Seven years ago, orphaned and alone, Em finally arrived at a new home in Iowa after riding the orphan train. But secrets from her past haunt her, and her new life in the Western wilderness is a rough one. When her guardian is shot and killed, Em, now nineteen, finally has the chance to search for her long-lost sister, but she won’t be able to do it alone.For Azure Springs Sheriff Caleb Reynolds, … Reynolds, securing justice for the waifish and injured Em is just part of his job. He’s determined to solve every case put before him in order to impress his parents and make a name for himself. Caleb expects to succeed. What he doesn’t expect is the hold this strange young woman will have on his heart.
Debut author Rachel Fordham invites historical romance readers to the charming town of Azure Springs, Iowa, where the people care deeply for one another and, sometimes, even fall in love.
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It’s stories like these that make me so glad I’ve opened my heart to historical romance. Author Rachel Fordham’s debut novel is a beautiful story that had me invested on page one. I appreciate the historical content Ms. Fordham includes with the orphan train and the plight of children aboard. It was fun imagining a town much like Little House on the Prairie complete with a character who very much brought the awful Nellie Oleson to mind every time she came on scene.
I think my favorite part of this story is how the cast of secondary characters were so well developed their purpose throughout the story helped further expose the main characters, Em and Caleb’s, personalities in a way that makes them truly memorable.
The storyline was creative and surprised me a bit in its progression but it worked out in a way that didn’t disappoint. Readers won’t miss the precious message of hope and courage and will definitely mark Ms. Fordham as a storyteller who delivers stories worthy of multiple readings.
This is a wonderful debut novel that had me turning pages quickly. It touched home for me as my mom was put in an orphanage at age five. I recommend five hankies as it broke my heart to think of those poor children standing on a platform waiting to be chosen. The author does an amazing job of bringing this piece of history to life. This is a beautiful story of healing and restoration. Em is a character you will fall in love with and wish you could meet. She will make an impression that will stay with you even after you turn the last page. Highly recommend. I can’t wait to read more by this author. Perfect example of God healing the broken places in our lives.
I was blessed to win a copy of this book. The honest review and opinions are own and were not required.
The Hope of Azure Springs takes place in the 1880s, is written as a western, and for all age groups. If you are not a fan of westerns please don’t let that fact deter you from reading this debut like I almost did. I assure you that if you give it a try you will not be disappointed as it is a combination of drama, comedy, thriller, and romance. Thus there is a little something for just about everyone.
In The Hope of Azure Springs Rachel brought every character, from the two main characters to the most minor character, to life with very distinct engaging personalities and authentic voices that were a delight to get to know. They made me want to move to Azure Springs. I was especially drawn to a secondary character, eccentric Margaret, her attitude toward life and her interactions with Em, the damsel in distress, and Caleb, the Sheriff, who were the two main characters. Rachel brought out in me many different emotions throughout her story from uncontrollable laughter to tears of both sorrow and joy. Rachel’s account of the detestable side of the orphan train made my skin crawl unlike any story I have read. I guess what I am saying is that each and every environment Rachel created in The Hope of Azure Springs was very vivid right down to the tiniest detail. I could easily picture such things as the trees they climbed, Margaret’s house, frog catching, etc.
My reason for a 4 Star review is that there were a few undeniable details that seemed out of place for the time period. The most obvious one which did not set right with me was Caleb taking women out unescorted, both of them riding together on his horse and going to remote areas. There was only one instance where it would have been acceptable which I am not going to go into detail about as not to give away the climax.
Rachel Fordham, a new and quickly rising in notoriety debut author, has written a story that will take you on a beautiful emotional roller coaster ride you will not want to ever get off. I am definitely putting her on my list of authors to watch in the future as I am very interested to read what she writes next.
I received an ARC of this book from the author via her launch group. All options expressed in this review are completely my own.
Where will Em decide her best future lies, in The Hope of Azure Springs by Rachel Fordham?
Fordham brings to life the story of a “prince” and “princesses,” beauty and ugliness, and the ugly reality of lonely children who travel the orphan train west to very uncertain futures.
I loved Abigail and Abraham Howell and the generosity and love they show to Em in her hour of need. I also appreciate the fact that one of their children is NOT walking in their ways. How true to life that can really be.
I also loved that the heroine is not beautiful by most people’s description of beautiful. Beauty comes from the inside out. This is one discussion my husband and I have repeatedly with our young, single twenty-somethings. Can Caleb, the sheriff, ever start seeing with eyes of the soul?
Sometimes we think the little things we do for others don’t matter. Not so. Em discovers this when Abigail lends her a clean night gown. “…it was not just a nightdress, it was kindness.”
A few other quotables:
“Where does a caged animal go when it is freed?”
“How will you ever truly live if you are too afraid to be where you need to be?”
Definitely a book to read to experience the varied lives of orphan train children. I gratefully received a copy of the book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affected my opinions. I was not required to leave a positive review.
This is a very enjoyable coming of age story that I really enjoyed because of the sweet and comical interactions between all of the main characters in the story. Em is a dirty, frail and seriously injured young woman at the beginning of the book but she’s also a young woman to be admired because she was orphaned at an early age and her life has also had many hardships, yet she still has a gentle and loving spirit that shines through her pain. Her heart is not filled with self pity as many of ours might be and although she’s seen the worst that man can do she always sees the good in people and is grateful for the loving family that welcomes her into their home while she recovers from a gunshot wound. The Howell family’s twin daughters take an instant liking to Em because she happily spends time with them while she tells them stories that make them believe in romance and a happily ever after. Meanwhile, Azure Springs, Iowa’s town sheriff and all around nice guy, Caleb, does everything he can to find the man who shot Em while he becomes her protector and friend. Soon they have much in common, including mourning the loss of younger siblings, finding joy in the little things, and well as a fierce thirst for competition that made me laugh out loud. All in all this is a very heartwarming and very entertaining book. I read an early copy of this book through NetGalley and all opinions expressed in my voluntary review are completely my own.
True love always wins, but sometimes you have to search for love because it can be elusive.
Life seems somewhat simpler back in the 1800’s, but then I think I would miss some of the conveniences like air conditioning! There would still be the different personalities of people that you would see today – those that are self absorbed, those that are obsessed with money and wealth, those that are kind and help everyone, and those that just want to be happy.
Em and Caleb both fall into the last two categories – they are kind and help those around them and just want to be happy. They may not know what it will take to make them happy but they keep searching. My heart went out to Em after hearing about the orphan train and losing her sister Lucy at a previous town. And then to learn what Em went through by the person that took her at the last town, she lived in squalor and food was scarce, it was heart breaking but not unexpected all things considered.
Caleb had his own share of sadness by losing his brothers to war. That was just as hard on him as it was his parents and you wonder if it affected them equally or if it hit one person harder than the other. There are some wonderful scenes when Caleb visits his parents with Em. I think once the visit was complete everyone had a better understand of what the other felt and that no one person’s grief was greater than another.
The story is sweetly woven and the interactions between Em and the various characters showed her grit and graciousness. The romance that evolves from Em and Caleb started in friendship which is the best place to start. There is even a lesson taught to Eliza by Caleb which is a lesson many could stand to learn in this world about being humble.
There are wonderful supporting characters such as Milly and Mae, twins that can’t get enough of princess stories. Margaret is unique but much loved by the people in the town despite her eccentricities.
The epilogue will have you a bit misty too.
4 1/2 Stars!!
In Rachel Fordham’s debut novel “The Hope of Azure Springs,” she immediately draws her readers in with an authentic, powerful story of faith, love, and resilience. This is a must read for fans of historical fiction. The story takes place in Azure Springs, Iowa during 1881 in the heart of the Western wilderness. The pain Em feels recalling how she was separated from her 7 year old sister after arriving on the orphan train 7 years ago and the hardships she faced in her life afterwards pulls at the reader’s heartstrings and demonstrates the strength and resilience of the human spirit. Em is determined to find her sister after all these years.
The heroine Em is plain and not particularly attractive. Sheriff Caleb Reynolds is a handsome, strong hero who is determined to find the people who killed her guardian and shot Em. He finds himself slowly becoming attracted to Em over time. His father helps him realize that beauty is found within and shares the following advice with his son, “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.”
Readers will experience a wide range of emotions while reading “The Hope of Azure Springs.” Even through the pain and sadnesses Em faces toward the end of the story (a tear-jerker for the readers!), she becomes stronger as a person and uses her experiences to make a difference in other children’s lives. A wonderful debut novel from Rachel Fordham! I can’t wait for her next book!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
This is a beautifully written story that takes readers to 1881 where the land was hard to work and the town was small in Azure Springs, Iowa. The author captures the time period with breathtaking scenery painted by words. I could see the town and the promises of growth and wealth in the small but almost forgotten piece of the world.
The character Em is a rare and mysterious young woman. She has been left to die but lucky for her was found and taken in by a gracious family. Em has had a hard life and her strength overwhelmed me. She never gives up and her determination is far greater than most her age. I loved how she didn’t want hand outs and was willing to work to repay the family that helped her. She also has a mission to find her sister.
Caleb is the sheriff and wants to find out who hurt Em and why. He has this sense of protection over her and wants to help her find answers to her past. Their relationship is slow and I kept wondering why Em was referred to as a plain woman. Perhaps people couldn’t see the real beauty she had inside. The author draws the characters closer as they open up about their past. There are emotional times that brought tears to my eyes. Will Em find her sister? Can Caleb and Em learn to trust each other? It’s hard to believe this is a debut novel . The writing flows easily and the character development is right on track. There is a bit of danger in the story that will keep readers on their toes. Overall I love the townspeople and how they came together to help Em feel at home.
I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishing . The review is my own opinion.
I am so impressed with the quality and depth of this debut novel by Rachel Fordham. I was immediately captivated by its characters and plot and HAD to know the outcome of their tale. Fordham is a true storyteller who knows how to grab a reader’s interest quickly and keep her engaged until the very last word. Along the journey with Em and Caleb, one learns the meaning of loyalty, acceptance, and true love.
At times poignant and often dramatic, The Promise of Azure Springs is brimming with wonderful characters and a story that will warm your heart. I loved watching as Em learned to trust both others and God and as Caleb discovered his true worth and his place in the world.
The Promise of Azure Springs is a wonderful first novel and I eagerly anticipate this author’s next book. I hope others will pick up their own copy as soon as possible.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Revell Reads, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
The Hope of Azure Springs by Rachel Fordham takes us back to 1881. Em Cooper has been shot and left for dead. She was lucky to be found and transported to Azure Springs, Iowa where the Howell family has taken her into their home. Sheriff Caleb Reynolds is responsible for keeping the law in Azure Springs and the surrounding area. He wants to catch whomever harmed Em and her guardian George. Em was taken in by George seven years prior when the orphan train came through the area. She has been living in a dilapidated barn and scrounging for food since then. Three men came to the farm and proceeded to tear it apart looking for something. When they did not find it, they shot George and Em. She can provide Caleb with a description and it matches that of men who recently robbed a stagecoach. While Caleb works the case, he finds himself drawn to Em with her kind nature and generous heart. Em is eager for the bandits to be captured so she can begin her search for her sister, Lucy. They became separated when Lucy was adopted, and Em has worried about her ever since. Em is grateful her prayers were answered, and she was freed from George, but she has yet to realize that she is the answer to others prayers.
The Hope of Azure Springs is well-written story with a gentle pace and a beautiful cover. I liked the main characters of Em and Caleb. The supporting characters of the Howell family and Margaret Anders (I like her attitude) helped enhance the story. Em has had a difficult life, but she does not let it get her down. She has a positive attitude and a grateful heart. Em has a different way of looking at things and she helps others with their grief. The romance was sweet, and it focused on the individual’s character (what is inside the person) instead of their physical appearance (though Caleb is handsome). I like the Christian elements present throughout the story. The presence of God in our lives, having faith in God, God’s grace and prayer. Other themes are hope, self-reliance but also knowing when to accept help from others, friendship, enduring love, and the value of self-worth. The road to a happy future is a bumpy one, and Em’s journey will be an emotional one. I like how the story goes full circle. My rating for The Hope of Azure Springs is 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). I hope the author gives Eliza and Margaret their own books. I would like to see their stories play out. Readers who enjoy clean western romance novels will be delighted with The Hope of Azure Springs.
This debut book by Rachel Fordham is one of the most achingly tender sweet books I have ever read. Set in Iowa in the late 1800s, The Hope of Azure Springs will make you laugh and cry and will steal your heart with its unique charm and its theme of enduring hope even in the midst of life’s heartbreaks and tragedies.
Nineteen year old Em is a fighter, a survivor. To look at her as man looks she is plain and unremarkable. But on the inside she has the most beautiful, courageous, selfless heart. She finds herself at nineteen in Azure Springs by Rachel , Iowa, being cared for by a loving family, the Howells. Em’s life has had more than its fair share of tragedies and loss. Orphaned at the age of 12 along with her little sister, Lucy, she does what she has to do and puts both herself and Lucy into the care of the local Aid Society and winds up on the Orphan Train. She and Lucy are separated and Em ends up living in a barn that belongs to the old man named George who reluctantly takes charge of her. She spends seven years barely surviving – little food, clothing or shelter – and escapes with a near-fatal gunshot that brings her into the care of the Howell family in Azure Springs along with its sheriff, Caleb Reynolds.
This story just got sweeter and sweeter with each chapter that I read. My heart broke for Em and the heartbreak and pain she endured as a child. With most books the main character is usually extraordinarily beautiful or at the very least attractive. So I loved that Em was portrayed as “a plain girl with a plain name”. But as you get to know her, you realize, like Caleb did, the truth that “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.”
This book was such a delight in a “breath of fresh air” sort of way. It’s evident to me that the sweetness and tenderness of this story and the hope that is portrayed throughout it is reflective of the heart of its author, and I believe, reflective of the very heart of our tenderly merciful Lord, who is our blessed hope in this world and the one to come.
The Hope of Azure Springs by Rachel Fordham
A heartwarming, inspirational historical adventure
My rating is 4 stars
Even Em’s name was plain. She knew that she was not a beauty and that no one would ever look at her that way. Despite her looks, Em had a heart of gold. She was kind and willing to work hard. Her outlook was quite positive and she didn’t expect anyone to do anything for her. I loved the way she constantly told stories to the seven-year-old twins Mae and Milly to entertain them. She was able to help those around her who grieved, which was very sweet.
One of the themes of this lovely story is how beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It wasn’t Em who needed to learn this lesson, however, but Caleb. He had his eye on the town beauty and only spent time with Em because of her case. At first. Then he started enjoying spending time with her and was able to open up and have fun in a way he hadn’t been able to for years. I love the lessons he learned through the story.
There were a number of people in the story dealing with grief, each in a different way. Author Rachel Fordham handled this in a very compassionate and tactful way and kindly helped her characters to grow and heal.
The story showed a different side of the Orphan Trains than the more romanticized view often seen in fiction. Unfortunately, not all the placements were made with care or the right motives, and not all the orphans were treated well.
I appreciate that the author didn’t choose the easy solutions. While Em’s appearance improved after she began to eat properly, she would never be considered the town beauty. There were a couple of other situations that were resolved appropriately, but not necessarily “happily”.
Some things detracted from the story, in my opinion, causing me to not give it 5 stars. While overall the writing was good (as you can see by the quotes I’ve included) and the plot was interesting, the dialog was a little awkward and some of the phrasing could have been reworked to be better.
I felt that Em’s character was too perfect. Not in outward appearance, but just about everything else. When faced with a new situation, I knew she was going to always do the right thing, and it annoyed me a little. Not that I love mean characters – Em was just a little unrelatable and unrealistic. In the part where she wrote a letter, I would have liked to have seen things spelled as she would have spelled them and the speech to sound a little more countrified instead of almost everyone having perfect grammar.
That said, if you enjoy historical novels with a hint of mystery and danger, you will probably enjoy this one. Give it a try.
Read the full review of The Hope of Azure Springs by Rachel Fordham with a Preview at AmongTheReads.net
I would like to thank Netgalley, Revell for giving me a copy of this book. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.
The Hope Of Azure Springs is a very unique story. You have a very bad villain who kills Ems guardian who is not all that nice – actually is very abusive – and tries to kill her by shooting her – now she ends up in a town Azure Springs – where the people treat her with love and respect and tenderness. She meets up with the Sherriff who wants to help her find out who shot her and her guardian. Now where does GOD fit in? This is extremely important. How does she handle the people treating her with respect and tenderness? How would you after being treated like a dog? I received a copy of this book from the Publisher and Netgalley; all of the opinions expressed in this review are all my own.
if you would like to read more of my Christian book reviews go to christianlybookreviewers.blogspot.com
What a wonderful written book. It is the story of Em and her sister Lucy who were orphaned and rode the orphan train. They get separated and Em gets adopted and has a hard life. After she gets shot and found her life begins to change and she finds people who really care about her.. She always thinks about her sister and wants to earn enough money to find her. Lots of hardship in Ems life but yet she goes on. A story that keeps you interested from the first page to the last. Thank you Net Galley for the chance to read and review this book.
3.5 stars
The setting is Azure Springs, Iowa circa 1881. The circumstance is an injured young woman named Em with an unknown background. She’s taken in by the kindhearted Howell family and under the protection of Caleb Reynolds, town sheriff. Learning of bandits who killed & robbed her guardian, he vows to bring them to justice while making sure she’s in safe hands. What he didn’t count on was the more time he spent with Em, the more his heart becomes entangled with hers. Perhaps God brought these two together for love & healing!
My heart ached learning all the things Em’s been through in her young life. Losing both parents when a fever raged through her hometown & her sister when they were separated on the Orphan train. Then to top it off, she was attacked by three men who left her for dead and killed George her guardian. She’s shown the kindness of strangers when the Howell’s take her in to recover. That’s one family I wished was my own! The two youngest sisters Milly & Mae bring her much happiness and helps fill the ache inside her for her own sister. These two are bright sunshine in a world of darkness; their laughter and fun will have them wrapped around your finger! The whole town takes her under their wings and shows her love and kindness, something she hasn’t felt for a long time since losing her parents as a child. Caleb was a hero in every form you’d imagine. He not only looked out for Em’s safety but befriended her without judgment. He’s kindhearted, a good listener and brings humor & laughter to Em’s world. Mae & Milly even call him the prince of Azure Springs! He’s the epitome of every woman’s dream.
I have to be honest & fair in my review, so here are a few things I didn’t care for: Em struggles throughout the book with feeling insecure. She was surrounded by people who showed her kindness and tried to help her see the potential she had inside of her. Understandably she has been through the wringer in life, but I really wanted to see more character growth. That’s an important aspect in a story for me, seeing the character growth as it helps me see areas in my life that I can work on too. Eliza, for instance, had character growth; she wasn’t the same person at the end of the book as she was in the beginning. Secondly, this being labeled as Christian or inspirational fiction, I didn’t see a lot of aspects you’d come to expect from a Christian fiction book. There was very little mention of God or how the characters relied on Him throughout the story. It’s a reason I stick with this genre because I need to see faith play a role in a book. I had a hard time really connecting with the story as good as it was; I really wanted to like it more than I did!
Conclusion: it’s a wonderful story, lots of emotions, well-written, good characters, a great town that helps each other, and the eventual happily-ever-after I love about romance. Just because it didn’t engage me as much as I wanted it to, doesn’t mean it won’t for other readers. I’d encourage you to come to your own conclusion after reading it for yourself!
*I received a complimentary copy from Revell and was under no obligation to leave a favorable review. All opinions were my own *
I think every young girl needs to read this book. Wait. Every female needs to read this book. Who doesn’t suffer from some sort self image issues?! This book is beautifully written and has such Biblical truth in it. It even has a fairy tale quality to it as well. The heroine, Em looks like a little girl, but she is actually twenty years old. She is tiny and malnourished and is plain. She knows she will never marry. The hero, Caleb is the handsome sheriff, who has all of the ladies swooning. He finds Em to be different. She has an attitude of gratefulness. She is hard working, and cares for others more than for herself. She also likes to have fun and doesn’t seem to care about lady like manners. This speaks volumes because of her childhood. Needless to say, her beauty is revealed through her sweet spirit and soul. This makes me think of the scripture in Proverbs that says that “Charm is deceptive and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised.” This book made me think and ponder way into the night. Should I be worried about my outward appearance or my inward beauty. Which is going to last? I can tell you at my age, it’s what’s on the inside that matters and lasts.
*I was given a copy of this book by Revell publishers via Netgalley and was under no obligation to leave a review. This is my honest opinion
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!
3.5 stars
“Soon enough she’d be back to merely surviving, but for now, in this moment, the world felt brighter.”
Sleeping in a barn and working for non-existent wages, the past seven years have not been kind to Em (“a mighty plain name for a mighty plain girl”), but it seems that a near death experience has totally changed her life. Nearly bleeding to death from a gunshot wound, and terribly malnourished, Em is found unconscious by residents of Azure Springs, Iowa. When the local sheriff begins to unpack Em’s story, ” . . his gut (tells) him that this was no usual crime”; Caleb Reynolds is a determined man, and the waif like victim has quite the story to tell.
Living with a gracious, esteemed family in the community during her convalescence, Em struggles to find her place; uneducated and rather ordinary in appearance, she wraps herself in their kindness; the likes of which she has never known. When her friendship deepens with the handsome sheriff, uninvited trouble appears on the horizon. And her future remains rather murky; for Em is determined to find the younger sister that she was forced to leave behind.
“Sometimes the steepest roads lead to the grandest views.”
A lovely debut with some inevitable predictability, but also sprinkled with glimpses of life’s uncertainties and a beautiful ending. I received a copy of this book from the publisher through the book review program associated with the web site “Interviews and Reviews”.
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!
Received free book and I am voluntarily leaving a review opinions are of my own.
The Hope of Azure Springs is a fabulous debut for Rachel Fordham. I found it to be beautifully written with vivid details that drew me in instantly. I could not put the book down. I felt connected to Em from the moment I was introduced to her. The story has everything I love to read, entertainment, adventure, humor, history, and moments that tugged at my heart.
I am giving The Hope of Azure Springs a well deserved five plus stars. It is among my favorites I have read this year. I can not wait to see what Rachel Fordham releases next.
Highly recommended.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.