Celebrate Lit / July 31, 2019

Cross My Heart

Celebrate Lit Book Tour

About the Book Cross My Heart

Book: Cross My Heart

Author: Robin Lee Hatcher

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release date: June 25, 2019

Can two broken paths lead toward God’s redemption?

When Ashley Showalter and Ben Henning meet on Ashley’s horse rescue farm, they quickly discover how much they have in common. Both were raised by single moms. Both want to help where they see a need. And both work with horses in the Boise valley. Ben needs Ashley’s help and expertise after starting an equine therapy barn on his great-great-grandfather’s farm—and the more time they spend together, both Ashley and Ben have the feeling that there could be something more between them.

They also carry the burden of past experiences that may drive them apart if the truth is ever revealed. Ben is a recovering alcoholic with five years of sobriety behind him, while Ashley’s brother is an opioid addict residing in court-ordered rehab. Holding fast to the belief that addicts can never be cured, Ashley has promised herself she will never walk knowingly into the chaos created by addiction. Ben knows that with God, all things are possible—but will Ashley find it within herself to give love a chance? Or will her brother’s mistakes and the pain of her past jeopardize her future with Ben?

Cross My Heart threads together a contemporary love story with the heartwarming tale of Ben’s great-great-grandfather, Andrew Henning—reminding us that God’s Word is timeless and that His promises are new every morning.

Click here to grab your copy.

My Thoughts:

As you may know, we have a small farm here. One of the main animals on our farm are horses. We love them! Our children love to ride them and so do we. But we also use them for Civil War reenacting which means they are well-trained animals. The thought of using horses for therapy is definitely a good one in my mind. I know that they act as therapy for myself and friends and could very well see them being used in an official capacity.

Great read. The characters were compelling. I mean you felt for Ashley and the fact that she never wants to place herself in a situation to be hurt from an addict again. But yet she wants to help addicts. She is so confused but she knows that she wants to protect her heart.

And Ben. Poor Ben. He’s a recovered alcoholic. Recently he inherited a 40-acre farm that he wants to turn into an equine therapy place. His mom calls him stupid for not selling, and on a regular basis at that. All he really wants though is to obey God in what he believes he’s been told. That’s why it hurts so much when everyone says no and closes the door to help him.

That is until he is referred to Ashley and she doesn’t immediately say no.

Robin Lee Hatcher is a wonderful author. I’ve read many of her books and knew that I’d love this one. It reads quickly and keeps you entertained. I never felt that I needed to put the book down or that I wanted to skip ahead because it was boring. It definitely wasn’t boring.

No real mystery or suspense, but a great read. A good wholesome book while also covering some of the harder parts of society today like an addiction. Mental health is a hot topic these days as people still feel shame from it but society is also recognizing it more. Equine therapy is a great thing to get out there into peoples minds though so I love that it’s a focal point.

Recommend. And while you’re reading this one go ahead and find some of her other books to read too. You’re going to love them. Clean fiction with some good clean romance. Perfect snuggle on the couch during a thunderstorm at night reading.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

About the Author of Cross My Heart

Robin Lee Hatcher is the author of over 75 novels and novellas with over five million copies of her books in print. She is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love.

Robin is an ACFW Carol Award winner and an eight-time finalist and has won two RITA Awards and been a finalist eleven times. Her numerous other awards include the Christy Award, the HOLT Medallion, the National Reader’s Choice Award, and the Faith, Hope & Love Reader’s Choice Award. She is also the recipient of prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards from both American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America.

When not writing, she enjoys being with her family, spending time in beautiful Idaho outdoors, Bible art journaling, reading books that make her cry, watching romantic movies, and decorative planning.

A mother and grandmother, Robin and her husband make their home on the outskirts of Boise, sharing it with a demanding Papillon dog and a persnickety tuxedo cat.

For more information, visit robinleehatcher.com; Facebook: robinleehatcher; or Twitter: @robinleehatcher.

More from Robin

MY WRITING DESK
ROBIN LEE HATCHER

I have a wonderful home office with a large screen iMac and the perfect place to keep important papers and reminders right in front of me for easy access. There is also a bed for my dog, Boo, because no office is complete without a bed to welcome the dog. Right?

I also do a lot of writing while seated in a big easy chair in the living room. It all depends upon my mood and how many reference books I might need at the time.

My office usually looks neat when I begin a book. By the time I’m writing the end, the room has become a disaster—stacks of papers demanding my attention and a layer of dust are the most obvious issues.

My office also serves as my art studio (where I do decorative planning and Bible art journaling), so every inch that isn’t taken up by writing related items is filled with art related ones—paints, washi tape, stickers, pens galore, etc.

An early riser naturally, I consider sleeping in to be anything after 6 AM. On a normal writing day, I try to get in half an hour on the treadmill first thing in the morning (and often return to it for ten minutes segments a couple of other times during the day). Then I sit at my desk or in my easy chair to do my Bible study. And finally, I begin writing.

I can usually create new words for about four hours or so a day. The rest of the workday is filled with editing, revising, research, and correspondence with publisher, agent, readers, and other writers. I have an active online presence which needs attention daily, as well.

I am also a late-in-life part-time college student, taking my classes online, so at least a couple of days a week, you’ll find me doing assignments and taking quizzes. For some reason, I rarely use my office for that. The kitchen table seems to suit me better. Probably because it is a large table and I can really spread out.

I feel very blessed to be able to work at home. I had a full-time job when I wrote my first book. In fact, I wrote nine novels over the course of nine years while still working full time. The month my ninth book released, I quit my job in order to write full time. Seventy books and almost 28 years later, I’m still at it. As I said, I am blessed.