Two broken paths lead toward God’s redemption in the next installment of Robin Lee Hatcher’s Legacy of Faith series.
Ashley Showalter and Ben Henning have so much 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. Ashley runs a horse rescue operation, while Ben has started an equine therapy barn on his great-great grandfather’s farm—and both Ashley and Ben have the feeling that there could be something more between them.
But they share something else that may drive them apart if the truth is ever revealed. Ben is a recovering alcoholic with ten years of sobriety behind him, while Ashley’s brother, Dylan, is an opioid addict, currently residing in court-ordered rehab. Ashley has promised herself she would never walk knowingly into the chaos created by addiction—because in her mind, addicts can never be fully cured. But with God, all things are possible. Will Ashley find it within herself to give love a chance, or will her brother’s mistakes jeopardize her future with Ben?
My review:
I reviewed the first book in this series last year, and enjoyed it a lot. This author never disappoints, so I jumped at the chance to review this second book in the Legacy of Faith series. I'll be honest: when I read a book like this that goes back and forth between the past and present, I tend to focus on the present story more than the past one....but I did enjoy the historical one also.
The historical/past part of the book centers on ancestors of the male protagonist, Ben, in the present part of the story. The historical part is set during World War 11, and Hatcher did a great job of portraying the family and what life may have been like then.
The present focuses on the great grandson of the couple from the past. I did find the past part interesting, but Ben and Ashley's story was even more interesting. It is a romance, but between two unlikely people. I liked both characters, but Ben was such a cool guy. Though fictional, it was encouraging to read that recovery from alcoholism is possible, especially with God's help.
The most fascinating part of the story was the equine therapy part. Hatcher wrote about that in a way that was really interesting, and grabbed my attention at the possibilities. It is not the first time I have heard of it, but this novel dealt with it in more detail.
As with these kind of books, you know the guy will get the girl, but the story woven around that was a great read, and I appreciated the focus on recovery from something like alcoholism, and the equine therapy.
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
About the author:
Robin Lee Hatcher is the author of 80 novels and novellas with over five million copies of her books in print. She is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. Her numerous awards include the RITA® Award, Christy Award, Carol Award, HOLT Medallion, National Reader’s Choice Award, and the Faith, Hope & Love Reader’s Choice Award, and she is also the recipient of prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards from both American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America®. When not writing, she enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, Bible art journaling, reading books that make her cry, watching romantic movies, and decorative planning. A mother and grandmother, Robin makes her home on the outskirts of Boise, sharing it with a demanding Papillon dog and a persnickety tuxedo cat.
Cross My Heart is available from Thomas Nelson Publishing.
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