The Color of Hope by Kim Cash Tate, from Thomas Nelson

The Color of Hope

By Kim Cash Tate

Book Description

Hope shines brightest when all seems lost.

Stephanie London led a life of comfort and ease in St. Louis before feeling inexplicably drawn back to her father’s roots in the tiny Southern town of Hope Springs. Charlotte Willoughby has lived there all her life and longs to make a new life somewhere else. Stephanie doesn’t know exactly what she’s doing there—or how to occupy her time. And Charlotte doesn’t understand why, despite her overbearing family and reminders of her failed engagement, she’s suddenly led to stay.

Despite its small-town charm, Hope Springs itself is at a crossroads. After a failed reconciliation attempt by two well-meaning pastors, the town is split along racial and cultural lines, with little hope for redemption.

When a terrible tragedy puts Hope Springs on the national radar, the entire town is tested, and both Stephanie and Charlotte feel their lives unraveling. In the midst of heartache, though, they’ll discover the true color of hope . . .

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

Wow, another awesome story from author Kim Cash Tate! I love the characters because they are so well established and believable. I have enjoyed their journey, through their difficulties and struggles. And the way Ms. Tate weaves Bible truths and promises throughout her book. If you’ve never read one of Kim Tates books, you are missing a real blessing. I appreciate that she doesn’t takes sides with blacks or whites, instead she looks at everyone as the people God created, and looks on the inside not the outside. Ms. Tate does an amazing job of dealing with racial issues in her books. To me it is just so heartwarming, because I feel the same way she does, so that makes her books so much more special to me.

I really want to encourage you to pick up a copy of The Color of Hope, and be ready for special treat while reading.

I received this book from the publisher Thomas Nelson through their blogging program, BookSneeze, to read and review.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.

About Kim

My life is marked by one big bright neon line down the center, showing a clear before and after. For twenty-seven years, I lived without Christ, and everything was colored by the things of this world. Growing up in Prince George’s County, Maryland, raised by divorced parents, black, female, college and law school-educated—all of it and more informed my opinions, decisions, attitudes, and actions.

All of it gave me a ground-level perspective.

But in my mid-20s, God, in His lovingkindness, began to draw me—by dragging me halfway across the country from the D.C. area to Madison, Wisconsin. Away from friends, family, and the diversity I’d always known, I was miserable. I cried out to God . . . the God I’d heard about in Catholic grade school. Didn’t they say He could perform miracles? Then surely He could get me out of there!

God did perform a miracle, but not in the way I sought. He didn’t get me out of Madison. He changed me forever in Madison. He saved me, raised me, and seated me in heavenly places. Suddenly I had an aerial view. The bright neon line was drawn, and my “after” would begin.

But I didn’t understand any of that at first. I had no idea God would change everything about my world. With broad brushstrokes, He began to paint over my perspective as I grew to know Him and His Word. We did eventually leave Madison. We moved to Dallas, then St. Louis, where we’ve lived for ten years. But as the seasons of our lives shift, that same “coloring” process continues.

I haven’t had a single day yet where something about my perspective didn’t need adjusting. As a wife of nineteen years and mom of two teens, I don’t have to look far to find a challenge, struggle, or worry. Add the other hats I wear and, well, you can probably identify.

But no matter the issue, when I color my perspective in Christ, things change. I find hope, peace, and joy. I find eternal wisdom. I find truth.

 

Hope Springs by Kim Cash Tate

 

 

Book Description

In a small Southern community where everyone is holding tight to something, the biggest challenge may be learning to let go.

Hope Springs, North Carolina, is the epitome of small town life—a place filled with quiet streets where families have been friends for generations, a place where there’s not a lot of change. Until three women suddenly find themselves planted there for a season.

Janelle Evans hasn’t gone back to Hope Springs for family reunions since losing her husband. But when she arrives for Christmas and learns that her grandmother is gravely ill, she decides to extend the stay. It isn’t long before she runs into her first love, and feelings that have been dormant for more than a decade are reawakened. And when Janelle proposes a Bible study a the local diner–and invites both African American and Caucasian women she has met–the group quickly forms a spiritual bond . . . and inadvertently adds to underlying tension in the community.

Becca Anderson is finally on the trajectory she’s longed for. Having been in the ministry trenches for years, she’s been recruited as the newest speaker of a large Christian women’s conference. But her husband feels called to become the pastor of his late father’s church in Hope Springs. Will small town living affect her big ministry dreams?

And Stephanie London has the ideal life—married to a doctor in St. Louis with absolutely nothing she has to do. When her cousin Janelle volunteers to stay in Hope Springs and care for their grandmother, she feels strangely compelled to do the same. It’s a decision that will forever change her.

As these women come together, facing disappointments both public and private, they soon recognize that healing is needed in their hearts, their families, and their churches that have long been divided along racial lines. God’s plan for them in Hope Springs—and for Hope Springs itself—is bigger than they ever imagined.

 

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK!

There is one thing to say about Kim Cash, and that is, she just has it going on when it comes to writing books! “Hope Springs” is another outstanding book that shows us family, faith, cooking up old friendships, forgiveness and healing, and yes, and a boost of romance added to give readers a story that will keep those pages turning. Janelle, Becca and Stephanie’s time spent in Hope Springs changed their life forever. I thoroughly enjoyed getting involved in the lives of these ladies throughout this story. Kim Cash will have you laughing, then crying, along with worshiping the Lord as you follow get to know these three characters. I appreciate the way Kim weaves the lives of her characters together with God and living their lives for Him. That’s what Christian fiction is all about. Following characters that live for God. Oh they may not start out that way, like many of us, but through there difficulties and trials, they end up giving it all to the Lord. And Thank You Kim for giving us a book such as this.

 

I received this book free from Booksneeze.com blogging for books program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.

 Purchase this book from Amazon

About Kim

My life is marked by one big bright neon line down the center, showing a clear before and after.  For twenty-seven years, I lived without Christ, and everything was colored by the things of this world.  Growing up in Prince George’s County, Maryland, raised by divorced parents, black, female, college and law school-educated—all of it and more informed my opinions, decisions, attitudes, and actions.

All of it gave me a ground-level perspective.

But in my mid-20s, God, in His lovingkindness, began to draw me—by dragging me halfway across the country from the D.C. area to Madison, Wisconsin.  Away from friends, family, and the diversity I’d always known, I was miserable.  I cried out to God . . . the God I’d heard about in Catholic grade school.  Didn’t they say He could perform miracles?  Then surely He could get me out of there!

God did perform a miracle, but not in the way I sought.  He didn’t get me out of Madison.  He changed me forever in Madison.  He saved me, raised me, and seated me in heavenly places.  Suddenly I had an aerial view.  The bright neon line was drawn, and my “after” would begin.

But I didn’t understand any of that at first.  I had no idea God would change everything about my world.  With broad brushstrokes, He began to paint over my perspective as I grew to know Him and His Word. We did eventually leave Madison. We moved to Dallas, then St. Louis, where we’ve lived for almost nine years. But as the seasons of our lives shift, that same “coloring” process continues.

I haven’t had a single day yet where something about my perspective didn’t need adjusting.  As a wife of eighteen years and mom of a teen and tween, I don’t have to look far to find a challenge, struggle, or worry.  Add the other hats I wear and, well, you can probably identify.

But no matter the issue, when I color my perspective in Christ, things change.  I find hope, peace, and joy.  I find eternal wisdom.  I find truth.

This blog is about that daily walk, that daily need to color our perspective in Christ.  And because blogs are about community, I’m continuing the tradition I started on my former blog.  It’s your turn!  I’d love to hear about you, so that’s where I’m pointing the camera.  Tell a little something about yourself.  Or just say, “Hey!” Go on, don’t be shy!