Love, War, Secrets, Memories -- Just Once

If you are a fan of Karen Kingsbury's books, then you are most likely familiar with her Baxter family books. Tucked away inside the first series, Ashley Baxter meets an elderly woman named Irvel, who becomes a special friend for Ashley. Just Once is Irvel's story, and it is a beautiful one. 

Irvel's story includes love, war, secrets, memories . . . all told in the heart-warming style that you can expect from Karen Kingsbury's Life-Changing Fiction. The characters come alive, and you find yourself in the middle of the joys and the challenges in some very complicated situations.

This book is a stand alone. It is not necessary for you to have read the earlier books. The only thing missed would just be the feeling that you are learning the history of a character you already.

I highly recommend Just Once to fans of great inspirational fiction -- both historical and contemporary.

About the Book

In 1941, beautiful Irvel Holland is too focused on her secret to take much notice of the war raging overseas. She’s dating Sam but in love with his younger brother, Hank—her longtime best friend—and Irvel has no idea how to break the news. Then the unthinkable happens—Pearl Harbor is attacked. With their lives turned upside down overnight, Sam is drafted and convinces Hank to remain in Indiana, where he and Irvel take up the battle on the home front.

While Sam fights in Europe, an undeniable chemistry builds between Irvel and Hank but neither would dare cross that line. Then, two military leaders pay Irvel a visit at the classroom where she teaches. The men have plans for her, a proposition to join a new spy network. One catch: She can tell no one.

With Irvel caught between two brothers thousands of miles apart, can love find a way, even from the ashes of the greatest heartbreak?

About the Author

Karen Kingsbury, #1 New York Times bestselling novelist, is America’s favorite inspirational storyteller, with more than twenty-five million copies of her award-winning books in print. Her last dozen titles have topped bestseller lists and many of her novels are under development as major motion pictures. Karen recently opened her own film company called Kingsbury Productions. The company’s first theatrical movie, Someone Like You, was considered one of the most anticipated movies of the year. Also, the first three seasons of Karen’s Baxter Family books are now an original series called The Baxters on Prime Video.

Karen is also an adjunct professor of writing at Liberty University. In 2001 she and her husband, Don, adopted three boys from Haiti, doubling their family in a matter of months. Today the couple has joined the ranks of empty-nesters, living in Tennessee near five of their adult children.

A Gentle Story of Hope -- Hope's Enduring Echo

I have finally found a way to describe one of the things that makes Kim Vogel Sawyer's books some of my very favorite stories to read.

Have you ever met someone and after just a short time of interaction felt like you have been friends forever? That's it! Kim immediately, ever so gently, pulls you in to her characters' lives and you want to know more about what is going on with them and what makes them tick. And the further you get into their story, the more friends you meet and the more you are invested in all of them.

I just had the opportunity to read an early copy of Hope's Enduring Echo and found that it fits perfectly the formula I described above. Jennie and her parents come to life with both the good and the bad they are experiencing. Despair and hope war in their lives, and how those will be resolved keeps the story moving. Leo brings a whole new dimension to their secluded valley with his hope and drive.

The story is full of reminders of different ways God works out the questions that don't seem to have answers. And the pace and details are just right. As I was nearing the end of the book, I began to wonder how things would work out with many unanswered questions and such few pages left. But, not surprisingly, that resolution happened in just the right way and at just the right pace. Another gentle story of hope from the pen of Kim Vogel Sawyer.

Thanks to the author and her publisher for providing a copy of Hope's Enduring Echo. I am happy to share my own thoughts in this review.

About the Book

Since an accident left her father unable to work, Jennie Ward has taken on the demanding task of inspecting the isolated seven-mile wooden pipeline that supplies water to Cañon City, Colorado. Despite her responsibilities, Jennie harbors dreams of going back to school and longs for something even simpler: a friend. One day, in a moment of impulsive and seemingly hopeless prayer, she asks God for companionship.

Her prayer is answered almost immediately with the arrival of Leo Day, a paleontology student searching for ancient bones buried along the ridges of the wild Arkansas River. Despite her long workdays, Jennie agrees to guide Leo in his quest.

As Jennie navigates her burgeoning friendship with Leo and her unwavering loyalty to her father, she finds herself torn. Leo, who longs for his own father’s approval, could change all Jennie knows. It’s undeniable that God has intertwined their paths, but to what end? With so much at stake, what does He truly intend for the preacher's son and the linewalker's daughter to uncover?

About the Author

Kim Vogel Sawyer is a highly acclaimed, bestselling author with more than 1.5 million books in print in seven different languages. Her titles have earned numerous accolades including the ACFW Carol Award, the Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award, and the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Kim lives in central Kansas with her retired military husband, Don, where she continues to write gentle stories of hope. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find her petting cats, packing Operation Christmas Child boxes, or spending time with her daughters and grandchildren.

Since an accident left her father unable to work, Jennie Ward has taken on the demanding task of inspecting the isolated seven-mile wooden pipeline that supplies water to Cañon City, Colorado. Despite her responsibilities, Jennie harbors dreams of going back to school and longs for something even simpler: a friend. One day, in a moment of impulsive and seemingly hopeless prayer, she asks God for companionship.

Her prayer is answered almost immediately with the arrival of Leo Day, a paleontology student searching for ancient bones buried along the ridges of the wild Arkansas River. Despite her long workdays, Jennie agrees to guide Leo in his quest.

As Jennie navigates her burgeoning friendship with Leo and her unwavering loyalty to her father, she finds herself torn. Leo, who longs for his own father’s approval, could change all Jennie knows. It’s undeniable that God has intertwined their paths, but to what end? With so much at stake, what does He truly intend for the preacher’s son and the linewalker’s daughter to uncover?

Fresh Amish Romance with a Touch of Suspense -- Unforgotten

Shelley Shepard Gray's Unforgotten is a fresh Amish romance with a touch of suspense built in. Although there is a very definite Amish element involved, the mixture of that culture with the lifestyle of the English gives this book a fresh setting.

Bethanne, a young Amish woman, and her English cousin, Candace -- along with several other family members and friends -- are well-developed characters that keep interest level high in the story. Just as Bethanne has begun to heal after tragic events from several years ago, Candace begins to face trauma of her own. The fears and triumphs they both face, along with the romantic stories that develop alongside the trauma and suspense, make for a very engaging read. 

I highly recommend Unforgotten to fans of great Amish/romantic suspense. Thanks to Revell Reads for providing a copy of the book. I was happy to share my own thoughts in this review.

About the Book

Even though Bethanne Hostetler has found some peace seven years after an attempted assault and the accidental death of Peter Miller, she is still haunted by the memory. When her Englisher cousin, Candace--who has just been crowned Miss Crittenden County--reveals that she has a stalker, all of Bethanne's old fears come rushing back.

Jay Byler had once been Peter's best friend, and the fact that he did not protect Bethanne that fateful night has haunted him ever since. To make matters worse, she continues to avoid him--even as he continues to love her. Jay can only hope and pray that one day Bethanne will see the person he is today and not the boy he used to be.

As Candace's stalker becomes bolder, Officer Ryan Mulany becomes her escort to various events. He knows he should only think of Candace as a job, but the more time they spend together, the harder it gets to maintain professional distance. And when everyone's worst fears are realized, all four must work together to prevent another tragedy before time runs out and another innocent person is hurt.

From New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray comes this emotionally taut story of learning to forgive, trust, and love despite the pain of the past.

About the Author

Shelley Shepard Gray is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 books, including Unforgiven and Unforgotten. Two-time winner of the HOLT Medallion and a Carol Award finalist, Gray lives in Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town's bike trail. Learn more at ShelleyShepardGray.com.