They promised Jesus would be with her through everything, but is that enough?
Free-spirited vintage thrift shop owner, Carol Scape, wallowed in grief after her boyfriend’s murder. However, with newfound faith, she’s finding out what it means to die-to-self and put others first. Even if it could cost her life.
Carol is on a mission to save a runaway teen and an at-risk girl from Will Boudreaux, the man just released from jail for running a prostitution ring. The same man who previously terrorized Bay Town residents. Can’t the town get a break? Can’t she?
She’s up for the challenge, but when sparks ignite between her and the town mayor, it muddles things. Having sworn off men, he’s getting in the way of what she feels she must do. Or is he?
Restored Grace is the second book of the Bay Town Series, continuing one year after Shattered Guilt. It’s a stand-alone, amped-up, romantic suspense. Buckle your seat belt. You’re in for a ride.
My thoughts: I love how the author took a secondary character from the first book in the series and wrote a compelling story of grace and forgiveness. Carol throws her whole heart into trying to prove that a man is on the wrong side of the law when she witnesses a jumpy teen under his thumb at a local pharmacy. I love her zeal, with being a new Christian, but I also appreciated the lesson that she learned on forgiving herself for the rocky road that led her to Jesus. This is a wonderful story of forgiveness with plenty of suspense and surprises!
I received this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review.
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About the Author
Kathleen J. Robison is an Okinawan-American, born in Okinawa, and raised in California, Florida, Mississippi, and Singapore. Her travels and her family are the sources of her inspiration for her books. Kathleen and her Pastor husband have eight adult children. Seven are married, blessing them with eighteen grandchildren and counting. Her ethnically diverse background extends to her family of currently thirty-five personalities which provide many opportunities to share God’s amazing love amidst the challenges of real life.
More from Kathleen
I love writing inspirational romantic suspense featuring heroic women. In Restored Grace, Carol Scape embodies my efforts. She’s impulsive, she’s wild, she’s crazy…and she’s back. With a newfound faith in Christ, she tackles the bad guy with a style all her own.
The main character in Restored Grace is a favorite of mine. In fact, I brought her back from Book One because my Library Critique Group loved her so much. When I read a chapter from Shattered Guilt, where Carol plays a minor role, the Branch Manager Librarian laughed and quipped, “I know women just like her, and you nailed her perfectly!”
Perhaps in some ways, I secretly (I guess it’s not a secret now) wish I was her. Impulsive, the life of the party, indifferent to what people think about her, and confident in her skin. Carol is 50ish, pleasantly curvy, a boho-chic hippie with long wavy, graying, red hair that constantly tangles in her arms, and others because she moves so quickly. She wears lots of loud, jingly jewelry, and always puts on her prettiest face (with light makeup but tempted to use a heavy hand). And I love her fashion style. Colorful swirling, tiered skirts, cowboy boots, peasant tops, and fringed shawls. If I was taller, I’d love to carry that off, so I let my alter ego, Carol Scape do it for me.
Yet, in some ways, women like her used to drive me crazy. They walk into a room, and in minutes their larger-than-life personalities can’t help but draw attention. But I’m so thankful the Lord has humbled me, and if someone drives me crazy … I look at myself and see what I need to work on. Still, call it envy, expectations, or too much energy, but people like her exist, don’t they? And we must admit, they’re a lot of fun. Are you a Carol, or do you know a Carol? Either way, we’re called to love everyone. And the most important thing is caring about all people enough to be concerned for their eternity. I don’t mean judging, but sharing, encouraging, and pointing them to Jesus, whoever they may be and wherever they are in their walk.
Three particular things that I hope you’ll identify in the new Carol are her struggle with God’s grace, her selfless desire to help others, and her discovered confidence in Christ. The beauty of writing inspirational romantic suspense is bringing to life how real people, with real problems, struggle with their faith just like us, as we trust that the victory belongs to the Lord.
I hope you enjoy reading Restored Grace, and I hope you’re encouraged and inspired to receive and extend the precious grace of our Savior, Jesus, to all those whom God puts in your path…much like Carol.
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reder, July 27
Blossoms and Blessings, July 28 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 28
Texas Book-aholic, July 29
Inklings and notions, July 30
For Him and My Family, July 31
A Baker’s Perspective, August 1 (Author Interview)
lakesidelivingsite, August 1
Locks, Hooks and Books, August 2
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, August 3
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 4
deb’s Book Review, August 5
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, August 6
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 7
Blogging With Carol, August 8
Adventures of a Travelers Wife, August 9 (Author Interview)
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Kathleen is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/20388/restored-grace-celebration-tour-giveaway
I'm glad the books can be read as a stand alone, this sounds very good
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an interesting book.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts on Restored Grace, this sounds like an excellent read and I am looking forward to it
ReplyDeleteRestored Grace sounds like my kind of thrilling, edge of your seat book and I am looking forward to reading it! Thanks for sharing it with me! Thanks, Inklings and Notions, for sharing your thoughts! Have a sunshiny day!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited to read this this book!
ReplyDelete