MY REVIEW:
The second book in Deborah Raney’s Hanover Falls series, Forever After focuses on two more characters affected by the devastating fire that destroyed the town’s homeless shelter and resulted in the deaths of several firefighters. Widow of firefighter Zach Morgan, Jenna has come to the realization that she can no longer pay for the lifestyle expected by her wealthy in-laws. She knows she has to make some serious adjustments but is fearful of returning to the poverty of her childhood. Lucas Vermontez is still recovering from injuries he received and is anxious to return to his duties at the fire department. Only his strong faith has kept him from despair during his long recovery period and his grief over his father’s death in the same fire. When Lucas and Jenna become reacquainted, their mutual attraction is evident but each of them has doubts about the wisdom of a relationship.
A convincing plot and well developed characters with authentic interactions made this novel a delight to read. Lucas in particular was a strong character who was not afraid to challenge Jenna when her behavior was questionable. His devotion to his family and to the Lord set a positive example that eventually helped Jenna to make the correct decisions. With a combination of drama, humor, and romance blended with a compelling message of faith, Forever After is definitely a book I would recommend to all who enjoy contemporary romance that surpasses the norm.
This book was provided for review by
LeAnn Hamby with Glass Road Public Relations.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Jenna Morgan mourned the loss of her husband, Zach, in the fire that destroyed the Hanover Falls homeless shelter and claimed the lives of three other firefighters. A year later, her ability to keep up the charade of prosperity she and Zach lived is at an end. Even with financial help from Zach’s parents, she can’t make the mortgage and credit card payments. But Jenna Morgan refuses to go back to the trailer home life from which she escaped. She’s come so far. She just can’t go back to that.
Lucas Vermontez has endured physical therapy for a year, but the legs crushed while he fought the homeless shelter fire are nowhere near 100% yet. Will his dream of returning to the fire station ever become reality? And can he conquer these feelings he has for his best buddy’s widow?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Deborah Raney is the award-winning author of several novels, including A Nest of Sparrows and the RITA award winning Beneath a Southern Sky and its sequel, After the Rains. Deborah’s first novel,
A Vow to Cherish, was the inspiration for World Wide Pictures’ highly acclaimed film of the same title, which in December 2004 aired on prime time network TV for the second time.
Deb’s novella, Playing by Heart, was a National Readers Choice Award winner and a 2004 Christy Award finalist. Her most recent novel for Howard/Simon & Schuster, Yesterday’s Embers, appeared on the ECPA Christian fiction bestseller list.
Deb has also written nonfiction books and articles and often speaks at women’s retreats and writers’ conferences around the country. She and her husband, illustrator/ author Ken Raney, have four children and make their home in Kansas.
