Saturday, June 30, 2018

"Together Forever" by Jody Hedlund

Together Forever (May 1, 2018) by Jody Hedlund.*
As a placing agent with the Children’s Aid Society in 1858 New York, Marianne Neumann’s focus is on her young charges, those whom she has cared for and groomed in hopes of uniting them with new families. And she is focused on them, but her main objective in taking the agent job is the potential opportunity it gives her to seek her sister Sophie. But as she is an empathetic female agent on her first placing-out trip to small towns in Illinois, she can’t help but let her heart get attached to some of the children, dear as they are, and most with pasts too painful for even adults to bear.
            The male agent on the placing-out trip is Andrew “Drew” Brady. Marianne tries hard not to let her interest in him show, but fails. The former schoolteacher knows he’s handsome and charming, but he surprises Marianne with his easy way with the children, whether he’s being firm or tender and friendly, voicing instructions to behave or regaling the group with a story. He’s struck by Marianne, her competitive, yet sweet, spirit and her compassion for the children. But there is a part of him missing, the part he likes to keep hidden, as horrible guilt from a secret in his past threatens to drown him. Unfortunately, tragedy isn’t done with him yet.
            Hedlund’s inspirational fiction novel, which is the second in her Orphan Train series, tugs at one’s heartstrings as it stays historically grounded. The pacing felt a little slow to me at times, but I love the perspectives of the main characters. Hedlund gives us a fresh take when it comes to placing-out trips or “orphan trains.” Instead of honing in on the perspective of a child, the author takes us on a train ride from the viewpoint of placing agents. It’s stressful and tiring, and record-keeping then isn’t what it would be now. To say that Marianne and Drew make the best of tough situations is an understatement. While Drew walks by faith, he struggles with guilt and lacks inner strength for himself, though he puts on a positive façade. Marianne’s faith grows, but it isn’t without effort at first. There is healing and forgiveness to be done at present in hopes for togetherness and love for the foreseeable future.

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly my own. 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.”

Monday, June 11, 2018

GUEST POST: "Infinity" by Sherrilyn Kenyon

REVIEW BY T.J. BOTTELSON

A gracious thank you to my longtime friend, T.J., for writing a review of her own. T.J. and I have known each other since the year I entered high school. While I have proofread her summary and review, all opinions expressed are her own. I have not made any changes to the content of her writing. Please give her a warm welcome by leaving an encouraging/positive comment below!
 
Infinity (May 25, 2010) by Sherrilyn Kenyon.
Infinity is the first book in the Chronicles of Nick series.
            Born to a young, single mom, Nick’s life hasn’t been easy. Betrayed by those Nick thought were his friends, Nick encounters Kyrian Hunter (his story is “Night Pleasure,” an adult romance book, first in the Dark-Hunter series), who saves Nick and becomes his friend and boss.
Nick has more than his share of demons to deal with. While his life is rough, Nick has a good heart and is a genuinely good guy.  He’s not a douche or a player. He’s loyal, hardworking – a great guy to have in your circle of friends.  He knows what hardships life throws at a person and still gets back up, to fight another day. 
            Just when Nick thinks life couldn’t throw more at him, enter Bubba and Mark.  (There have been times when reading this series that I have had to put the book down, wipe the tears from my eyes as I’m laughing so hard, compose myself, take a breath, and dive back into the book.) There are so many twists, turns, and surprises in the Chronicles of Nick series that, as a reader, you want to find out what’s going to happen next.
            Read the books in order: Infinity, Invincible, Infamous, Inferno, Illusion, Instinct, Invision, Intensity.