My Thoughts - Annie’s Hope Author: Merrillee Whren

 

About the Book

Book:  Annie’s Hope

Author: Merrillee Whren

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Release date: September 27, 2022

The Village of Hope: A community built on service and love

Annie Payton hopes for one thing—to regain custody of her children. She believes the Village of Hope’s lawyer will give her this chance until she learns that lawyer is Ian Montgomery, her ex-husband.

Since Ian has turned from his life of substance abuse, he’s all about helping others, but he doesn’t know if he can help his former wife. Her betrayal still brings him pain, and most people at The Village don’t know about his past relationship with Annie.

As Annie and Ian’s lives intersect, can she show him that she’s clean and sober and wants a second chance not only with her children but with him?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Merrillee Whren is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author who writes inspirational romance. She is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award for best inspirational romance manuscript presented by Romance Writers of America. She has also been the recipient of the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award and the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of forty- plus years, and has two grown daughters. She has lived in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Chicago and Florida but now makes her home in the Arizona desert. She spends her free time playing tennis or walking while she does the plotting for her novels. Please visit her Website and signup for her newsletter and connect with her on Facebook.

 

More from Merrillee

One of my writing goals is to set at least one book in every state in which I have lived. So far I have written books set in Washington State, Texas, Florida, South Dakota, Georgia, Ohio, Montana, Massachusetts, and Tennessee. I still have to write books set in Illinois and Arizona to complete my goal. Just for fun I’ve gone astray and have written a couple of Christmas novellas set in Maryland, where my older daughter lives. The third book in the series, Puppy Love and Christmas Cookies is ready for preorder.

Annie’s Hope is one of my books set in Georgia. It is the first book in The Village of Hope series. We lived in the Atlanta area for nine years when our daughters were in elementary and middle school. I have many found memories of that time. One of the things I remember is a ministry there that served older adults and had children’s homes. When I got the idea for this story, I thought of that ministry. I also have friends who served many years at a children’s home in Oklahoma. I expanded on those ministries to create The Village of Hope, a multifaceted ministry, a place that provides hope, love, and a helping hand for those in need. James 1:27 says, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” This verse fits Annie’s Hope perfectly.

Because I’m what they call an organic writer, I don’t plot my stories. I start writing and see how things unfold. I start with a set of characters and wonder what if. In the case of Annie’s Hope, I wondered how a divorced couple might find love with each other again, despite hurt and betrayal. I’m always thankful that somehow God brings everything together when I write a book.

My Thoughts

Annie’s Hope is written by Merrillee Whren. One of the things that I love about this author is the fact that she touches on subjects that others will shy away from. The subjects are difficult, but she does a great job in reminding us the power of God's forgiveness and Grace. 

Annie has had a rough past. She is divorced and is trying to regain custody of her children. She is finally trying to get herself together, but former addicts always carry that stigma. When she goes to the Village of Hope to get assistance from a lawyer, the lawyer happens to be her ex husband, Ian. 

Ian is not so thrilled to see Annie. He does not know if he wants or can help her. He had left his life of substance abuse behind. He also is a son of a preacher, and feels he has lived his life under a microscope. I loved watching the two of these characters navigate the past hurts.

Make sure you have tissues handy, you will need them. The author has crafted an amazing story that will remind you that God is so good, ALL THE TIME. The characters are well written, the story line is unforgettable. 

Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own. 

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, November 3

lakesidelivingsite, November 4

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 5

Susan K. Beatty, Author, November 6 (Author Interview)

Cover Lover Book Review, November 6

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, November 7

deb’s Book Review, November 8

Truth and Grace Homeschool,Academy, November 9

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, November 10

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 11

Britt Reads Fiction, November 12

For Him and My Family, November 12

Inklings and notions, November 13

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 14

SusanLovesBooks, November 15

Pause for Tales, November 16

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Merrillee is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of A Match to Call Ours!!

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/2266f/annie-s-hope-celebration-tour-giveaway