About the Book

Book:  When Hearts Collide

Author: Sara Beth Williams

Genre:  Contemporary Christian Romance

Release Date: September 10, 2018

A reckless mistake landed Jacob “Jay” Mathews behind bars, but it was his inescapable guilt that led him to God. Upon his release, with the help of a spiritual mentor and friend, he strives to move forward with his life. Determined to graduate college, get a job, and follow God’s word, the last thing Jay needs or wants is a girlfriend. Until he meets Lacey Bennett.

When fervent prayers for reconciliation between her divorced parents go unanswered, and her older sister tragically dies, Lacey questions how God could allow such tragedies to befall her family. Turning her back on her past and God, she focuses on her future. College and theater are her ultimate goals; falling for the one type of guy she swore to avoid—a Christian—is not. No matter how much she wants to resist, Jay is irresistible.

As their relationship deepens, Jay struggles with Lacey’s unresolved anger and her unwillingness to even discuss faith. All he wants to do is reveal how God changed his life, but doing so would mean revealing his status as an ex convict. Finally, as she begins to rekindle her faith, past secrets collide, threatening to destroy everything they’ve built. Now, Jay must rely on his faith more than he ever has before. Can they learn to forgive—or is their relationship fractured beyond repair?

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 MY REVIEW 

This story is at the very root of second chances and forgiveness. We all have made mistakes that we think God will never forgive us for. Jay as a teen does something that will cause his life to unravel with harsh consequences. I liked how the author showed how drinking and driving  can cause a chain reaction of grief, bad decisions and the death of an innocent person. Being only sixteen, Jay finds himself behind bars where his freedom is taken away. 

Lacey is devastated by the loss of her sister and still struggles every day with anger and pain from that fateful day. Not only is Lacey trying to move on from losing her sister, but also the divorce of her parents. It was hard for Lacey to grasp the idea that her mother could forgive the person who accidentally killed her sister. I think what was even harder for Lacey was the fact that her mother couldn’t forgive her dad for  something  he did that hurt so much that divorce was the outcome. It brings up a good point of showing how we choose to forgive one person but not another one. God doesn’t say one sin is worse than the other. Sin is sin and not measured by anything. I have been guilty of not forgiving someone . I allowed my pride to interfere and refuse to let go of my bitterness. 

The story is very well written and I really liked the journey Jay took as he allowed God to change him from the inside out. It is a very emotional look at second chances and how one person was able to completely change their life through the love of Jesus. I liked how the author had Lacey and Jay become friends. Jay knows that Lacey is angry at God but he doesn’t know why. He does ask Lacey to go to church with him, but she refuses. 

The author uses two hurting people and walks them through trials as they both struggle with lingering questions of why. Don’t we sometimes question why God let’s bad things happen? Why didn’t he heal our loved one or why do we struggle so much in our lives? Theses questions are all valid and the author uses examples to help explain sone of the answers to these questions.

I loved everything about this book and how the author takes several characters through a journey to forgiveness and making amends with family and friends. One of the most powerful things in this story is a confession that is made by someone. Even though it will hurt others, I feel that the person was set free from guilt. Never doubt that your testimony is not important. The trials we go through help us become  stronger and by sharing what God did in your life  can help someone struggling with the same issues. God loves us and wants us to walk in peace and freedom. 

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

About the Author

Sara Beth Williams is a wife, mother of two daughters, and temporary caretaker of a lovable old lady pit and a spunky Pomeranian-Shih Tzu mix. She lives in Northern California. When she’s not held hostage by the keyboard, she enjoys music, teaching, reading and spending time with her family. She is all about connecting with readers! Find her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, Bookbub and AllAuthor.

More from Sara Beth

I’d had the beginnings of the story that is When Hearts Collide, in my mind for many years after I graduated high school. There are a number of personal experiences both from high school and after, which have influenced this story. Attending a memorial service for a fellow high school student who died in a car accident heavily influenced the early drafts of my novel; however, over time the accident itself, and the surrounding circumstances morphed into something else entirely. 

The more books I read, no matter the genre, the more I am drawn to authentic, broken characters, who long for (and hopefully achieve) a second chance – both in love and in life. This is the essence of When Hearts Collide.  Both Lacey and Jay long for a second chance in many aspects of their lives. 

One of the key components in my writing and storytelling is creating authentic characters who experience real life challenges while embarking on a journey of faith. 

I hope you truly enjoy this story of romance, faith, forgiveness, and second chances. 

Blog Stops

Inklings and notions, September 9

Remembrancy, September 10

Simple Harvest Reads, September 11 (Author Interview)

Godly Book Reviews, September 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 13

Artistic Nobody, September 14 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Texas Book-aholic, September 15

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, September 16

A Baker’s Perspective, September 17 (Author Interview)

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, September 17

For Him and My Family, September 18

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 19

Sara Jane Jacobs, September 20

Blossoms and Blessings, September 21 (Author Interview)

Cultivating Us, September 21

Ashley’s Bookshelf, September 22

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sara is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of the winner’s choice of one of Sara’s books!!

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/10096/when-hearts-collide-celebration-tour-giveaway