and a name, for herself in the growing town. A gifted writer, she plans to resurrect the local newspaper that so enchanted her as a girl.

Ethan Heyward's idyllic childhood was shattered by a tragedy he has spent years trying to forget. An accomplished businessman and architect, he has built a majestic resort in the mountains above Hickory Ridge, drawing wealthy tourists from all over the country.

When Sophie interviews Ethan for the paper, he is impressed with her intelligence and astounded by her beauty. She's equally intrigued but fears he will reject her if he learns about her shadowed past. Just as she summons the courage to tell him, Ethan's own past unexpectedly and violently catches up with him, threatening not only his life but their budding romance.

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/ftJyo  

Litfuse Blog Tour Schedule


Meet Dorothy:  
  
An accomplished author in the secular market, Dorothy Love makes her inspirational fiction debut with her Hickory Ridge series of historicals set in her native South. Her skillful blending of the historical and the personal reflect her passion for discovering the histories of ordinary people who accomplished extraordinary things and set her apart as an authoritative voice of Southern historical fiction.

Find out more about Dorothy at http://dorothylovebooks.com/.

Dorothy Love is celebrating the new book in her
 Hickory Ridge Romance series, Every Perfect Gift with
 a "Home for the Holidays" 12 Days of Gifts contest.


Celebrate the holidays with Dorothy Love and her protagonist, Sophie Caldwell, as they count down the days to Dorothy's author chat party with 12 Days of Gifts! Dorothy will be giving away copies of Every Perfect Gift and other holiday essentials, as well as key items from the book that Sophie would have worn during or used to celebrate the holidays (a beautiful, red shawl, Victorian ornaments, stockings). It's all happening on Dorothy's Facebook page. She'll post a new giveaway each day.

So bring on the Christmas cheer with Dorothy and the "Home for the Holidays" 12 Days of Gifts. Then join Dorothy on the evening of December 13 for her author chat party! During the party, Dorothy will announce the 12 winners from the Home for the Holidays giveaway and host an author chat about Every Perfect Gift and favorite Christmas traditions. Oh, and she'll be giving away lots of fun prizes. RSVP today.


My Thoughts

When Sadie Caldwell was a child she left Hickory Hollow with her new adoptive parents Ada and Wyatt Caldwell to start her new life in Texas.  Now many years later she has returned to Hickory Ridge, Tennessee where she is still haunted by her unhappy childhood.  Sadie is the new owner of the local newspaper Hickory Ridge Gazette.  It will be a challenge with the old equipment but she is ready for that challenge.   

She has enjoyed reuniting with several of her old friends and hopes all the old prejudices from some of the other towns people was left buried in the past.  

She finally opens for business and is very interested in interviewing the manager of the new luxurious resort Blue Smoke, Ethan Heyward .   It will make a great article for the Gazette.   

Ethan was surprised to find out that S. R. Caldwell was not a man but an attractive woman and the new owner of the Gazette.  After the interview he had every intention of spending more time with Sadie Caldwell. He noticed she was a little standoffish with him but wasn't sure why. 

Sadie got the impression that Ethan was prejudice against some of his workers. He also acted like he was suffering from some dark secret.  But it was apparent he was very intelligent and talented.  The resort was a great accomplishment and would be an asset to Hickory Ridge and it's businesses.

In this final book of this series the author writes the conclusion of Hickory Ridge with two generations.   The author focused on the trials and tribulations of women in the workplace.  Even though there will always be people that are prejudiced against someone or something the author brings them into the new generation growing with the times. Book three was the perfect gift!

I highly  recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure
I received a free copy of this book from Thomas Nelson for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  It is my own opinion.

If you found this review helpful vote yes or no here.
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Thursday, November 1, 2012

Christmas at Holly Hill, Winds Across the Prairie Series #6 by Martha Rogers

About Book

 Can Clayton Barlow prove he has changed his ways in time for Christmas? 

 It is October 1898, and Clayton Barlow has just returned home after serving time in prison for his part in a bank robbery. His family welcomes him, but the townspeople are skeptical. Bored with life in the small town but determined to make a new start, he goes to work with his father, hoping to regain the town’s trust.  

 Clayton recognizes the schoolteacher at the Prairie Grove School as his childhood friend, Merry Lee Warner, and old feelings surface. Still, he doubts that he could ever get a woman like Merry to love him.

 As the townspeople prepare for Christmas, their suspicions about Clayton lead to trouble. Will the trusting heart of an unlikely new friend be enough to restore Clayton’s relationships with his neighbors and reunite him with God and Merry?


About Martha

Martha Rogers is a former schoolteacher and English instructor. She served as a newsletter editor for the writer's organization, Inspirational Writers Alive! for six years and is the state president. She is also the director for the annual Texas Christian Writer's Conference and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

Her first novel Not on the Menu (May 2007) is a part of Sugar and Grits, a novella collection with DiAnn Mills, Janice Thompson, and Kathleen Y'Barbo. Rogers has a Master's Degree in Education, worked for twenty-eight years as a secondary teacher, and has worked as a supervisory teacher at University of Houston Clear Lake and as an instructor of English Composition at Houston Community College. Martha and her husband live in Houston, Texas and have worked with teenagers at First Baptist Church for twenty-four years.

Visit Martha's Website here


My Thoughts

Clayton Barlow arrives at his father's store not sure what kind of welcome if any he will receive.   You see he has been in prison for the past five years of his life for bank robbery.
To his surprise and great pleasure his parent's welcomed him back with open arms.  His father did advise him to keep on the straight and narrow and stay away from bad company.
But not everyone was as glad to see him back home.   When Merry Lee Warner, the new Prairie Grove school teacher caught sight of Clayton standing in the door of his father's store she ran to him throwing her arms around him.   Merry was his sweetheart when she was sixteen years old.  But he must not let on how much he is still in love with her for fear of destroying her reputation with the school board.  He has to prove to this community that he is a changed man before he let's her know how he really feels.  If not he might have to leave town.

Merry was so glad to see him but he did not seem to have the same feelings.  This really hurt and confused her.  She would not give up, she would come and talk to him everyday until she figured out where her school sweetheart was under this man's tough exterior.

Has Clayton turned his life around?  Does he trust God enough to ask for help?  He feels as if God had turned His back on him when he went to prison.  

Many of us feel at times that God may have abandoned us when in reality we abandoned Him.  God is constant He never leaves us.   Clayton's character learned this lesson the hard way and then God Blessed Clayton Abundantly with a Very Merry Christmas.

Martha always entertains me with her writing.  The characters are bold, heroic, soldiers of God ready to do His bidding.    I always come away feeling as if I have learned a great lesson after reading one of her books.  

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book  5 out of 5.

Disclosure
I received a free copy of this book from Charisma/Realms for review.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  It is my own opinion.

If you found this review helpful vote yes or no here.
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