Spring Hope by Martha Rogers ~ review

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Realms (May 15, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1616386185
• ISBN-13: 978-1616386184

Also available as an e-book.

Publication Date: May 15, 2012 | Series: Seasons of the Heart (Book 4)

Can runaway Libby Cantrell finally get a new start?

 

Libby Cantrell’s life has gone from bad to worse since her mother’s death. After working in a brothel to support her abusive father, she sees no hope for her future until one cold winter night when she finds the courage to escape.

 

When she collapses in Portersfield, Texas, exhausted, ill, and hungry, Sheriff Cory Muldoon finds her and takes her to the doctor. Against Cory’s better judgment, Seth and Erin Winston take her in and offer her a job as a nanny for their young son. As a minister, Seth sees it as his duty to take care of her. As a deputy, Cory needs to know the truth about her even as he is attracted to the waif of a young woman.

As Cory’s feelings for her grow and winter becomes spring, will he be able to accept her as she is now and truly forget and forgive her sordid past?

My take on this book:

Libby Cantrell is on the run,and never wants to go back to her home in Louisiana.  Since the death of her mother, her pa had made her work as a prostitute in the local saloon, and when she rebelled he would beat her into submission. She decides her only hope is to run so far away that he wont be able to find her. She makes it to Portersfield, Texas where she is found in an alleyway by Sheriff Cory Muldoon. When he asks for her name she hesitates, not wanting to lie and start out on the wrong foot, but fearful if she gives her real name her pa will find her, she decides to use the last name Bradley, her mother's maiden name. Will she find a new life in Portersfield,or will her pa find her? What will the people of Portersfield think of her if they ever find out about her past?

It's February 1891 in Portersfield ,Texas, and seems to be one of  the coldest nights so far that winter. As Deputy Cory Muldoon is doing a walk thru of the alleys in town he finds what he first believes is a pile of garbage turns out to be a young lady,and she tells him her name is Libby Bradley. Cory is suspicious of her, and is determined to figure out just who she is. When he starts having feelings for her though what will he do? 

Libby was such an easy character to like, she was running from a past that wasn't her choice. It was easy to understand why she would question God's love.I thought the author did an amazing job of allowing her character to flourish as the story progressed. As a fan of historical inspiration I feel like Martha Rogers writes top notch stories. She always draws me back in time, provided a rich story, and characters that touch the heart. 

While "Spring Hope" is the fourth and final book in the Seasons of the Heart series it can easily be read as a stand alone work. Although if your like me your going to want to read all four stories. Fans of historical fiction that blends together a bit of romance as well as a positive inspirational message will certainly want to check out this book.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.