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Tuesday, December 8, 2020

 

About the Book

Book: Forgiven Again

Author: Gina Holder

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: November 3, 2020

She’s running for governor. He’s a pastor. 

Will they risk their lives to keep a secret?

Annie Staten, now known as Kathleen Phillips, has dreamed of pursuing a political career and following in her father’s footsteps. But Richard was a hated man during his tenure as governor and now his enemies will stop at nothing to prevent his daughter from winning the election.

Ryan Whitestone has loved Annie since high school, but his heart is broken by the woman she has become. When the daughter she gave up for adoption comes back into her life, can he help her heal from her pain and remind her of who she used to be?

Will Kathleen be able to forgive herself, put the past behind her, and find love again?

The continuing story of No Greater Love.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Gina Holder dreamed of being a writer from her early teen years. She lives in Colorado with her husband and daughter. When she’s not homeschooling or working on her next novel, she enjoys reading, watching movies, cooking, singing, and playing the piano. Her indie published debut novel was released in 2017.

 

More from Gina

Forgiven Again: Extended Epilogue

The rag was warm and wet in her hand as Kylie wiped down the café countertop. Her shoes pinched her feet, and she was looking forward to kicking them off and plopping down on the couch with a movie and a leftover cinnamon roll.

As Kylie stretched across the flat surface, her hair fell into her face. She dropped onto her heels, then brushed the strand of hair out of her eyes. She turned to shake the cloth over the trashcan when the doorbell jingled behind her. Had she forgotten to switch off the open sign?

“I’m sorry. We’re closed,” she called over her shoulder. But instead of hearing the bell again, coins clunked down on her clean counter. She turned to face the late customer and cleared her throat. “Maybe you didn’t hear me. I said, we’re closed.”

The man about her own age nodded. His blond hair was knotted in dreadlocks and looked like it hadn’t been washed in months. His skin was tanned, and his clothes were well-worn. “I heard you. I just could really use a bottle of water.” His voice crackled, raspy and dry.

Compassion smote Kylie’s heart. It wouldn’t hurt to sell this guy one bottle of water before she sent him on his way. She turned to the fridge and opened the sticky door. The rush of cold air sent chills up her arms. “You look like you’ve been on the road awhile. Just passing through or hoping to stick around?”

“Hoping to stay awhile. I’m actually looking for someone.”

Kylie grabbed a cold water, then sat it on the counter. “That’ll be a dollar twenty-five.”

The man slid the coins toward her. Kylie took five quarters and dropped them into the cash register drawer. “Who are you looking for? Maybe I know them. This is a pretty small town.”

He twisted off the lid and poured the water down his throat. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he drank. When the bottle was empty, he sighed and wiped his arm across his lips. “Thank you. I appreciate you staying open for me.”

“Can I get you anything else?”

“No, thanks.”

Did he turn down her offer because he truly didn’t want anything else or he just couldn’t afford anything else? She glanced over at the boxed cinnamon roll waiting for her to take home. She grabbed it and slid in across the counter. “Hey. This was left over from this morning. I was just going to toss it out. You’re welcome to it.”

The young man’s eyes widened. His stomach audibly growled. His neck reddened. “Thank you. That is truly kind of you.” He stretched out his hand. “Christopher.”

Kylie smiled and took his hand. “Kylie. Nice to meet you.”

An odd look passed over the stranger’s face. “Kylie? I’m looking for a Kylie.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Really? I’m the only one in town that I know of.”

“Kylie Phillips?”

“Yes. That’s me.”

“My name is Christopher Phillips. I’m your brother.”

 MY REVIEW 

I’m not sure where to start with my review. I am so overcome with emotions that I can’t stop crying. How do you let readers know that the book you just read changed you forever? I have done things in my life I am not proud of. Like Kathleen, I thought God  would never forgive me. How can he forgive us when we turn our back on Him? The simple answer is mercy and grace. Kathleen has kept a secret for a very long time hoping it would never be found out. What do you say to the daughter you gave up at birth? 

Paige is such a gentle and kind person. All she wants is to get to know her mother and hope for a relationship between them. Is she naive to think that her mother will be excited to reunite with her? I know what it is like to be shunned by your mother. My mother and father told me they hated me on a daily basis and said I would never amount to anything. They forced me to watch my brothers open Christmas presents, while I sat there with none. My heart went out to Paige as she once again feels the pain of rejection. She can’t understand why a mother would abandon her child. Her pain can be felt in every tear she sheds and every ugly word her mother speaks to her. To hear her mother say, “I wish she had never been born,” penetrated her broken heart. How do you forgive after hearing that? 

Kathleen is a very stoic, selfish, prideful woman. It was hard to like her with all she has done in her life. Her father was everything to her and she tried to always please him. I felt like Kathleen made her dad an idol in her life. Her downfall was not being stronger and allowing her decisions to hurt others. Her desire to go up the political ladder could cost her more than her life. Someone wants her out of the race for governor and will try blackmail, intimidation and bodily harm to scare her off. The best part of the entire book is watching Kathleen slowly change and start to believe that God does  love her. Forgiveness is a hard lesson for several characters. It is easy to forgive other but to forgive ourselves is much harder. It comes with admitting our faults and swallowing our pride. 

Lastly I briefly want to mention Ryan.What a compassionate man he is. He has never stopped loving Kathleen. When he finds out about a secret she has kept from him, he is hurt. All these years  not knowing he had a daughter breaks his heart. He does something  I thought was very brave. Going to men in authority at the church he pastors and confessing his sin, was nothing short of courage. This brief part in the book is important to mention because it illustrates the scripture, “He without sin cast the first stone.” 

The book is one I will never forget. God says to forgive seventy times seven. God wants us to forgive others quickly and with grace. Kathleen not only experienced forgiveness but felt the overwhelming mercy God gave her. He never left her and in her sin, he loved her unconditionally. The ending is beautiful and this author has become one of my favorites.

“Love is patient”

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


Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, December 3

21st Century Keeper at Home, December 3

Ashley’s Bookshelf, December 4

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 5

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 6

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 7

Texas Book-aholic, December 8

Artistic Nobody, December 9 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Sara Jane Jacobs, December 10

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, December 10

For Him and My Family, December 11

Older & Smarter?, December 12

Inklings and notions, December 12

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 13

Betti Mace, December 14

deb’s Book Review, December 14

CarpeDiem, December 15

Pause for Tales, December 16

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Gina is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon Gift card and a copy of Books 1 and 2 of the Shadows Over Whitman series, No Greater Love and Forgiven Again!!

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/10455/forgiven-again-celebration-tour-giveaway


5 comments:

  1. It was so brave of you to share this! Thank you! I’m in awe that God would use my book to touch your heart! God bless you as you continue to find healing. Thank you for sharing your review and for being part of this tour.

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  2. Wonderful review, Deana! Sounds like one not to miss. Thank you for sharing.

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  3. Forgiveness is such an important topic!

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