When Grace Sings

GIVEAWAY

SAWYER, KIM VOGEL
WHEN GRACE SINGS

When trouble roars into quiet Arborville, Alexa and Anna-Grace find themselves the target for discord and exposed secrets. Can they continue to seek the God of all grace amidst the fog of confusion? 
Alexa Zimmerman wonders if the Old Order Mennonite community in Arborville, Kansas will ever fully accept her. Her family roots here aren’t what anyone thought when she first arrived, but she is hopeful that her culinary and hospitality skills will win the skeptics over. The bed-and-breakfast she’s operating needs to succeed so Alexa agrees to allow Briley Forrester, the hotshot reporter from Chicago, to stay as a long-term boarder not knowing his real motives for being amongst the Plain folk.

But when Alexa agrees to host her cousin Anna-Grace Braun, the presence of extended family brings out Alexa’s insecurities and sets Briley on the trail to uncovering a web of hidden truths.

Plans for a secure future and the sweetness of young romance hang in the balance when Alexa and Anna-Grace have to face that their secrets are interconnected, binding the two in ways they could not have imagined. They must trust in a loving, heavenly Father and His plan for their futures.

My Review:

Probably my favourite book by Kim Vogel Sawyer -- and that's saying something since I missed Book 1 in the Zimmeran Restoration Trilogy! Sawyer does an excellent job of infusing the pertinent bits from the first book into this one so there's no confusion. Mind you, my curiosity is piqued and I can't go without reading When Mercy Rains so look for it in a retro Saturday sometime soon.

This is the kind of emotional roller coaster ride I love to read. The author tells the story through multiple viewpoints and that creates a sense of urgency to the read. I could see how everyone interconnects and anticipating the fallout when that happens is pure torturous delight! And fallout did happen, but the author wisely left some for Book 3. So while there is a satisfying resolution to a few threads, she's left her readers eagerly anticipating the grand finale for the rest. And she's done that in such a way that the reader doesn't feel robbed. I hate abrupt cliffhanger endings and this isn't one. She leaves each character solidly planted on the right path so I feel I can leave them untended until September! (When Love Returns release date.)

I think Briley's story made the most impact on me. I really did not like him at first (and he opens the book!) The kind of guy who is too good looking for his own good -- and worse -- knows it! And he's out to prove himself regardless of who he has to step on to do that. Sawyer slowly unravels layers of Briley's past and allows readers a peek at festering hurts that have never healed. My heart couldn't help but soften towards the guy. And I loved how his heart softened after getting to know the Old Order Mennonites community in Arborville.

So many twists and turns. Emotional conflict that left me on tenterhooks for the entire read. Captivating. Exciting. Riveting. But most of all -- hopeful.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of When Grace Sings please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 3 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!