6.06.2015

Hearts Made Whole by Jody Hedlund ~ Review

Hearts Made Whole (Beacons of Hope, #2)My Review:

After watching her father drown in an effort to save the life of another, Caroline and her siblings find themselves on hard times. Their father was the lighthouse keeper of Windmill Point, and now that he is gone the lighthouse board wants to find a man to take over the job that Caroline has been doing since her father's death. The man they hire is Ryan Chambers, a war veteran, who knows very little about keeping a lighthouse. As Caroline teaches him, they begin to wonder if they might be able to work together long term...

A fast-paced read, and well written companion novel to Ms. Hedlund's previous book, Love Unexpected. This book finds Ryan Chambers a wounded and haunted war veteran, fresh from the Civil War, looking to find a  way to make right the wrongs he witnessed during the war, as well as to find a place to lay his head. Ryan is not the dashing hero on a white horse, he is a man hiding from his pain in rum and opium, but who still has a strong sense of honor. I liked that he sees himself as he is, and wants to be the kind of man to be respected. He wants things to change.

Caroline is headstrong, yet compassionate and kind. Strong enough to stand up for herself, yet hesitant to ever hurt another person. I admired her love for her family, as well as her determination ans spunk.

Overall, a really well done story, the side characters were wonderful, I especially liked Esther. The setting of the lighthouse is beautiful, yet terrific, and it's a beacon of hope to those at sea. I think my favorite character was Ryan, because he was humble and honest with himself, and genuinely wanted to make a fresh start, even though he wasn't sure if he could. Fantastic story-telling, with characters that captured my heart, and another amazing read from Jody Hedlund!



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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."

About the book:
Hearts Made Whole (Bethany House, June 2015)

Can she forgive the hurting man who costs her the role she loves?

After her father's death, Caroline Taylor has grown confident running the Windmill Point Lighthouse. But in 1865 Michigan, women aren't supposed to have such roles, so it's only a matter of time before the lighthouse inspector appoints a new keeper---even though Caroline has nowhere else to go and no other job available to her.

Ryan Chambers is a Civil War veteran still haunted by the horrors of battle. He's secured the position of lighthouse keeper mostly for the isolation---the chance to hide from his past is appealing. He's not expecting the current keeper to be a feisty and beautiful woman who's angry with him for taking her job and for his inability to properly run the light. When his failings endanger others, he and Caroline realize he's in no shape to run the lighthouse, but he's unwilling to let anyone close enough to help. Caroline feels drawn to this wounded soul, but with both of them relying on that single position, can they look past their loss to a future filled with hope...and possibly love?

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1eN4pC8
About the author:
Jody Hedlund is an award-winning and bestselling historical fiction author. She won the 2011 Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, the 2011 Award of Excellence from the Colorado Romance Writers and was a finalist for Best Debut Novel in the 2011 ACFW Carol Awards. Currently she makes her home in central Michigan, with her husband and five busy children. She loves hearing from readers on Facebook and on her blog.


Find Jody online: websiteTwitterFacebook
 

Landing page:
Don't miss Jody Hedlund's new book, Hearts Made Whole, a story of loss, forgiveness, hope, and true love set in 1865 Michigan. When Ryan's failings endanger others, he and Caroline realize he’s in no shape to run the lighthouse, but he’s unwilling to let anyone close enough to help. Can Caroline forgive the hurting man who costs her the role she loves?

Celebrate the release of Hearts Made Whole by entering to win an Afternoon at the Beach prize pack and RSVPing to Jody's June 23rd author chat party!

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One grand prize winner will receive:

One second-place winner will receive:

One third-place winner will receive:
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Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 23rd.Winner will be announced June 23rd at Jody's Facebook partyRSVP here!

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