Hope of Azure Springs (2018) — A JustRead Publicity Blog Tour + Giveaway

Welcome to The Hope of Azure Springs Blog Tour and Giveaway hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Hope of Azure Springs

Author: Rachel Fordham

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: July 3, 2018

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Ada, Mich. — Between 1854 and 1929, the orphan train movement relocated over 200,000 orphaned, abandoned, or homeless children from the eastern United States to rural areas throughout the country, focusing primarily in the Midwest. Since that time, this movement has captured the attention and curiosity of readers. In The Hope of Azure Springs, debut author Rachel Fordham masterfully blends history and romance in her well-crafted tale of a former “train rider.”

Seven years ago, orphaned and alone, Em 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.

Sheriff Caleb Reynolds is determined to solve the case and secure justice for Em. But what he doesn’t expect is the hold this strange young woman will have on his heart.

Historical romance readers will be charmed by the town of Azure Springs as they journey with Em to face her past, embrace her future, and rescue what she’s lost.

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About the Author

Rachel Fordham started writing when her children began begging her for stories at night. She’d pull a book from the shelf, but they’d insist she make one up. Finally she paired her love of good stories with her love of writing, and she hasn’t stopped since. She lives with her husband and children on an island in the state of Washington.

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My Thoughts

The Hope of Azure Springs is an EXCELLENT story. I 1000% loved every second of this book. I was astounded when I discovered that this is Mrs. Fordham’s debut novel. WHAT?! NO WAY!!! This book is so well-written. The characters are wonderful, especially Em and Caleb, the plot is thoroughly engaging, the emotional moments in this book had me sobbing and reaching for tissue, and the romance is perfect. This book feels like it is written by a pro with many, many novels under her belt. I cannot wait to see what Mrs. Fordham has in store for readers next.

My 9th grade religious studies teacher always began class with a 10-minute journal assignment. One day, the prompt asked my class to discuss one insecurity we struggled with on a regular basis. I am the short, squat daughter of a stunning mother who is a size 4. You can imagine what one of my insecurities at 14 may have been. In the middle of writing my response, I felt my teacher’s presence hovering behind me. When I looked back, I noticed my teacher reading my response over my shoulder. She came around to face me and proclaimed that I was an ugly duckling. She said not to worry though because most ugly ducklings turn to swans, so there was hope for me to feel differently about myself. My teacher’s words that day devastated me. I wish I could tell you that this was just one really bad teacher-student moment, and that my teacher was an exception. But, that would be a lie. I have a horrid memory from when I was 7 — a boy told our entire class I looked ugly like a clown. I have another terrible memory at 13 —  my mother slapped me in the stomach and told me to suck it in cause no one likes a fat girl. I have many more stories just like these. I guess when you’re not “perfect” people feel like they have the right to tell you all of your flaws. Maybe it makes them feel better? I’m not sure, but I do know that all of these comments have stored up in my heart. Whenever I read a book with a plain Jane heroine, she immediately endears herself to me. I feel like plain Janes and I are kindred spirits.

Em, the heroine of this novel, is a plain Jane. By the end of chapter one, I knew she would be my second favorite heroine — second only to Jane Eyre herself. Em is an excellent heroine. In one review that I read for The Hope of Azure Springs, the reviewer calls Em “unconventional.” I’m not a fan of that word. It’s a word many people use to describe the plain girl heroine. Em is amazing. She is feisty, strong, and very brave. She has been through so much bad, but does not let any of the bad turn her negative. She doesn’t whine. She doesn’t complain. Em is good. I mean the kind of good Jesus wants us to be. I don’t think Em is “unconventional.” I think Em is exceptional. Her beauty is bigger and better than the pretty girls in the novel because her beauty isn’t skin-deep. Em’s beauty is soul-deep. I love how she treats people. I love how hard she works. When my daughter is old enough to read a novel of this length, I am without a doubt giving her The Hope of Azure Springs. Em is a great example for my daughter to emulate!

The Hope of Azure Springs is a wonderful novel. It’s highly engaging. It’s deeply meaningful and emotional. And, it’s romantic and sweet and uplifting. This story and its characters will stick with me for a long time. I highly recommend this book, and give it 5+++++ STARS.

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the author via NetGalley and Just Read Tours. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

GIVEAWAY

THE PUBLISHER HAS GRACIOUSLY OFFERED (3) WINNERS EACH A COPY OF THE HOPE OF AZURE SPRINGS AND SPECIAL REVELL SWAG!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway will begin at midnight July 9, 2018 and last through 11:59 PM EST on July 17, 2018. Winners will be notified within a week of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize.  Complete prize open to US mailing addresses only.  For our giveaway rules and policy, click HERE.

Be sure to stop at a stop each day for extra entries!

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