Over the past few years, Robin Lee Hatcher has become one of my go-to authors for contemporary inspirational romance. Her well-drawn characters and intriguing stories always draw me in. Cross My Heart, her latest release, is no different.
Can two broken paths lead toward God’s redemption?
When Ashley Showalter and Ben Henning meet on Ashley’s horse rescue farm, they quickly discover how much they have in common. Both were raised by single moms. Both want to help where they see a need. And both work with horses in the Boise valley. Ben needs Ashley’s help and expertise after starting an equine therapy barn on his great-great-grandfather’s farm—and the more time they spend together, both Ashley and Ben have the feeling that there could be something more between them.
They also carry the burden of past experiences that may drive them apart if the truth is ever revealed. Ben is a recovering alcoholic with five years of sobriety behind him, while Ashley’s brother is an opioid addict residing in court-ordered rehab. Holding fast to the belief that addicts can never be cured, Ashley has promised herself she will never walk knowingly into the chaos created by addiction. Ben knows that with God, all things are possible—but will Ashley find it within herself to give love a chance? Or will her brother’s mistakes and the pain of her past jeopardize her future with Ben?
Cross My Heart threads together a contemporary love story with the heartwarming tale of Ben’s great-great-grandfather, Andrew Henning—reminding us that God’s Word is timeless and that His promises are new every morning.
Genre: Contemporary (Split-Time) Romance
Release Date: June 25, 2019
Cross My Heart is a sweet second novel in Robin Lee Hatcher's Legacy of Faith series. It's a split-time novel that focuses on Ben Henning and Ashley Showalter in the present and Andrew Henning (Ben's great-great-grandfather) during the second World War. Ben and Ashley's story is completely contained within this book; to better understand Andrew and his family, it would be best to read the first book, Who I Am With You, first.
Ben and Ashley are both hurting due to addiction (for him, it's the consequences of his own alcoholism and foolish choices; for her, it's her brother's opioid addiction); they bond over Ben's dream of opening an equine therapy barn and find they have much in common, including a relationship with Christ.
Andrew's story picks up right before the start of World War II (and, again, I really think you should read Who I Am With You to get his full story); now a father of five, he helps shepherd his family through the fears, anger, joys, and sorrows of war time. I think that because I already "knew" Andrew and what he had been through in the past, I was especially drawn into his story (and maybe even shed a few tears).
One of the ways I can tell I'm really into a book is when I feel compelled to flip ahead to find out if something I fear will happen actually happens ... and, at a certain point in this novel, I did exactly that! From the moment I started reading Cross My Heart, I was pulled into Ben and Ashley's story, and I also loved visiting Andrew and his family again. The Legacy of Faith series has been wonderful so far, and I can't wait to continue it (and to meet up with Andrew again) in the next book. 4-1/2 stars.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Hatcher's Who I Am With You (4 stars); her Thunder Creek books You'll Think of Me (4 stars) and You're Gonna Love Me (5 stars); her Kings Meadow books A Promise Kept (5 stars--not "officially" a Kings Meadow novel, but set there), Love Without End (4-1/2 stars), I Hope You Dance (3-1/2 stars), and Whenever You Come Around (4-1/2 stars); Beloved (4-1/2 stars); and The Heart's Pursuit (4 stars).
Follow the blog tour:
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 27
The Christian Fiction Girl, July 27
The Power of Words, July 27
Carla Johnson-Hicks, July 28
Christian Bookaholic , July 28
Through the Fire Blogs, July 29
A Baker’s Perspective, July 29
Back Porch Reads, July 30
Cultivating Us, July 30
Godly Book Reviews, July 31
For Him and My Family, July 31
God’s Little Bookworm, August 1
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, August 1
Daysong Reflections, August 2
EmpowerMoms, August 2
Southern Gal Loves to Read, August 2
Christian Chick’s Thoughts, August 3
Moments, August 3
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 4
Remembrancy, August 4
Pause for Tales , August 5
For The Love of Books, August 5
All-of-a-kind Mom, August 6
Hallie Reads, August 6
Living Life Free in Christ, August 7
To Everything A Season, August 7
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 7
Wishful Endings, August 8
Texas Book-aholic, August 8
janicesbookreviews, August 8
A Reader’s Brain, August 9
Inklings and notions, August 9
Simple Harvest Reads, August 9
Giveaway
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/e5a6/cross-my-heart-celebration-tour-giveaway
For more information, visit robinleehatcher.com; Facebook: robinleehatcher; or Twitter: @robinleehatcher.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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