What Hope Remembers by Johnnie Alexander (Review)

Series: Misty Willow (Book 3)

Paperback: 352 pages

Publisher: Revell (May 2, 2017)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0800726421

ISBN-13: 978-0800726423

When Amy Somers loses her job as a lobbyist, she moves to Misty Willow, well aware that she's crossing bridges she'd burned years before. With all the mistakes she's made and the uncaring things she's done--even to her own family--she can hardly believe that happiness will find her, especially when Gabe Kendall, her first crush and her first kiss, rides back into her life atop a buckskin mare.

A former Marine, Gabe is at loose ends after serving a prison sentence for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He sees beyond Amy's hard exterior to the girl he once knew and loved, and he longs to see her open her heart. Yet with his vision clouded by shame for his past and fears about the future, he finds it difficult to see the path ahead.

But the memory of that long-ago kiss just may have the power to reignite a romance that brings out the best in both of them.

My Review:

This is the third book in the Misty Willow series. The characters do repeat with the addition of a few new ones like Gabe. I recommend reading them in order to get the full history of the family. The main focus of this story is Amy Somers. The previous book it was her brother Brett. I was happy to see that Amy was getting her own book. I felt like there was a lot more to her story. This book was hard to read sometimes because of the subject matter. Amy has a horrible eating disorder. The writing was excellent and the characters well developed. Her main love interest is Gabe Kendall. They grew up together but lost contact and now he is back at his aunt's farm. She is back too. The meet by chance and the spark is still there. This was a sweet slow paced story with a few twist. Great end to the series. Recommended.

Johnnie Alexander is the award-winning author of Where Treasure Hides and Where She Belongs, as well as an accomplished essayist and poet. Her Misty Willow Series was inspired by a 19th century house she lived in as a teen. Join her at www.johnnie-alexander.com to experience the love of random travel and the joy of treasured moments.

Review copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.

When Love Arrives by Johnnie Alexander (Review)

Series: Misty Willow (Book 2)

Paperback: 368 pages

Publisher: Revell (September 20, 2016)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0800726413

ISBN-13: 978-0800726416

Dani had planned to spy on Brett--so how did she end up on a date with him?

Dani Prescott can't believe the lie Brett Somers is trying to sell to the media. During an interview about the plane crash that killed his parents, he blamed Dani's mother. But the crash killed her as well. Vowing to restore her mother's reputation, Dani has been following Brett and taking photos, hoping to find something she can use to discredit him. But when she catches his eye instead, she quickly finds herself agreeing to a date. Brett knows this mystery girl is hiding something--but he's got his own secrets to keep. What will happen when he discovers who she really is?

My Review:

This is book two in the Misty Willow series. Most of the characters repeat. I would read them in order to get the full background. It is a contemporary Christian romance book. The main focus of this book is Dani and Brett. I did not enjoy reading this book as much as the first. It felt a little off from the beginning when they meet. I never connected with Dani. Brett was the bad guy from the last book. Dani had a big secret she was keeping from Brett. Brett did not catch on as quick as I expected. The author did a good job in the first book so it was hard to redeem him. There were slow parts in the plot but overall an okay book. The ending was satisfying. I am interested to read his sister's story next.

Johnnie Alexander is the award-winning author of Where Treasure Hides and Where She Belongs. Johnnie is an accomplished essayist and poet whose work has appeared in the Guideposts anthology A Cup of Christmas Cheer. In addition to writing, she enjoys reading, spending time with her grandchildren, and taking road trips. She lives near Memphis, Tennessee.

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     Review copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Where She Belongs by Johnnie Alexander (Review)

Series: Misty Willow (Book 1)

Paperback: 368 pages

Publisher: Revell (January 5, 2016)

ISBN-13: 978-0800726409

Shelby Kincaid is ready to move on from her grief. With high hopes for the future, she longs to purchase her family's ancestral homestead so she can raise her young daughters in the only place she ever truly belonged. She plans to transform the abandoned house into the perfect home of her memories. But she'll have her work cut out for her.

AJ Sullivan never wanted the homestead. Inherited as a punishment from his grandfather, it has sat empty for fifteen years and fallen into ruin. He's glad to finally unload it. But a clean break isn't possible when he can't get the young widow Shelby off his mind.

Welcome to Misty Willow, a place that will have as great a hold over the reader as it does over its inhabitants. With writing that evokes a strong sense of place and personal history, Johnnie Alexander deftly explores the ties that bind us to home--and the irresistible forces that draw us to each other.

My Review:

I enjoyed reading this contemporary Christian romance book. It is the first in a new series Misty Willow. This is my first book by this author and I love her writing. I felt like I was in the story. Shelby Kincaid is moving back to Misty Willow to recover from her husband's death. She wants her two girls to grow up in a place she loved. She comes back and the place is trashed. A J's grandfather left it to him as punishment so he did not take care of it. Shelby was really upset at him but they also connected at that first meeting. She does not immediately forgive him. It was a gradual development in the relationship. He is great with her girls and they love him too. There are a few twists to the story that adds some drama. Her grandfather died in the barn and there is a sense of mystery surrounding it for one. A J just might have some competition too. The characters and plot were well developed and unique. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. Recommended.





Johnnie Alexander is the award-winning author of Where Treasure Hides. Johnnie is an accomplished essayist and poet whose work has appeared in the Guideposts anthology A Cup of Christmas Cheer. In addition to writing, she enjoys reading, spending time with her grandchildren, and taking road trips. She lives near Memphis, Tennessee.

Review copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.