Review of "Together With You"

Rating:  4 Stars

Review:  Although Victoria Bylin has written many novels,  "Together With You" marks the second novel published by Bethany House and my first introduction to her writing.  "Together With You" is a novel that is multi-layered and rich in self-discovery, forgiveness, redemption, and nurturing relationships. The title and cover might suggest a simple and light-hearted love story, but the first chapter reveals deeper issues.  While Dr. Ryan Tremaine has a thriving medical business, his family is broken, and he is struggling from the guilt, pain, and consequences unleashed after having an affair that destroyed his marriage and his integrity.  Carly Mason is a compassionate college student and former social worker living far from her Kentucky roots.  After finding Dr. Tremaine's young daughter, Penny, Carly interacts with her in a warm manner that tugs at both the reader's and Ryan's hearts.  Despite Carly's reluctance to become emotionally invested in Penny, the relationship that develops between them has lasting effects on Penny and each member of the family.  

Victoria Bylin skillfully draws readers into the pain, joy, heartache, and struggles that can exist within a family and individual's hearts.  From Ryan's pain to the hurt and anger boiling within his young teenage son and the jumbled thoughts of young Penny, "Together With You" is a serious and thought-provoking novel.   Yet, these characters only represent a portion of the complete story.  Carly is a young woman who enters their home and seems to have the conviction and ability to meld each of their lives together.  Readers realize that she is also struggling with guilt from her past and a faith that has been tested.  

The tender and tentative relationship that develops between Carly and Ryan is masterfully developed between them as they work to respect each other, their differences, and their past mistakes.  The conclusion of "Together With You" offers readers a powerful message of forgiveness and of building faith and family.  

Victoria Bylin delivers a serious and reflective novel that will likely stir each reader's heart. Although "Together With You" was the first novel that I have read by her,  I anticipate reading more of Victoria Bylin's books in the future, beginning with  "Until I Found You," which was released May 2014.  

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Summary from Bethany House:   Sometimes the most unexpected love can be exactly what a heart needs...

When a Lost Child warning blares over the mall's PA system, Carly Mason finds the little girl playing with a stuffed rabbit. Something about Penny Tremaine is different. An ex-social worker, Carly recognizes that the child suffers fetal alcohol effects, and a piece of Carly's past suddenly confronts her. Never again will she become personally involved with a client. The risks are far too great. But something about Penny--and Penny's handsome father--tugs at Carly's heart.

Dr. Ryan Tremaine is trying to put his life back together. With his ex-wife remarried and on a trip far away, his two teenage sons and Penny are living under his roof full time. Ryan has put his faith in his Sink-or-Swim list, a plan to reconnect with his children. The first step: recruit Carly Mason to be Penny's nanny.

Ryan never anticipated being so drawn to Carly, an attraction Carly seems to fight as much as he does. Could Carly be the missing piece that helps his family stay afloat, or will their blossoming romance only complicate things further?

Known for her realistic and engaging characters, Victoria Bylin delivers an emotion-packed story reminiscent of The Sound of Music, one that reminds us all to believe in the power of faith and love.

A Wedding Blunder in the Black Hills by Kim O'Brien

Rating: 4 Stars

Synopsis from the Publisher: David and Millie both have big problems. A widowed dentist with an almost-teen son, he’s being stalked by an amorous patient. Millie’s mom keeps sending her on blind dates, even though the café owner has trust issues. So when a lost filling lands Millie in David’s office, the two of them find a solution—a faux relationship. No one gets hurt and no one gets nagged. It’s a great plan—until they really start to care. Now what will they do?

Review:   After realizing that A Wedding Blunder in the Black Hills is the classic story of a "faux relationship" that turns real, I knew that I had to give the novel a try.  No matter how formulaic the plot, I usually love these type of storylines. While I anticipated that the main characters Millie and David would fall in love as they "un-dated" each other,  I was pleasantly surprised by the depth that O'Brien wove into her novel.  Millie  harbors secrets from her past and struggles to trust others in relationships; and while David is a successful dentist, he does not know how to approach the problems that seem to be enveloping his eleven-year-old son.  O'Brien did a wonderful job of addressing the concerns and challenges that many young teens and their parents face today; and I especially enjoyed the often comical input from David's housekeeper.  Even more delightful was Millie's meddlesome, but fun-loving, mother and the encouragement that Millie often received from her "aunts".  As a reader, I was drawn into Millie's and David's small-town lives in the the Black Hills of South Dakota as they encounter the ups and downs of everyday life, while trying to build a "faux" relationship. 

I recommend A Wedding Blunder in the Black Hills, which is available for purchase from Christian Book Distributors and Amazon.

I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from NetGalley, courtesy of Barbour Publishers.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Amy Inspired by Bethany Pierce

Rating: 4 stars

Amy Inspired tells the fictional story of aspiring writer, Amy Gallagher, but it is a journey of self-revelation and inspiration for both Amy and the reader.  Told in first-person, the reader experiences Amy's emotions as she approaches thirty, works as an adjunct faculty member in a college English department, and faces rejections from publishers.  With a brother planning his upcoming marriage and a friend anticipating the birth of her first child, Amy feels anything but inspired.  In fact, she begins to question her ideals and faith.  When Zoe, her quirky roommate and aspiring writer, invites a friend to stay at their apartment on a "temporary" basis, Amy meets Eli.  Despite their differences, Amy finds herself drawn to Eli, and she struggles to maintain only a friendship with him.  During the months that follow his arrival,  Amy, Zoe, and Eli cope with the relationships and family events that continue to shape their lives.  Through these obstacles, Amy questions herself and God, while seeking wisdom, direction, and inspiration in her life.

As I read Amy Inspired, I was impressed by the story's depth and opportunities for discussion.   The discussion questions at the conclusion of the book offer insightful questions that can be applied to each of our lives.  Because this story is told in first person by an aspiring writer, I am also amazed by the novel's many layers.  Like Amy, I feel that the author's own experiences play a significant role in the story.  As a reader, we see into Amy's soul, but also a bit of Pierce's.  Since Pierce is a young author who worked as an instructor at a university, perhaps Amy Inspired is a bit autobiographical as well.  It appears to be a masterfully told story within a story, in which we can peel away its rich layers.  Ultimately,  Amy Inspired has the ability to inspire its readers. 

While reading Amy Inspired, I found that I could relate to Amy's doubts and struggles.  The novel is not a light read that allows the reader to escape reality.  Instead, it encouraged me to apply some of Amy's lessons to my own life.  The ability to inspire is one sign of a true work of art, and Amy Inspired possesses that trait.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”