About the Book

Book:  Hope for Tomorrow

Author: Michelle De Bruin

Genre:  Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: October 2018

A young man leaves his career and agrees to board the teacher who offers him a priceless gift.

When Logan De Witt learns of his father’s sudden death, he returns home to the family’s dairy farm and chooses to stay. As a way to make some extra money, he agrees to board the teacher for their local school.

Karen Millerson arrives from Chicago and accepts the role of country school teacher. Eager to put her family’s ugly past behind her, Karen makes a fresh start in her new surroundings as a way to replace the trust she lost in her father.

Can Karen learn to trust again? Will Logan lay aside his grief in exchange for God’s purpose for his life?

Click here to get your copy!

MY REVIEW

This is a beautiful story set in 1910. Towns were just starting to grow and farming was a way of life for many. Logan had left his family to pursue his calling that God had  for him to be a pastor in Oswell City, Ohio. He loved being there and helping people in his town who needed spiritual guidance. Little did he know that his life was about to change. Logan received tragic news about a family member and needed  to go home. He was upset to leave his congregation but knew  that  God wanted him to go home to take care of his mother and sister. I wondered how he would feel leaving behind his dream of pastoring a church. I liked that he didn’t hesitate to go home because family has always been important to him. 

The lovely Karen Millerson was finally going to be a teacher. Her dream was coming true and she couldn’t wait to get to her destination. It’s funny how God changes our direction while supplying everything we need to fulfill His calling. Karen was excited about being a high school teacher but she soon learns that she has been reassigned to teach at a little school in Silver Grove, Iowa. It will be a test of her faith as she finds herself renting a room from Logan’s mother and teaching in a one room school. It must have been so hard in those days to teach all grades under one roof. It kind of reminded me of Little House on the Prairie. 

I especially liked Tilley, Logan's sister.  She is having a very hard time with her father’s death. She blames herself and blames God for  not saving him. Her anger towards God spills out into an attitude of bitterness and jealousy. She doesn’t like Karen and resents her for taking her brother’s attention away from her. They use to be so close, but Tilly has it in her head that Logan is ignoring her and focusing more on the new school teacher. Oh bot dies Tilly need an attitude adjustment.

The story is an emotional journey through grief, forgiveness, trust and faith. I loved how the author showed how important family is. Logan coming home to help on the farm was a testimony to how important family is to him. His obedience to God is a great lesson  on trusting Him and knowing that He  has a plan for our lives. The relationship between brother and sister is a lesson in forgiveness and letting  go of anger. I loved seeing how slowly Logan and Karen’s relationship developed. This is a wonderful look at a time period where  farm life was hard and how families come  together to help each other out. 

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. 

About the Author

Michelle De Bruin lives in Iowa with her husband and two teenage sons. She has a bachelor’s degree in Religion with a Christian Ministry emphasis, and in Music. Michelle is the spiritual services provider for an organization that offers services for people with mental and physical disabilities. She has been a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) since 2015. Michelle writes inspirational historical romance about people who live in rural communities. Characters that bring to life the delights of farm and small-town living, whispers of Dutch heritage, and Christian faith make Michelle’s stories distinct. A romantic at heart, Michelle is always on the lookout for glimpses of God’s love through the window of a good story. Her first book, Hope for Tomorrow, released in 2018. The sequel, Promise for Tomorrow, released November 2019

More from Michelle

Hope for Tomorrow is a story that explores responses to uncertainty and the grief that comes from sudden losses. The main characters of the story have experienced unexpected changes that press them to grow deeper in their faith. Psalm 30:5 reminds us that weeping may linger through the night, but joy comes with the morning. Logan De Witt, his mother, his sister, and Karen Millerson the new teacher, learn this truth for themselves as the events of the story’s plot unfold.

My hope is that readers will learn the best way to respond to loss and change while also finding pleasure in the ways the Lord introduces joy and unexpected blessings into our lives.

An excerpt

“How far must we travel to reach Bridgewater Springs?” Glad to finally be able to see above the cornfields, Karen scanned the horizon. No buildings indicated the location of another town. Only the silhouettes of silos, hip roof barns, and a few windmills broke up the landscape.

“We ain’t goin’ to Bridgewater Springs.”

“What do you mean?” Karen’s middle stretched tight.

“Didn’t anyone tell ya?” The school board chairman turned to her. Crows’ feet etched deep lines in the sun-browned skin around his eyes.

“I received a letter that said I am to teach English and reading at the Bridgewater Springs High school.”

Mr. Hinkley shook his head and clicked his tongue. “Oh, the sad communication in our school systems these days.” Slapping a horse with the reins, he cleared his throat. “The school in Bridgewater Springs combined subjects. The community got worried about how many students might actually decide to go on to high school. They wanna hold off before hiring too many teachers. Don’t wanna get too carried away with offering a lot of subjects if no one comes to school to take ‘em. You know how that goes.” He transferred both reins to one hand, reached in his front pocket, pulled out a toothpick, and stuck it in a corner of his mouth.

The toothpick wagged a bit before he continued speaking. “At the last minute, the superintendent told me that the girl who taught our school last year got engaged over the summer. So, since you were a teacher without a school, and we were a school without a teacher, he made the decision to send ya here.” He chewed on the toothpick for a moment before looking over at her once again. “Sorry ya have to find out this way. I thought maybe someone already told ya.”

“You mean to tell me, to tell me that I . . .” She gave up in a sigh that collapsed all the air from her lungs.

“Now I know we ain’t the most educated folks you’ll run across, but our kids deserve a chance. Just like any in the big city.”

“But I . . . I still need to . . . to . . .” Karen groaned about the sputtering that betrayed her chaotic mind. She drew in a deep breath and tried again. “I traveled all this way to begin my career.”

“Well, now, I think we can work somethin’ out.” Mr. Hinkley drove on a road that crested a small hill and dipped to a stone bridge spanning a brook.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, May 30

Inklings and notions, May 31

reviewingbooksplusmore, May 31

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 1

For Him and My Family, June 2

deb’s Book Review, June 3

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 4

Maureen’s Musings, June 4

Betti Mace, June 5

Older & Smarter?, June 6

For the Love of Literature, June 7

Lighthouse Academy Blog, June 8 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Read Review Rejoice, June 9

Vicky Sluiter, June 10

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 11

Pause for Tales, June 12

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card & signed 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/fa0c/hope-for-tomorrow-celebration-tour-giveaway