Friday, May 25, 2018

Friday Reads: "Where Hope Begins" by Catherine West ... and a GIVEAWAY!



Catherine has graciously offered to give away a copy (US ONLY) of this new release. You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of the post. (Giveaway ends June 1, 2018. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you and pass on your information.) 

How Where Hope Begins Was Born...

Honestly? I didn’t want to write this book.

In fact, I almost pushed the idea aside. Except I could see the story playing out like a movie, which doesn’t usually happen until I have a few chapters written. So I figured I better pay attention. And I began to write.

I believe stories are God-breathed. I ask God to give me the words, to show me the story, and it’s always a collaborative effort. But, as Savannah’s story began to unfold, I had questions. Like, really? Adultery? You really want me to write about this? But even as I questioned, the words flowed. Never have I written a book so quickly and so easily, though I worried about the subject matter. Adultery. The loss of a child. Suicide.

You can see why I didn’t want to write it, can’t you?

I wrestled with this story on a soul-searching level, praying for the sensitivity needed to address such tough issues. As always, God was faithful. Unbeknownst to me, while I was writing, two dear friends were dealing with the unimaginable—learning they were no longer loved, no longer wanted, by the person who had promised to love them forever.

Maybe you know the pain that kind of betrayal brings. As we walked alongside our dear friends on this unexpected journey, I knew our lives would also be forever changed. Sometimes forgiveness seems out of reach, doesn’t it? Impossible. We put up walls of protection. And it becomes harder to believe in happily ever after.

So that’s really how this story came to be. I believe God had a purpose for it, for such a time as this, and I pray it blesses and encourages every person who picks it up. I’m so grateful for the stories we can tell and the freedom we have to tell them.

Synopsis...

Sometimes we’re allowed to glimpse the beauty within the brokenness . . .

Savannah Barrington has always found solace at her parents’ lake house in the Berkshires, and it’s the place that she runs to when her husband of over twenty years leaves her. Though her world is shaken, and the future uncertain, she finds hope through an old woman’s wisdom, a little girl’s laughter, and a man who’s willing to risk his own heart to prove to Savannah that she is worthy of love.

But soon, Savannah is given a challenge that she can’t run away from. Forgiving the unforgiveable. Amidst the ancient gardens and musty bookstores of the small town she’s sought refuge in, she must reconcile with the grief that haunts her, the God pursuing her, and the wounds of the past that might be healed after all.

Where Hope Begins is the story of grace in the midst of brokenness, pointing us to the miracles that await when we look beyond our own expectations.


(I rated it 4 1/2 stars - TOP PICK! out of 5 stars.)






About Catherine...

Catherine West writes stories of hope and healing from her island home in Bermuda. When she’s not at the computer working on her next story, you can find her taking her Border Collie for long walks or reading books by her favorite authors. She and her husband have two grown children and one beautiful granddaughter. Catherine is the winner of the 2015 Grace Award (Bridge of Faith) and the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope & Love Reader’s Choice Award (The Things We Knew). Her most recent novel, The Memory of You, released March 2017 and Where Hope Begins releases in May 2018. Catherine loves to connect with her readers and can be reached at Catherine@catherinejwest.com


Where you can find her online...


a Rafflecopter giveaway

14 comments:

  1. The couch once my 6yo and 3yo are in bed. Plenty of solace then. If they’re awake, I escape to my bedroom for a few minutes if needed.

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    1. It sounds like you have a great plan worked out, Kristin :)

      Good luck!

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  2. Yes I always retreat to our screened in porch for solace.

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    1. That sounds wonderful. I have always wanted a screened-in porch.

      Good luck!

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  3. Becky Richardson, I also go to my screened in porch. I sit there and watch the birds at the feeders and listen to my water fountain. So peaceful.

    Now sometimes soaking in the bathtub is very comforting and relaxing, that's where I can get a lot of my reading done. Haha.

    Leslie, I am already getting this book so if my name is drawn, please go to the next person. And thank you Catherine for learning more about this book! :-)

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    1. Oh, your porch sounds so wonderful :)

      I used to read a lot in the tub, too, but it doesn't work well with my Kindle books, lol!

      Thanks for letting me know that you already getting the book, and thanks for still stopping by to comment.

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    2. I have a Kindle also but I truly love holding a book and turning the pages! Haha.

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    3. I understand! I generally have a book going on the Kindle, as well as a hard copy one :)

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  4. We have a living room where the TV is, but also have what I call my sitting room. This is where my bookshelves are with a nice recliner right next to them. Here is where I go to escape and read.

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    1. How wonderful ☺ That sounds similar to what I do.

      Thanks for stopping by, Patty, and good luck!

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  5. without a car, i sit on my front porch. it's a sanctuary. if i had a car i'll go to the park - being outdoors is like communion for me

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    1. I see that the front porch is a popular option :-) Going to the park sounds very relaxing, as well.

      Thanks for stopping by, Robin. Good luck!

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  6. This is probably kind of strange, but I love going to my local library. 1.) It's quiet. 2.) Books. 3.) Warm, inviting and comfy furniture.

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    1. No! Not strange at all! My local library is like that as well. Perfect place to find solace.

      Thanks for stopping by, Terrill. Good luck!

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