A good book from a new-to-me author. It held my interest as the story line moved along. I would read another book by this author.

What a fantastic debut novel for Rachel Fordham! This novel takes place in a small Iowa town in 1881 where we find a wounded girl who is nearly dead. Her name is Em and as her story unravels, we learn about how she came to be in Iowa on the orphan train several years earlier. Through a series of losses, each seeming greater than the last, she finds herself in Azure Springs, where she learns how to live and love again. The town sheriff, Caleb, sees Em as a case to solve, but as he digs deeper into the her past to catch the criminals who left her for dead, he learns that there is much more to Em than meets the eye.

The story line itself is fantastic - holding to a bit of romance and a bit of mystery, some drama and a lot of character growth and development. While Em is the focal point of the story and her growth and healing are central, she also brings hope and healing to several others in the town of Azure Springs and beyond. Her sweet and humble spirit, strong work ethic and ability to be honest and put people at ease in her presence allow her to bring that same healing to others around her. The focus of the book itself is about this healing and growth and learning the meaning of true beauty.

I loved the characters and enjoyed the subtle twists and turns - this wasn't a run-of-the-mill romance story. The story had great depth itself. I had laugh out loud moments and several tear-jerking moments. The ending was such a beautiful turn of events and I just loved how it turned out. I hope the author offers some spin-off prequels to go into further depth on some of the minor characters of this book as I want to learn more about them as well. Overall, kudos to Mrs. Fordham on an excellent debut. I would highly recommend!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Revell publishers for an advance e-copy of this book. The thoughts and opinions contained in this review are my own and I was under no obligation to provide it.

The best book ever! If I could give this book 10 stars I would. The book drew me in from page one, I was so caught up in it I was talking to the characters out loud. I love the characters especially Margaret. She reminded me so much of a loving aunt. I fell in love with Em and her stories and love for others. There are so many wonderful things going on in the story. This book had me laughing and crying, I did not want it to end. You must read, you too will being saying the best book ever!

Em was separated from her little sister Lucy during an orphan train adoption. It’s been seven long years and she finally escapes the skinflint who barely cared for her. She is accustomed to scratching out a living while this man is away frequently and she lives in his dilapidated falling down barn. There is a shootout and her guardian is killed, and Em is shot and plays dead until she’s rescued by the sheriff. The skin and bones feisty little waif is invited to convalesce in a kind family’s home. As she recovers, she begins to find her way in life. She has comfortable surroundings for the first time in seven years, as well as the time to mull over her purpose in life before searching for her missing baby sister. Her goal is to find her, but the road she travels to get there is fraught with danger and is not the path of least resistance.
This story is mostly about hope. Hope of finding her little sister and hope for building a better life. Em had a good life until her parents died, so her life has run the gamut from good, horrible, and to recovery mode. The last seven years have worn on her and she has little hope in herself as a person. As she washes away the dirt and grime of her former life and puts on a bit of weight, it’s easy to see that she is a joy to be around. The journey to find her sister is not what one might expect but this journey is as much of a self-discovery as it is a search to find her sister.
As a debut novel for this author, Rachel Fordham writes a story that is well written and flows very well. I was hooked after the first chapter and found it very hard to put down. Her words craft her story very beautifully and you can easily visualize the countryside, the danger, and the kind people who take Em in. This story was exceptional and I cannot wait to see what she writes next!
This book is available for purchase on July 3rd.
I received a complimentary advanced e-copy of the book from NetGalley. The review is completely my own and in no way swayed by the free e-copy of the book.

When an unknown young woman is shot and left for dead, Sheriff Caleb Reynolds is tasked with solving the mystery surrounding her appearance in town. No one in Azure Springs has ever seen her before, although she claims she has lived in the nearby hills for the past seven years. Thanks to the kindness of strangers, Em recovers and begins to make a new life in town, though many secrets shroud her past and rumors swirl about her. As she begins to hope for "happily ever after," Em must decide whom she can trust and where she truly belongs.

When I began reading "The Hope of Azure Springs," I was initially underwhelmed. The characters seemed to fit their stereotypes too neatly, and the plot seemed destined to meander until it reached its inevitable conclusion. About halfway through the book, however, the story took an unexpected turn, and for the better. I couldn’t identify an exact point in the story where my perspective changed, but my attitude gradually shifted from trudging through the book out of obligation to genuine interest and a reluctance to put the book down. The characters’ personalities suddenly took on more flesh and bone. The storytelling went from predictable and prosaic to a deeper and more thoughtful exploration of the characters' struggles.

“The Hope of Azure Springs” is Rachel Fordham‘s debut novel and gives readers hope for a promising new author in the Christian historical fiction genre. The characters grew in breadth as the story rolled along, and I found myself yearning for Em to have her heart’s deepest longings fulfilled. Ms. Fordham explores the concepts of true and lasting beauty, family, and grief. She touches on the truth that sometimes “happily ever after” looks different than we imagined, but her sweet and satisfying resolution is still sure to please readers.

This novel is currently set to release in early July, 2018. Readers who prefer tender tales set in the American West and enjoy the works of authors like Lauraine Snelling and Tracie Peterson will likely find both this novel and new author charming.

I requested and received a free Advanced Reader Copy e-book from the publisher, Revell, through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

An enjoyable read from start to finish! A western style tale set in 1880's Iowa, with a very likable heroine whose tragic backstory will instantly make readers want her to get a happy ending. A bit of action, adventure and a tender romance round out the plot with a satisfying finish.
"Let them say what they would, she knew her own story and they would not steal the measure of joy she’d found."
Em was a character that I grew fond of quickly and enjoyed watching her bloom where she was planted. Her sweet, gentle, selfless, hardworking ways quickly spread a positive influence on others, but without them realizing it. Loved how Caleb began to see it and appreciate her friendship, encouraging her and learning how beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder.
The history of the Orphan Trains was interesting. I would like to read more on this topic. The writing seemed to flow better as the story went on, feeling like a two part tale. I would have liked a little more inspiration infused dialogue, maybe coming from side characters like Abigail or Margaret. Em could have used the scriptural based encouragement.
Fans of clean historical romances will enjoy this lovely debut novel. Look forward to reading more from this promising author.

I do enjoy a good historical romance and I’m always on the lookout for new titles and authors. The Hope of Azure Springs is Rachel Fordham’s debut novel and she does a superb job of piecing together this inspiring story. It was exactly the book I needed and I loved sinking into it. Comforting, uplifting, joyful and heartwarming, The Hope of Azure Springs was a delight to read.

Seven years ago Em traveled west on an orphan train. After seven years of barely surviving, Em’s only goal is to find her sister. But when her guardian is murdered and Em is injured, she is taken to the town of Azure Springs. There, for the first time in so many years, she is fed, cared for and loved. Taken in by a kind family and protected by the town’s sherif, Caleb Reynolds, Em learns to dream again. But her heart remains focused on reuniting with her sister.

What a stunning and delightful story. At first a little bumpy in places, the tone and flow of the story soon became clear and I was loath to tear myself away from the heartwarming characters and their story of strength, resilience and love. The Hope of Azure Spring feels a little like one of the fairytales so often mentioned within its pages. This book carries a little magic with it and has a style all its own.

Em is a wonderful character. Despite everything that she has ensured and the loss she has faced she is kind and brings a little sunshine to every situation. She isn’t infallible by any means - she struggles with self-esteem and what others think of her and her appearance - but her generosity of spirit endears her to all.

At first, Caleb seems a very incompetent sheriff, bumbling through his first interview with Em. With initial judgements and a harsh tone, he hardly seemed an ideal hero. At one moment gentle and understanding and the next harsh and brash, he is easily distracted by outward beauty and initially discards Em as plain and poorly. Yet, through Em, Caleb undergoes such a wonderful growth in character. Through Em’s strength, kindness and joy, he learns to look beyond outward appearances and to return to the joy and dreams of his youth. The time Caleb and Em spend together as they build their friendship is very sweet. They compete, laugh and work together, building a depth of relationship and connection that was wonderful to read.

I adored the pacing in this novel. Everything has its time, is given its due. There is a little action and tension as they chase and capture the bad guys, but the remainder of the story flows like a gentle stream. Characters are given time to develop, unfold and grow. Relationships and feelings slowly bloom. Time is given to reflection, self-discovery, and to making independent choices.

You can tell the author poured her heart and soul into this book and it comes through every word. Utterly charming and so very romantic, The Hope of Azure Springs was a delight to read. I certainly hope that this debut will not be Rachel Fordham’s only offering, and I look forward to reading anything she next writes.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

I love it when I find a new author that writes an outstanding book. I can't say enough good things about this book!! This is not a book you will forget after you finish reading it. I can't wait to read more from this author. Thank you NetGalley and Revell Christian for the ARC copy of this book. This review is my honest opinion.

The Hope of Azure Springs is an inspirational historical tale set in a time when loss and death were frequent occurrences in families. In the midst of hardship, a hope shines bright in the form of a young woman whose inner beauty helps her and others to overcome the difficulties life has dealt them to find a strong faith, everlasting love, and family. This is a story where beauty is revealed not by outer appearances but by the soul of a person. This book grabbed me from the beginning, then it go slow but I pushed through. I’m thankful I kept reading because just like the main character Em, who transformed from an injured dirty waif into a soulfully beautiful young woman, this book got better as the story evolved.

Some of my favorite quotes:
"Beauty is something we get to define. We may not see it right away, but when we do, we have trouble even remembering the other definition. We wonder how we were ever so misled. All we can see is the one person who defines it for us."

"Don't let anyone else decide which kind of beautiful is right for you. You find a girl who brings out the best in you. Who you can see a happy future with. That's your kind of beautiful."

I do not cry very often at books, but I needed a tissue for this one. It has so much suffering and heartache but ultimately, redemption.

The story is about Em, a scrawny girl who comes to Azure Springs, Iowa on the orphan train. No one chooses her but an old, angry man. For seven years, Em lives in a barn loft doing hard work and eating little. When the old man is murdered, Em is shot and left for dead. This begins the next chapter of her life. She meets a new family who welcomes her with open arms and show her true love. At the same time, the sheriff of Azure Springs also falls for Em.

The story started out slow, but it kept my attention enough to keep reading. I'm glad I did. This book turned out to be very good. I liked the characters and the author uses good description to put the reader in the story. Anyone who likes historical fiction will enjoy this book.

Wow! I always love it when I find a new author and Rachel Fordham is on my list of one of my new favourites!

The Hope of Azure Springs has so many layers to it that it is hard to know where to start. Let's start with our two main characters Em and Caleb. Em has had a rough life, and the author managed to pull on my heartstrings more than once describing her story. Caleb has had some heartache as well and how the two are brought together and how they grow together is a beautiful thing to watch. I started this book on Tuesday. On Wednesday I stayed up until 3:00 am to finish it! I could not put it down! And I couldn't turn my brain off to settle down after reading the book. That's how good it is!

The underlying theme of beauty and what that meant was something I found very interesting. Em considered herself plain and unattractive. In fact, she had resigned herself to the fact that no one could ever love her. But she did not see her character and how beautiful it was to those around her. This is something people who struggle with self-esteem need to grasp. So you aren't a model? So what! Beauty is fleeting, it's what is on the inside that counts, and as Em grows in this story, her inner beauty turns more than one person's life around.

You will love this story which is filled with all the elements you want in a historical romance - growth in the characters, suspense, adventure a few chuckles and by the end (for me at least) a lot of tears. Reserve your copy now. This is one book you want to read!

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing.