Room for Hope by Kim Vogel Sawyer

In a desperate time, can Neva find forgiveness for a grievous wrong—and make room for hope?

Neva Shilling has a heavy load of responsibility while her husband travels to neighboring communities and sells items from his wagon. In his absence, she faithfully runs the Shilling Mercantile, working to keep their business strong as the Depression takes its toll, and caring for their twins.

When a wagon pulls up after supper, Neva and her children rush out—and into the presence of the deputy driving a wagon carrying three young children. The deputy shocks her with the news that Warren and his wife have died, insisting it was their last request that the three children go live with “Aunt Neva.”

Neva’s heart is shattered as she realizes that Warren’s month-long travels were excuses for visits with his secret family. She wants nothing more than to forget Warren, but can she abandon these innocent children to an orphanage? Yet if she takes them in, will she ever be able to see them as more than evidence of her husband’s betrayal and love them the way God does?

How would I feel about learning that my husband had a second wife and second family?  Devastated!!  I don't know if I would have been as accepting of his second family as Neva.  Although, the children weren't to blame for their fathers deception.  I did like the book and the struggles Neva had with carrying on with her life.  She has two men vying for her affections.  Which one will she choose.

I recommend this book to all readers.

I was given this book by the publisher for an honest review.  I was  not compensated in any way. 

Restore My Soul: A Coloring Book

Grab your colored pencils and get ready to refresh your spirit with this coloring book devotional journey!For lovers of the Secret Garden and Enchanted Forest coloring books, Restore My Soul is a beautiful, interactive devotional designed to celebrate our unique creativity and connect us with the ultimate Creator. Find refreshment in short reflections on Scripture and be inspired as you color accompanying intricate illustrations created for meditation and prayer. Both contemplative and imaginative, Restore My Soul is the perfect space for the artist in us all.

I was excited to get this book.  The devotionals that go along with the coloring page are great.  The coloring is a great stress reliever. Some adult coloring books are very difficult. This one is not. It makes me feel like a kid again.  I highly recommend this to everyone.

I was given this book by the publisher for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.  

Like Never Before by Melissa Tagg

Maple Valley became Amelia Bentley's haven after her heart and her dreams of a family were shattered. But her new life as a newspaper editor is shaken when the small-town paper is in danger of closing. Her one hope: A lead on an intriguing story that just might impress the new publisher...if only she knew who he was.

After his biggest campaign success yet, widowed speechwriter Logan Walker now has the chance of a lifetime--a spot on a presidential campaign. But his plans are interrupted when he finds out he's inherited his hometown newspaper. He travels home intent on selling the paper and spending some much-needed time with his young daughter before making the leap into national politics.

But instead of a quick sale and peaceful break from his hectic career, Logan finds himself helping Amelia chase her story. She's scrappy, but wounded. He's dependable, but lost. They may butt heads more than expected, but a series of leads on Maple Valley's quirky unsolved mystery is just the start of the sparks that fly in the office and in their hearts.

I really enjoyed reading the next installment in the Walker family saga. All he wants to do is return to Maple Valley, sell the newspaper he inherited and be the speech writer for the next US President.  What he doesn’t anticipate is meeting Amelia Bentley.  She is the editor of the newspaper he wants to sell.  Amelia came to Maple Valley several years ago.  She was drifting until she landed in Maple Valley.  Now she can’t imagine living anywhere else.  Both Logan and Amelia are hurting.  Logan from the death of his wife and Amelia from an adoption that feel through and her recent divorce.  I saw this book as their journey from hurting individuals to confident self assured individuals.  They also are finding their way back to the God they thought had abandoned them.  There are many struggles along the way.  I won’t go into detail as I don’t want to give away any spoilers. 

I recommend this book to anyone.  It is a good clean Christian novel.  I am looking forward to reading about the next Walker family member.

I was given this book by the publisher for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.

An Unbroken Heart by Kathleen Fuller

An argument. A crash. In an instant, Joanna’s world is changed forever.

One minute, Joanna Schrock was arguing with her parents, and the next, her parents’ lives were claimed in a hit-and-run buggy accident. Her body is broken, but her heart is in even deeper pain— after all, how do you cope with your parents’ deaths when your last words were spoken in anger?

After an extended stint in a physical rehabilitation center, Joanna re-enters her Amish life. But nothing is the same—not even her feelings for Andrew Beiler.

Joanna has loved Andrew since the age of twelve, and her feelings have not changed throughout the years. She is thrilled when Andrew wants to get married, but she wonders whether it’s love he’s feeling, or pity. As the couple’s wedding date approaches, Joanna isn’t overcome with the deep joy she was hoping to feel; instead, she’s wracked with anxiety and guilt.

Joanna hears God whispering to her, Be strong and courageous, but she’s afraid that courage looks a lot like walking away from her dreams and into the plan of her Heavenly Father.

This book is about Joanna’s journey to forgive herself for her part in the death of her parents. Not only does she struggle with forgiving herself, she has to heal from the injuries she sustained in the buggy accident.  She doesn’t believe she is worthy of anything anymore.  Lest of all the attentions of her boyfriend Andrew.  Andrew loves Joanna but he was never able to express his feelings very well.  His dad leaving when he was young has made him feel that he might not be a very good husband and father like his Dad. 

This was the second book in the Birch Creek series.  It isn’t necessary to read the first book in the series, but it might be helpful to understand better some of the background issues. This book wasn’t quite as good as the first book. But I still look forward to reading the next installment.

I was given this book by the publisher for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.

Kathleen Fuller's Amazon author page:  http://www.amazon.com/Kathleen-Fuller/e/B001JSAI22/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0