Within My Heart
By Tamera Alexander
Bethany House Publishers
Reviewed by Shari Fox
Within My Heart, by Tamera Alexander and published by Bethany House quickly gained my attention when I realized it was set in the Colorado Rockies. This sweet novel contains intrigue, love, biblical principles as well grace and mercy. Rachel Boyd is a widow with 2 small boys who is trying to keep her husband’s dream of a successful cattle ranch alive. She has closed her heart to love, and is determined to set herself apart from one particular physician of the town of Timber Ridge, Dr. Rand Brookston. As the story begins with the prologue, we see a civil war cemetery caretaker tying strings to the hands of dead soldiers with a bell attached…just in case they may still be alive.
This books was a great read as it kept the reader interested with characters whose fears were their greatest enemies. Overcoming fears with the help of God is a never-ending lesson in which even in a fictional story can draw readers to a personal relationship with God. Ms. Alexander, in her book does just that. As Rachel lives the death of her husband again through the death of Lyda’s husband, Ben, she realizes that Dr. Brookston has as well and he reassures her that they will walk this path together…she helping him with his fear of darkness and hers of love. We see this reassurance on page 337, “I will I could make you understand what I’m feeling.” “I think I do understand, Rachel.” “I know you’re afraid of opening your heart again, of losing someone…like you lost Thomas. And while I know life doesn’t hold any guarantees, I’ve also learned that there’s no joy in this life without pain.” A heartfelt story about loss, love, forgiveness and grace.
With this prologue, the reader is drawn immediately into the story and who she is talking about, but we don’t find out until almost the end of the novel. This writing tactic is a big draw to the book itself as we get to know the characters and their fears. The author relates to the reader in that she focuses on various fears of the characters: Rachel’s fear of opening her heart again to the love of a good man and Dr. Brookston of the fear of closed-in spaces. Also, minor characters’ fears of losing someone they love, in this case the General Store owners, Ben & Lyda Mullins who lost their two children in a blizzard and of Charlie and his fear of his past which keeps him from getting close to a woman.
Minor characters include Rachel’s children who are struggling with their father’s death in different ways. These boys wend their way into the reader’s heart as their story plays out. Charlie has a lot to offer this novel, but we really don’t see who he is and the grace that is offered him until the end…another good reason to continue reading this story. Having lived in Colorado my entire life, the vivid pictures Ms. Alexander paints in the pages of this book do make you feel the cold winds of a Colorado winter and the dry, arid winds of a summer spent in the high country.
The biblical principles of this book come from the writer’s own faith experiences with her mother. The principle of forgiveness, of self and of others is a big draw to this novel. The grace extended to the various characters gives the reader hope and points to Christ in subtle ways. As Rachel and Dr. Brookston get closer, God’s grace abounds and her heart is softened and opening up for love…and forgiveness. On page 249 - 250, we see her closed heart beginning to open when she is alone with Dr. Brookston after having assisted him in surgery, and she is vulnerable. “She shook her head, hearing the tenderness in his voice. She cared for him more than she should, more than she’d allowed herself to admit before this moment. But the thought of opening more of her life to him, of opening her heart, set something trembling deep inside her. She feared, once it started, she wouldn’t be able to stop it. ‘Look at me,’ he whispered. ‘Please…’ She shook her head again. ‘I…I can’t.’ ‘sure you can.’ His hand covered hers clasped tightly in her lap, and gently, patiently, he wove his fingers so warm and sure and purposeful, between hers. ‘You were looking at me easily enough just a minute ago.’ His hand tightened around hers. ‘You’re shaking.’ He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. Rachel drew in a breath. He turned her hand over and kissed her open palm--once, twice--and she forgot how to breathe. Didn’t he know what he was doing to her? Couldn’t he tell? Gathering her wounded resolve, she finally did as he asked and looked at him--then wished she hadn’t. his unguarded desire roused her own, and the woman inside her ached for him. Nor for a man, any man, but for him. And not only in the way of a woman with a man, but in the way that two halves made a whole, as God intended.”
Tamera Alexander wrote this book, I believe to help her see the reason God does what He does in our everyday lives, whether it be tragedy, redemption, forgiveness, grace, mercy…whatever, God is about walking every step of every day with His children. Ms. Alexander’s way with characters, plot, intrigue as well as the very human side of a story is what makes this book a really good read. Her subtle glimpse into God’s character through the characters in this novel show how she has transcended into a literary gem that will endear this series to the reader.
I would wholeheartedly recommend this book as a good, Christian historical fiction novel. The characters were interesting and believable in their respective lives and the plot was believable and kept your attention throughout the book. Because of the placement of this novel, the Maroon Bells area of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, I see the believability of the Hot Springs Resort being built. The historical point of view is correct and I love the fact that she incorporates these characters into this novel, yet still keeps the humbleness and wholesomeness of the small-town Timber Ridge characters.
The opportunity for me to read and review this novel brings me to recommend this author to other readers. I have a library full of Christian fiction, both historical and non-historical and have been reading this type of novel for 25 years. Tamera Alexander is a great author that sees and feels the hearts of her characters and thoroughly develops her plot with intrigue and suspense, love and mercy, grace and forgiveness.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review.
By Tamera Alexander
Bethany House Publishers
Reviewed by Shari Fox
Within My Heart, by Tamera Alexander and published by Bethany House quickly gained my attention when I realized it was set in the Colorado Rockies. This sweet novel contains intrigue, love, biblical principles as well grace and mercy. Rachel Boyd is a widow with 2 small boys who is trying to keep her husband’s dream of a successful cattle ranch alive. She has closed her heart to love, and is determined to set herself apart from one particular physician of the town of Timber Ridge, Dr. Rand Brookston. As the story begins with the prologue, we see a civil war cemetery caretaker tying strings to the hands of dead soldiers with a bell attached…just in case they may still be alive.
This books was a great read as it kept the reader interested with characters whose fears were their greatest enemies. Overcoming fears with the help of God is a never-ending lesson in which even in a fictional story can draw readers to a personal relationship with God. Ms. Alexander, in her book does just that. As Rachel lives the death of her husband again through the death of Lyda’s husband, Ben, she realizes that Dr. Brookston has as well and he reassures her that they will walk this path together…she helping him with his fear of darkness and hers of love. We see this reassurance on page 337, “I will I could make you understand what I’m feeling.” “I think I do understand, Rachel.” “I know you’re afraid of opening your heart again, of losing someone…like you lost Thomas. And while I know life doesn’t hold any guarantees, I’ve also learned that there’s no joy in this life without pain.” A heartfelt story about loss, love, forgiveness and grace.
With this prologue, the reader is drawn immediately into the story and who she is talking about, but we don’t find out until almost the end of the novel. This writing tactic is a big draw to the book itself as we get to know the characters and their fears. The author relates to the reader in that she focuses on various fears of the characters: Rachel’s fear of opening her heart again to the love of a good man and Dr. Brookston of the fear of closed-in spaces. Also, minor characters’ fears of losing someone they love, in this case the General Store owners, Ben & Lyda Mullins who lost their two children in a blizzard and of Charlie and his fear of his past which keeps him from getting close to a woman.
Minor characters include Rachel’s children who are struggling with their father’s death in different ways. These boys wend their way into the reader’s heart as their story plays out. Charlie has a lot to offer this novel, but we really don’t see who he is and the grace that is offered him until the end…another good reason to continue reading this story. Having lived in Colorado my entire life, the vivid pictures Ms. Alexander paints in the pages of this book do make you feel the cold winds of a Colorado winter and the dry, arid winds of a summer spent in the high country.
The biblical principles of this book come from the writer’s own faith experiences with her mother. The principle of forgiveness, of self and of others is a big draw to this novel. The grace extended to the various characters gives the reader hope and points to Christ in subtle ways. As Rachel and Dr. Brookston get closer, God’s grace abounds and her heart is softened and opening up for love…and forgiveness. On page 249 - 250, we see her closed heart beginning to open when she is alone with Dr. Brookston after having assisted him in surgery, and she is vulnerable. “She shook her head, hearing the tenderness in his voice. She cared for him more than she should, more than she’d allowed herself to admit before this moment. But the thought of opening more of her life to him, of opening her heart, set something trembling deep inside her. She feared, once it started, she wouldn’t be able to stop it. ‘Look at me,’ he whispered. ‘Please…’ She shook her head again. ‘I…I can’t.’ ‘sure you can.’ His hand covered hers clasped tightly in her lap, and gently, patiently, he wove his fingers so warm and sure and purposeful, between hers. ‘You were looking at me easily enough just a minute ago.’ His hand tightened around hers. ‘You’re shaking.’ He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. Rachel drew in a breath. He turned her hand over and kissed her open palm--once, twice--and she forgot how to breathe. Didn’t he know what he was doing to her? Couldn’t he tell? Gathering her wounded resolve, she finally did as he asked and looked at him--then wished she hadn’t. his unguarded desire roused her own, and the woman inside her ached for him. Nor for a man, any man, but for him. And not only in the way of a woman with a man, but in the way that two halves made a whole, as God intended.”
Tamera Alexander wrote this book, I believe to help her see the reason God does what He does in our everyday lives, whether it be tragedy, redemption, forgiveness, grace, mercy…whatever, God is about walking every step of every day with His children. Ms. Alexander’s way with characters, plot, intrigue as well as the very human side of a story is what makes this book a really good read. Her subtle glimpse into God’s character through the characters in this novel show how she has transcended into a literary gem that will endear this series to the reader.
I would wholeheartedly recommend this book as a good, Christian historical fiction novel. The characters were interesting and believable in their respective lives and the plot was believable and kept your attention throughout the book. Because of the placement of this novel, the Maroon Bells area of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, I see the believability of the Hot Springs Resort being built. The historical point of view is correct and I love the fact that she incorporates these characters into this novel, yet still keeps the humbleness and wholesomeness of the small-town Timber Ridge characters.
The opportunity for me to read and review this novel brings me to recommend this author to other readers. I have a library full of Christian fiction, both historical and non-historical and have been reading this type of novel for 25 years. Tamera Alexander is a great author that sees and feels the hearts of her characters and thoroughly develops her plot with intrigue and suspense, love and mercy, grace and forgiveness.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Welcome to our newest reviewer at Friar Tuck's--Shari Baublits. Thanks Shari!!!
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