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
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.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have a great plan worked out, Kristin :)
DeleteGood luck!
Yes I always retreat to our screened in porch for solace.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds wonderful. I have always wanted a screened-in porch.
DeleteGood luck!
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.
ReplyDeleteNow 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! :-)
Oh, your porch sounds so wonderful :)
DeleteI 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.
I have a Kindle also but I truly love holding a book and turning the pages! Haha.
DeleteI understand! I generally have a book going on the Kindle, as well as a hard copy one :)
DeleteWe 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.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful ☺ That sounds similar to what I do.
DeleteThanks for stopping by, Patty, and good luck!
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
ReplyDeleteI see that the front porch is a popular option :-) Going to the park sounds very relaxing, as well.
DeleteThanks for stopping by, Robin. Good luck!
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.
ReplyDeleteNo! Not strange at all! My local library is like that as well. Perfect place to find solace.
DeleteThanks for stopping by, Terrill. Good luck!