Home to Heather Creek series- Heartwarming Modern Day Walton's!

My Thoughts:

Family, forgiveness, love, and faith are beautifully interwoven in the Home to Heather Creek series.  Siblings, Sam (16), Emily (14) and Christopher (8), are reeling from the tragic loss of their mother.  Newly transplanted to the grandparent's farm, they must start their lives over again- with people they barely know.  Could life get any worse?  The children aren't the only ones hurting, though.  Charlotte, their grandmother, struggles to be strong enough for the whole family but she's only getting by with the grace of God.

The family dynamic and support from the community in this tender and heartfelt series made me think of the Walton's.  Remember John Boy?:)  Laughing, crying, and experiencing all the emotions of life with the Walton family was reassuring and comforting as love always got them through- along with a strong faith in the Lord.  This is exactly the way I felt about Before the Dawn and Sweet September.  The tragedy and heartaches in the Stevenson family are all too real but so are the kindnesses and caring of loved ones and dear friends.  

I fell in love with the town of Heather Creek!  These are my favorite characters:

1) Melody- The delightful owner of the town's coffee shop.  She's the kind of friend we'd all like to be- one that listens well and knows when the time is right to share her thoughts.  She knows how to make people smile, too.:)

2) Rosemary- The caring owner of the town's fabric store as well as Charlotte's sister-in-law.  A pillar of strength and a friend you can count on for everything.  When Charlotte needed a shoulder to cry on, Rosemary quickly placed the "Closed" sign in the window of her shop.  Precious, indeed.

3) Charlotte- The main character as well as my personal favorite.  Her thoughts quite frequently echoed my own and my heart ached as she desperately tried to make the right choices for her family.  She takes trials and, with God's guidance, turns them into blessings.

4) Uncle Pete- He adds a delightful dose of humor and lightheartedness when it's needed most.  By quoting from the movie The Princess Bride and introducing the Star Wars trilogy, he develops a sweet connection with his niece and nephews.  Rough around the edges but with a tender heart.

Sweet September picks up where Before the Dawn leaves off but now there are mysteries to be solved as well as a new (old) potential love interest for Uncle Pete.  I really enjoyed learning the history of Heather Creek Farm in this book as well as getting to know the characters a bit better.  I so look forward to reading more books from the Home to Heather Creek series.  If you enjoy books that make you feel good and strengthen your faith in the Lord, you need to add these to your wish list.

About the books: When the world around you falls apart, could it be that God is giving you a second chance? This is just one of the questions on Charlotte Stevenson's mind as she brings her three grandchildren to live on the family farm in Guidepost Books' Home to Heather Creek series.

Before the Dawn begins just one week after the funeral of Charlotte's daughter, Denise. Denise's three children barely have time to process the death of their mother before they must move to the Heather Creek Farm they have never visited with grandparents they barely know. At age 16, Sam is fiercely protective of his younger siblings. Emily is 14 and desperately misses her friends. Young Christopher is only 8 and just wants to fit in. While Charlotte tries to help her grandchildren adjust to their new life, she also wrestles with her own grief and the enormous task of bringing her family together. Bob believes the fastest path to adjustment is a firm routine, with structure and chores, the same way they raised their own kids. However, that route led to Denise running away from home as a teenager and an estranged relationship with her family. Charlotte is worried about making the same mistakes she made with Denise. Is this her chance to make things right?

It is spring when the children arrive, and as Charlotte looks around the farm, she hopes the new life around them will signify hope and healing. The miracle of new life, along with God's healing touch, reminds all of them that it's always darkest just before the dawn.

Sweet September picks up at harvest time, as the children are settling into a new school year. While the harvest should be an exciting time, the children don't seem to be getting into the spirit. Emily is struggling with farm life, Christopher spends most of his time alone, and Sam is failing school. Trying to learn from what did and didn't work with her own kids, Charlotte is determined to get her grandchildren back on track.

As tenuous family bonds threaten to break apart, a mystery on the farm might be the one thing that can bond the family together. Charlotte sets out to uncover the truth, and as the kids unite to find answers, this cobbled-together family learns more about one another and the love that binds them together.

The lives of the Stevensons and their grandchildren unfold in this captivating story of the remarkable change that comes from the love of family, the kindness of others, sheer persistence and unshakable faith. As readers follow the Stevensons' inspiring stories, it's almost impossible not feel a part of this friendly, loving community, where God's grace can be seen in every circumstance.

Purchase the books here: http://ow.ly/oQGxr

About the Author: Kathleen Bauer is the pen name for a team of writers who have come together to create the Home to Heather Creek series.







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• Before the Dawn and Sweet September by Kathleen Bauer


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*I was given copies of these books from Litfuse Publications in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was received.*