MY REVIEW:

Although I have not read the previous novels in Myra Johnson’s Till We Meet Again series, I had no problems keeping up with the story in “Every Tear a Memory”. I enjoyed reading about Joanna and Thomas and their families and thought the character development was excellent. The setting of Hot Springs, Arkansas is fairly close to where I live and this novel made me want to visit there soon.

Both Joanna and Thomas had an uneasy relationship with their respective families. Joanna had left home at an early age because of her difficulties with her mother and had intended to stay in France after the war. However her mother’s death and an urgent request for help from her brother brought her home to Hot Springs. Thomas, on the other hand, had remained in Hot Springs due to health issues while his brother shipped out to fight in the war. Feelings of inadequacy and an inability to please his demanding mother were constantly on his mind.  When Thomas and Joanna reconnected after many years, they quickly felt an attraction but both realize that their personalities and goals were entirely too far apart for a relationship to work.

I thoroughly enjoyed “Every Tear A Memory” as I watched Thomas and Joanna’s relationship with each other and the Lord develop. I feel certain that I will go back and read the first two novels in this series as soon as I find the time.

This book was provided for review by The Amazon VINE program.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Joanna Trapp found adventure serving in France as a “Hello Girl,” one of over 200 telephone operators called upon by General Pershing to serve in the Army Signal Corps, but she still mourns her doughboy sweetheart killed in battle. Returning to Hot Springs, Arkansas, she takes a job as a switchboard operator at the Arlington Hotel and quickly discovers that after her experiences overseas, civilian life proves dull.

Thomas Ballard still regrets he was medically ineligible to serve in the war and feels inferior to those who did, especially his war-hero brother, Gilbert. When Thomas finds himself attracted to Joanna, he strives to match her adventurous spirit, when all he really wants is to settle down, raise a family, and earn respect as a successful businessman.

As romance blossoms, can two such different people learn to accept not only their own but each other’s God-created individuality . . . or will love change them both?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Myra Johnson‘s roots go deep into Texas soil, but after surviving five icy winters and blistering summers in Oklahoma, she and her husband now enjoy the milder weather of Carolinas. The Johnsons share their home with two lovable (and very spoiled) dogs.

Myra’s most recent novels comprise the Till We Meet Again historical romance series from Abingdon Press: WHEN THE CLOUDS ROLL BY (winner of the 2014 Christian Retailing’s Best Award for historical fiction), WHISPER GOODBYE, and EVERY TEAR A MEMORY. Her debut novel, ONE IMPERFECT CHRISTMAS, was a 2009 release from Abingdon Press.

She has also written for Heartsong Presents. AUTUMN RAINS (2009) won the 2005 RWA Golden Heart for Best Inspirational Romance Manuscript and was named a 2010 ACFW Carol Award finalist. In November 2011, AUTUMN RAINS, ROMANCE BY THE BOOK, and WHERE THE DOGWOODS BLOOM (Heartsong Presents romances set in Missouri) were re-released as a Barbour 3-in-1 collection entitled GATEWAY WEDDINGS. Other recent Heartsong Presents titles include A HORSEMAN’S HEART, A HORSEMAN’S GIFT, and A HORSEMAN’S HOPE.

Myra writes full-time and is active in her church as well as local and national writers groups. Married since 1972, the Johnsons have two beautiful daughters, two terrific sons-in-law, and seven grandchildren.