**2011 Christy Award Nominee!

Within My Heart by Tamera Alexander
Reviewed by Amber Stokes
Genre: Christian Fiction, Historical, Romance
Publisher: Bethany House
Publication Date: September 2010

A widow with two boys tries to keep her husband’s ranch going on her own, but sometimes the trials seem to snatch away all hope. The kind and knowledgeable Dr. Rand Brookston keeps entering her life, and yet she cannot give him her heart or control. When she ends up helping the doctor in a case very near and dear to her heart, will she be able to find peace and love despite all of the suffering?

It was with tears and bittersweet emotions that I finished this book. Alexander has an amazing God-given talent for writing with depth, using gorgeous imagery and dialogue to describe God’s creation and to explore the workings of God in our lives.
To be honest, this particular book took me a long time to read. It wasn’t like the first in this series (From a Distance), where I stayed up into the wee hours of the morning desperate to know what would happen and reveling in the sweet romance. I often set this one aside. The writing was lovely, but this book was hard to read because of the heaviness of its themes. I was intrigued with the plot but not engrossed by it. Not until over halfway through.

Once I got near the end, the tears began to flow. It was one emotional blow after another, and yet I wasn’t in despair. I was completely blessed and moved by the impact of Alexander’s insight–insights (I later learned from her note at the end of the book) that came from her own personal experience. I had heard some about what Alexander had been going through in the past year or so and why this last book in the “Timber Ridge Reflections” series was delayed in its release. But actually reading this book and seeing how her own journey impacted her writing–I was blown away and touched by what was within HER heart.

This book is not an easy one to read. There were times when it was almost painful. But I can guarantee you that this is very much a worthwhile read. The lessons about love, forgiveness, and courage are profound. And the honesty with which the characters face death and the hope that all those who believe in the Lord can have is heart-breakingly beautiful. This is a definite must-read!

*With thanks to Jim Hart and Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

Note: First reviewed on Amber’s blog, “Seasons of Humility,” in December 2010.

Rating: PG – Mature themes and some intense medical scenes.

The Lightkeeper’s Daughter offers a little bit of everything that I love in a book – a little history, a little romance, and – true to her past writing – a little mystery. The book finds the main character, Addie Sullivan, headed to her new position as governess at Eaton Hall. Here she hopes to find not only a new life, but the truth of her past as well.

I was drawn into this book and couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait for more like this from Colleen Coble!

Review By:
Jill Hart