The Hope of Azure Springs

by Rachel Fordham

Book Overview

Seven years ago, orphaned and alone, Em finally arrived at a new home in Iowa after riding the orphan train. But secrets from her past haunt her, and her new life in the Western wilderness is a rough one. When her guardian is shot and killed, Em, now nineteen, finally has the chance to search for her long-lost sister, but she won't be able to do it alone.For Azure Springs Sheriff Caleb Reynolds, securing justice for the waifish and injured Em is just...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0800734734
• ISBN13: 9780800734732
• Release Date: July 2018
• Publisher: Fleming H. Revell Company
• Length: 334 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.4" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Sweet story

This was such a a sweet story of survival, strength and of what beauty truly is. Em and her sister Lucy are separated while on the Orphan train in the 1870’s. Lucy is adopted in a small town in Iowa while ‘Em is adopted last in other part of the state by a man who just needs a cook and servant. She lives seven years in survival mode before a violent act send her injured and very sick to nearby town of Azure Springs. There she is loved and cared for by a family in the town. All the while the Sheriff, Caleb tries to solve a string of crimes related to the man the adopted her. Em and Caleb have to work together to solve the crimes and try to find Lucy. Working together they develop a very close friendship. But can someone like Caleb ever think a skinny, plain, orphan girl is ever beautiful? Or is beauty truly more than skin deep? I loved this book. It was such a sweet story and I found myself cheering Em on. She was such a strong but gentle woman and she didn’t even know that she was beautiful. After starting so many books recently that ended up being “trashy”, this was a welcome reprieve. I look forward to reading more from this author.

It's about the simple things

This was the sweetest love story. So simple and very light, perfect for young teenage girls who want to start reading Christian romance novels. The main character is very relatable, and this cast of characters were all lovable in their own, unique ways. It was an excellent read. I highly recommend it!

Great book!

Rachel Fordham is a new author to me. I will definitely read more of her books as they draw you in and you are completly absorbed in the story. Her characters are memorable. I loved the town of Azure Springs and was sad when the book ended. I love this author.

Captivating Historical Fiction

The Hope of Azure Springs is a wonderfully charming historical fiction written by Rachel Fordham. This debut novel captured my heart from the very beginning where readers find Em with 'life in her. Not much of it though' and never let go until the very satisfactory ending. I love reading about life in the 'Wild West' of the 1800s--imagining what life was like back then and wondering what I would do in similar circumstances. Fordham has done a great job of describing this era and drawing the reader into the scenes and the lives of her characters. The characters are strong and engaging, with emotions and reactions that resonated well with me. I enjoyed how the author unfolded their pasts layer by layer. There are lots of fun scenes involving tree climbing, frog catching, and unintended mud baths which help to keep the pages turning. The story is not just about hard times survival but it speaks to maturity and growth in understanding those around us and recognizing that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and self-worth comes from within not from our appearance or circumstances around us. The book also offers historical insight into the Orphan Train phenomenon that happened during this time--such sadness and tragedy amongst the initial hopes of those involved. I highly recommend this book for readers who love inspirational historical romance stories. I can't wait to read this author's next book. I was given a copy of this book through JustRead's Blind Book Tour and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.

CHRIST is our hope

The Hope Of Azure Springs is a very unique story. You have a very bad villain who kills Ems guardian who is not all that nice - actually is very abusive - and tries to kill her by shooting her - now she ends up in a town Azure Springs - where the people treat her with love and respect and tenderness. She meets up with the Sherriff who wants to help her find out who shot her and her guardian. Now where does GOD fit in? This is extremely important. How does she handle the people treating her with respect and tenderness? How would you after being treated like a dog? I received a copy of this book from the Publisher and Netgalley; all of the opinions expressed in this review are all my own. if you would like to read more of my Christian book reviews go to christianlybookreviewers.blogspot.com