Review: Faith in the Hero - Heroes of Freedom Ridge #13

Faith in the Hero book cover on blue background

It's been fun to see characters from the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series reappear in later books, especially when written by the same author. Faith in the Hero almost acts as a sequel to Friends with the Hero, although it's not necessary to read one before the other. However, if you do get to read both, it's an even more charming experience!

Book Synopsis

A man with six small children and a wife who walked out.

A woman who lost everything and has no place left to go.

With the ink barely dry on his divorce papers, Chris Tooley isn’t sure what God has in store for him, but he knows he needs help with his kids. So, on the recommendation of a friend, he hires a nanny.

Gretchen Mavis invested everything in her day care business and lost it all when the building burned down and the landlord had no insurance. She’s willing to take any job she can get. Even one out in the middle of nowhere that includes six energetic kids, two even more energetic dogs and a herd of milk goats – wait. Maybe she’s not that desperate. She’s about to walk out of the interview, but there’s something in this man’s eyes that tells her he’s just looking for someone to believe in him.

Source: Amazon

Book Thoughts

What a nice surprise to encounter Chris Tooley again after first meeting him in Friends with the Hero. He definitely made an impression earlier in the series, and it's delightful to see him get his own story. Equally delightful is Gretchen Mavis, who is facing her own crossroads in life and is open to what is next. Together, these characters demonstrate what it looks like to seek God first in all decisions. I love how they pray for one another and invite the children to do so as well. Alongside that, the encouragement to seek God's will over giving advice or recommendations is a refreshing reminder.

While other books in the Heroes of Freedom Ridge may contain an added element of suspense or intrigue, it was simply lovely to be able to focus on the relationship in this book and the deeper matters discussed. The scenes at home are comforting, and the quieter moments allow readers to picture themselves on the farm, listening to a story or cuddling around a fire. Faith in the Hero is an idyllic read amidst the adventures of six little ones and inspires growth as Chris and Gretchen’s characters develop throughout the story.

Book Summary

Format of book: 📱
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recommendation: 👍

Comments

Christian as a Genre

I've always found it interesting that Christianity as its own genre can be used across music, film, books, and virtually most forms of artistic or creative expression. While most secular items tend to be labelled by their style, works produced by Christians tend to get labelled by the faith of the one producing it. I remember seeing an article years ago about how the Grammys put Christian artists under the genre of Gospel and Contemporary Christian who would then be further separated out by their musical style, such as Gospel, Bluegrass, Rock, Pop, Country, etc. I can't recall the specifics of the article, but I believe that the author of the article thought it was both a little unfair that artists would be lumped together in a giant pool despite varying styles or backgrounds, and that it was also a label that didn't really tell audiences what they would be getting, other than Christian content. I wish I could remember a bit more, but as I read it in passing, the only thou...

Review: Doting on His Best Friend - Christmas at Redemption Ridge #11

It's been lovely to pick up some more Christmas titles as the weather changes! Doting on His Best Friend by Liwen Y. Ho has been fun to read as I can picture myself being by a fireplace with hot chocolate and playing board games with my best friend, my husband. What a great start to the season! I am grateful to the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Can two best friends overcome their age gap and the past to become something more? Phoebe Cordle moved to Redemption Ridge after experiencing loss and was grateful to find a ranching town where she could start her own equine therapy practice. She also found a confidante in a handsome and generous man nine years her junior who's captured the attention of all the single ladies in their community—including her own. However, after zero signs of interest on Milo’s part for the past six years, she’s given up hope and decides to help him find love instead. Milo Gibson wa...

Review: The Darkness Deepens - The Day Draws Near #2

If you've read The End Begins , the first book in the The Day Draws Near series (previously The Seven Trilogy) by Sara Davison, The Darkness Deepens takes you further as this sequel further delves into Jesse and Meryn's story. I wouldn't say that this book is a standalone book as it builds upon the previous one, but I would say that reading the first book will certainly whet your appetite for this one as you find out what's next. I am grateful to the publisher, Mountain Brook Ink , for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Their secrets protect them... but secrets are hard to keep. No one in the army can find out that Captain Jesse Christensen has become a believer. He and bookstore owner Meryn O'Reilly are forced to meet in secret, facing imprisonment-or worse-if they are found together. As their relationship deepens, so does Lieutenant Gallagher's hatred for the Christians in their city, putting all be...