Shadows of Hope

I found this book to be a refreshing change from some tales similar to this. It addressed the topic head on without skirting the huge issues.
Adultery and infertility were two key topics in this book. I loved the mention of doulas, grants for those in need of their services and found that especially wonderful as a doula myself.
The writing style is excellent and touched on many key phrases that would be said to a Christian woman in a marriage that is falling apart. My only complaint would be that it left me many questions in the end, which again, is real life.

This women’s fiction novel is a breath of fresh air, speaking truth and reality, without giving pat answers that suddenly fix everything.

This book was obtained through NetGalley and the opinions contained herein are my own.

Not my usual style, but decided since I had just finished reading/reviewing three pretty heavily detailed historical fiction books, I'd try something lighter and different. Quick reading, perhaps, but definitely nothing light about it! This new-to-me author hit on a heavy topic and did so with such finesse, maneuvering me on quite an emotional roller-coaster ride.

Never have I disliked a hero (and I use the word loosely) more than Colin, who blames his indiscretions on his wife. And Marissa is way too smart, compassionate, and successful in her own right, to continually accept his emotional abuse and infidelity. His clothes should have been out in the yard midway through the book! Does God require a wife or husband to stay together when infidelity is involved? Can it be worked through? Overall, an intriguing, thought-provoking, page-turner that I finished in a bit over a day.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Shadows of Hope by Georgiana Daniels is a very touching story of love, betrayal, forgiveness and moving on.
Marissa meets every morning with her business partner and best friend, Tristan, at The Bean for a latte and conversation before heading to the non-profit they run for mothers in crisis called New Heights. He and Marissa have been best friends since college and she has relied on him for support and advice. Marissa had a miscarriage and has been unable to conceive since. She and her husband have drifted apart as she focuses so much energy on trying to get pregnant. She is now suspicious of her husband, Colin, and is checking up on him as much as possible. She is not ready to share her concerns with Tristan but he knows something isn’t right. Colin is a professor at the local university and up for tenure. He is spending as much time away from home as he can and spending it with a student, Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn does not know he is married and ends up at New Heights for assistance and a part time job. How will God work in all these lives? Will Marissa and Colin’s marriage survive the infidelity?
This book is a very emotional read; it brought out really strong feelings in me. The characters are described so well they jump off the page and I was completely drawn in to their ordeals. They each have their own human flaws and struggle to work through them. I especially related to Marissa and at times wanted to shake her for being so naïve. Colin made me angry as he was so self-centered and lied to both Marissa and Kaitlyn. Through it all God works in each life and circumstance and author portrays this in very realistic ways without be preachy or judgmental. I give this book a 5 of 5 stars.
I received an advance copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

This story had me clinging to my tablet—a real page turner. The emotion packed into each character oozed right off the page. Amid such turmoil, there remains hope throughout. The author gives food for thought, allowing us to see room for forgiveness in this heartbreaking dilemma. The MC, Marissa, holds tightly to her faith as she looks for answers to how—or if—her marriage can be saved.

Shadows of Hope is ideal for a book club. There are questions following the story to guide your discussion. It’s easy to see there are no clear choices.

The story is told from the POV of each of the three main characters: the infertile wife, the cheating husband, and the pregnant girlfriend. This book is well edited. The pace is wonderful. I will gladly read more from this author.

I thought about giving it four stars because I would have liked a few more twists and turns, and I felt the tiniest bit unsatisfied with the ending. But I went with five since I really loved the story so much I couldn’t put it down!

Sometimes life imitates art. Not 💯% but close. I really enjoyed reading Shadows of Hope by Georgina Daniels. It was thought provoking to be sure.

Marissa and Colin are married and not able to get pregnant after last miscarriage. They fall about and he ends up having an affair. The girl gets pregnant.

The story is how they deal with this little problem. I rooted for the wife and the other woman. The only redeeming quality the husband had was wanting to be in the baby's life.

My take away is to always keep your eyes on God, don't give up your faith, and Christians really should not marry non Christians.

Great questions in the back of the book for a book club or to do on your own. I would recommend this book. Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Shadows of Hope is a Christian book about hope and forgiveness. All is not sunshine and roses just because you made the decision to follow Christ. Christians still deal with the same problems that can affect anyone. The difference is being able to trust in the knowledge that God is with you and He will work everything out for your good. Even if you can't see it at the time.

In this book Marissa and Colin's marriage has lost it's spark. To say the least. It all started going downhill after they suffered a miscarriage and since then have been unable to conceive. Marissa thinks he's having an affair, but won't confront him about it directly. Ironically Marissa & her best friend, Tristan, operate a crisis pregnancy center. This center has become Marissa's safe haven from her failing marriage. Through the center Marissa befriends a young woman named Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn finds herself in need of help and support after discovering she is pregnant from her relationship with Colin. Marissa and Kaitlyn become good friends, without knowing that Colin is something they have in common. They have been placed them together for a purpose. They help, support, and encourage each other to grow. Both are private women that don't share too much with each other. Yet they are able to form a close bond. With her failing marriage Marissa must decide if she will continue living a stagnant life, or if she will embrace all that God has put in her path. Marissa's friendship with Kaitlyn helps her see that God has more planned for her. All she has to do is trust Him and step outside her comfort zone. Colin becomes the catalyst in her decision.

This book was a great read. The author showcases some real talent. I had an idea of what the book was about prior to reading it. I didn't expect the depth contained within the pages though. The rawness of heartbreak made me feel like I was spying on a private situation at times. The characters were realistic and touched my heart. The plot was deep with lots to keep me flipping page after page. A fabulous book with a surprising, unexpected ending.

There’s only one word for “Shadows of Hope” by Georgiana Daniels……Wow! This was a book that I couldn’t put down. I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen with Colin, Marissa and Katelyn. The ending was different than what I expected, but it showed the reality of this book.

Even though this book was fiction, it really portrayed the importance of marriage. Marriage is so fragile. We, as wives, need to guard our marriages and keep them from getting complacent. I love when fiction authors write a book that has tidbits we can learn from it. This author delivered!

This is the first book I’ve read by Georgiana Daniels, but it definitely won’t be my last. I can’t wait to read more by her.

I received this book from Net Galley for my honest opinion.

Shadows of Hope captured me from the beginning. The story is told from three points of view; the main character, Marissa, her husband, Colin, and a college student, Katilyn.

Marissa runs a crisis pregnancy center. This is a dream of hers and she pours her heart into it. After a miscarriage and subsequent problems getting pregnant, she fears she will never have a child of her own. Problems in her marriage arise, and she does everything to fight for it. Her best friend for years, who is also her co-worker, helps her through everything. (I think he’s secretly in love with her and I hope the author pairs them together in another book.)

Katilyn, Marissa’s favorite barista, becomes pregnant—by Marissa’s husband. To Katilyn’s defense, she doesn’t know he’s married. In addition, Marissa doesn’t know who the baby’s father is. What a mess! It sure kept me turning the pages wanting to know what happened next.

When Katilyn comes to the clinic, Marissa offers a lot of support, care and friendship. The self-growth Katilyn goes through in this story is simultaneously heartbreaking and blissful. I ended up very proud of her.

Now for Colin. the college professor, father of the baby, and cheating husband. I will try to set aside my disdain for this character. To his credit, he stepped up and took responsibility--after being irresponsible in the first place. He was there for Katilyn during her pregnancy—sporadically and when it suited him. He did his best to be a good father—in the process, stabbing Marissa in her weakest place. Okay, I give up. I can’t stand this despicable, self-centered character. The author tried to redeem him, I give her that.

All the characters are amazingly well-developed. I could picture their quirks, grins and tears.

I’m glad I discovered this author. She writes a great story.

You’re going to love this book!

How can you have hope when you are a pregnancy crisis worker wanting a baby of your own having had a miscarriage then find you are infertile? Marissa Moreau, director of New Heights, a pregnancy resource center, believes that her husband is having an affair, even when she has no evidence. Kaitlyn Farrow has fallen in love with her college professor, Colin, and has started sleeping with him without knowing he’s married. She gets pregnant, but before she can tell Colin, he breaks off the relationship.for fear of losing his job and marriage.. Kaitlyn, who now must deal with the unexpected pregnancy on her own, turns to New Heights for help. Marissa and Kaitlyn become friends, co-worked, and sources of comfort for each other. With her marriage deteriorating and the pain of a miscarriage weighing her down, Marissa realizes she must make changes. Colin’s lies are uncovered, the biggest of them coming last, that Melissa has become friends with her husband’s mistress. For Kaitlyn and Marissa, the revelation inspires a return to their faithu. Although it ends with a shallow resolution, This novel will appeal to readers looking for an emotional story with strong faith elements. It is a story of hope in the aftermath of inconceivable betrayal and broken dreams.

Marissa and Colin have been married for 10 years and their relationship has become broken and distant since Marissa has a miscarriage and she hasn't been able to get pregnant since then. She has begun to suspect Colin is having an affair. Kaitlyn, a college student has been secretly dating one of her professors and finds out she is pregnant and has no idea the man she has been dating is married. The lives of the mistress and the wife are woven together without either realizing it when Kaitlyn is hired to work for Marissa's company. This book flips between Marissa and Kaitlyn who grow to become friends not realizing they are both involved with the same man. I was surprised to find how much I enjoyed this story and these characters. It was a book that was hard to put down as the story built up and you knew these two women would soon know the truth and you want to know what happens when two women who have become so close find out one is pregnant with the others husbands child. Very well written and a great read. I received an ARC of this book and as always only give my honest review of the book.

This book grabbed me right from the beginning. This story deals with the pain of infertility and infidelity in a marriage. Marissa is married to Colin and is struggling with trying to conceive a baby. Little does she know, her husband Colin is having an affair with one of his college students Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn gets pregnant, and through some twists and turn becomes friends with Marissa. This is the story of the mess three people make of their lives when they are not true to themselves and struggle with the pain of betrayal.
The writing was superb and I could feel the character's pain, especially Marissa. I didn't like Colin much because he was such a heel. Recommend if you like women's fiction!

Shadows of Hope is a suck-you-in-from-the-beginning book. Told from three points of view (Marissa, Colin, and Kaitlyn) each character reveals their take on a truly unique and moving situation. From reading the blurb, I had wondered if the situation would be a little ‘convenient’ and ‘far-fetched’, but it flowed naturally and felt plausible.

Marissa’s husband, Colin, is a college professor, a cheating husband, and is very difficult to sympathize with. While his wife is dealing with problems getting pregnant, he gets a college student, Kaitlyn, pregnant. And to wrap it all up into a big mess, Kaitlyn becomes friends with a crisis pregnancy worker—who happens to be Marissa! Of course, Kaitlyn doesn’t know that.

This story contains gripping scenarios, two women who are easy to sympathize with, and a realistic and satisfying end. Georgiana Daniels is a new-to-me author. I love her character development and superb pacing, and will seek out more of her work.

Cover: Like
Title: Love
Pages: 320
Publisher: Shiloh Run Press
First Line: Seven dollars was a small price to pay for a latte and a little conversation.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing (and NetGalley) and was under no obligation to post a review.

This is not only Women's Fiction, but also Christian Fiction. It centers around three main characters, a husband, wife and the other woman. It addresses infertility, and the author handles it very well. Things get complicated when a surprising turn of events shakes up the main characters marriage. This book will make you think, cause you to shed some tears and also I wondered, how would I respond if I were in this situation. I recommend this book as Shadows of Hope by Georgiana Daniels is a wonderful novel filled with lots of twists and turns, as well as heartfelt emotions I received a advanced copy from the editor for my honest review!

Shadows of Hope, written by Georgiana Daniels, is a heartrending and thought-provoking story. The characters have depth and reality and their emotions and strengths resonate well with readers--their feelings are profoundly human. The story line is strong...Daniels has chosen a rather gritty subject and has handled it well. Infidelity and infertility wreak havoc on the best of relationships and the situations with Marissa and Colin are portrayed tactfully and realistically, not just fixed in a 'Pollyanna' manner--the struggles are real and the answers are not easy. There is a thread of faith that runs throughout the novel and reminds the reader that it may never be too late for new beginnings.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions are my own.

This is a powerful and sometimes heartbreaking book. I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through Net Gallery. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. Mariah is worried about her marriage to Colin. He's always comes home late, turns away from her when he is texting, and doesn't want her coming to the university. Mariah is worried that he might be cheating on her. Before Kaitlyn can tell Colin that she is pregnant, Colin breaks up with her. Colin is worried that Mariah and the University will find out about his relationship with a student. When Kaitlyn turns to a Pregnancy Resource Center, Mariah offers her support. One of the things that I loved about this story is that the story rotates between the three main characters. I especially liked the relationship that builds between Mariah and Kaitlyn. I am very glad that I read this book. I had a hard time putting it done.

As you might guess from the book’s description, this is a pretty compelling story. It’s well written, and it’s a plot that you really want to see through to its conclusion once you’ve started reading. That said, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the story until its very last pages. Aside from the obviously painful circumstances, my heart was tempted to wish for something my conscience couldn’t sanction, and at times it seemed the story might be heading that way. Then, as the ending drew ever nearer with the biggest bombshell still waiting to drop on the characters, I wondered how on earth the story would have any kind of a resolution.

As I reflect now, I think the only word for the ending is ‘right’; anything else would have been either unrealistic or bruising to my conscience. Hallmark, it’s not, and some readers might be disappointed by the way the story concludes, but it will make you think. And the more I think about it, the more I’m impressed by this story.

First of all, it’s presented from three different points-of-view. Marissa’s point-of-view is written in the first person, whereas Colin’s and Kaitlyn’s points-of-view are written in the third person. This has the subtle effect of allowing the reader to identify with Marissa and her pain first and foremost, but also have insight into the secondary protagonists/antagonists, Colin and Kaitlyn.

Secondly, the author did an exceptional job of making all three characters realistic. It would have been so easy to make Colin a two-dimensional villain, but he’s more than the sum of his mistakes, grievous though they may be. And while Marissa is the innocent party in the fallout of the affair, she's not without blame in the breakdown of the marriage. I found their motivations understandable, even if they didn’t excuse their actions, and their emotions complex and authentic.

Kaitlyn stands in the middle ground, having made the unwise decision to enter into a relationship with her professor, but without the full knowledge of his situation. She’s an unwitting antagonist—a twenty-six-year-old woman who can’t change the decisions that got her where she is, but who is determined to make the right decisions as she goes forward. As the friendship grows between her and Marissa—and it’s a lovely friendship—waiting for the moment when they would realise their connection wound the tension tighter and tighter.

This is the kind of story that takes you out of your comfort zone and lets you experience the mess that unwise decisions can lead to—the kind of mess that leaves permanent stains. How do believers handle those kinds of situations, especially when at least one of the people involved ISN’T a believer? Where do they find hope and strength to move forward? These are the kinds of questions you’ll be pondering as you read this book, along with the ‘if only’s we can all learn from.

Infertility Brings a Marriage Crisis

Marissa wants more than anything to have a baby. It’s hard for her working in a crisis pregnancy center seeing all the women pregnant even if they didn’t want to be. She and her husband, Colin, have tried so hard to get pregnant that it has affected their sex life and their marriage.

Colin, a professor, started having an affair with a student as a release from the pressures of his marriage. Kaitlyn is desperately in love with him. She doesn’t realize he’s married and dreams that he loves her enough to marry her when she finds she’s pregnant. Kaitlyn knows Marissa, but doesn’t realize she’s Colin’s wife. When Marissa suggests that she visit the pregnancy center where Marissa works, Kaitlyn finally begins to think she’ll survive this crisis.

The story is told from three viewpoints: Marissa, Colin, and Kaitlyn. Marissa’s is first person, the other two are third person. All three characters come alive in their portrayals of their problems. Marissa seems the most wronged, but she isn’t without responsibility for her situation. She desperately wants to be pregnant and doesn’t accept the toll it is taking on her relationship with Colin. What Colin did is wrong. It’s not clear he loves Kaitlyn. She was fun and a chance to get away from the pressures of his marriage.

I found Kaitlyn naive for a woman approaching thirty. She may not realize Colin is married, but she does realize as a Christian that having an affair is wrong. She gives herself and expects the result will be marriage not an unwanted pregnancy.

I recommend this book. It is well written. The characters are believable and the ending has a surprising twist. It’s a cautionary tale for husbands and wives allowing problems to come between them. It’s also a book for single women expecting to win a man by giving their body and expecting it to result in marriage.

I received this book from Barbour Publishing for this review.

This was a difficult subject matter and provided an insight into a dying marriage. It did not end the way I thought it would and I was glad for it. Marissa and Colin both seemed to have lost their love for each other long before he cheated. The loss of a child creates a whole hurt that some people embrace and define the rest of their lives. They had already disconnected in so many ways that even when Marissa thought there might be hope for another child, for them, she never told her husband .
They lived two separate lives in the same house, he had his job and she had hers and very little interaction between the two other than deception. I know that Marissa seemed to be blindsighted by her husbands unfaithfulness but she shouldn’t have been.
When she opened herself up to a friendship with a client things seemed to be looking up for Marissa until her friend became the other woman. The way the story came together at the end was dramatic and I would have liked a little more closure on the ending, but I was satisfied with it.
Life is not always a neat tidy little package of God has our backs. He is there to catch us, but life is hard and we are not guaranteed happily ever after.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me review the e-version of this book.

Title: Shadows of Hope
Author: Georgiana Daniels
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:

"Shadows of Hope" by Georgiana Daniels

My Thoughts....

What a very thought provoking read that will leave you with food for thought long after the read.
There are a lots of good question in the ending of this novel that were right on point. Be ready for a read that deals with 'marriage, betrayal, infertility, drama, friendships, secrets, faith, pregnancy forgiveness and moving on.'

I found these three characters Marissa, Tristan , Colin and Kaitlyn were all well developed, portrayed and believable giving the reader a decent story in the end. I did enjoy how this author was able to give Christian guidance in their daily life for some of the characters.

This is definitely one of those stories [infidelity] where the choices one makes and the consequences that are left in how this all affects everyone involved when it's said and done. I also believe that there are many women who can relate to what has happened in Marissa's position. Bye the end did we have a 'love triangle?' "How will God work this all out in all these peoples lives? Will Marissa and Colin’s marriage survive this infidelity?" 'Will God's love heal this relationships?' 'And what about forgiveness? Can they forgive themselves?' 'Will God forgive them?'

Well, to find out the answers to all of these questions you will have to pick up this interesting read "Shadows of Hope" to see if there is any hope left for these people.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Eva Lapp is a unique protagonist, she is not a starry-eyed young lady planning a wedding and dreaming of a family of her own while waiting to marry the man of her dreams. In fact, her story is quite different which is probably why I enjoyed it as much as I did.
I felt so bad for her when she’s forced to leave her childhood home, but once I saw the possibilities of a fresh start for her, I liked the direction the author was taking her in. Yes, even by placing Eva in a position of managing a cafe she was quite frankly not cut out for. I found that to be a clever way of meeting and getting to know some of the other characters. What characters they are, too!
Overall, I found the characters to be well-developed, interesting and facing real challenges as best as they can with the circumstances they are in. If you enjoy Amish fiction and would prefer something with more mature characters, than I recommend this one.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book and have given my honest opinion.

Well written. Gripping. Hard to put down. So many good things in this awesome book. This is my first experience with this author but I know I will be looking for her books in the future. Kaitlyn and Marissa meet, interact and become friends. Marissa is there for Kaitlyn after she finds herself pregnant and dumped by her boyfriend. Marissa is struggling with infertility and a failing marriage. Unbeknownst to Kaitlyn in the beginning is that her boyfriend is married and also that he is married to her friend, Marissa.
I love that these two women journey and grow through their struggles together before finding out the truth. I love the honesty of this story, there is no perfect happy ending all tied up in a nice little bow. Life isn't always like that, but lessons were learnt and that is important.
Colin, the boyfriend and husband is my least favourite character. However I do like that he wasn't suddenly redeemed. Seeing his thought processes and journeying with him was also enlightening. Even though I do not believe that he grew the way the women did throughout the book, his character did evolve and change in some ways. His character was selfish and self-involved but the author didn't make excuses for him or try to make his behaviour in anyway acceptable. Very well written.

I could not stop reading this! I needed to know what was going to happen next and how! I either loved or hated the characters, which is a sign of a good author to me. The struggles of the characters were so real and my heart broke for most of them and I cried in a few places. If a book makes me feel enough to cry, I love it! The narcissist character was tough to follow at times, yet fascinating. I loved how everything didn't turn out as a happily ever after, yet it still ended on a positive, happy note. I can't wait for more books by Georgiana Daniels!

Shadows of Hope by Georgiana Daniels is a heartfelt tale that pulls you in and holds your attention from beginning to end. She allows you to walk with both Marissa and Kaitlyn through the most challenging of events. I found myself rooting for both. I appreciate Ms. Daniel's sensitivity regarding the subject matter and the way she tells a heart-rending story with great love and compassion. A wonderful story!

Have you ever read a book that made you upset because you could see the big picture while the characters remained in the dark? This was me in a nutshell while reading this book. I wanted to shout at the characters to get them to say the right things so that they could all be on the same page. Emotionally speaking this book was a very difficult read. If you’re looking for something cheerful and lighthearted, it’s not the book for you. It deals with very real issues in a non-sugarcoated way. I think when it comes to reading Christian Fiction we are often spoiled by the way things always seem to work out in the end and we read those types of books expecting that. As a result I think it can cause us to expect those types of outcomes in the real world as well, and life doesn’t always go as we plan.

Kaitlyn made a mistake by entering into a relationship with one of her professors at the college, but she had no clue that he was also married. Marissa questions her husband’s fidelity but she is too afraid to ask him despite finding clues that would lead her to the truth. Colin is remorseful that he was unfaithful to his wife, but in trying to fix things with his wife, he can’t help the tug he feels for wanting to raise the baby with Kaitlyn. Despite trying counseling, Marissa and Colin’s marriage is in real danger.

Currently speaking I am still emotionally processing what I’ve just read. No, this isn’t one of your “feel-good” reads, but it’s definitely “real.” If you can’t guess by the actions of the characters, Colin is not a Christian, but Marissa is. Not being equally yoked to your spouse can have devastating effects on your marriage. (I’m not sure where Kaitlyn stands other than expressing her desire for God). The characters battle with very real emotions over the devastating effects of sin. The story is told from the perspective of all three characters so the reader is able to see how each of them is processing the drama of their situations.

In my mind I want to give this 4 stars because even though it was very well written, I wasn’t emotionally prepared for the ending. On the flip side, the author is facing the difficult battle of publishing a book that doesn’t quite fit the mold for what’s expected within the genre. Despite finishing the book over an hour ago now, I am still in an emotional fog. It was a good book not just because of how it was written, but because of how deeply it sucked me in. No one ever said this life would be easy, and I believe the author did a powerful job of expressing just that. Therefore, I don’t think I can give it any less than the full 5 stars.

I'm pleased to see a novel written from a Christian worldview that portrays not only flawed characters dealing with difficult circumstances, but also grappling with the realization that sometimes there isn't always a neat and tidy resolution. In our post-modern culture, I value an author (and a publisher) who bravely explores the painful reality that we live in a broken world, without glossing over the consequences of poor choices. In my opinion, Georgiana Daniels did this really well. Strong character development, escalating stakes, and challenging, real-life situations are all written within the lens of what it means to be a Christ follower and wrestle with the pain of betrayal, disappointment and failed expectations. Bravo!
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my complimentary advance copy. All opinions stated here are my own.

Well written...believable...Real...Thought provoking...Raw...five stars.

Woah! I just finished this book in one day. I was hooked from the first few pages. I have expected the book to be one I put down 1/3 in. But it wasn’t. It read so fast and the story was so unbelievably realistic. I was impressed the way the author really developed such a solid story with such well developed characters. I loved how she did it from different characters perspectives. That added depth and variety that helped keep the story moving. I could feel what the characters felt. The irony made me tear up at certain points. The only thing I would have changed, and what made me give it 4 stars instead of 5 was the way that Marissa’s parts were all written in 1st person (all others were written in 3rd person). This really drove me nuts. It didn’t flow smoothly back and forth between points of view. Other than this the story was a solid 5. So good. Loved the little bit of spiritual theme throughout. It was just enough. Not over the top and fake but real! Can’t wait to read other work by this author.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was in no way obligated to write a review. All opinions are my own.

I read this book fairly quickly and really didn't want to put it down. I found it raw, emotional yet entertaining. It was written from three different character perspectives which was fantastic as I loved getting that glimpse into what they were thinking and feeling as the story unravelled. I also fully appreciated the ending the author wrote. That there was no fairy tale happy ending, but much more of a realistic one.
Great book and well worth the read.

Thank you to the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am very happy to recommend this book

God hates sin, but not the sinner. How often have we heard that, & - superficially at least - accepted it. How different is it if you are the one sinned against - & most profoundly so? Is it easier not to judge, if we are not personally affected?
When we are told to forgive, does the enormity of the sin or the depth of the hurt caused, make a difference? Forgiveness is not necessarily about the other person : it is releasing ourselves from their power to continue hurting us.
Being a Christian does not mean we have to be a doormat, there are times when we need to stand up for ourselves - we need to be treated with respect, just as we in turn respect others.
May we never be put in such a position (as the main character) ourselves, but if we are.....may we turn to the only One who can possibly help.

Shadows of Hope is a book-length exercise in dramatic irony that kept me engrossed until all was revealed, in dramatic fashion.

From the first pages - or from the book description alone - the reader knows that Marissa counsels Kaitlyn throughout her unplanned pregnancy and that, unbeknownst to both women, Marissa's husband Colin is the father.

Tension builds as various conflicts unfold and layers of the characters are revealed: infertility, the absence of a father, infidelity, insecurity, and more bring great depth to Marissa, Kaitlyn, and even Colin.

The reader gets to examine the situation from each of the three characters' points of view - closest with Marissa (1st person), but also Kaitlyn and Colin (3rd person).

Georgiana Daniels resists an easy resolution, instead delivering a true-to-life examination of the shared heartache, joy, and, eventually, hope, of three imperfect people bound by an unborn child.

Fans of women's fiction will especially enjoy this well-written, thoughtful story. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Real-Life Drama!
I became thoroughly caught up in this story! The author gives the reader the opportunity to see this situation from the side of each person involved. I appreciated this because there are many people who go through this type of situation, but we often don’t look at how each person may have felt or thought.

Great read!

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

Marissa worries that her window of opportunity for having children is closing; after a miscarriage she has been unable to conceive. Working in a crisis pregnancy center takes its toll on her emotionally, even though she loves her work and believes in its importance. She thinks her husband is having an affair, but never suspects that it's one of her clients -- and her client-turned-employee has no idea, either. An interesting examination of trust, commitment, and the question of who's at fault for problems in a marriage.

When the first thing you think when you finish a book is, "I hope there's a sequel!" you know you've really enjoyed a story! Shadows of Hope was like that for me. I loved it. Each step of the way I stopped to think what would I do? How would I handle? Could I forgive? And a book that drives you to contemplate yourself in such a manner is a success in my eyes! I highly recommend that others take this journey as well. And please...let there be a sequel!!

Shadows of Hope is not the feel-good romance novel I usually read and review. Instead, it’s a thoroughly modern novel where messed-up characters have to wade the confusing waters of consequences, and there is no trite or easy answer with no convenient divorces or deaths (ironically, the plot twists in the two previous novels I read with similar moral quandaries).

Marissa is forty, infertile, and wants a baby—a want made worse by working in a pregnancy resource centre, and being married to a man she suspects of wandering. Kaitlyn is the barista at Marissa’s favourite coffee shop, a twenty-six year-old college student who is secretly dating one of her professors. Colin is a biology professor who breaks off his illicit relationship as he finds out he’s up for tenure. Now if only she’d stop trying to contact him …

Kaitlyn discovers she’s pregnant, but Colin has broken it off and she can’t tell him. She does tell Marissa, not realising she’s Colin’s wife. But we know, and that one small secret drives much of the tension. When will Marissa find out? What will she do when she does? How will she cope in the meantime?

The writing was excellent. The author delves into the emotions of three people who’ve all made mistakes in their relationships, mistakes which mean there is no easy answer, no possible ending that will satisfy everyone. The story wasn’t predictable, and I liked that because it felt authentic in a way a feel-good romance ending would have felt contrived and false.

The spiritual aspects were also interesting: Marissa and Kaitlyn were both raised as Christians, but both fell away from the church. Marissa got more involved in church after she married, but Colin never did (which caused some friction). Interesting … Recommended for those who enjoy contemporary Christian fiction that deals with the real-life issues that don’t have easy answers.

Thanks to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

Shadows Of Hope Is heart wrenching and it gets you to feel some very strong feelings as you read this. I mean how stupid he is and how awful for her and what an impossible situation. What breaks my heart the most is that this really happens and that this mess and broken hearts and dreams are torn asunder. Let me tell you this, the ending ends in a for real ending not a fluff ending - cool. How do Christians react in this situation? Well you have to read in find out - to be in full disclosure one of the three is not a Christian. I can't imagine going through what they all go through and not have GOD to Lean on. What an awful situation.

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Shadows of Hope by Georgiana Daniels
This is my first book by this author and I found it very interesting. Daniels is an excellent writer. Colin and Marissa are having a tough time, being they want a child so badly that their marriage has become stressed to the limit. Marissa works at a crisis pregnancy center and unknowingly becomes best friend and confident to her husband’s pregnant lover. I kept turning the pages to see how this would end. When we have faith to believe that “God’s got this” it may not be what we think it will be at all. Can this marriage be saved? Can there be complete forgiveness for all the parties concerned?………I received a complimentary copy from Barbour and was under no obligation to leave a review.

Infertility in a marriage can be devastating to the relationship and intimacy of a couple..Georgiana Daniels effectively uses imagery & technique to evoke emotional responses to her characters. I could feel the pain of Marissa as she found ways to cope with the infertility. Too bad Colin sought to distract his pain of infertility in such awful behavior. Found myself reading it without stopping because I was so angry at Colin.

I really enjoyed this book because although it contains a love triangle, it is atypical in that there is an underlying Christian theme. I liked that New Beginnings, where Marissa worked, was a pregnancy center with the purpose of giving hope. I willl always remember the way that Marissa handled herself in the face of her husband’s betrayal. She had to climb a mountain to get there, but she is a good example of how we should behave when others betray us. It was important that Marissa and Kaitlyn have a strong friendship in order to make the story believable and also to introduce conflict and suspense. Colin was not a very sympathetic character, but he seems to be a typical man without Christian values, so he is clueless as to how to love his wife and save his marriage. All readers of romantic suspense will enjoy this wonderful story, and Christians should read it especially so that they can learn the valuable lessons that it teaches.

Shadow's of Hope by Georgiana Daniels had me going through the roller coaster of emotions as I read it. At times it was very hard to get through due to the deep emotions, situations and issues portrayed in this story but overall I enjoyed reading this book.

The story is well written. The hard topics within this story were presented by the writer with honesty, empathy and a certain amount of class that I so appreciated. The characters became near and dear to me and yes, I kept Kleenex in business while I read this book. :)

I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own. Thank you to Ms. Daniels, Bethany House Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Shadows of Hope is a thought provoking story about a marriage torn apart by adultery and struggling with what you can't have. I was very drawn to Marissa because I totally understood how she felt in the desperate want to have a child. I felt so bad for her. I was really torn by Colin's character as well. One second I was rooting for him and the next I was so angry at him. I loved all of the emotions this story brought out in me. Like others have said, I was shocked by how long it took for the big shocker to come out, I was expecting it to happen a lot sooner! Overall a great quick read!

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for allowing me to read an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book takes you through many emotions... and the many ways “God’s got this”! The story was crazy but again real life could be a soap opera and this is not far fetched as far as real life goes. For some it might hit too close to home but the story of faith interwoven is worth the read.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review."

The title and cover do not do this book justice. At first I thought it was going to be another Harlequin type of book with the lead character a damsel in distress and a strong man comes to her rescue. It's not that type of book at all.

The lead character has to deal with a crushing blow to her marriage and an even deeper betrayal because of that. The author does a great job of dealing with the crisis head on. It does not end all tidy, nor does the character simply deal with the issues. Instead we see the torment that all the parties go through. We also get to experience the conflicts that occur. It's refreshing to read a book that takes the issues these characters go through seriously and without just brushing over the issues with an unrealistic touch.

It is not a doom and gloom book. Rather, it is a book that sees the characters come out the other side, although changed. All the characters seem to go through a metamorphosis of sorts. One that was sorely needed, at least in the husband and wife's lives, and would have happened with this crisis or another.

This is not a completely lighthearted book, but it is well written and a very good story. And it gives you the feeling that if you were ever put into a serious situation such as this, you too, could come out on the other side changed, but stronger than before.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an advanced copy to read. All opinions are my own.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

Marissa has always had a passion for helping expectant mothers at the pregnancy care center she runs, but with her struggle with infertility, it has also become painful for her. When Marissa finds out her favorite barista, Kaitlin, is pregnant and without a support system, she invites Kaitlin to come to her center for an appointment. Kaitlin not only comes for the appointment but also ends up taking a second job at the center, and the two become good friends. Little do they know, though, that Kaitlin is pregnant by Marissa's husband.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable novel. I liked that the situations each woman went through were so realistic, and the author didn't try to forego that realism to wrap everything up in a neat little bow at the end.

This book was almost like a farce. You knew who all the characters were and how their relationships intertwined with each other, but you just kept waiting for the bottom to fall out. The infertility issues that Marissa deals with were heart breaking. You are drawn into her life and her struggles, and her efforts to continue working in an environment that causes such heartache every day, makes you admire her strength.

And then you have Colin. If I've ever despised a character more than him, I'm not sure I can remember who that was. Colin was shallow, self-absorbed, egotistical, unwilling to accept blame for his part in any negative behaviors, etc.

The emotions experienced by the various characters were realistic and would play on your emotions as if you were the one dealing with the situations. The author did a great job of making you care about Marissa and Kaitlyn and the extreme emotional chaos with which they were each dealing. And to see what wonderful people they were had you cheering them on and silently encouraging them to make decisions that was the best for them individually.

Thank you to NetGalley and Shiloh Run Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a book that was not an easy one to read, and yet it hooked me right from the beginning.
It deals with many difficult issues in life.
Infidelity. Forgiveness or unforgiveness.
How do you move on with life when you know your spouse has been unfaithful.
And I didn’t especially care for the ending, but it does give a realistic picture of life.
This book is thought provoking and real.

This was a very poignant, moving story. I felt for both the main character, Marissa, and the young college woman who got pregnant. The characters were very well-developed and the plot moved at a fantastic pace. Great read, would definitely recommend! Looking forward to more from this author.

Beautiful Story. This was a new author to me and I look forward to reading more from her. I am always looking for new authors to read and discovering new favorites.