FOREVERMORE

Author: Cathy Marie Hake ISBN: 9780764203183 1/2008 HISTORICAL Publisher: BETHANY HOUSE
Time Period: 1891 Texas

Like a dandelion in the wind, Hope Ladley blows from one farm to the next, helping cook for the field hands during the harvest. Illiterate and often twisting cliches and Bible verses into mind-boggling observations, Hope leaves widower Jakob Stauffer baffled by her unconventional ways. But her sunny disposition and unstinting love make changes of a different kind around the place. His little daughter and the pregnant sister he's shielding from an abusive husband adore Hope, and things are getting accomplished even if Hope's methods are unique. Then Jakob's brother-in-law shows up and threatens the newfound peace and happiness of the farm. With Jakob's future uncertain and his heart tangled, can the farmer convince Hope to take root and remain as his wife?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

FOREVERMORE by Cathy Marie Hake is a soothing, inspirational tale of faith and acceptance.

Hope Ladley doesn't have much in the way of material possessions, but she does have something that money can't buy—faith. She knows that wherever God sends her is where she's supposed to be, and that her purpose in life is to serve others. She goes from town to town, doing exactly that, and it seems like Hope's content with her lot in life. That is, until she meets Jakob, his sister Annie and his little girl Emmy-Lou. Helping Jakob protect his sister, nurture his daughter and run his farm in his dead wife's stead are tasks that Hope takes to naturally. The unsettling part of being on Jakob's farm is the growing realization that she doesn't want to leave. Never before has Hope felt such trepidation over being "blown" to the next spot by God, but that's exactly how she feels when she's around Jakob.

If being pulled back in time, to a place where life was hard but not without purpose, and being immersed in the joys and heartaches of family living is something that appeals to you, FOREVERMORE will become one of your all-time favorite books. Ms. Hake writes a tender, moving tale. Her characters have depth and the situations she puts them in are intriguing. I loved this book. My only disappointment was that it ended. I would love to know what happens next for Jakob, Hope, Annie, Phineas and Emmy-Lou. Well done!

Kay James