My Hope is Found

Book description:  After finally finding love with his sweet bride Lonnie, Gideon's heart was torn when a woman from his past claimed to be his true and rightful wife, forcing him away from his family.  God's merciful hand saw Gideon through the heart-ache, and with Cassie's blessing, he is able to return home.  But his journey back through the Blue Ridge Mountains will hold a trial he never anticipated.

Meanwhile, Lonnie determines to seal off  her heart from Gideon, convinced he is lost to her forever.  Strengthening her resolve to move on is her growing fondness for the handsome Scotsman, Toby McKee-the young reverend she come to care for deeply.  His proposal of marriage offers a bright future for her and her young son.

Yearning to allow joy back into her life, Lonnie must put aside the broken pieced of her heart that still love Gideon.  When he returns to find her betrothed to another, he has to place his hope in God, trusting that the One who redeemed their love once can do it again.

My review:  When I requested this book, I did not realize it was book three in a series.  This is definitely a series to be read in order.  The author, Joanne Bischof, does do a good job giving enough back information so that the reader is not totally lost.  I enjoyed the first book and would most likely have enjoyed the second book, since I also enjoyed the third book.  Gideon is still one of those characters that you really don't like, but find yourself rooting for him anyway. (I say still, because this is how I felt about him in the first book as well.)  Lonnie is a weak yet a strong character, and the reader is able to feel her emotions and be pulled into Lonnie's life as the book is  read.  I did find the circumstances of Gideon having a previous wife to not quite ring true.  Having read the first book, and knowing what I do about the circumstances of Gideon's marriage to Lonnie, it just doesn't fit for Gideon to have another wife.  I guess the second book must have explained how that was possible.  If I get the opportunity I will be reading the second book in this series to help fill in the gaps.  I received a complimentary copy of this book from Multnomah Publishers in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.