When Grace Sings

When Grace Sings by Kim Vogel Sawyer is the second book in the Zimmerman Restoration Trilogy.  The first book in the series was When Mercy Rains.  In order to understand what is happening in When Grace Sings you do need to read the first book in the trilogy.

Alexa Joy Zimmerman, daughter of Suzanne Zimmerman, has turned her grandmother’s house in Arborville into Grace Notes Bed and Breakfast (the paint job on the Victorian farmhouse sounds beautiful).  Alexa is very excited to get a long-term guest.  Since it is a man, she is letting him stay in her little guest cottage during his stay (she did not feel it would be appropriate for him to stay in the house with her grandmother).

Briley Forrester lives in Chicago and works for Real Scoop.  His boss, Len, is tired of headlines about wonderful life is in Amish country.  He is sending Briley to find a story.  Briley will be staying at the Grace Notes B & B as a long-term guest.  Briley does not make a good first impression with his flashy red car, driving fast, and flirting with Alexa as soon as he arrives.   Can Alexa handle Briley?  What is Briley willing to do for a story?

Anna-Grace Braun, who lives in Sommerfield, Kansas, just got engaged to Steven Grungardt.  She is so excited.  They are to be married in February.  Steven is to receive some land and a house in Arborville.  It used to belong to his Grandad Meiers, but he passed away and left it to Kevin (Steven’s brother).  Kevin left the community and has never claimed the inheritance.  Steven’s parents petitioned the court to give the inheritance to them.  Steven’s parents then turned over the property to Steven.  Steven and his father are going to Arborville to check out the property. 

Anna-Grace finally finds out that one of her biological parents live in Arborville and now she is not sure she can live in that city.  Anna-Grace decides to spend time in the city to get to know the people and help decorate the house.  Alexa offers to let Anna-Grace stay at Grace Notes, but Alexa did not realize how difficult it was going to be having her around.  Alexa feels like an interloper and Anna-Grace is the real granddaughter. 

Stephen is doing what is expected of him.  He is fixing up the house, preparing to marry, and be a farmer.  However, the only thing he wants to do is teach.  Stephen hopes that Anna-Grace will decide that she does not want to live in Arborville, so he can sell the house (and go to college).  Paul Aldrich is doing repairs on the Stephen’s house and finally gets to meet his birth daughter.

Will Stephen get to achieve his dream of teaching? Will Anna-Grace find out that Paul is her biological father?  Will Alexa get over her feelings of not belonging?  Will Briley Forrester find his big story and who will it hurt?  Read When Grace Sings to find out the answers to these questions plus much more.

I give When Grace Sings 4 out 5 stars.  It is a good story, but I kept finding myself shouting at my book.  I was telling Anna-Grace to grow up and get a back bone and for Alexa to realize that she does belong (and has a wonderful, loving family).  I look forward to reading the last book in the trilogy to see what happens to the Zimmerman family. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley (and the publisher) in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for visiting and reading my review. I hope you have had a very Happy St. Patrick's Day!  I am currently reading Secrets of the Tower by Debbie Rix.   Have a great evening and Happy Reading! 

Kris