Cross My Heart Review and Giveaway!

Posted by abakersp in Contemporary / 5 Comments

Welcome to the Celebrate Lit Blog Tour for Cross My Heart by Robin Lee Hatcher! I have a very special place in my heart for this book, because it features something I believe very strongly in – equine therapy. I really think more people need to be educated on this. While I haven’t experienced it myself, there is a local equine therapy center in my town and they have helped so many people. I encourage you to look into it more!

Book: Cross My Heart

Author: Robin Lee Hatcher

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release date: June 25, 2019

Can two broken paths lead toward God’s redemption?

When Ashley Showalter and Ben Henning meet on Ashley’s horse rescue farm, they quickly discover how much they have in common. Both were raised by single moms. Both want to help where they see a need. And both work with horses in the Boise valley. Ben needs Ashley’s help and expertise after starting an equine therapy barn on his great-great-grandfather’s farm—and the more time they spend together, both Ashley and Ben have the feeling that there could be something more between them.

They also carry the burden of past experiences that may drive them apart if the truth is ever revealed. Ben is a recovering alcoholic with five years of sobriety behind him, while Ashley’s brother is an opioid addict residing in court-ordered rehab. Holding fast to the belief that addicts can never be cured, Ashley has promised herself she will never walk knowingly into the chaos created by addiction. Ben knows that with God, all things are possible—but will Ashley find it within herself to give love a chance? Or will her brother’s mistakes and the pain of her past jeopardize her future with Ben?

Cross My Heart threads together a contemporary love story with the heartwarming tale of Ben’s great-great-grandfather, Andrew Henning—reminding us that God’s Word is timeless and that His promises are new every morning.

Click here to grab your copy.

First of all, I love that this book has equine therapy. I think it is something that is extremely important in our world today and is very underrated. There are so many organizations across the US like Ben has, and this is a great way to promote it. Plus the horse rescues that Hatcher touched on. We see so much animal abuse in the news today and it absolutely breaks my heart. Now while I realize that not everyone has the means to do either of these things, perhaps this story will touch hearts and prompt people to donate to their local cause!

I always enjoy books by Robin Lee Hatcher. I just can’t help it. She writes strong yet real characters, has beautiful settings, and weaves faith throughout her stories. The addition of not only the bible in this story, but the brief writings from the past were a pleasant surprise. I loved hearing about Ben’s family, especially during the difficult time of war. The little snippets placed between chapters was the perfect amount – not too much that it took away from Ben and Ashley, but enough that it kept you interested.

Hatched touches on the difficult topic of addiction, both with alcohol and drugs. This is something that isn’t seen in every Christian story, which is fine, but I think it needs to be out there more. Ben took something very dark and hurtful and turned it to good – all by the grace of God. He is not at all ashamed to admit that as well, he was where he was by the grace of God. I loved how easily he talked about his faith with everyone he came across. His character is truly an inspiration to readers, no matter what their pasts.

I also enjoyed the subtle romance that blossomed between Ben and Ashley. They both had secrets which were holding them back from being honest with each other. The truth is, I think they just needed to learn to trust each other – and not all romance characters wait for that to happen. I enjoyed reading the story this way. I thought it highlighted the main points of the book (therapy and rehab stuff), and just had the romance as a back drop.

This is a story I really didn’t want to end, but I have a feeling I will be satisfied once the next installment of this series comes out. I am already counting down the days! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

“I don’t know what’s in store for you, but I believe God wants to encourage you through His word and the notes Grandpa Henning made inside that old Bible.”

“And remember that our prayers never go unanswered, even when things don’t turn out the way we expected or wanted.”

“we can become so busy doing good things for God that we miss the best things He intends for us.”

Robin Lee Hatcher is the author of over 75 novels and novellas with over five million copies of her books in print. She is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. Robin is an ACFW Carol Award winner and an eight-time finalist and has won two RITA Awards and been a finalist eleven times. Her numerous other awards include the Christy Award, the HOLT Medallion, the National Reader’s Choice Award, and the Faith, Hope & Love Reader’s Choice Award. She is also the recipient of prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards from both American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. When not writing, she enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, Bible art journaling, reading books that make her cry, watching romantic movies, and decorative planning. A mother and grandmother, Robin and her husband make their home on the outskirts of Boise, sharing it with a demanding Papillon dog and a persnickety tuxedo cat.

For more information, visit robinleehatcher.com; Facebook: robinleehatcher; or Twitter: @robinleehatcher.

MY WRITING DESK
ROBIN LEE HATCHER

I have a wonderful home office with a large screen iMac and the perfect place to keep important papers and reminders right in front of me for easy access. There is also a bed for my dog, Boo, because no office is complete without a bed to welcome the dog. Right?

I also do a lot of writing while seated in a big easy chair in the living room. It all depends upon my mood and how many reference books I might need at the time.

My office usually looks neat when I begin a book. By the time I’m writing the end, the room has become a disaster—stacks of papers demanding my attention and a layer of dust are the most obvious issues.

My office also serves as my art studio (where I do decorative planning and Bible art journaling), so every inch that isn’t taken up by writing related items is filled with art related ones—paints, washi tape, stickers, pens galore, etc.

An early riser naturally, I consider sleeping in to be anything after 6 AM. On a normal writing day, I try to get in half an hour on the treadmill first thing in the morning (and often return to it for ten minutes segments a couple other times during the day). Then I sit at my desk or in my easy chair to do my Bible study. And finally I begin writing.

I can usually create new words for about four hours or so a day. The rest of the work day is filled with editing, revising, research, and correspondence with publisher, agent, readers, and other writers. I have an active online presence which needs attention daily, as well.

I am also a late-in-life part time college student, taking my classes online, so at least a couple of days a week, you’ll find me doing assignments and taking quizzes. For some reason, I rarely use my office for that. The kitchen table seems to suit me better. Probably because it is a large table and I can really spread out.

I feel very blessed to be able to work at home. I had a full time job when I wrote my first book. In fact, I wrote nine novels over the course of nine years while still working full time. The month my ninth book released, I quit my job in order to write full time. Seventy books and almost 28 years later, I’m still at it. As I said, I am blessed.