Can two broken paths–and broken hearts–lead toward God’s redemption? When Ashley Showalter and Ben Henning meet on Ashley’s horse rescue farm, they quickly discover how much they have in common. Both were raised by single moms. Both want to help where they see a need. And both work with horses in the Boise valley. Ben needs Ashley’s help and expertise after starting an equine therapy barn on … barn on his great-great-grandfather’s farm–and the more time they spend together, both Ashley and Ben have the feeling that there could be something more between them.
They also carry the burden of past experiences that may drive them apart if the truth is ever revealed. Ben is a recovering alcoholic with five years of sobriety behind him, while Ashley’s brother is an opioid addict residing in court-ordered rehab. Holding fast to the belief that addicts can never be cured, Ashley has promised herself she will never walk knowingly into the chaos created by addiction. Ben knows that with God, all things are possible–but will Ashley find it within herself to give love a chance? Or will her brother’s mistakes and the pain of her past jeopardize her future with Ben?
Cross My Heart threads together a contemporary love story with the heartwarming tale of Ben’s great-great-grandfather, Andrew Henning–reminding us that God’s Word is timeless and that His promises are new every morning.
This sweet split-time read is a standalone novel, though it can be read as a part of the Legacy of Faith series.
Book one: Who I Am with You
Book two: Cross My Heart
Book three (coming in 2020): How Sweet It Is
Book length: approximately 79,000 words. Includes a reading group guide.
“Hatcher writes with realism and compassion about how hope and healing can grow from our deepest wounds.” –Beth K. Vogt, Christy Award-winning author
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My Thoughts:
As you may know, we have a small farm here. One of the main animals on our farm are horses. We love them! Our children love to ride them and so do we. But we also use them for Civil War reenacting which means they are well-trained animals. The thought of using horses for therapy is definitely a good one in my mind. I know that they act as therapy for myself and friends and could very well see them being used in an official capacity.
Great read. The characters were compelling. I mean you felt for Ashley and the fact that she never wants to place herself in a situation to be hurt from an addict again. But yet she wants to help addicts. She is so confused but she knows that she wants to protect her heart.
And Ben. Poor Ben. He’s a recovered alcoholic. Recently he inherited a 40-acre farm that he wants to turn into an equine therapy place. His mom calls him stupid for not selling, and on a regular basis at that. All he really wants though is to obey God in what he believes he’s been told. That’s why it hurts so much when everyone says no and closes the door to help him.
That is until he is referred to Ashley and she doesn’t immediately say no.
Robin Lee Hatcher is a wonderful author. I’ve read many of her books and knew that I’d love this one. It reads quickly and keeps you entertained. I never felt that I needed to put the book down or that I wanted to skip ahead because it was boring. It definitely wasn’t boring.
No real mystery or suspense, but a great read. A good wholesome book while also covering some of the harder parts of society today like an addiction. Mental health is a hot topic these days as people still feel shame from it but society is also recognizing it more. Equine therapy is a great thing to get out there into peoples minds though so I love that it’s a focal point.
Recommend. And while you’re reading this one go ahead and find some of her other books to read too. You’re going to love them. Clean fiction with some good clean romance. Perfect snuggle on the couch during a thunderstorm at night reading.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from JustRead Publicity Tours. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
Ben Henning has a passion for helping people struggling with addiction, he is inspired by his own past to start a farm where people can work with horses as part of their therapy. Everything is falling into place the only thing is that he still needs the horses. Ben is gifted his great-grandfather’s Bible, and the story also follows the great-grandfather and his children at the dawn of WWII.
Ashley Showalter has an acreage that isn’t nearly big enough to house all the horses that she wants to help. She is passionate about rescuing abused and neglected horses. She agrees to keep an eye out for good horses for Ben’s farm, and they can incorporate rescue horses into his farm.
The second book in a series, Ben and Ashley’s story in the modern day stands well on it’s own, while the parallel story of great-grandfather Andrew picks up right where the previous book in the series left off.
Ben is passionate about helping others, he had a troubled childhood laced with addictions of his own. He and his Grandfather as very close, and they go to church together every Sunday. His grandfather is wise in his faith and is excellent counsel to Ben.
I loved Ashley’s willingness to help Ben and her passion for helping horses. She had a rough upbringing and has always had questions about God, as they get to know one another it opens a door for deep conversations. She had worked hard for her acerage, taught herself everything that she knows about horses. I admired her motivation and love for her family.
I also really enjoyed the continuation of Andrew Henning and his family many generations earlier. It was really cool to see him reading and praying over the very same Bible as Ben decades later. His adopted son Ben dreams of taking to the sky as a pilot, but with the war looming he knows that his son will be faced with horrors and he must trust him to God.
Overall, I loved how the two stories generations apart were told side by side, as Ben and Andrew find their faith tested. Ben’s grandfather is an excellent source of wisdom and good advice, and I loved Ben and Ashley’s passion for helping others through horses. Stellar storytelling, great characters, and strong faith. I really enjoyed the premise and setting, it was also great to see characters from the previous book make appearances. Definitely recommend!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.l
4.5 stars!
Robin Lee Hatcher is the author of many novels, but the first that I picked up was Who I Am With You, book one in the A Legacy of Faith series. And I quickly fell in love with Hatcher’s writing style and her beautiful characters. So, of course, I was anxious to read book two!
Our main characters, Ben Henning and Ashley Showalter, are both unique and engaging characters. Ben is quite the gentleman, although he’s not one of those too-perfect love interest characters. In fact, he has quite the backstory. I quickly fell in love with him and his kind heart. Ashley took a little longer, as she is just so different than me, but soon I loved her too, and was rooting for both of these characters and their story.
The storyline is fairly slow moving, but regardless it kept my interest and I found myself wanting to just keep reading where other books with similarly paced storylines would have left me bored. There’s just something about Hatcher’s writing style and the setting of her stories that makes me want to go spend a day–or a while–with these characters in small-town Idaho. The author also does a fabulous job incorporating the dual-time period. I’m not usually a fan of those types of stories, but I love Hatcher’s unique take on the idea!
I also loved the representation of equine therapy that was featured in Cross My Heart; it is a subject that has always interested me and I’ve done a lot of reading on it. It is clear that Hatcher has done her research on the subject, for which I give her kudos. Similarly, the redemptive themes and themes of faith included were incredibly well done. So often I feel like Christian authors have the tendency to force that aspect and it becomes “preachy.” Not so with Hatcher; it is just a natural and beautiful addition to the story.
The only complaint I have is that this was too short! I wish the climax had taken place a little sooner in the book, therefore leaving more time for wrapping up. But really, that is just a minor issue.
All in all, I greatly enjoyed this addition to the A Legacy of Faith series! I highly recommend this series to lovers of sweet, contemporary romance with deep themes. I will be eagerly awaiting book three!
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
3.5 stars
“People failed people. Horses didn’t.”
Having experienced people’s failures to a greater extent than most, Ashley Showwalter has made it her mission in life to rescue horses. The big animals have always provided her with a sense of peace and contentment; it’s only natural that she can’t bear to see them mistreated. Ashley’s own barn space is rather limited, so when a neighbor comes along seeking her advice about his vision for a equine therapy program, she jumps at the opportunity to become involved. . . . . . .she just didn’t expect her heart to follow along so closely behind her head.
“I just don’t want you believing that you don’t deserve more, that you don’t deserve love and a family. God’s plans are often more than we expect. We simply have to be open to them.”
Ben Henning has traveled the road of recovery for many of his young years. Now that he has been gifted with beautiful family property, he feels a calling to help others who are trying hard to become overcomers. Instantly attracted to Ashley Showalter’s knowledge of horses and desire to help him succeed, Ben begins walking down a path that he never thought could be his; just what kind of partnership is forming. . . . and can it withstand the scrutiny of full disclosure?
With Robin Lee Hatcher’s easy going story-telling style, readers will grow to appreciate how the strength and the struggles of generations past can either aid or abet those upon whom they are bestowed. Yet the promise of God remains clear; “Be strong and of a good courage, be not afraid . . . .for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thought goest.”
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
Cross My Heart, the second book in award-winning author Robin Lee Hatcher’s Legacy of Faith series, continues the storyline of an heirloom Bible being passed on throughout the generations of the Henning family. The recipients of Andrew Henning’s Bible are instructed to keep it until they feel that God tells them to pass it onto another family member. Robin Lee Hatcher creates an incredibly powerful dual timeline novel that deals with relevant issues in today’s society such as alcoholism, opioid addiction, and how these addictions can change people’s lives forever.
In the contemporary storyline, Ben Henning receives his great-great grandfather’s Bible from his cousin Jessica, whose story was told in the first book in the series (Who I Am With You). Ben decides to start an equine therapy program with the assistance of Ashley Showalter, who rescues abused and neglected horses. The verses in the Bible help strengthen Ben’s faith during this challenging time in his life as he attempts to make amends for past mistakes. The historical storyline follows Ben’s great-great grandfather Andrew Henning and his family through the years of World War II while two of his sons fight in the war.
Cross My Heart is a story of redemption, healing, and discovering God’s grace and purpose for our lives. Robin Lee Hatcher seamlessly switches between the contemporary and historical storylines, which allows readers to easily follow the journey of the Henning family through the years. Even though this is a slower-paced novel, readers will be thoroughly invested in the storyline and will be rooting for Ben and Ashley to get their happy ending. With relatable characters and real-life issues, readers will be captivated by this inspirational novel of forgiveness and hope.
Cross My Heart is highly recommended for readers of contemporary romance, especially those who enjoy books by authors such as Denise Hunter, Becky Wade, and Rachel Hauck. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
Don’t you love it when you finish reading a book and you can sit quietly and bask in a satisfying closure? That’s how I always feel upon completing a book by Robin Lee Hatcher. Her words carry a soft cadence, her story pulses strongly, and the love conveyed warms my soul.
Ben is easy to love. He’s a strong guy with a big heart and a dark past. I immediately connected with Ashley. The two go into business together, rescuing animals and providing equine therapy to those in need. But their clients and horses aren’t the only ones that need rescuing.
There is also a historical aspect to this story, involving Ben’s ancestors during WWII. It gives the story more depth and importance, and Ms. Hatcher does a wonderful job of weaving the two eras together.
I sank into this sweet story with ease, and feel as if I’ve spent an extended vacation at the Henning farm. I love the slow-build in the story. Not rushing makes it all feel authentic, and ultimately satisfying. And–it’s always a thrill when you reach that part in the book that mentions the book’s title. *Swoon*
I enjoyed these entwining, compassionate stories and the thread of faith throughout. You’ll enjoy them too—cross my heart.
First Line (Prologue): Ben Henning showed his cousin Jessica into the kitchen of the old farmhouse.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and Netgalley. I was under no obligation to post a positive review.
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‘People failed. Horses didn’t. Horses never lied.’
Ben Henning and Ashley Showalter have a lot in common, one thing being they both love horse, so when Ben wants to get an equine therapy barn up and running, Ashley is very willing to help out. I loved this aspect of the story. Ben has been through a very rough time and Ashley has problems with trust, so they can both benefit from the equine therapy. Both stand in need of God’s grace. He bestows that grace on His children every day. Hatcher weaves together a story of God’s redemption that is heartwarming nd full of faith. Interspersed with short vignettes told by Ben’s great great grandfather, this family settles into your heart and will nourish your spirit as you read.
*My thanks to the publisher for a preview copy of this book via Net Galley. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
In book two of Robin Lee Hatcher’s Legacy of Faith Series, God shows how He takes two broken hearts and puts them together again. Ben Henning, a recovering alcoholic and Ashley Showlater, who tries to fix her life and her family’s life on her own. I loved how the author used real world problems in her book. This book is about forgiveness and letting go of the past. It is also about healing and I love how the author intertwines the Equine therapy as a form of healing mental and physically in the story. I believe the author, Robin Lee Hatcher, captured the emotions perfectly in this book to show that even though our past is not perfect and we still make mistakes, God is perfect and He knows what He is doing in our lives at all times. Ben and Ashley come together for a bigger purpose. God’s purpose. This story draws you in from the first chapter and once you start you do not want to put it down. I highly recommend this book and I can’t wait to read the third one!!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.