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Sunday, June 10, 2012

New giveaway! Now I'm giving away Belonging by Robin Lee Hatcher!

About the book:

In the high desert town of Frenchman's Bluff, Idaho, Felicia Kristoffersen has set out to create a future for herself that is better than her painful past. Alone in the world with only her faith to sustain her, she must prove herself as this tiny community's new school teacher. She cannot, must not, fail. But, there are those who never wanted her there to begin with.

Five years after the death of his wife, local merchant Colin Murphy cares about just one thing: raising his daughter, Charity. Colin wants to give her the educational advantages he never had. The new schoolmarm's inexperience doesn't sit well with him, and if this teacher up and marries like the last one did, Charity's heart will be broken once again.

A woman who hasn't known love. A man who lost the love he had.

In the midst of the wide, sage-covered plains, each is about to discover that life's bitterest circumstances truly can work together for good.

My review:  

I really enjoyed this story and read it quickly. There were a lot of things to like about it. First, there were Scriptures quoted by the heroine, Felicia, and her random thoughts about the Bible. This fit her personality so well that it seemed like a natural way for her to think. Sometimes in Christian novels the faith element feels a bit contrived or forced, but not so in this book. I loved the scene where the hero caught her praying. I could feel her joy and his wonder at the sight of her communing with God. I also felt his indignation when the town's busybody tried to insinuate things were less than pure in their relationship.

The hero, Colin, was amazing and hard not to fall for. I felt his pride when he was learning to read through his daughter's lessons. Also, the fact that the secondary character, Kathleen, had an occasional point of view helped me understand the other perspectives. I wanted to give Kathleen a high-five every time she stood up to her mother-in-law, and the same for Colin. It was hard not to root for Felicia's friendships because she'd finally found people who truly cared for the first time since she was orphaned.

Felicia was a very sympathetic character and precious in the way she interacted with people and the way she saw the world. Having met the author before, in some ways Felicia's personality reminds me of Robin's. She is genuine, caring, and sweet-spirited. It's hard not to admire someone like that. Felicia wanted to belong and she wanted to love the children in the town and teach them. It was impossible not to want that for her as a reader. I feel like we became friends as I read the story and I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

This was a sweet romance, but I felt the love developing between them and it was beautiful and emotionally moving to see the love slowly blossoming in their hearts for each other. When he finally kissed her...well, it left me a bit breathless. That was the most romantic scene in the book, and one of the most romantic scenes I've read in a long time. Sigh. Very emotionally satisfying story and I was sad when it ended. But there is another book coming out in the series, and I'm excited about it!

Belonging was published by Zondervan and released in August 2011.

Now for the question....
Have you read any books by Robin Lee Hatcher, and if yes, do you have a favorite book or a favorite series? 

Best wishes to you all. I'll select a winner next week using the Randomizer program and will post the winner's name on Sunday, June 17th.

22 comments:

Amber said...

Ohh Michelle enter me please please :) !!! I would love to get my hands on this one !! As for a favorite book of Robins .....hmm which one to choose from In His Arms and Promised to Me from the Coming to America Series I really enjoyed as well as All 4 of the Harts Crossing Books But I think First Born has got to be one of my all time favs of hers !! Thanks for the chance to win her new book have a great week and God Bless !!

Amber Willingham

Ladette said...

I have only read:
The Sisters of Bethlehem Springs Series (A Matter of Character, Fit To Be Tied, A Vote of Confidence). I thoroughly enjoyed all three books and would love to read more by RLH!

Thanks for the giveaway!

ladettek[at]gmail[dot]com

Abbi Hart said...

I've only read Speak to Me of Love, but I loved it! Thanks for the chance to win!

Amanda L. said...

I would love to win this! I really enjoyed every book I have read of hers. It would be too hard to pick a favorite.

Unknown said...

I have read Firstborn and loved it. Thanks for the giveaway!

Anonymous said...

Any time I win a book will be a good day.

Susan H said...

I have not read any of Robin's books yet, but would love to. Definitely adding this book to my reading list.

Caroline said...

I've had my eye on Belonging and would love to read it! I've also read The Sisters of Bethlehem Springs, and I really enjoyed those books! Thanks for the book offer! :)

mcallister@bmts.com

Anonymous said...

I am a new fan of Robins' and would really like to win this book. I really enjoyed her Hart's Crossing series. I also enjoy chatting with her on FB. I am looking forward to reading more of her books. Thank you! Teresa

Susan S. said...

I have never read any of her books, but I love Christian historical fiction and would love to win this!

luvsherfam @ gmail dot com

Candice Valdez said...

I love the series "The Sisters of Bethlehem Springs". Those books got me hooked on all things Robin Lee Hatcher! :) Can't wait to read this book!

valdezc_1@sbcglobal.net

B said...

I would like to win and read Robin Lee Hatcher's Belonging. I haven't read any of her books yet. But I can't wait!!!!
southernbelle75@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I've read almost all your books and some I've read over and over. My favorite is Wagered Heart! I would love a chance to win Belonging, please consider me.

brookelaszewski@gmail.com

Jackie S. said...

I have read many of Robin's books...loved them! Would love to win this one!
Thanks!
jackie.smith[at]dishmail[dot]net

Lynette said...

What a wonderful give away. All of Robin's books are awesome. It would be a real treat if I should win the book "Belonging."

karenk said...

i enjoy reading robin's novels...all of them ;)

thanks for the chance to read her latest one.

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Heidi said...

I have loved all of her books, but I think my favorite is Catching Katie!
heidi.sorensen95@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Probably Speak to me of Love and Sisters of Bethlehem Springs are my favorites by Robin. Haven't read this one but I love reading historical fiction. . . .

thanks!
crwg96@aol.com

Unknown said...

I don't recall reading any of her books but I would like to very much. Thanks for the giveaway. Please enter me. Tore923@aol.com

Abigail Mitchell said...

I have the whole series of The Sisters of Bethlehem Springs but I haven't read them yet. Her books look so interesting!!!
richmond.abigail@gmail.com

Norma S said...

Robin Lee Hatcher, i have not read any of your books, but what i read on this site of "Belonging " has got my interest. I would love to have this book to see how it ends. But even if i don't win, i would still like to read some of your book. This has really held my interest and i like it when scriptures are in a book. Ms Hatcher good look with all your book, and i am looking forward in reading some of them.

Edgy Inspirational Author said...

and the winner is...

Abigail!

You sure have been lucky lately. The Randomizer seems to like your name!

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