About the Book

Title: Loving Brock

Author: Joan Deneve

Genre: Contemporary Christian Women’s Fiction & Romance

Release Date: April, 2018

For years, Brock Whitfield served God with joy and contentment at the mission hospital he founded in Angola.

When Joy Stockman joined their team as a surgical assistant, he found a woman whose zeal for God and heart for people equaled and in many ways surpassed his own. Before he knew it, his admiration and respect for her blossomed into love. After years of serving alone, Brock began to hope that God was giving him another chance to love and be loved in return.

A crisis arose within the family causing Brock to put his personal plans on hold. As he prayed for guidance, Brock’s faith and obedience were put to the ultimate test as God brings the perfect person into his life and then asks him to give her up.

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About the Author

Joan Deneve enjoys being a wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, and author, but her favorite role and defining title is that of Christian. Joan teaches English in a Christian school and has a passion to help young people fall in love with Christ and equip them to become all God wants them to be.

Joan shares her life with Rene’, her husband of forty years. Together they reside in Prattville, Alabama, a quaint city with southern charm and hospitality.

Joan loves to laugh and spend quality time with family and friends.

My Thoughts

This is the very first novel that I have read by Joan Deneve, but it absolutely will not be my last. Loving Brock is one of the best stories I have ever read. The characters are endearing and so well written. The plot is highly engaging and so fast-paced. And, the setting is wonderful. I absolutely adored the medical clinic in Africa with its unique and amazing cast of characters.

Hebrews 10:36 (ESV) states, “You have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.” I quote this verse because Loving Brock reminds me of the sentiment expressed in this verse. In Hebrews 10, Paul explains how it is important for us to endure until God calls us back home. Loving Brock illustrates to the reader what it looks like to endure. The main character, Brock, is in his sixties. He has lived a lot of life in his 60+ years: marriage, divorce, children, jail, missions work in Africa, etc. Brock didn’t always believe in God. In fact, it took something truly awful before he realized the love and forgiveness of God. But, once he did find a true relationship in God, Brock has been living every single day of his life as God directs. He has been enduring for God.

What I love so much about Brock is his realistic character. Even in his 60s, knowing all he knows and having experienced all he has experienced at God’s hand, he still has a moment or two of doubt, insecurity, and confusion. He even asks, “God, why?” It proves that no matter the age, we will always have personal trials and tribulations. Because Brock’s faith in God is genuine and strong — something acquired over time and through endurance — Brock accepts what God has in store for him even when he doesn’t like it very much. He prays. He reads his Bible. He wrestles with where God is leading his steps. Instead of fighting and being angry though, Brock always concludes that God’s will for him is the only will for him. Of all the amazing aspects to this novel, Brock’s model of what a solid Christian looks like is my favorite part. With God’s daily help, I hope to be an enduring Christian like Brock is in Loving Brock.

I didn’t even cover 1/16th of the topics I could have discussed in this post. This book is just so layered. There’s romance, loss, forgiveness, acceptance, miracles, etc. Loving Brock is replete with excellent talking points of all subject matters. To write a proper review would have take days. Suffice it to say, Loving Brock is a phenomenal story that I highly recommend. I loved every minute of this book, and I am sad my time with Brock is over. If you are looking for an excellent, fast-paced, captivating story then this is the book for you!

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the author and Celebrate Lit. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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Giveaway

 

To celebrate her tour, Joan is giving away a grand prize of the entire The Redeemed Side of Broken Series, African blend coffee, coffee mug, a magnet from Angola, and a personalized message from the author on a special card from Angola!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

https://promosimple.com/ps/cc63

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