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From Ashes to Honor: Book #1 in the First Responders series [Kindle Edition]

Loree Lough
3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (106 customer reviews)

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Book Description

If he had only answered that last phone call from the World Trade Center . .
.

Minutes before two jumbo jets changed U.S. history,
New York police officer Austin Finley ignored the call from his brother, who’d been bugging him
for days. Trying to live with his one regret causes hatred and bitterness to consume Austin, and
when counselor Mercy Samara recommends desk duty, Austin resigns. Haunted by her own memories of
9/11, Mercy takes a job as a school counselor in Baltimore. When Austin, now an EMT, responds to
an emergency at Mercy’s school, both are stunned and wary.

Finally
their common—and painful—memories turn suspicion into friendship, then romance.


But hard questions linger: Can they truly move beyond their past harsh judgments
and harsh words? Will their past finally bring them closer or—as the tenth anniversary of 9/11
draws near—drive them farther apart?

"Loree Lough proves once again her
superb storytelling skills in From Ashes to Honor, peopled by characters so
lifelike they seem to jump from the pages."
>—Cathy Bryant, author of the award-winning Texas
Roads
and A Path Less Traveled

"Loree
Lough’s characters allow us to re-explore what happened ten years ago and examine our feelings,
perhaps like never before."
Rev.
Robert A. Crutchfield, Founder, Christ 4responders and Chaplain, Katy, Texas Fire &
EMS

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bestselling author Loree Lough once sang for her supper, performing all across the U.S. and Canada. Now and then, she blows the dust from her 6-string to croon a tune or two, but mostly, she just writes (88 novels that earned hundreds of industry and "Readers' Choice" awards and 4- and 5-star reviews).

Loree enjoys sharing learned-the-hard-way lessons about the craft and the industry; her comedic approach makes her a favorite lecturer for writers' organizations, book clubs, private and government institutions, and college and high school writing programs in the U.S. and abroad.

A writer who believes in giving back, Loree dedicates a generous portion of her income to favorite charities. Click the "Giving Back" tab at LoreeLough.com for more information.

Loree and her real-life hero split their time between a home in the Baltimore suburbs and a cabin in the Allegheny Mountains, where she loves showing off her "identify the critter tracks" skills.


Product Details

  • File Size: 586 KB
  • Print Length: 338 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 142670769X
  • Publisher: Abingdon Press (September 1, 2011)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B005FQKKXG
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • X-Ray: Enabled
  • Lending: Enabled
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #150,538 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
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Customer Reviews

I was also very disappointed in the abrupt ending and lack of resolve. megrn  |  20 reviewers made a similar statement
There were also a lot of misspelled words and formating errors. Avid Reader  |  14 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
47 of 47 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars A great read with both realism and heroism... August 7, 2011
By jljn
Format:Paperback
From Ashes to Honor by Loree Lough has excellent characterization, an interesting plot, and a strong, faith-based message. It was an interesting, enjoyable, easy read. It left me with hope for Austin, Bud, and Flora and an understanding of the struggles faced by Mercy, Griff, and Cora. However, though the characterization was excellent, the plot at times seemed very slightly under-developed by comparison, especially considering the main hero was an EMT, the heroine was attacked, and two other minor characters (Flora and Griff) faced similar crises.

In the introduction, Loree explains that she seeks to illuminate and praise the heroism, faith, and strength of the first responders of September 11, and all first responders since. This, she does, and she does it well through her depiction of Austin, one of the two main characters. Hero Austin, though challenged by all he has faced, is invincible, strong, and stalwart--honorable and admirable because of the issues he has overcome. Austin's struggle and strength after September 11th were poignant, heart-warming, touching, and inspiring. They teach the reader much about what it means to be a Christian and face incredibly painful circumstances beyond our control yet to hold fast to our convictions and faith. They teach us about real life issues, such as regrets that cannot be righted, grief, doubt, alcoholism, and burdensome obligations. And Austin's struggle ultimately, with the ending, reminds us that peace and resolution comes only from once source--God.

However, after the tragedy of September 11th, certain elements of this book compound tragedy upon tragedy lacking resolution, especially for Dr. Mercy Samara. Was it a well-written, good book? Yes. But was I satisfied with the ending? No.
... Read more ›
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35 of 36 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars What??? January 14, 2012
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Unfortunately the lack of a 'nice' resolution did not sit well for me. I am familiar with a non 'happy ever after' ending from reading most of Nicholas Sparks' books, but at least his leave you with a feeling of everything being ok. Unfortunately I believe that this book failed in that regard and left me with a lot of sadness. The whole reason I read books is to escape the disappointments in life, not be confronted by them. Normally I really enjoy Ms Lough's book. This one however just did not cut it.
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16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Roller Coaster Of Emotions August 19, 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Wow! This book was not what I was expecting! What I had expected was a fictional, faith based account of 9/11. What I got was a love story, a couple in fact, and struggle of faith.

Austin lost his twin brother in the towers and Mercy was the Dr. who was assigned to help all the first responders deal with the tragedy. In the beginning of the book Austin is very hostile to Mercy but when they meet again years later in a different place sparks fly. What develops is a quick moving love story. While the author does not dwell too much on Mercy's faith struggle, she does on Austin's. He refuses to not be "equally yoked" to the woman he has fallen in love with and she, Mercy, refuses to even discuss the topic. We watch Austin struggle with this throughout the book while it doesn't seem to bother Mercy. Her feeling is that God takes away everything she has ever loved.

Bring in Bud and Flora, Austin's neighbors. They are a ray of sunshine and have struggles of their own. You expect through the book that the outcome of Flora's health issues will go in one direction but the reader is pleasantly surprised. It is fun to read how their lives and wisdom intertwine with Austin and Mercy.

I really did love this book. It was not at all what I had expected but much better. I highly recommed this book.

Oh, word to the wise. Have tissues handy for Chapter 34. It will grab your heart. And the end of the book will be a complete surprise!
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars Not a Romance January 24, 2012
By Iola
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
From Ashes to Honor is the story of Austin, a New York cop who lost his twin brother on 9/11, and Mercy, the police psychologist who declared him unfit for police work. They accidentally meet in Baltimore a few years later, having both changed careers, and find that despite their history, there is a mutual attraction. But Austin is a committed Christian, and Mercy is an unbeliever.

This is where the book lost me - I saw why Mercy was interested in Austin, but I never really understood why Austin was attracted to Mercy, nor why he was developing a romantic relationship with her knowing that she did not share his faith and knowing how important that should be. It irritates me when a novel gives us a 'conversion of convenience' a few short pages before the end, with no real progression from non-belief to faith. In real life, very few people become Christians as adults without a period of thought and reflection, so it annoys me when fictional characters have the literary equivalent of a death-bed conversion. However, this novel gave me something I like even less - no conversion at all.

Loree Lough is an excellent writer with engaging plots and (mostly) likeable characters, and From Ashes to Honor was looking to be a solid four star plus read, until the end. It just finished. No happy ever after, no resolution of the main conflict, nothing. The essence of a romance novel is that a couple meet, a relationship develops, and there is a happy ending as the couple fall in love while they work together to overcome obstacles. A romance novel, according to the Romance Writers of America, must have an "emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending" (more commonly referred to as the `happy ever after' or HEA). From Ashes To Honor is therefore not a romance novel.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Great book!!
From start to finish a great book can't wait to read the next book. Great faith theme. A ++++++ book
Published 4 days ago by L. Anderson
4.0 out of 5 stars Light but enjoyable.
When I read, I am very visual and typically see a "movie" in my head. Not so with this series. Not much detail in description of events. Read more
Published 9 days ago by grate
5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful story
The lesson learned in this book ,when you love someone there has to be a balance of faith no matter how deeply you feel for that person.
Published 13 days ago by Barbara
2.0 out of 5 stars Awlful ending
The book was great until the very end! The ending was abrupt and unresolved. Not sure i want to read the next one in the series either, b/c they state the same about those books... Read more
Published 15 days ago by Erica
5.0 out of 5 stars Review: "Ashes to Honor"
Really enjoyed this book. Did not end like I expected. It was well written and I had a hard time putting it down. Was glad I read the other two books after this one.
Published 19 days ago by JoyBrem
1.0 out of 5 stars abrupt ending
I have forever been fascinated and moved by 9/11 stories. The added aspect of Austin being a retired cop/paramedic just enhanced the story. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Meredith
4.0 out of 5 stars looks good
looks like a good book havent gotten to it because i am reading others, but i should be reading soon.
Published 1 month ago by Karen
3.0 out of 5 stars The ending
Did not care for the abrupt ending. Otherwise was a good story line with many interesting characters that I am anxious to read more about.
Published 1 month ago by lorraine barton
3.0 out of 5 stars Not very interesting
You would have thought since it was about 9/11 it would have been more interesting! You get to hear thier story but not much to it!
Published 1 month ago by Brinda A Russell
1.0 out of 5 stars Christian romance
If I had known this was a Christian romance, I would not have read it. A little on the sappy side for my taste.
Published 2 months ago by P. Wright
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More About the Author

At last count, best-selling author Loree Lough had 98 award-winning books (more than 4,000,000 copies in circulation and 5 that earned book-to-movie options), 68 short stories, and 2,500+ articles in print.

An oft-invited guest of writers' organizations, colleges and universities, corporate and government agencies in the U.S. and abroad, Loree loves sharing learned-the-hard-way lessons about the craft and the industry.

Once upon a time, Loree (literally) sang for her supper, performing alone and "opening" for the likes of Tom Jones, Dottie West, The Gatlin Brothers, and more. Though she refuses to share the actual year when she traded her Yamaha 6-string for a wedding ring, she IS willing to admit that, every now and then, she blows the dust off her six-string to croon a tune or two. But mostly, she just writes (and writes).

Loree and her husband split their time between a home in the Baltimore suburbs and a cabin in the Allegheny Mountains, where she continues to perfect her taleant for identifying critter tracks. Her favorite passtime? Spending long, leisurely hours with her grandchildren...all seven of them!

She loves hearing from her readers, and answers every letter, personally. You can write her @ http://www.loreelough.com.

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