Friday, September 26, 2014

Book Review - Joyful

 ABOUT THE BOOK:

Randall Beiler is doing his best to put his family and the farm's needs first, even forsaking love. But though he tries, Randall knows he needs help caring for his younger siblings and keeping the house together.

When his brother offers pretty Elizabeth Nolt a job taking care of the house and cooking for the family, Randall is furious---and guilty about the way he once broke Elizabeth's heart. But when he learns that Elizabeth and her grandmother are struggling to make ends meet, he knows the offer, no matter how painful, is the right thing for everyone.

Elizabeth wants to refuse---to stay far away from the man who hurt her---but she needs the money. Though she vows to protect her heart, spending time in the Beiler household makes Elizabeth realize that, while she's older and wiser, her love for Randall still burns strong.

Randal, too, seems to want something more. But does he want Elizabeth because he truly loves her---or because he needs a housekeeper? If Randall sincerely wants something more, he must find a way to show Elizabeth---or risk losing his chance at love forever.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Shelley Shepard Gray is a two-time New York Times bestseller, a two-time USA Today bestseller, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time Holt Medallion winner. She lives in Southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town's bike trail.

Find Shelley online: website, Facebook


MY REVIEW:

Joyful is another wonderful book by Shelley Shepard Gray. She is fast becoming one of my favorite authors as her stories just draw me in from the first page!

Elizabeth Nolt is a young woman, living with her grandmother and taking care of her. Elizabeth's own mother left them after meeting her getting married to a new husband and moving away. It seems they are out of sight and out of mind as her mother doesn't send them money to pay bills and take care of themselves like she was. This outs a lot of pressure on Elizabeth and makes her grandmother feel like a burden.

Randall Beiler is her intended and he is from a large family of brothers and sisters. His parents died when he was young and his older brother and sisters took the responsibility of the family. When they all move on because they get married, Randall feels an overwhelming responsibility to do as good of job caring for his family as they did. He feels so overwhelmed, he decides he needs to break his relationship off with Elizabeth. 

Pippa is the new wonder of the restaurant, Sugarcreek Inn. She newly divorced and is guarding her heart. She's enjoying her new role as owner of the restaurant in this Amish community and has made some wonderful friends. She also has a man that has taken an interest in her, but is she ready for this?

Judith and Ben been foster parents since Judith suffered a miscarriage. They have been fostering baby James since his birth. His birth mother is in prison and Judith knows someday she will have to return James to his mother, however, this breaks her heart. So many things happen in this storyline, it really had my heart.

Randall hasn't been doing too well with cooking and cleaning so his younger brother takes it upon himself to go to Elizabeth and ask her to work for their family. He knows she is short on money and that this arrangement wil help them both. She agrees and this creates a lot of conflicting feelings for both Randall and Elizabeth, but she knows she needs to take care of her grandmother and their home. I love this storyline and how they come to terms with things.

This was a wonderful book that I could barely put down. I enjoyed it immensely and I think you will, too. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

*This book was provided to me for my honest review by LitFuse Publicity Group




Blessings - Julie

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