Christmas in Bethel by Richard Paul Evans ~ a book review

 

This book begins with a story of physical abuse. Leigh “Beth” has suffered abuse at the hands of a family member.  She thinks about commiting suicide but after reading a certain book, she doesn’t.  Because of the abuse she also suffers from PTSD and other emotional issues.  She meets Lee in a coffee shop and immediately likes him. What she doesn’t know is that he is really the man who wrote the book that impacted her so much. He calls himself J.D. Harper.  Their relationship grows and she learns that like her, he and his brother faced abuse as well. 

This book contains a lot of witty dialog but is more intimate that what I expect from a book that some call Christian. 

While this book is set around Christmas time, I would not call it a typical Christmas story.  The topics of abuse, suicide, betrayal, and deception are not those that I expect in a Christmas story.  Of course, if you are not a fan of typical Christmas stories, this might be your cup of tea. As readers, we are all different and we all have different expectations. There is a surprising revelation that adds another dimension to the story.

This is from the publisher’s website:

“Leigh Beth Stilton has never liked the holidays. After growing up in an unstable home, escaping an abusive marriage, and witnessing daily tragedies as an EMT, Leigh just can’t bring herself to care about Christmas cheer. In fact, she’s so convinced she’s not worth loving that one winter’s eve, she decides she can’t go on—until she comes across a book called Bethel and starts to read.

Leigh is unfamiliar with the author, J.D. Harper, but his words speak directly to her. She’s never felt so seen and understood, and this connection gives her the strength to carry on. She avidly reads every novel Harper has written, and when he comes to town for a book signing, she jumps at the opportunity to meet the writer who means so much to her.

In a twist of fate, Leigh runs into J.D. in a coffee shop, and the two immediately click. Before she knows it, she’s swept up in a whirlwind of fancy dinners, exciting travel, and the attention of the man whose work has been so meaningful to her. But she’s leery after a lifetime of pain and when she discovers that J.D. hasn’t been completely honest, her hopes are dashed. Can they find their way back to each other and can Leigh learn to trust her heart?”

If you are looking for a different kind of Christmas story, give this a try.

Go HERE to read an excerpt and learn about the author.

I received a complimentary *ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed  are my own

 

*A word about ARC books.   Advanced Reading Copies (ARCs) are a preview copy and are not a finished product. They may differ from the final published work and may include additional editing.

The Color of Home by Kit Tosello ~ a book review ~ Faith and family `

This story is primarily about two women, Audrey and her aunt, Daisy.  Audrey works for a trendy interior design firm in the city and is working to advance her career.  She puts that in jeopardy when she leaves to help Daisy get her home ready for sale. Daisy’s husband, Dean, is suffering from Alzheimers, and Daisy is finding it hard to manage the home and his health care.  Audrey spent many memorable times there with her father because he was raised by them.  Along with helping Daisy with her home, Audrey takes on the self-appointed task of finding out who currently owns the once thriving inn across the road and why it is in such disrepair. She feels a closeness to it because her father used to help maintain the grounds, and Daisy was their cook.

While she is staying there, she meets a young girl who she takes under her wing.  She also meets Cade, Daisy’s best friend’s son.

As all her relationships grow and develop, she begins to realize what is important in life. She has a strong faith but is not a ‘church goer’.  She has been disillusioned by ‘fake’ Christians.

The author weaves the element of faith throughout the story but not in a preachy way. 

The story switches between Audrey and Daisy’s point of view and their distinctive personalities are evident. 

This is from the publisher’s website:

“The life she's designing may not be the life she's meant to live

Bay Area interior designer to the rich and pretentious, Audrey Needham is already on thin ice with her impossible-to-please boss when her great-aunt Daisy asks for support as her husband descends into Alzheimer's. Now Audrey is risking the career she worked hard to build as she returns to Charity Falls, Oregon.

Her feelings toward the idyllic small town are . . . complicated. While she has many good memories of her childhood summers there, Charity Falls is also the place her father was killed in a tragic fire at the Sugar Pine Inn thirteen years ago.

Despite Audrey's intent to avoid emotional entanglement, something should be done about the deteriorating inn. A local girl with an incarcerated father needs a friend. And handsome local do-gooder Cade Carter is coloring Audrey all shades of uncertain. The pull of home is hard to resist.”

Go HERE to read an excerpt

This is an enjoyable story about self-discovery, spiritual growth, forgiveness and overcoming obstacles.

The ending came too fast and too soon!

Go HERE to learn more about Kit Tosello

 

 

 

 

 

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from the publisher, Revell and Baker Publishing via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed  are my own.