My Hope Is Found - A Review

Lonnie Sawyer has just reached the point where she can move on. Or at least she hopes to. The man she loves, the father of her son, has a new life and she wants him to be happy. But she can't write Gideon out of her heart very easily. Even with the attention of handsome young preacher Toby McKee. Hoping to put her past behind her, she accepts Toby's proposal. For Gideon's part, though he is married to another, his heart yearns for the soft-spoken woman who stole his heart. When God in His mercy offers Gideon a chance to go home, he takes it - with Cassie's blessing. Yet he's unprepared for what lies in store for him. Will Gideon find his faith strengthened or shattered? Will he learn that "letting go can be a harder way to love than holding on?" Who will Lonnie choose?

Sighs. I loved this book. I first met Gideon & Lonnie in Be Still My Soul. Their story made me cry. It made my heart ache for this couple. And just when I thought that they had a chance of happily-ever-after, their world was shaken deeply in Though My Heart Is Torn. I really wanted to hate Cassie in that book. But, I found I couldn't. So needless to say, when I found out that the author was looking for people to help promote the third book in this series, I was thrilled to be a part of her team. I've been asked not to give away secrets, and I'll try not to divulge any.

While I've had this book since sometime in August, and have actually had it finished since sometime in September, I decided to wait and write my review closer to the book's release date, which is Tuesday October 15, 2013.

Yes this book made me cry. It's a breath-taking conclusion to the story that began in Be Still My Soul. I've been privileged to watch Lonnie and Gideon grow in their faith. I wanted them to be together someway, somehow. Yet the depth of the other characters, Toby, Cassie, Elsie, Jeremiah, only made me love this series more. I can't hate Lonnie for accepting Toby's proposal. She needed to move on with her life. Yet I can't help feeling hurt too. Not that she had to move on, but that my happily-ever-after was in danger. I have to say that each of the major characters - Lonnie, Gideon, Toby, and Cassie all had to learn the hard lesson that Gideon discovers early in the story. It's that letting go is a harder way to love than holding on. Each character had to come to the point where they let go of their own wants and truly surrendered their hearts.

This type of book is what I loved about the classic Karen Kingsbury books, the Francine Rivers books, and oh so many others. If you haven't yet gotten a copy of books one and two in the Cadence of Grace series, run to your nearest bookstore, online store, library, or somewhere to pick up copies. Then go out an purchase this conclusion. It is That good! This is one series of books that I will keep to revisit over and over.

I received an advance paperback copy for free from the author for the purpose of reviewing and promoting. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of Karen Kingsbury, Francine Rivers, Laura Frantz, Catherine Marshall's Christy, historical fiction, drama

Rating - 5 stars

Though My Heart Is Torn - A Review

Gideon and Lonnie O'Reilly are happy with their young son after a rocky start to their marriage. When word from home draws them back to the hollow they left, they are not prepared for the shock that is about to change their lives. Gideon has another wife. As they must now navigate this uncertain future, each must learn to trust God in a different way.

This is book 2 in the Cadence of Grace series and I highly recommend reading the first book, Be Still My Soul, first. I was so excited to return to the story of Gideon and Lonnie. Both of these two grow even more than they did in the first book. And my heart broke for them. I really wanted to dislike Cassie, but I found I couldn't. The characters are very real and I ached for them.

I received an advance readers copy of this book from Waterbrook/Multnomah's blogging for books program for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of Julie Lessman, Laurie Alice Eakes, and historical fiction fans.

Rating - 5 stars