Holy Roman Empire, 1527In the wake of Martin Luther’s religious reforms, Princess Christyne von Heidelbraum is compelled by her sense of duty to help ease the burden of her people. When she stumbles upon a dying man in the woods, she vows to aid him—even when she discovers the arrow shot in his leg was put there by a heretic hunter. With both her physical and spiritual well-being in danger, she … danger, she must choose between conscience or adhering to the laws of the Empire.
Present Day
Doubting her calling to become a hospital chaplain, Amber Carrington takes time off from her theology studies to volunteer with refugees in Germany. Working with children, making a difference, reconnecting with the conviction that once drove her—these were her expectations. An instant attraction to a professional soccer player wasn’t a part of the plan…and she can’t let him distract her from her purpose.
As a new Christian, Seth Marshall is determined to put his popularity as a world-renowned footballer to good use. Unfortunately, old habits and public opinions are hard to overcome. When he falls hard and fast for Amber Carrington, his former life—and her no-dating policy—may block his perfect shot for the woman he loves.
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With You Here, written by Sarah Monzon, is a final book in the Carrington Family series. I have to say, it’s my first to read and yet I found it to easily be a stand-alone read. I am sure reading the three previous books would be interesting to see the backstories of some of the characters but the author gives enough information in With You Here that the reader is not lost or have lots of questions. This is a dual time story that begins with the story of a German princess in the Holy Roman Empire of 1527. It is a time of Christianity’s revolutionary work of Martin Luther and the believers who stood for the belief of Christ alone for their faith. The contemporary story is of a young woman who has begun to doubt her calling and has come to Germany to perhaps find her purpose in life (and she just might find romance too). Both women are strong in their faith and yet have struggles to which readers can relate. Their stories’ connection is revealed near the end of the story which was a little frustrating to me! But a worthwhile connection it is. I like the author’s descriptions of her characters and scenes as they made it easy for me to imagine myself right there in the midst of the story. And as the story unfolds, being reminded of the work of divine providence in our lives and the working of God to give guidance as to our life purpose is inspirational and encouraging. Readers of historical fiction, especially dual time stories, will not want to miss this one. And I’m thinking I need to go back and read the previous books in the series!
I was given a complimentary copy of the book and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.
WOW!! I totally love Sarah Monzon’s books. She’s an extremely talented author!
Writing a story with a dual time line must not be easy and she accomplishes it with a fresh and natural approach, blending both stories in a unique novel that is thought provoking and life changing. You fly from one story to the other without effort, seamlessly. This is the first thing, that you get two beautiful stories in the same book!
But the best is that both stories are awesome!
Even if they can be read as a standalone, we have been following the Carrington Family story. First, Trent, Michael and Adam’s stories (all awesome, believe me), all with dual timeline’s stories.
Now it’s Amber’s turn, the youngest and only girl between the siblings, it’s normal that she has lead a sheltered and easy life. But she has this desire… to fly on her own wings, to do something purpuseful, get out of her confort zone, doing something useful for others. So she decides to pause her theology studies and travel to Germany to volunteer for the refugees that seek shelter in Germany. People that have suffered war, poverty, hunger and rejection, and suffer still from those wounds, for whom she can be useful. She finds herself coaching them in soccer football and discovers that she has to work with Seth Marshall, a famous english football star, nonetheless. Sparks fly, but Amber is not interested in dating, plus Seth has a bad playboy reputation, could he really have changed as it seems? And then the doubts: that she’s not prepared for this mission, that she can’t help them when she’s had an easy life. Will she be discouraged or will she see what God has planned for her?
Seth is a new Christian, and wants to live his life in Christ in a new way. But will his reputation ever go away. Will this stand in the way of pursuing Amber, other than her non-dating policy?
But then, 5 centuries ago (1527), Princess Christyne Von Heidelbraum, we see another kind hearted woman who wants to do something for others too, in her own Kingdom, where she sees so much suffering and unfairness. So she sneaks out from the castle, disguised as a commoner, and while going through the woods she finds an injured man, pierced by an arrow. She can’t just not help him even if she risks being caught and if she doesn’t know who he is. She takes him to the castle in secret and tends to his wounds. But when she realices this man is being hunted as a traitor to his faith, making him an heretic. Lorenz and Chrystine get to know each other and Chrystine begins to questions her beliefs too. But if she changes her faith, will her life be in danger too? Will she be strong enough to stand up to what she believes? Is her faith in God strong enough?
Both stories were beautiful, and I loved that there was so much to learn from both. Both were going out of their confort zone to do something they thought was good, but when others question them, will they be strong enough to stand up to what God inspires them to be right? It’s a dual romance that will uplift you and make you want to live more by God standards than other’s. Trust in God is a great issue and both women’s faith and trust in Him are put to test. But I loved the outcome. It shows, even though we may have fears and don’t have guarantee of the future, God always has our back. And He’s the only one who can bring good even out of bad. So there’s never anything to lose in God’s hands, right?
I truly recommend this book! An engaging dual plot with twists and some adventure, and deep and relatable characters that you will fall in love with.
Monzon’s Carrington family is well represented in their final story, “With You Here.” Rich landscapes, real life relationships, wrestling with faith and how to apply that faith in the midst of world events, following the calling on our lives…there’s many great things to unpack!
Amber Carrington has accepted the call to become a hospital chaplain, going through seminary and meeting the goals she must to fulfill what God has asked of her. After the mental stress of that undertaking, she decides to volunteer with refugees in Germany. She doesn’t count on the attractive soccer player, Seth Marshall, to be her co-leader. Sparks fly, and as they work alongside displaced and traumatized children, Amber begins to fall for Seth. She keeps reminding herself that’s not what she’s here for, but Seth is as amazing as he seems…isn’t he?
Seth has his own issues to deal with–a tough football team that is disrespectful of women, rough and tumble as they come, and crass. Since renewing his relationship with Christ, Seth decides he’s ready to live differently, much to the chagrin of the rest of the team. After coming to blows with a teammate, he decides to volunteer his talent by teaching refugee children to play soccer and help them acclimate to their new surroundings.
This split time novel also shares the story of Princess Christyne von Heildelbraum, dealing with religious reforms and changes during the time of Martin Luther. She finds an injured man in the woods and brings him back to the castle, never expecting the ramifications of her choice. The man in question, Lorenz Meier, is soft spoken, yet intelligent. He knows the Scriptures and has a sense of peace that draws the Princess to him, even against her own objections and concerns. Will they be discovered? Will Lorenz be prosecuted for heresy?
Lovers of time split fiction will enjoy this read, as it is rich with contemporary romance, as well as historical fiction–the best of both worlds! Monzon is a writer who does her research and is talented at creating characters you root for and get frustrated with at the same time. This would be a really fun book to host as a book club selection, as there are many topics addressed in the book that are current and relevant. There is a great thread woven within the book of seeking God’s will for each of our lives, reaching out and being a bridge to those different than us, mending tough family relationships and falling in love God’s way. All in all, this was a wonderful completion to the Carrington family stories.
I got the chance to read early, thanks to Radiant Publications. All opinions are my own and I was not required to leave a review.
Sarah Monzon concludes the Carrington Family series with a character many of us who have grown up in the church can relate to.
Amber Carrington doubts her call to ministry. As someone who came to Christ early and didn’t stray, she feels she has no testimony and cannot relate to those she longs to minister to. It takes a trip to Germany, a football (aka soccer) star, some encouragement from her big brothers, and the story of a centuries ago princess’s convictions to open Amber’s eyes and ease her doubts for her future.
The historical and contemporary portions of With You Here fit together like pieces of a puzzle, only revealing the entire picture at the end of the story. The romance is sweet and endearing, and the refugee children Amber and Seth work with melt your heart.
The entire Carrington Family series is fantastic, but for me, this one stands out as my favorite.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Another great book in this series!
My rating is 4.5 stars
Amber Carrington had been called by God to minister as a hospital chaplain. She was so clear about this calling, she enrolled in Bible College and endured years of men questioning her right to be there. Yet, when questioned by a girl in the hospital about how she could possibly know what she was going through, she began to question everything and ran away to Germany to do some soul searching while helping children at a refugee camp.
I was able to relate quite well to Amber and her fear that because she hadn’t lived through a dramatic conversion, because she hadn’t experienced poverty or a teenage pregnancy, her testimony wasn’t enough. That she didn’t have anything to offer to a hurting world. But I believe that this is a lie the devil likes us to listen to so we don’t attempt to bring the light of the Gospel to those who are in darkness. I loved the way Sarah Monzon approached this and how she showed Amber’s thoughts on the matter and then showed the way others saw her ministry. It was quite powerful.
Seth was such a lovable guy. Not because he was a star footballer. Not because he was handsome. But because of his love for family. His commitment to follow the Lord and do the right thing. The way he still struggled with his faith as a new believer and yet turned to the Lord for help.
I loved the way Seth and Amber ministered to the refugee children and the sensitive way in which their plight was shared. The author made the pain they experienced and the ugliness of the world they escaped come alive without adding gory details. The day the children were terrified of the planes flying overhead and the way that Seth and Amber loved them through their fears was so touching!
As with the other books in the Carrington Family Romance series, With You Here has a split time-period narrative – the historical portion of this one taking place at the time of the Protestant Reformation. What a fascinating story this was! When Christyne has discovered a man who has been wounded, she had no idea that rescuing him would turn her life upside down and cause her to question everything she believed.
There is so much to love about this story, including Sarah Monzon’s unapologetic way of clearly presenting spiritual truths. While I think everyone should read this, lovers of Christian romance, both contemporary and historical, will want to include it in their library. And to read it, of course!
Read my review of With you Here by Sarah Monzon at AmongTheReads.net
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
Sarah Monzon finishes off the Carrington family series with Amber Carrington’s story in With You Here. Amber is searching for the “rightness” of her calling in the present day. Five hundred years ago during the time of the Protestant Reformation Christyne von Heidelbraum is searching her conscience for the “rightness” of her faith. Both women are introduced to men who challenge them in their searches and may just be part of the answers they are looking for.
Sarah Monzon is a master at writing a dual timeline novel. Each story pulls the reader in so that when she switches storylines there is disappointment at the switch until one gets sucked into the other storyline. I especially enjoyed the change of language style in this novel between the present day story to the one that takes place in the 1500’s. It made the novel easy to follow as the reader switched from one time period to the next. The drawing together at the end of the novel is another of Monzon’s strengths. (ahhhhh!)
I recommend this book to readers of Christian romantic fiction. Both historical and contemporary readers will enjoy this book!
My thanks to the author for a preview copy of this book. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
3.5 stars
“What do we have in common? Nothing. You, with your perfect little family – parents still married, doting brothers – your suburban, picket-fence life. What do you know of hardship? . . . . So take your messiah complex and go somewhere you’re actually wanted . . . . No one needs you here.”
And that was the crux of the matter . . . . her calling. Amber Carrington had just flown thousands of miles to volunteer her services among refugees seeking shelter in Germany, in order to confirm the whisper of God that she once imagined to have heard. Instead, it appears that only her doubts are being substantiated; how can she authentically minister to others out of a nearly perfect life?
Many centuries earlier, another young woman began to doubt her faith. Upon rescuing one deemed a heretic by both the emperor and the reformers, Princess Christyne von Heidelbraun reaches a crossroads; one step in either director will most certainly change the course of her life. Will declaring “that salvation is given and accepted by faith alone” become her mantra or her epitaph?
What a beautifully written story; the blending of history and contemporary was perfectly pitched, and as an added bonus; two lovely love stories sweetened the mix.
There is so much to love about this multi-faceted story! I’d be hard-pressed to choose a favorite timeline, as they are both engaging and endearing. The characters are dynamic and they each have their own compelling story to tell. I was captivated right from the start and held in delight as each beguiling moment was expertly revealed with eloquent details that swept me off my feet and into the very heart of the stories.
I enjoyed traveling back to the reformation period and gaining a first-hand view at what it must have been like to live during such turbulent times. The historical details and vibrant characters pulled me in and had me holding my breath on more than one occasion. I often thought of my own ancestors who were French Huguenots and left France due to persecution. I was reminded of the fact that God’s people have been persecuted throughout history and even still today.
I really enjoyed getting to know Amber Carrington. The Carrington brothers each have their own wonderful stories, but I have long anticipated getting to know Amber. I appreciate that Amber has chosen to follow God’s calling to minister to others and share her faith as a chaplain. The tender love story between Amber and Seth both warmed my heart and kept me on the edge of my seat hoping everything would work out!
I have loved all of the stories in The Carrington Family series and strongly encourage you to pick up a copy for yourself to enjoy!
(I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)