Friday, October 4, 2013

Miracle Road

 
The Gist:
      Hope Montgomery is everyone’s picture of the perfect kindergarten teacher, she loves children, fills in for district shortfalls by driving the bus and coaching the basketball team, and volunteers her free time to help out with any worthwhile cause.  No one in the small town of Eternity Springs would guess the tragedy that has befallen her that led her to this place of healing, or how much she needs the family that this community offers.
      Lucca Romano is no stranger to tragedy either.  As a sought after, and well-known college basketball coach who suffers from survivor’s guilt after a van accident changed the lives of his team.  In contrast to Hope, he chooses to run from everything that reminds him of his tragedy.  When he hits rock bottom, he finds himself in Eternity Springs, where his family has recently set up residence.
      Lucca and Hope are immediately drawn to each other, however neither of them wants a relationship.  As they are thrown together repeatedly, and as past stories are recanted, these two troubled souls realize that they can help each other heal in ways that they never would have thought possible. 
Of course, nothing worth having comes easy, and as situations reminiscent of past tragedies arise this couple must decide whether they should run away from each other, or hold on tight.  Full of holiday cheer and starry nights, Miracle Road takes readers through another wonderful journey in Eternity Springs.

What I thought:
      Have you ever read a book that you’ve identified with greatly even though the circumstances involved are, luckily, only your worst nightmares?  That’s what this story was to me.  Maybe it had to do with the fact that Hope was a kindergarten teacher, but I think that it went a lot deeper than that.  I think that it had to do more with a common feeling between myself and this character.
      I think many mothers struggle with that ugly fear that they are not doing a good enough job for their children.  Although the character in this story has that fear elevated to another level by tragedy, it is the same thought.  We all want to give our children the world and raise them to be happy, well-adjusted people, but the balance between giving them everything while still taking care of our needs, is tricky to reach.
      This story was a warm, satisfying read.  Following this character that I identified with through her pain, as she learns to trust, love, and live again was therapeutic for me.  It made me think about being in the moment with my children, and savoring every stage and experience that we are fortunate to have with each other.
      I have read all of the books in this series, and can highly recommend any of them to readers who enjoy warm love stories with happy endings, set in a community that you would jump at the chance to be apart of.  Each story stands on it’s own, telling of how each of the couples, who are supporting characters in the other stories, come to love.  This story, however was my favorite thus far.  I loved these characters, they jumped off of the page and into my world.  It was wonderful watching them learn to share their burden with each other, and in doing so release some of their pain, and grow closer in love.
      Readers can see how these two people complete each other, and how no matter how hard they each push, that they need to be together in order to move forward.  Watch out for the Lucca’s Christmas present for Hope- it’s a tear-jerker.  If you are looking for a great love story that will take you through the season of fall, and into Christmastime, pick up Miracle Road by Emily March, available November 5, 2013.

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