Looking for an exceptional romance novel with a Christmas theme that is a bit extraordinary? I would suggest you pick up Refuge of the Heart by Ruth Logan Herne. This is a heartwarming story of a Chechnian refugee that has escaped her war torn country and is seeking to find a fresh start for herself and her sister Anna here in America thanks to the goodwill of a local church as her sponsor. Even though it is difficult, Magdelena Serida knows that in time, she will earn her doctor's degree and find a new life in a better neighborhood and will be able to afford better clothes than they have now. She knows that most people wouldn't understand her past and how difficult it was to watch her entire family taken by Russian militants while the women were sold into slavery. That is the life Lena has left behind and one she hopes she can leave in the past.
Yet God is about to intervene in their lives in a most profound way all thanks to a flat tire, a snow covered night and an encounter with Mitch Sanderson, the district attorney. Mitch had hoped that the woman and child he had seen walking in the cold and snow were not the same people who would soon see the flat tire on the run down car, but they were. As a caring and compassionate man, he knew that he could not drive home without seeing to their safety and getting their flat tire changed. But God didn't want it to be simply that easy for any of them, and when the spare tire turned out to be bad as well, Anna, Lena and Mitch would have to spend time together waiting out the purchase of new tires while they grabbed a bite to eat. It is through Lena's eyes that Mitch sees life in a truly remarkable way as the Christmas season approaches. One full of gratitude and appreciation instead of expectation and it is just the change he needs in his own life after losing his wife and unborn son in a car accident. Perhaps perspective is a better choice in what he needs.
I received Refuge of The Heart by Ruth Logan Herne compliments of Franciscan Media for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation, aside from a free copy of the book, for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own. This is such an incredible feel good story of love, forgiveness, redemption and gratitude and thus the reason for it being an exceptional choice for those looking for more than simply another Christmas romance. It's a perfect reminder of what many of us in the United States never consider as we watch many war refugees fleeing from their country without knowing all the why's of what has happened to them, yet we judge them based on what we hear instead. For me this one, easily garners a 5 out of 5 in my opinion and one that will be added to my permanent library to be read each time at Christmas.
For more information about Refuge of the Heart, Ruth Logan Herne or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:
You can find Ruth Logan Herne on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.
To read more reviews on Refuge of the Heart, please visit Franciscan Media's website.
For more tour dates on Refuge of the Heart and to visit other reviewer's, please click on the links below:
- Refuge of the Heart Blog Tour:
- 10/12/2015- Spiritual Woman
- 10/13/2015- Reviews from the Heart
- 10/14/2015- Singing Librarian Books + Franciscan Mom
- 10/15/2015- The Engrafted Word + Christian Chick's Thoughts
- 10/16/2015- Reading is my SuperPower + Reconciled To You
Now for the best part, thanks to the generosity of Franciscan Media, they are offering a giveaway copy of Refuge of The Heart to one lucky follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart. Here's all you need to do to enter:
1. Be a follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart.
2. Be a resident of the US or have a US mailing address. No P.O. Boxes please.
3. Leave me a comment below, telling me why you'd love to win a copy of this book along with your email address. You can use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols. Without an email address I have no way of notifying you if you're the lucky winner.
The giveaway will end on Oct 23 and I will notify the winner by email at that time.
I am intrigued with the cover. (Yes, I am a judge a book by it's cover kind of girl. :) )
ReplyDeleteThank you!
I'm a follower.
campbellamyd at gmail dot com
What a beautiful and touching review! I am so grateful for your kind words and praise, and I'm just absolutely delighted that you loved "Refuge of the Heart". Thank you!
ReplyDeleteIn a world as big as ours, refugees are always among us. War, crime, disaster, coups, disease... there are so many reasons why people must run for their lives at times. What a distinct honor it was to tell Lena's story, one refugee, one immigrant, a woman of sacrificial love... and to see how she appreciates the greatness of America. :)
Thank you again for taking the time to do this! I love it!
I always enjoy Christmas-themed stories and I especially love those that relate the true message of Christmas. Thanks for this giveaway.
ReplyDeleteConnie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
I was picturing this as a TV movie as I read your review. It would be wonderful. Since it's not, I'd love the chance to read the story.
ReplyDeletelkish77123 at gmail dot com
I also love the cover & it always plays a huge part in picking up a book! What intrigues me about this book, first of all how two people are thrown together haphazardly but eventually it leads to a budding romance. I love to see how God puts them together through circumstances beyond their control. I love reading a good romance being a romantic at heart :-) And the fact that it's a Christian based, is even more appealing! That's all I will ever read anyway.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, it sounds like Magdelena & her child's life will change for the better. Not only because she was able to flee her war torn country & pursue her doctor's degree but because she meets a hero who will help her in a desperate situation. That already melts my heart! :-)
I think this story will have a rich depth of character & touch my life through the telling of both Magdelena & Mitch's tale. Thank you for the chance to win a copy for myself. I am also a very recent follower of your blog!
teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com