A Time to Mend, Book 1 from the Safe Harbor Series (I'm so glad they'll be more books in this series!)
This is one of the books nominated for a Christy Award this year. You can enter to win this book by clicking on this link until July 11.
Description:
An unopened gift. A broken vow. A tragic fire. Sometimes there are wounds that even time can't heal.
Max and Claire Beaumont seem to have the perfect marriage. They live in a beautiful home, have four wonderful children and everything else that success and money can buy. Yet beneath this picture-perfect exterior, Claire's life is falling apart. She can no longer hold her peace and keep up appearances.
After all the silent years, she must speak the truth.
As their lives unravel, deep needs and even deeper hurts are revealed. Not only the wounds between husband and wife, but family wounds as well. Will this time of soul-searching and conflict bring them closer together--or tear their marriage apart?
It's a strange irony to leave home in search of a safe harbor. Yet that is often where the journey begins . . . especially when it is time to mend.
My Review:
My heart is still tender from the emotion of this book! I enjoyed it very much! It was sweet and tender in bringing out the emotions of Claire and Max and their marriage; while at the same time shocking and forceful where it needed to be to clearly convey their points of view. I especially appreciated that neither Max or Claire was set up to be the only "bad guy." That each had issues to deal with and resolve. Though Claire's issues of allowing her identity to be swallowed up in her husband's work was the most compelling.
This was an excellent reminder that marriage is not to be taken for granted and is to be tended to and nurtured. Communicating dreams and desire is important for both husband and wife. I was moved and drawn in by the desperate longings of Claire and her last-ditch efforts to get through to her husband.
I look forward to reading more books in this series.
In fact, here's a preview of book 2:
Available October 2008
Siblings Lexi and Erik battle addictions rooted in their pasts. Spurning the safe harbor offered by their parents, they tread unlikely paths to recovery.
After thirty years, Max and Claire are renewing their vows--with changed hearts. But the Beaumont's grown children still grapple with the effects of their formerly broken home.
Daughter Lexi Beaumont garnered local noteriety when she saved her family from wildfire--a fame rivaled only by that of her celebrity newscaster brother, Eric. But the attention sheds light on darker places she'd rather keep hidden. As Lexi tries to settle quietly back into life After the Fire, romantic troubles plague her. Then Erik's always erratic behavior begins to spriral out of control. His drinking has reached a new height--and only a headstrong policewoman seems to make any headway with him. It'll take a miracle of grace to bring these two hurting souls to a place of recovery and healing.
