The Hearts We Mend

The Hearts We Mend
A Banister Falls Novel
Kathryn Springer
(Zondervan)
ISBN: 978-0310339724
March 2015/320 pages/$12.99
Planning and Post-It notes are the epitome of Evie’s life. But when she meets Jack, her life gets more than a little complicated.

Thirteen years ago, Evie’s firefighter husband was killed in the line of duty, leaving her to raise their young son, Cody, alone. Now, Cody is marrying the love of his life, and as he packs up his belongings, the house feels as empty as Evie’s heart. But for all her planning and mad organizational skills, Evie could never have anticipated the dramatic shift her life is about to make.

Tattooed, rough-around-the-edges Jack raises quite a few eyebrows in the tight-knit community of Banister Falls. Where Evie’s life is stream-lined, Jack’s approach to living is moment-by-moment. But as Evie gets drawn into Jack’s world—a world that isn’t as safe or predictable as the one she’s worked so hard to create—he challenges her to open her eyes to the problems outside the walls of the church.

Jack doesn’t make Evie feel comfortable, but he definitely makes her feel something. Something she hasn’t felt since Max passed away—or, maybe ever. Because even though Jack isn’t anything like her late husband, he just might be everything she needs.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathryn Springer is a USA Today bestselling author. She grew up in northern Wisconsin, where her parents published a weekly newspaper. As a child she spent many hours sitting at her mother’s typewriter, plunking out stories, and credits her parents for instilling in her a love of books – which eventually turned into a desire to tell stories of her own. Kathryn has written nineteen books with close to two million copies sold. She lives with her husband and three children in Marinette, Wisconsin.
Find out more about Kathryn at her website and on Facebook.


MY THOUGHTS

The Hearts We Mend is a compelling and poignant novel that reaches deep into the heart. While it works fine to read as a stand-alone, you'll have a greater appreciation for the relationships between the characters if you have read the first book, The Dandelion Field, which I reviewed here. As with the previous novel, Kathryn Springer weaves credible characters and realistic circumstances together in a tale that is enjoyable as well as, at times, convicting. Evie could be any of us who are content and busy serving within the four walls of the church, a bit oblivious to the struggles outside our circle until our world is turned upside down. Springer does a marvelous job incorporating this theme with a gentle hand, forthright without being sanctimonious or preachy. Aspects of this novel and Evie's journey remind me me of the quote from The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe regarding Aslan: "Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good." Don't miss this gripping and inspiring book and series.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Harper Collins/Zondervan and Litfuse Publicity for a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


Celebrate the release of The Hearts We Mend with Kathryn and enter to win two of her books by signing up for her newsletter on her website (left sidebar). The winner will be announced March 23 via Kathryn’s newsletter.

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