Category Archives: Goddesses Anonymous Series

July 15, 2015 · 11:57 pm

Review: The Color of Light by Emilie Richards

color lightTitle: The Color of Light by Emilie Richards
Goddesses Anonymous Series Book Four
Publisher: MIRA
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction
Length: 496 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

The deeper the darkness, the brighter the light 

For more than a decade minister Analiese Wagner has felt privileged to lead her parishioners along a well-lit path. Her commitment has never been seriously tested until the frigid night she encounters a homeless family huddling in the churchyard. Offering them shelter in a vacant parish house apartment and taking teenage Shiloh Fowler—a girl desperate to rescue her parents—under her wing, she tests the loyalty and faith of her congregation.

Isaiah Colburn, the Catholic priest who was her first mentor and the man she secretly longed for, understands her struggles only too well. At a crossroads, he’s suddenly reappeared in her life, torn between his priesthood and his growing desire for a future with Analiese.

Divided between love and vows they’ve taken, both must face the possibilities of living very different lives or continuing to serve their communities. With a defeated family’s trust and her own happiness on the line, Analiese must define for herself where darkness ends and light begins.

Review:

The Color of Light is another thought-provoking and poignant addition to Emilie Richards’ wonderful Goddesses Anonymous series. In this outing, minister Analiese “Ana” Wagner’s judgment is called into question when she steps in to help a homeless family. As if she does not have enough on her plate, she is surprised by the sudden reappearance of her longtime friend and mentor Father Isaiah Colburn. Although they have been out of touch for several years, they easily pick up where they left off but Ana is disconcerted by the realization that she is still in love with Isaiah. Unbeknownst to Ana, Isaiah is close to finalizing a decision that will change the course of his life. Both of them are at a crossroads that leaves each of them questioning whether they have chosen the right path and if not, what comes next for them professionally and personally?

While Ana is not having a crisis of faith, she does begin to question whether or not she wants to continue her career as a minister. She is continually butting heads with some of the church’s leadership and members of the congregation and her days are filled with putting out fires and juggling meetings. Her decision to help the Fowler family is met with resistance and Ana is frustrated by some of her parishioner’s lack of compassion for their situation. Trying to get the family some assistance is a burden she willingly takes on, but Ana is coming dangerously close to burning out as she devotes most of her time to helping others.

Isaiah is also having trouble reconciling the demands of priesthood with his personal life. He is on a sabbatical to try to decide whether or not to leave the priesthood when he reconnects with Ana. Although he is close to making a final decision about his future, both Isaiah and Ana are concerned about the effect his choice will have on the future of their relationship and their careers.

The story arc about the Fowler family is particularly heart wrenching. A job loss devastated the family and they have been trying to get back on their feet for quite some time. Much of the family’s care rests on the shoulders of fourteen year old Shiloh due to her father Man’s depression and her mother Belle’s poor health. Ana steps in to help Man find work and get Belle some much needed medical attention and as their lives finally begin to turn around, Shiloh discovers she can rely on her parents to take care of her after a traumatic incident.

The Color of Light is a very heartwarming and inspiring story. As in previous installments of the Goddesses Anonymous series, Emilie Richards raises awareness of social issues in a realistic and straightforward manner. There is also a strong spiritual element to the storyline that is quite thought-provoking. All in all, it is an absolutely delightful story that tackles some real life problems with a great deal of compassion that old and new fans are sure to love.

Read my reviews of the other books in the series HERE.

2 Comments

Filed under Contemporary, Emilie Richards, Goddesses Anonymous Series, Harlequin, Mira, Rated B, Review, Romance, The Color of Light

June 23, 2014 · 11:57 pm

Review: No River Too Wide by Emilie Richards

too wideTitle: No River Too Wide by Emilie Richards
Goddesses Anonymous Series Book Three
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: Harlequin MIRA
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction, Romance
Length: 496 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Some betrayals are like rivers, so deep, so wide, they can’t be crossed. But—for those with enough courage—forgiveness, redemption and love may be found on the other side.

On the night her home is consumed by fire, Janine Stoddard finally resolves to leave her abusive husband. While she is reluctant to involve her estranged daughter, she can’t resist a chance to see Harmony and baby Lottie in Asheville, North Carolina, before she disappears forever.

Harmony’s friend Taylor Martin realizes how much the reunited mother and daughter yearn to stay together, and she sees in Jan a chance to continue her own mother’s legacy of helping women in need of a fresh start. She opens her home, even as she’s opening her heart to another newcomer, Adam Pryor. But enigmatic Adam has a secret that could destroy Taylor’s trust…and cost Jan her hard-won freedom.

The Review:

No River Too Wide, the newest addition to Emilie Richards’ heartwarming Goddesses Anonymous series, is another beautiful novel about family, friendship and healing. In this outing, Harmony Stoddard’s mother, Jan, finally escapes her abusive marriage and, with the loving support of Harmony and fellow Goddess Taylor Martin, begins a new life in North Carolina.

Escaping her abusive husband is just the first stop in Jan’s journey and afraid of endangering Harmony and her daughter Lottie, she is planning on just a quick visit with them. Not wanting to lose touch with her mom again, Harmony persuades Jan to live with Taylor and help out with Taylor’s pre-teen Maddie. Jan uneasily settles in with Taylor and although she is overwhelmed with her newfound freedom, she slowly begins to regain her self-confidence.

Insight into Jan’s marriage is provided through a series of tapes where Jan reveals the slow and insidious progression of abuse by her husband Rex. She recounts the chilling events that left her hopelessly trapped in her marriage and fearful for her children’s lives.  These heartbreaking accounts are a realistic depiction of why it is so difficult leave an abusive relationship and it also demonstrates some of the warning signs that a relationship is in danger of becoming abusive.

As Jan is picking of the pieces of her life, so are Taylor and Harmony. Both are entering into new territory when they begin dating again. Taylor has been wrapped up in taking care of Maddie and getting her new business up and running while Harmony has been busy with baby Lottie. Taylor is surprised by her unexpected attraction to newcomer Adam and despite her reservations, they are soon dating. Harmony is also in the throes of a new romance with a very nice man, but their relationship lacks passion.

There is also a bit of a mystery element to No River Too Wide that centers around Rex and his insurance business. It soon becomes obvious that Adam is somehow involved with this investigation, but the exact nature of his role remains unclear for much of the novel. When Taylor discovers the truth about why he is in town, her issues with trust issues and forgiveness jeopardize their relationship.

No River Too Wide is an emotional and thought-provoking story of overcoming years of emotional and physical abusive. Emilie Richards has once again written a compelling story of love and forgiveness that old and new fans of Goddesses Anonymous series do not want to miss.

Read my reviews of the other books in the series HERE.

2 Comments

Filed under Contemporary, Emilie Richards, Fiction, Goddesses Anonymous Series, Harlequin, Mira, No River Too Wide, Rated B, Review, Romance

June 25, 2013 · 3:58 am

Review: Somewhere Between Luck and Trust by Emilie Richards

Title: Somewhere Between Luck and Trust by Emilie Richards
Goddesses Anonymous Series Book Two
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: Harlequin MIRA
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction, Romance
Length: 496 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Where Luck Meets Trust, Miracles Can Happen

Christy Haviland served eight months in prison, giving birth behind bars to the child of the man who put her there and might yet destroy her. Now she’s free again, but what does that mean? As smart as she is, a learning disability has kept her from learning to read. And that’s the least of her hurdles.

Georgia Ferguson, talented educator, receives a mysterious charm bracelet that may help her find the mother who abandoned her at birth. Does she want to follow the clues, and if she does, can reticent
Georgia reach out for help along the way?

Both women are standing at a crossroads, a place where unlikely unions can be formed. A place where two very different women might bridge the gap between generations and education, and together make tough choices.

Somewhere between the townships called Luck and Trust, at a mountain cabin known as the Goddess House, two very different women may even, if they dare, find common ground and friendship.

The Review:

Somewhere Between Luck and Trust is a beautifully written novel about new beginnings, family, and love. This second installment in Emilie Richards’ Goddesses Anonymous series is an endearing story about a group of friends who provide Christy Haviland a safe haven while she makes momentous decisions about her future following her release from jail.

None of the women in Somewhere Between Luck and Trust have had an easy life. Many of them have faced and overcome tremendous obstacles but they do not let their experiences define who they are. Their empathy for others along with the realization their lives could have taken a far worse turn makes it easy for them to lend a helping hand to those in need.

The first recipient of their aid is Christy Haviland. Abandoned by her family, Christy fell in love with the wrong man and when she became a liability, he framed her for a crime she did not commit. Having served her sentence, Christy is at a crossroads as she grapples with some serious decisions about her future. Her feelings about her son are complicated by her past with his father and the realization that between her prison record and her learning disability, her job opportunities are limited. With the help of Georgia Ferguson, her daughter Sam and the other women of Goddesses Anonymous, Christy soon believes a second chance at a new life is possible, but before she can embrace the future, she will have to find a way to resolve the events of her past.

There is also a romantic component to the storyline as well. The romances are understated but perfectly compliment the overall plot. Underlying Georgia’s easy friendship with Lucas Ramsey is a strong attraction and they easily transition from friends to lovers. Christy’s relationship is barely beginning as the novel ends but the slow moving romance is appropriate considering everything Christy is dealing with.

In addition to the various storylines with Christy and Georgia, there are also a couple of intriguing mysteries. The discovery of a charm bracelet provides Georgia the opportunity to find the woman who abandoned her at birth, and Lucas, Christy and Georgia use the charms to uncover valuable clues to find Georgia’s birth mother. The other mystery surrounds the terrifying reason Christy’s ex-boyfriend framed her and how far he is willing to go to keep his secrets from being revealed.

Somewhere Between Luck and Trust is an engaging and captivating novel that brings attention to relevant social and educational issues in a way that readers can relate to. The characters are kind-hearted and compassionate with a genuine desire to help those in need. Emilie Richards gives this multi-layered novel a realistic ending that is unexpected but satisfying.

Read my review of One Mountain Away, the first installment of the Goddesses Anonymous series HERE.

1 Comment

Filed under Contemporary, Emilie Richards, Fiction, Goddesses Anonymous Series, Harlequin, HarlequinMira, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Somewhere Between Luck and Trust

July 24, 2012 · 3:57 am

One Mountain Away by Emilie Richards

Title: One Mountain Away by Emilie Richards
Goddesses Anonymous Series Book One
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: HarlequinMIRA
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 480 pages
Book Rating: A

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

With nothing but brains, ambition and sheer nerve, Charlotte Hale built a career as a tough, do-anything-to-succeed real-estate developer. She’s at the top of that mountain…but her life is empty. Her friends are as grasping and insincere as she has become. Far worse, she’s alienated her family so completely that she’s totally lost touch with her only daughter.

One terrifying day, facing her own mortality, she realizes that her ambition has almost destroyed her chance at happiness.

So Charlotte vows to make amends, not simply with her considerable wealth, but by offering a hand instead of a handout. Putting in hours and energy instead of putting in an appearance. Opening her home and heart instead of her wallet.

With each wrenching, exhilarating decision, Charlotte finds that climbing a new mountain–one built on friendship, love and forgiveness–will teach her what it truly means to build a legacy.

The Review:

One Mountain Away by Emilie Richards is a heart-felt and thought-provoking novel that beautifully illustrates it is never too late to make amends for past mistakes. Re-evaluating her life and her priorities, Charlotte Hale regrets many things in her past. At the top of that list is her estrangement from her daughter Taylor, granddaughter Maddie and ex-husband Ethan. Realizing it is never too late to undo past mistakes, she attempts to heal old wounds and in doing so, she seizes various opportunities to make a lasting and meaningful difference in other people’s lives.

Charlotte Hale is a successful woman who sacrificed her family in her effort to distance herself from her poor and humble beginnings. She is an astute businesswoman who is brassy and bold with a no holds barred approach to both her professional and personal lives. With her “my way or the highway” attitude, she amassed a fortune and a flourishing business. Now looking back, she clearly sees her past mistakes and now attempts to take responsibility for her actions.

Charlotte’s deepest regret is the loss of her relationship with her daughter Taylor. A single mother, Taylor relies heavily on her father Ethan for guidance and support. Charlotte’s attempts to reconcile with her have a surprising and life altering effect on Taylor.

Ethan Martin walked away from his marriage to Charlotte following the birth of their granddaughter. He is suspicious of her motives for re-entering their lives and he is quick to confront her. He believes she has changed, but he refuses to be the middleman between Charlotte and Taylor. He too is forced to rethink past events and accept responsibility for his role in the destruction of their marriage.

Harmony Stoddard is a young waitress in need of a helping hand when her path crosses Charlotte. With her new found awareness of her past mistakes, Charlotte invites Harmony into her home. Charlotte’s friendship with Harmony provides her the opportunity to make a real difference in someone’s life, and she offers Harmony a safe haven where Harmony makes some important decisions about her future.

Reverend Analiese Wagner might be a bit of an unconventional spiritual leader, but she has a strong faith that always comes shining through. She and Charlotte have butted heads over the years, but their mutual respect for one another leads to a surprising and close friendship when Charlotte begins to change her life.

Interspersed with her present day activities are her journal entries where Charlotte recounts the painful events of her past. She expresses her regrets and deepest sorrows for past mistakes and she reveals her hopes for the future. She realizes her culpability in her failed relationships and while she makes every effort to atone for her misdeeds, she accepts that forgiveness may not be granted.

One Mountain Away is an emotional novel that is a heartbreaking yet uplifting journey of love, forgiveness and redemption. It is a wonderful story about the bonds of friendship and the strength of faith. In the first installment of her new Goddesses Anonymous series Emilie Richards captures her readers hearts in this inspiring and deeply moving tale of deep and abiding love.

8 Comments

Filed under Contemporary, Emilie Richards, Goddesses Anonymous Series, Harlequin, HarlequinMira, One Mountain Away, Rated A, Romance