Psalm 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?

www.biblegateway.com


Sunday, October 13, 2013

Beloved Book Review

Where the Heart Lives Series
Book Three

 SUMMARY:  A most unwelcome guest surprises Diana at her engagement party - the husband she thought was dead!
     Diana Brennan came west on the orphan train and was given a home with a loving couple who cherished and spoiled her.  At 17, she fell hard for Tyson Applegate, the son of a wealthy mine owner.  After a whirlwind courtship and marriage, Tyson took off for adventures around the world, including fighting with the Rough Riders in Cuba.  Receiving no word of him in years, Diana is ready to move past the old pain and marry again, just as soon as Tyson is declared legally dead.
     But when Tyson returns, supposedly a changed man, he wants to reunite with his wife and run for the senate.  While Diana suspects the election is his real reason for wanting her by his side, she agrees to maintain his home and to campaign with him, but when it is over, win or lose, she wants her freedom.  
     He agrees with one condition - she must give him a chance to change her mind about him.

REVIEW:  Beloved is written with two time lines going on at the same time.  You read about Diana and her struggles with Tyson after he returns but, sprinkled throughout the story, you also read Tyson's story before he met Diana, their meeting and courtship, their brief time together as a married couple and what happens to Tyson when he leaves Diana and after he "disappears."  At first, I couldn't quite figure out what was going on, but the more I read, the back story (mainly Tyson's) came through and I was able to follow along quite nicely and see that Tyson's spiritual relationship and his feelings for Diana were genuine.
     There were a few times I felt Brook Calhoun's character was stilted and unnecessary, like the author was needing an adversary and he was an afterthought.  It also would have been nice for Diana to meet her siblings earlier in the novel instead of in the Epilogue.  I did like how Tyson's father, Jeremiah Applegate, had changed over the years and was more accepting of Tyson and Diana's relationship and how he found one he wasn't looking for.
     All in all, this was a good book, one I enjoyed.  The series was interesting and one I wouldn't mind reading again.

This book was provided by Lituse Publicity Group, Booksneeze, and Zondervan for review without compensation.

Robin Lee Hatcher is the bestselling author of seventy books.  Her numerous awards include the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance, and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award.  Robin and her husband reside in Idaho.  For more information, visit www.robinleehatcher.com.

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