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    Cross My Heart
    Cross My Heart
    Cross My Heart
    Audiobook8 hours

    Cross My Heart

    Written by Robin Lee Hatcher

    Narrated by Windy Lanzl

    4.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    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 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 

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherThomas Nelson
    Release dateJun 25, 2019
    ISBN9780785219330
    Cross My Heart
    Author

    Robin Lee Hatcher

    Robin Lee Hatcher is the author of over 80 novels and novellas with over five million copies of her books in print. She is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. Her numerous awards include the RITA Award, the Carol Award, the Christy Award, the HOLT Medallion, the National Reader’s Choice Award, and the Faith, Hope & Love Reader’s Choice Award. Robin is also the recipient of prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards from both American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. When not writing, she enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, Bible art journaling, reading books that make her cry, watching romantic movies, and decorative planning. Robin makes her home on the outskirts of Boise, sharing it with a demanding Papillon dog and a persnickety tuxedo cat.

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    Reviews for Cross My Heart

    4.5/5

    31 ratings8 reviews

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    • 4/5
      4.5 stars.

      Cross My Heart by Robin Lee Hatcher is an endearing Christian romance. This second installment in the Legacy of Faith series can easily be read as a standalone. However, I highly recommend book one, Who I Am with You, as well.

      Ben Hennings is a recovering alcoholic whose experiences with equine therapy have inspired him to turn his great-great-grandfather’s farm into a non-profit equine therapy center. He is relying on donations and leases to provide the horses he needs to open Harmony Barn and he is happily surprised by how many people are eager to help him. Ben's deep faith sustains him as he maintains his sobriety and works to bring his dream to fruition.  He is quite close to his grandpa Grant, but Ben's relationship with his mother Wendy is strained.  He continues to work through the steps in his recovery but his efforts to make amends to his childhood friend, Craig Foster, are rebuffed time and again.  After meeting Ashley Showalter, Ben enjoys their quiet friendship, but will he be able to resist his growing feelings for her?

      Ashley has turned her small farm into a horse rescue but she cannot rehabilitate as many horses as she would like. She works full-time at a local store but she is hopeful she will one day be able to expand her horse rescue. Ashley is thrilled to donate two of her rehabilitated horses to Ben and she is surprised by how much she enjoys spending time with him. She is close to her mom but their reactions to her brother, Dylan's addiction problems, are completely opposite. Ashley considers tough love to be the best approach, but her mom continues to enable him. Due to her experiences with Dylan and her former boyfriend, Ashley distances herself from romantic entanglements. But when she realizes she is beginning to fall for Ben, will Ashley take a chance on love?

      Chapters from Ben's great-great-grandfather Andrew Hennings are sprinkled amongst present day events.  Andrew and his wife Helen have survived the Great Depression, but now their lives are threatened by the looming threat of Hitler and World War II. Andrew's faith never wavers as his oldest son Ben joins The United States Army Air Forces as a combat pilot.  His comments and observations on various passages of scripture are powerful messages to Ben who is now in possession of Andrew's bible.

      With an exquisite undercurrent of faith, a realistic storyline and genuine characters,  Cross My Heart is a marvelous Christian romance. Ashley's reaction when she learns about Ben's alcoholism is understandable and she finds unexpected comfort through her growing relationship with God. Ben is an incredibly likable character whose deep faith sustains him on his life's journey.  Andrew's story continues to reverberate throughout the generations as his Bible makes its way to his descendants who need it most.  Robin Lee Hatcher easily engages readers with her realistic storylines and thought-provoking incorporation of Scripture into everyday life. This latest addition to the  Legacy of Faith series is a wonderful story of grace, love and redemption. Highly recommend to fans of Christian fiction.
    • 4/5
      Andrew Henning’s story continues as his Bible influences another one of his descendents in Robin Lee Hatcher’s new book, Cross My Heart. With the Bible in hand, Ben Henning pursues his plans to turn the family farm into an equine therapy barn, which allows him to cross paths with horse rescuer Ashley Showalter. A friendship quickly forms around horses—but as it turns out, the pair has more in common than a shared interest.As this contemporary story mixes with Andrew’s historical one, occurring as America enters World War II, Hatcher weaves a remarkable tale of faith, particularly of learning to trust God and others. It’s a heartwarming read, though not without a healthy dose of ups and downs, and I enjoyed it and recommend it.I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.
    • 5/5
      One old farmhouse and the stories it can and will tell. The days of the Great Depression, the anxious times as family awaited news from the war front and now something very new.Ben has inherited the old farm that has been in the family for many years. Equine therapy helped him learn to accept some of the poor choices he made. Could he possible transform the old farm into Harmony Barn and thus pay that help forward? Ashley has long had a love for horses, to the point where she now participates in horse rescue. This therapy has helped her work through some of the issues of her youth. Will it be possible for them both to learn to trust in the Lord and His leading in this venture?The author has done a fabulous job of seamlessly joining the old story with the new, bringing life to the old farmhouse and giving the reader the feeling that everyone’s story just continues on. I appreciated the opportunity to learn more about what is involved in equine therapy. As a horse lover myself, I can just imagine what comfort can be derived from such a gentle giant.This ARC was received through NetGalley and CelebrateLit. These comments, impressions and opinions are my own.
    • 5/5
      I loved reading this wonderful story. I loved Abby and. Ben. These characters are both slightly broken and they help each other heal. I love the side story from the past and how it connects with the present. I did not want to stop reading this book and I hope there will be more on the family from the past in the next book in the series. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
    • 4/5
      Cross My Heart is a beautiful story about second chances. A story that isn't fast-paced or a thrilling adventure, but one that has the sense of coming home. A story that leads the reader down a road through bad choices, regret and a change of heart. I thought that the characters had such great personalities. They seemed like everyday people that you would encounter in your life. Robin did a great job weaving in the hope of Jesus into her story, and how following Him can bring the lasting change people are wanting. Also, I loved how there are two stories being told in this novel. On one hand you have the current story of Ben and Ashley, but on the other hand, the author also tells the story of Ben's Great-Grandfather, Andrew Henning from the 1940's. Adding in Andrew Henning's story adds so much depth to the background information about Ben's generational heritage. This is a story that you'll want to pick up and add to your reading pile!You can read this book as a stand alone novel or you can pick up the first book in this series, Who I Am With You. So make sure to check out this series for some great summer reading!***I received this complimentary book from Robin Lee Hatcher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
    • 5/5
      I love being back with Grandpa Andrew Henning’s Bible and how he continues to touch the lives of his decedents.The book does flash back to the time leading up to and continuing into WWII, and we are with those who are the family of the current day relatives.The book does touch on some tough topics, and then with the help of those that have met the same challenges find healing. We put faces on these individual through the words of this author, and in the end, I wanted to go and volunteer at the ranch.There is a little bit of sweet romance here, a scare because of greed, and a love one ending up in jail, and now I am wondering who the next recipient of God’s Word will be?I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.
    • 5/5
      What a wonderful story that captures the hearts of two people dealing with their past and trying to make a fresh start.The author does a great job of giving us characters that are easy to relate to and scriptures that fill your soul with hope. It is easy to fall in love with Ashley and Ben as they find common ground with love of horses and wanting to help hurting people. I loved the story and the message of hope and forgiveness. The story is also a time slip which gives us a glimpse into a war that took many lives. Come join the author as two generations collide on a journey to freedom and unconditional love.I received an arc copy from the author and publisher. The review is my own opinion."Follow God and you will never lose your way."
    • 5/5
      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.#RobinLeeHatcher #CrossMyHeart#TimeSlip