May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Book Description:
Living life to the fullest always requires sacrifice.
Avery Robinson decided to be a physician after helplessly
watching her mother lose a battle with a terrible disease. Now at risk of
developing the same illness, Avery guards her heart from love. She’s driven to
protect her loved ones as a workaholic doctor in the tiny mountain town of
Riverbend Gap, North Carolina.
Contractor Wes Garrett is hiking the Appalachian trail, in
memory of the man who died saving his life, when an illness racks his body.
After an agonizing fifteen-mile hike to Avery’s clinic, he collapses on her
doorstep. He recovers to find himself in debt again, this time to a beautiful
doctor.
When he decides to help her renovate a rundown carriage
house, the obstacles to their attraction sprout like weeds—starting with the
woman waiting for Wes at the end of the trail. Will he be able to relinquish
the debt he owes his best friend? And will Avery find the courage to risk
everything for love?
The second book in Denise Hunter’s popular Riverbend Romance
series explores what it might be like to live fearlessly and free.
My Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading Mulberry Hollow. Denise Hunter digs into the souls of her characters and discovers their
needs, personalities, and quirks. Dr. Avery Robinson has thrown herself into
her work at the clinic she opened, to keep her mind off of the future she
believes is inevitable. Wes Garrett wants to do right by his friend, but has
given himself high expectations. The two meet and their adventures begin in the
beautiful setting of the Appalachian Mountains. I admire both characters for
their integrity and desire to help other people. Hunter has penned a sweet romance
that heals and opens doors to freedoms neither Avery nor Ross dreamed possible.
Mulberry Hollow is a clean read with undertones of faith and hope. If you enjoy
a good romance, you can't go wrong with Denise Hunter's stories. I received a
complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are
completely my own.
Book Description:
Christi Reece is desperate. The one-time golden girl's life has tarnished, and
a cascade of setbacks has left her reeling. She needs help, and she's certain
Jack Colby is in a position to provide it.
When she shows up in Hope Harbor, however, Jack wants nothing to do with the woman who betrayed him. He's built a new life on the Oregon coast--and there's no room in it for Christi, even after she takes refuge in a charming but mysterious cottage nearby. Yet it soon becomes apparent his opinion of her may need revising . . . especially when he ends up needing her help.
My Review:
I love visiting Hope Harbor. This time around, Christi Reece has found
her way to this lovely little town in search of her old boyfriend, Jack, but
not for the reasons he thinks. Jack settled in Hope Harbor to put the past
behind him, but Christi's arrival upsets his quiet world, along with an
unexpected surprise. Oh, and I love the cottage with windows made of sea glass-it's
kind of a magical place. One of the things I enjoy about Hannon's series is the
reoccurring characters in Hope Harbor, especially Charlie the artist and taco
maker. Charlie is a wise sage and plays an encouraging part in a young person's
life in this story. If you enjoy clean romance with a thread of faith, you'll
love this series, including Sea Glass Cottage. I received a complimentary
copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Luke 34:1-8
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the
spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone
rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the
body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two
men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their
fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to
them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he
has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The
Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified
and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered his
words.
Sunrise reminds me of the glorious day Jesus defeated death.
When I attended college in Kentucky, they offered a special
Easter sunrise service. That year I stayed on campus, and I looked forward to
the idea of an outdoor time of observance and worship. Early Sunday morning, we
gathered on a hill on campus, sat on the ground, and praised Jesus as the sun rose
on the horizon. The experience has stuck with me all these years as a time to
reflect on Jesus' sacrifice.
Easter, celebrated in the spring when new life sprouts from
the earth, evokes a sense of renewal in me due to the love Jesus has for me. God's
plan to give the life of His own Son for my sins, still blows me away. I don't
deserve God's love or grace, yet He has cleaned my slate of sins with His
blood.
God chose blood for sacrifice and throughout the Old
Testament people presented their finest animals to God. In the New Testament,
Jesus took the place of the animals and gave His life. What I love most is God
breathed life back into Jesus, just as He breaths life back into me through his
mercy and grace. When I seek his mercy, He pours His love over me.
This Easter, celebrate the gift of grace.
