When the world around you falls apart, could it be that God is giving you a second chance? This is just one of the questions on Charlotte Stevenson's mind as she brings her three grandchildren to live on the family farm in Guidepost Books' Home to Heather Creek series.
Before the Dawn begins just one week after the funeral of Charlotte's daughter, Denise. Denise's three children barely have time to process the death of their mother before they must move to the Heather Creek Farm they have never visited with grandparents they barely know. At age 16, Sam is fiercely protective of his younger siblings. Emily is 14 and desperately misses her friends. Young Christopher is only 8 and just wants to fit in. While Charlotte tries to help her grandchildren adjust to their new life, she also wrestles with her own grief and the enormous task of bringing her family together. Bob believes the fastest path to adjustment is a firm routine, with structure and chores, the same way they raised their own kids. However, that route led to Denise running away from home as a teenager and an estranged relationship with her family. Charlotte is worried about making the same mistakes she made with Denise. Is this her chance to make things right?
It is spring when the children arrive, and as Charlotte looks around the farm, she hopes the new life around them will signify hope and healing. The miracle of new life, along with God's healing touch, reminds all of them that it's always darkest just before the dawn.
Sweet September picks up at harvest time, as the children are settling into a new school year. While the harvest should be an exciting time, the children don't seem to be getting into the spirit. Emily is struggling with farm life, Christopher spends most of his time alone, and Sam is failing school. Trying to learn from what did and didn't work with her own kids, Charlotte is determined to get her grandchildren back on track.
As tenuous family bonds threaten to break apart, a mystery on the farm might be the one thing that can bond the family together. Charlotte sets out to uncover the truth, and as the kids unite to find answers, this cobbled-together family learns more about one another and the love that binds them together.
The lives of the Stevensons and their grandchildren unfold in this captivating story of the remarkable change that comes from the love of family, the kindness of others, sheer persistence and unshakable faith. As readers follow the Stevensons' inspiring stories, it's almost impossible not feel a part of this friendly, loving community, where God's grace can be seen in every circumstance.
Purchase the books here: http://ow.ly/oQGxr
Landing page and tour schedule: http://litfusegroup.com/author/kbauer
About the Author: Kathleen Bauer is the pen name for a team of writers who have come together to create the Home to Heather Creek series.
One winner will receive:
- A Paperwhite Kindle
- Before the Dawn and Sweet September by Kathleen Bauer
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My Thoughts:
What can be more traumatic for a child than losing mother to a senseless accident? They have no other choice than to move in with their grandparent on a farm out in the middle of nowhere land. For city kids, in their opinion, this is not a good move. Since they have an absentee father what else could they do. They do not really even know their grandparents since their mother had been estranged from her parents except for an occasional phone call. Two moody and pouting teens, the oldest a man/boy whom keeps to himself and a girl that hates the world and everything in it. Then there is a much young boy that looks to his older siblings as to how he is suppose to react to his new life on a farm.
But they are not the only ones trying to cope with their grief, their grandparents and uncle are also grieving while trying not to let the kids see how difficult all of these changes are effecting their own daily lives. Routines are what the grandfather thinks will be best for them, though their grandmother would prefer to take it easy on the kids until they have been able to adjust to their new school and surroundings. She fears making the same mistake with her grandkids as she did with their mother. Everyone in town has advice, prayers and condolences with good intentions for the kids and grandparents. Some are helpful, others just create more problems.
In book two, as the family gets into their daily routines something or someone starts destroying the garden they worked on so hard. The kids and their uncle come up with some hair brain ideas solve the mystery of the missing vegetables. All becomes clear when a perfect stranger visits the farm and turns out to be a true blessing to the whole family. Its seems God has some very special plans for this family as their hearts open and begin to heal.
This is a heart wrenching story that many of us can relate to through one or more of the characters. I am looking forward to reading more books in this series. I would definitely like to spend more time with this family as they grow together. I would recommend this book to anyone trying to blend family members. I think it is a fun idea having authors come together to contribute their writing talents to this series
I highly recommend this series.
I rated both books 5 out of 5.
