A #TuesdayTea (or milkshake) celebrating Ruth Logan Herne books!

Welcome to my #TuesdayTea celebration of author Ruth Logan Herne’s newest release, At Home in Wishing Bridge. We’re also celebrating her Christy Award nominated book, Her Secret Daughter. The Christy Award honors the very best of Christian books. Congratulations, Ruthy!

Ice Cream Treats

In Wishing Bridge stories, there is a small town ice-cream stand where the villagers meet to satisfy their frozen treat cravings. Near her own town, Ruthy appreciates the selection from Abbott’s Frozen Custard. Knowing hometown shops are valued by the author, I’m serving milkshakes today (instead of tea) from the Vanilla Moose, our local spot for frozen treats. Choose any flavor you’d like with all kinds of mix-ins. Last weekend was closing day for the season, so my husband and I stopped by Saturday evening. I indulged in my favorite shake…..chocolate with brownie bits and almonds. Mmmm!

REVIEWS

Now to chat about Ruth Logan Herne’s heart-touching stories! The first review is of her newest book which RELEASES TODAY!

My review of At Home in Wishing Bridge

At Home in Wishing Bridge by Ruth Logan Herne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Such a delight to come back to Wishing Bridge…a village of faith, hope and love!

After three friends, brought together as teens in a home for troubled youth, find themselves reunited years later in the small village of Wishing Bridge, New York, their ties deepen as they help each other find happiness.

This second story in Ruth Logan Herne’s heart-touching series featuring this charming town finds nurse practitioner Thea Anastas offering her skills at a medical clinic where Ethan Brandenburg, the temporary doctor, has his hands full with both the patients and his recently orphaned niece and nephew. She’s ready to leave for the big city. He’s anxious to move to his promised research assignment in Chicago. However, “accidents of timing or God’s perfect timing” keep them working together in Wishing Bridge.

I completely enjoyed At Home in Wishing Bridge as this couple confronted their past issues, reluctantly becoming aware of their feelings for each other. They both had difficult childhoods, feeling unloved and worthless. It was interesting to see how they approached rising from extreme pain to lift themselves, with the help of friends, to carry on and grow in the right direction.

I felt like I was part of this community with lovable folks who struggle with issues we all face. Good solid advice is sprinkled throughout the pages, bringing your heart closer to each individual as you become involved with the challenges they face.

Max is an absolute angel as he generously offers help to others…. a great example of how we all should live, treating people with kindness and respect. Eight-year-old Mara tugged at me as she tried to cope with the loss of her parents, not understanding how her life could ever feel normal again. But as the story unfolds, each hurting person works toward a sweet resolution.

A beautiful story of hope…hope and second chances after difficult situations….the kind of story author Ruth Logan Herne does so well, bringing faith and love to people through her books.

Favorite quotes:
“If folks look out for each other, there’s a lot less trouble in the world.”
“Rusty prayers are often the best.”

Here’s my review of the first book in the series.

My review of Welcome to Wishing Bridge

Welcome to Wishing Bridge by Ruth Logan Herne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A comforting small-town story of second chances and trusting friendships….both old and new.

As Christmas approaches with a blinding blizzard, Kelsey McCleary’s arrival in the small town of Wishing Bridge, New York, is dramatic. Stranded in a tiny community with a new baby and limited funds, she is embraced by the warmth of the village and by the support of two dear friends who come to help after receiving her urgent S.O.S. call.

Police officer and rescuer Hale Jackson is a local guy who returned to his hometown after disappointments in his pro football career and in his personal life.

These two become involved amid the winter weather trials and the unraveling of a mystery. Why is the name of Wishing Bridge familiar to Kelsey? What will she find in this little community tucked into rural New York?

This new book by Ruth Logan Herne is a wonderful woman’s fiction story about the strength forged through difficult circumstances with the support of friends…both new and old. There is romance, along with the author’s signature style….small-town warmth, endearing characters, and perfect portrayals of children. Sweet baby Hayley is so huggable! Touches of faith and compassion are sprinkled throughout the pages, making Welcome to Wishing Bridge an engaging story of starting over and sparkling new beginnings.

I enjoy the endearing stories set in small town America with the values of helping others and of working hard to make the world better. I’m glad to know there will be more to come from this charming town….where wishes come true and prayers are answered.

Favorite quotes:
“Around here a lot of us like to write down our hopes and wishes. It makes them more real to see them in black and white.”
“Can’t change the wind, but the good Lord blessed us with the gumption to change up our sails. If we’re willin’ to put in the effort.”

This is my review of the Christy Award nominated book!

My review of Her Secret Daughter

Her Secret Daughter by Ruth Logan Herne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is soooooo good…..filled with the beauty of loving sacrifice!

As with any book by author Ruth Logan Herne, keep a box of tissues nearby because there are moments of tears…..tears of empathy and tears of joy. Yes, a great book! Sacrificial love themes are a favorite of mine, and Her Secret Daughter is filled with that kind of love….giving up your own desires to choose the best situation for others.

Josie Gallagher has worked hard to put her difficult past behind her, returning to the town of Grace Haven to live her dream of operating her own barbecue restaurant. But all her careful plans are swept away when handsome Jacob Weatherly arrives in town with Addie, his adopted daughter.

My heart hurts for Josie, knowing she dealt with some hard issues as a young woman. She both accepts and gives grace as she builds a new life for herself. She is strong in her determination to make things right.

Jacob is my kind of wonderful….a caring daddy and a morally strong man. He works hard to balance his work as a development executive with his most important role of providing love and a normal life for his adopted daughter, his sister’s child. And this child, Addie, is so fun, bubbling with enthusiasm. She dances on the pages!

Her Secret Daughter is so engaging, with many surprises along the way, as Josie and Jacob show that the strength of love can make the world better….and open a path to an amazing happy ever after. Did I mention Kleenex is needed?

Favorite quotes:

And with God on their side, they’d make everything work out.

He’d recognized the precious gift from God right away, almost as if it was somehow meant to be…and he’d been cherishing that gift every day since.

Ruth also had a Love Inspired cowboy book published this year.

My review of Her Cowboy Reunion

Her Cowboy Reunion by Ruth Logan Herne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A gripping romance…..hearts are challenged and life is experienced on a beautiful western ranch!

In her books, author Ruth Logan Herne tackles emotionally difficult subjects with compassion and grace, and this series debut, Her Cowboy Reunion, is just such a story. Lizzie Fitzgerald and Heath Caufield had a past relationship. It didn’t end well. When they find themselves working together on an isolated Idaho ranch near the downtrodden community of Shepherd’s Crossing, tensions flare and hearts are challenged.

My heart and emotions were held captive by the difficult situation the couple faced as they struggled with trust and their feelings for each other. Adding to the deepening of the story, I was fascinated with the depiction of ranch life on a large western spread and enchanted by the exuberant little boy, Zeke, and by the dear woman, Corrie. As the author does so well, this book has touching offerings of family wisdom along with gentle guidance for reviving community spirit. But best of all, I love a romance where love can conquer overwhelming difficulties…with faith as the guide toward forgiveness….and this story takes a heaping portion of forgiveness for past hurts and misunderstandings, but a beautiful conclusion awaits at the end.

Since I’ve lived in many small towns of the west, I was immediately invested in the concerns of Shepherd’s Crossing and look forward to seeing the community develop as the town faces the challenges ahead. I’m sure we’re in for more delights as the folks come together in hope, faith and love….with the greatest of these being love….in all its various expressions. A heartwarming book!

Favorite quotes: (Don’t you love these classic Ruth Logan Herne writing wisdom-isms?)
~~It wasn’t about the money or the power of heading up a high-priced property. It was about taking the right trail to get where you were going.
~~“What we’ve got in mind and what the good Lord’s got planned don’t always agree, but that’s what makes life interesting. Sometimes it’s a collision course. Other times it’s a wide, beautiful curve.”

*I was given copies of all these books with no requirement to write reviews. I’m delighted to offer my honest opinions about these stories.

And in other book news, December brings a Love Inspired book duet by Linda Goodnight and Ruth Logan Herne…A Cowboy Christmas.

Isn’t this cover overflowing with Christmas sparkle?

You can visit Ruthy at her website: Ruth Logan Herne’s Website

Thank you for joining me for #TuesdayTea….or….#TuesdayIceCream.

May you enjoy the treasured blessings of stories which warm your heart!

With prayers and blessings,

Sherida