Courage to Change by Elizabeth Maddrey

• Series: Grant Us Grace
• Paperback: 334 pages
• Publisher: HopeSprings Books (April 8, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 193870813X
• ISBN-13: 978-1938708138

This book is also available as an e-book

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Book Two of the 'Grant Us Grace' Series. When Phil Reid became a Christian and stopped drinking, his hard-partying wife Brandi divorced him. Reeling and betrayed, he becomes convinced Christians should never remarry, and resolves to guard his heart. Allison Vasak has everything in her life under control, except for one thing. Her heart is irresistibly drawn to fellow attorney and coworker, Phil. Though she knows his history and believes that women should not initiate relationships, she longs to make her feelings known. As Phil and Allison work closely together to help a pregnant teen, Allison melts his defenses. But when Brandi discovers Phil's new relationship, she decides that though she doesn't want him, no one else can have him. Can Phil and Allison's love weather the chaos Brandi brings into their lives?

My take on this book:

When Phil Reid decided to straighten up his act and become a Christian his fun loving, partying wife Brandi divorces him, thing is she keeps popping up,and her behavior is becoming erratic.  Phil is convinced that as a divorced Christian that he shouldn't remarry, but is drawn to his co-worker Allison Vasak who is the total opposite of Brandi.  Allison finds herself drawn to Phil, and while she longs to share her feelings with him she has some pretty strong beliefs as well, one being that as a women she shouldn't be the one to start a relationship, but as they work together will they come to realize that God has his own ideas about their relationship? 

"Courage To Change" was a book where the characters are dealing with all to real issues, that are really part of everyday life. Christians face life challenges every day,and the choices often aren't easy, but if we learn to let go and let God with his help we can figure out the right path to take. I found the characters faith refreshing, the author allows us to understand what they believe without being preachy. There are so many hot topics discussed such as teen pregnancy, adoption, along with divorce, and dealing with the past. Each is dealt with realistically, with the many twists and turns that life can throw our way. While this is the second book in the Grant Us Grace series it can be read as a stand alone work. I didn't read the first book but had no problems diving right into this story. Anyone looking for a story that has interesting characters, a clean romance, along with Christian themes that isn't preachy or overwhelming will enjoy reading "Courage to Change."

A complimentary copy of this book was provided for review.