Welcome! Paradox by Catherine Coulter will be out on July 31 along with A Simple Singing by Leslie Gould. Wanda Brunstetter's new novel The Hope Jar will be released on August 1, but you can pick up a free preview now. To Catch a Witch by Heather Blake releases on August 7 (I cannot wait to read it).
The Hope of Azure Springs by Rachel Fordham takes us back to 1881. Em Cooper
has been shot and left for dead. She was
lucky to be found and transported to Azure Springs, Iowa where the Howell
family has taken her into their home. Sheriff
Caleb Reynolds is responsible for keeping the law in Azure Springs and the
surrounding area. He wants to catch whomever
harmed Em and her guardian George. Em
was taken in by George seven years prior when the orphan train came through the
area. She has been living in a
dilapidated barn and scrounging for food since then. Three men came to the farm and proceeded to
tear it apart looking for something.
When they did not find it, they shot George and Em. She can provide Caleb with a description and
it matches that of men who recently robbed a stagecoach. While Caleb works the case, he finds himself
drawn to Em with her kind nature and generous heart. Em is eager for the bandits to be captured so
she can begin her search for her sister, Lucy.
They became separated when Lucy was adopted, and Em has worried about
her ever since. Em is grateful her
prayers were answered, and she was freed from George, but she has yet to
realize that she is the answer to others prayers.
The Hope of Azure Springs is well-written
story with a gentle pace and a beautiful cover.
I liked the main characters of
Em and Caleb. The supporting characters of
the Howell family and Margaret Anders (I like her attitude) helped enhance the
story. Em has had a difficult life, but
she does not let it get her down. She
has a positive attitude and a grateful heart.
Em has a different way of looking at things and she helps others with
their grief. The romance was sweet, and
it focused on the individual’s character (what is inside the person) instead of
their physical appearance (though Caleb is handsome). I like the Christian elements present
throughout the story. The presence of
God in our lives, having faith in God, God’s grace and prayer. Other themes are hope, self-reliance but also
knowing when to accept help from others, friendship, enduring love, and the
value of self-worth. The road to a happy future is a bumpy one, and Em’s
journey will be an emotional one. I like
how the story goes full circle. My
rating for The Hope of Azure Springs is 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). I hope the author gives Eliza and Margaret
their own books. I would like to see
their stories play out. Readers who
enjoy clean western romance novels will be delighted with The Hope of AzureSprings.
Thank you very much for visiting today. Tomorrow I will be sharing my review of A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder by Dianne Freeman. I hope that you have a stupendous day (think positive). Take care of yourself and Happy Reading!
Kris
The Avid Reader
,” won the San Diego Book Awards for Best Action-Thriller. He likes cool photography, funny mysteries, and finding the oddest things while walking on the beach.
