Customer Reviews

Woman of Grace (Brides of Culdee Creek, Book 2)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I didn't think Morgan could top DAUGHTER OF JOY but she's certainly done it with WOMAN OF GRACE. This story picks up where DAUGHTER OF JOY left off and is the story of the ex-prostitute, Hannah who Abby rescued from the brothel. Hannah and her baby have found a home at Culdee Creek and Hannah has been assisting Devin MacKay's wife. There are a lot of surprises in this story and to tell too much would rob the reader of much of the pleasure if too much is told. Suffice to say it's another powerful read from master storyteller Kathleen Morgan.

Woman of Grace is even better than the first book in the series, Daughter of Joy. Wonderful, complex, and flawed characters carry the story of forgiveness, redemption and grace. I could have done without the melodramatic plot device in the 3rd act, but overall Woman of Grace was compelling reading that I found hard to put down. It's a beautiful example of what christian fiction can be.

When you get to the sequel of such a good first book, it's a hard act to follow but Ms Morgan succeeded. Woman of Grace is very different but excellent. You also get more glimpses into the lives of Conor and Abbie as they all live and work on the same ranch. The characters are again believable and complex. I truly enjoyed this book as much as the first, definitely a keeper!

Must Read this and the first in the series, Daughter of Joy. See reviews for the comb set of these two books, too. This book touched my soul. Passionate. Intriguing, surprises, and more...

For what its worth the Brides of Culdee Creek is the first complete series that I have read. That says a lot because I devour so many books and, believe you me, there are many series where I stop at Book 1 even though I may profess to enjoy the book. For me its hard to dive into a book two only to be disappointed and I often doubt that the author can recreate the magic of the first book.
Well for some reason I exercised a little faith with this series and boy was I happy. Woman of Grace which is Book 2 in the series was as different, unique and special as Book 1. (Although I must say that Abby and Connor's story will forever hold a special place in my heart:)

After reading Francine River's Redeeming Love I truly didn't know if any other story about the redemption of a prostitute would have been quite as engaging. Yet for it all Kathleen Morgan pulls it off expertly and while Hannah does bear a few similarities to Francine's Angel, the stories are quite different.

STORY SYNOPSIS:
Abby and Connor from Book 1 are happily married and expecting a baby. Due to a strange twist of fate Devlin is forced to depend on Hannah, the "whore" who he slept with during a rocky part of his marriage. Devlin uses every opportunity he gets to castigate Hannah for when he sees her, his transgression is ever before him and while his truly beautiful wife may have accepted that he was unfaithful there is no way that she needs to know that Hannah was the specific prostitute he slept with. Hannah loves and cares for Ella (Devlin's wife) and their kids and when Ella falls ill and Abby is unable to step in due to her own pregnancy, Hannah offers her aid.

There is also the issue of Evan, Connor's son, who some people think Hannah is stringing along. Marrying the very willing Evan would make life very stable for Hannah for as Evan's wife she would inherit Culdee Creek and financial security for her and her baby boy would be sure.
Forgiveness, humility and courage are major themes in this fantastic book as an unlikely but truly genuine romance develops between a couple of the main characters. Book 2 is truly worth a read!

P.S. While reading Book 2 go ahead and get Book 3 and Book 4. I have and their reviews are posted as well:)

I started reading this collection because the first book was a freebie for my kindle. I have found a new favorit author. I really liked book one so I decided to read book two and liked it so much that now I am on book three. Great historical christian fiction.

I bought these books two weeks ago, and I'm already on the third book. They're such great books, I love them!

I haven't read any of Kathleen Morgan's previous books, but she has brought inspirational fiction a gift. The reference to intimacy as santified in marriage (physical, emotional and spiritual) is acurate and powerful. It's wonderful to read about this in realistic terms although not graphic. Imagination has it's own rewards. The story line is great! The characters seem alive! Keep writing inspirational fiction, Kathleen!

Here were my problems...#1 I really didn't see any chemistry between Hannah and Devlin until the middle/end of the book...I actually thought she had more chemistry with Noah Starr. #2 Devlin was pretty much the exact same character as Conner in the first book. #3 We should have seem more first person memories from Hannah about her past...it would have made her more sympathetic. Characters Hannah would have had a past with like "Sadie", other prostitutes, or other men she had "past dealings" with weren't part of the story (expect for the main villain).

I will eventually read book 3, but I'm really glad its about Evan, who hopefully doesn't have the exact same anger/lack of faith issues as both Conner and Devlin. I will say I really enjoyed book #1 but book 2 seemed like a repeat with a different type of woman.

This story was especially wonderful, although i lovd all books in this series this is the one that stands out the most, revealing God's healing power of forgiveness and acceptance, when we stand firm in Him; yet all the time staying true to the human spirit of judgement, imperfectness and pure & simple humanity. This kind of reminded me of the Francine Rivers "Redeeming Love", being based in a similar time and similar background of the heroine. A great book and a great continuation of the series, remaining true to form of the pioneer era.
Woman of Grace (Brides of Culdee Creek, Book 2)