Welcome to my review of Jill Weatherholt’s July release, A Dream of Family. Featuring a bookstore and a precious little girl, this uplifting story is filled with special moments.
ABOUT THE A DREAM OF FAMILY
From the minute Molly Morgan saw sad-eyed little Grace, she longed to give her a happy home. But Molly’s struggling bookstore is endangering her adoption chances. Outgoing entrepreneur Derek McKinney has a puppy Grace adores–and a plan to save Molly’s business. But can he and Molly put their troubled past behind them in time to make a family for a lifetime?
MY REVIEW OF A DREAM OF FAMILY
With its warmth and compassion, A Dream of Family refreshes the heart. A perfect book for summer reading!
Whispering Slopes is a delightful town to visit for a bit of relaxing and to get a dose of pure small town friendliness. With the addition of a sweet romance and an even sweeter little girl, this story left me with sighs of happy contentment.
In the past, Molly Morgan had many dreams crushed, and now, just as her heart’s desire of having a family is within reach, she faces losing both her independent bookstore and precious little Grace, the foster child she hopes to adopted.
Successful Derek McKinney opens a branch of his thriving coffee shop business adjacent to Molly’s store. Operating next door to the woman whose wedding day he ruined two years earlier will be a challenge, but his promise to help Molly succeed will also further his plans…..in more ways than either of them expect.
Reading this story of hope….when life is hard and discouraging….is warmly comforting. The characters are touching as they face struggles, but persevere to overcome past situations and learn to forgive. Molly’s feelings of doubt about herself make her believable. And Derek is a great hero, willing to help Molly achieve her dreams. I love small town romance stories where the community cheers for the couple to fall in love and folks offer homestyle wisdom. If you’re looking for a feel-good romance, I highly recommend A Dream of Family!
Favorite quotes: “Don’t ever compare yourself to others. This is your journey, and yours alone. Comparing it with others’ will steal your joy quicker than anything.”
She had to continue to cling to her faith and believe in the impossible—in promises.
*I was given a copy of this book with no requirement to write a positive review. I’m pleased to offer my honest opinion.
SCRIPTURE
And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. ~~Luke 11:9
A DREAM OF FAMILY by Jill Weatherholt
Thank you for stopping by to read my review. Jill writes such heartwarming stories. I’m sure you’ll enjoy this book, its characters and the charming small town of Whispering Slopes. This is a perfect summertime read….with hot or iced tea! Please visit Jill at her website:http://www.JillWeatherholt.com. Sign up for her refreshing newsletter featuring her beloved “hummies” and to purchase her books. You’ll enjoy getting to know Jill. She spreads happiness and joy with her uplifting Love Inspired romances.
And yes, it has been awhile since I posted on my blog. The beginning of 2021 brought many changes and blessings. I’ll post about these exciting adventures soon. I hope your summer is filled with God’s sparkling treasures.
With prayers and blessings,
Sherida
*Comments are appreciated and will appear after moderation. I apologize for delays in posting.
A teatime celebration for A HOME FOR HER DAUGHTER.
Welcome to my #Teatime celebration of Jill Weatherholt’s newest inspirational romance, A Home for Her Daughter. Jill is a special friend and an amazing author. I’m thrilled to chat with you about this sweet contemporary story.
ABOUT A HOME FOR HER DAUGHTER
To give her daughter a brighter future, she must leave the past behind.
Inheriting a house, money and a camp is the fresh start Janie Edmiston has been praying for. But the will stipulates Janie must work with her childhood friend—and crush—Drew Brenner, to get the camp running…or lose it all. The newly divorced mother and the widower aren’t looking for love, but sometimes it takes a child to show two broken hearts the way forward…together.
MY REVIEW
I was immediately drawn into this story and couldn’t stop reading!
An uplifting book about two people dealing with past hurts and helping each other find happiness! What adventures are ahead for Janie and Drew as they work together to save a childhood camp and try to heal from difficult pasts.
Divorced single mom Janie Edmiston returns to Whispering Slopes, Virginia, with her charming daughter. She learns she has inherited a summer camp from a dear friend, but the lady’s will comes with conditions. She and her former close friend, Drew Brenner, must work together to restore and open Rocky River Camp by July 4, or neither will be left anything. Working so closely with a woman he was once attracted to is a concern for park ranger Drew. He prefers his solitary life on the trail after a devastating loss.
The hurtful situation Janie needed to recovery from and the terrible guilt Drew carried were difficult…almost impossible…obstacles to overcome, but through trusting in faith, support from their small town community and the desire to establish a home for precious little Riley, a sweet romance develops between this couple. I was completely engaged with this story. I highly recommend A Home for Her Daughter to those seeking an uplifting story of overcoming challenges to reach special dreams ….and a beautiful happily ever after. Joy can be just beyond life’s difficult times!
Favorite quote: “There’s nothing sweeter than a child who speaks from the heart.”
*I received a copy of this book with no requirement to write a review. I’m pleased to offer my honest opinion.
Author Jill Weatherholt
ABOUT JILL WEATHERHOLT
This is Jill’s fourth Love Inspired contemporary romance, each filled with heart-touching inspiration and a sweet happily ever after. I’ve come to know Jill through her stories and interactions on her blog. She is an amazing friend….and a hummingbird enthusiast! You should see her “hummie” photos! To learn more about Jill….and to see those energetic hummingbirds….visit her website: www.jillweatherholt.com
TEA AND TREATS
I’m serving Sparkling Lavender Sugar Shortbread cookies for our celebration, along with Lavender Lemon Gunpowder tea from New Mexico Tea Company. The violet tea pot was a gift from my mother, hand painted by a friend of hers. The reason I’m featuring lavender? Lavender is the favorite color of little Riley, Janie’s daughter. So let’s celebrate a lovely day and a good book!
Sparkling Lavender Sugar Shortbread Cookies
RECIPE FOR SPARKLING LAVENDER SUGAR SHORTBREAD COOKIES
In a food processor, blend together 1-1/4 cups flour and 3 Tablespoons sugar. Add 1/2 cup butter, cut into pieces. Pulse until combined. The mixture will be crumbly. Turn out onto a cutting board. Sprinkle in 1 to 2 Tablespoons lavender-colored sparkling sugar. (I bought the lavender sugar from the Queen Mary Tea Shop in Seattle, Washington….my favorite place to celebrate with afternoon tea. To match a theme, you can use any color of decorator/course sugar. You could add a little flavoring, perhaps to go with the color….yellow course sugar with lemon extract would be good.) Knead together to disperse sugar. Flatten dough into a 5” x 8” rectangle about 1/2 inch thick. Top with more colored sugar, if desired, patting in gently to stick to the dough. Put in the dough in a freezer for 15 minutes. Remove from the freezer and cut into 1 inch square cookies. Place each on a cookie sheet. Bake in a preheated 325 degree oven for about 15 minutes, watching carefully so the cookies don’t brown. Take them out of the oven and cool on the pan until set.
BIBLE SCRIPTURE
A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps. ~~Proverbs 16:9
Thank you for joining the release celebration forA Home for Her Daughter…..a hopeful story of trusting God during difficult times. I pray you feel close to our Lord when you are faced with life’s challenges.
With blessings and prayers,
Sherida
*Comments are appreciated and will appear after moderation. I apologize for delays in posting.
Welcome to my #TuesdayTea review of Jill Weatherholt’s newest Shenandoah Valley romance, A Mother for His Twins, a September release by Love Inspired Books. This story of forgiveness and acceptance touched my emotions in deep ways. I’m serving chocolate cake with coconut frosting, one of the hero’s specialties. Help yourself to the peppermint tea or a cup of coffee to enjoy while you read about the story. At the end of this post, I share some thoughts about why I personally feel this particular story is important to read.
A Mother for His Twins by Jill Weatherholt
THE BLURB
First-grade teacher Joy Kelliher has two new students–twin boys who belong to her high school sweetheart. If teaching Nick Capello’s sons wasn’t difficult enough, the widower’s also her neighbor…and competing for the principal job she wants. Now with little matchmakers drawing Joy and Nick together, can they overcome a painful past to build the family Joy’s always wanted?
Second chance romances are always fun….former sweethearts reconnecting after life has taken the couple in different directions. Author Jill Weatherholt’s newest book, A Mother for His Twins, touched my emotions on so many levels.
Teacher Joy Kelliher must confront a trauma from her past when her high school boyfriend returns to town with his two young sons. Widower Nick Capello is returning to his hometown to provide a new beginning for his twin boys. He is surprised to find his high school sweetheart has remained in Whispering Slopes and is applying for the same principal job he wants.
I enjoyed the characters in this story, especially the darling little twins who have such different personalities. The romance, with such a self-sacrificing hero trying to learn from his mistakes, is tender as the former sweethearts must work through the issues keeping them apart. The emotional pain Joy carries is difficult to admit, but she works hard to overcome her past. The last line of the story is one of the best I’ve read, followed by a perfect epilogue. I loved A Mother for His Twins!
Favorite quote: “You can’t change the past, but moving forward, you can do things differently.”
*I was given a copy of this book with no requirement to write a review. I’m delighted to offer my honest opinion.
ABOUT JILL WEATHERHOLT
Weekdays, Jill Weatherholt works for the City of Charlotte. On the weekend, she writes contemporary stories about love, faith and forgiveness. Raised in the suburbs of Washington, DC, she now resides in North Carolina. She holds a degree in psychology from George Mason University and a paralegal studies certification from Duke University. She shares her life with her real-life hero and number one supporter. Jill loves connecting with readers.
Jill is also an author in the new collection, Autumn Hearts, five stories of romance during the fall season. Please visit Jill’s website at www.JillWeatherholt.com to order any of her books. “Writing Stories of Love, Faith and Happy Endings While Enjoying the Journey.” I like her Facebook page which includes inspiring hummingbird photos. I also suggest signing up for her email newsletter!
THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME FOR TEA AND CHOCOLATE CAKE. I hope you enjoyed this review and a moment of virtual refreshment. If you want to read more thoughts on why A Mother for His Twins especially touches my heart, continuing reading. One of the reasons storytellers are important is their ability to give readers glimpses into different life situations. This allows us to appreciate and empathize with the emotions of others. I thank Jill for writing such a story. There are spoilers ahead, so come back AFTER you read the book if you don’t want any further details about this story and how it connects to my personal experience. Isn’t trusting Him with answered prayers… and unanswered prayers…. a deep walk of faith?
In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. ~~1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)
When you read A Mother for His Twins, you will note my fun surprise on page 62. *smile* Thank you, Jill Weatherholt!
With prayers and blessings always, Sherida
*Your thoughts are appreciated. I apologize for delays in moderating and posting comments.
CAUTION: SOME SPOILERS AHEAD!
My thoughts on the value of storytelling…… This is a difficult post to write, but it is important to thank authors for writing about difficult topics. Reading helps us understand and have empathy for others who have faced challenges different from our own experience. Jill Weatherholt’s book, A Mother for His Twins, touched a subject dear to my heart…infertility.
After graduating from the same Connecticut high school, my boyfriend and I both headed to Colorado colleges, our chosen universities several miles from each other. Our relationship continued to develop despite the distance between our schools. We tried to arrange Saturday dates as often as we could coordinate our plans. At the end of one special date, the guy I’d fallen for in high school began to propose to me….making sweet declarations of love and saying he wanted me to be the mother of his children. He was stunned when I burst into tears, crying uncontrollably. As my confused boyfriend tried to console me, I explained…between sobs….a doctor had recently told me I had a medical condition making it difficult to conceive a baby. I might not ever be able to have his children. Now that he knew my problem, would he reject me? Stop loving me? After calming me down, my hero said he wanted me to be his wife, no matter what our future held. After I graduated from college with a degree in elementary education, we said our vows in my grandparents’ little Kansas church.
Our married life was full. My husband received his diploma, then did some Army training as a 2nd Lieutenant in Washington. We moved to Chicago, then Guam for a few weeks, then New Mexico, then back to Colorado for his graduate school. Finally we settled down, bought our first home in a tiny mountain town, and I was happily teaching young children. But despite years of infertility tests and treatments, we didn’t have a baby. My desire to have a child consumed my thoughts and emotions. The testing was expensive, painful at times, and extremely frustrating. The medications caused wild emotional turmoil.
Anguish. What was wrong with me that I couldn’t be a normal woman?
Despair. How could something I wanted with all my heart be impossible for me?
Envy. Why were other women so easily able to become pregnant….seeming to take their motherhood for granted?
Anger. How could some women discard a precious life?
Doubt. Why didn’t God answer our prayers?
Eleven years had passed after our wedding day. We began to look into other options to become parents, but at that time, adoption was a difficult process with a long waitlist. Resigned that our life would be without children, we accepted we could be happy as a childless couple. We’d focus on our rewarding careers, but a piece of our hearts would miss the babies we’d never have.
Miracles do happen! Finally I got the news I was pregnant! We were ecstatic to find we going to have the child we had prayed so long for!
Because of complications which threatened the baby, I took a leave of absence from my kindergarten teaching job so I could have complete bed rest for the next five months. We prayed for the safe arrival of our child. Finally our son was delivered by C-section….a healthy baby boy!
Two years later, I was pregnant again…with twins. However, an ultrasound showed one baby didn’t have a heartbeat. The doctor cautioned I might not be able to carry the remaining baby long enough for him to survive. We prayed. And miracles really do happen! With another emergency C-section, our second son arrived, full-term.…healthy and strong.
However, not all prayers are answered the way we’d like them to be. For the third time, I found I was pregnant. This time God had a different plan. That unexpected child joined the sibling in heaven. I’ll have two babies to rock and cuddle when I get there someday.
Through everything, we are forever grateful for our two miracles who are now outstanding men. Additionally, we now have three precious grandsweeties!
Why did my husband and I receive these miracles when other couples struggle and never become parents? I don’t have answers. God loves us all equally, so why we have children and others don’t is a mystery only He knows. Since I’ve walked awhile in the infertility path, I have empathy for women who don’t become pregnant, but I can’t truly know the feeling of loss they have.
Thank you, Jill, for writing a book I hope will help others understand the consuming emotions of the highly personal and difficult situation some women face when trying to become mothers. May we always support one another with love and compassion.
And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another…. ~~ 1 Thessalonians 3:12 (KJV)
I’m so happy to have you visit for my review of Second Chance Romance by Jill Weatherholt. This is a heart-touching story offering hope and healing with a second chance for happiness.
ABOUT SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE
Small-Town Daddy
Jackson Daughtry’s jobs as a paramedic and part-owner of a local café keep him busy—but the single dad’s number one priority is raising his little girl with love and small-town values. And when his business partner’s hotshot lawyer niece comes to town planning to disrupt their lives by moving her aunt away, Jackson has to set Melanie Harper straight. When circumstances force them to work side by side in the coffee shop, Jackson slowly discovers what put the sadness in Melanie’s pretty brown eyes. Now it’ll take all his faith—and a hopeful five-year-old—to show the city gal that she’s already home.
A great story of a second chance for a happily-ever-after…for two!
Second Chance Romance, by Jill Weatherholt, is a strong story of overcoming devastating sorrow with the help of faithful family members, new friends and a charming five-year-old girl.
I felt deeply for Melanie Harper who suffered a devastating loss and struggles to move on with her life. Jackson Daughtry and his daughter are the people God uses to rescue Melanie. Jackson is an exemplary hero…protective of those he holds dear. Jackson’s adorable daughter, Rebecca, is so joyous with her exuberance, positive attitude and freely-expressed love for others. The characters touched my heart as they worked through issues of trust and fear. I love the small mountain town of Sweet Gum, Virginia, located in the Shenandoah Valley, as it is brought to life by the townsfolk who help each other during difficulties. I’m ready to stop in at
The Bean Cafe for one of Phoebe’s brownies and a large portion of “happiness in a glass.”
This is a feel-good story filled with sweet romance and the blessing of love which provides hope for the future.
Favorite quotes:
“… the power of prayer is unstoppable. Nothing is ever wasted when you share it with Him.”
“Daddy says God is in control. He knows what’s best for us.”
TREATS
The Bean Cafe of Sweet Gum is co-owned by hero Jackson and Melanie’s aunt. Along with good coffee, The Bean serves huge brownies made by Aunt Phoebe, so help yourself to a big chocolate chip and nut-filled goodie.
BIBLE VERSE
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
PRAYER
Dear Lord,
Please bless Jill Weatherholt’s writing career. She brings refreshing hope and comfort through her words. May her message reach many readers and touch those with hurting hearts.
We ask this is Jesus’ name, Amen
***
Thank you, dear readers, for stopping by for a moment to chat about a sweet inspirational romance book by debut author Jill Weatherholt. May you enjoy God’s treasured blessing of hope and happiness.
Sherida Stewart 