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| Such A Hope by Sondra Kraak |
Such A Hope By Sondra Kraak
Trail House Publishers, Oct. 2016
Reviewed By Diana Flowers
~5 stars!~
(No spoilers!)
A Compelling Must Read!
Seattle, Washington Territory - 1871
In Such a Hope, author Sondra Kraak has spun a powerfully emotive tale of a young woman's quest to find a sense of belonging—set against the backdrop of the tree blanketed landscape and grandeur of the Cascade Mountains.
Spending her entire life growing up on the seat of a wagon and assisting her father's successful freighting business, Anna finally returns home to their cabin in Seattle. Her father's death has devastated her, and she longs to find camaraderie in her community and a chance to fulfill the calling God has placed on her life...the desire to pray for the sick. Two stalwart, handsome men enter Anna's life—one the passionate, zealous Michael, who encourages Anna to use her miraculous gift in his revival meetings—the other, Tristan, an enigmatic and intimidating farmer her father had befriended. But praying for healing comes with a high price and ugly rumors begin to surface about Anna's spiritual gift and her property. Both men must learn to surrender their plans for the future in different ways—a sacrifice neither is sure he is willing to make.
I accidentally "stumbled" upon Sondra Kraak online and she was one of the best discoveries I have ever made. I was entranced by the cover of her new book, Such a Hope, and the blurb intrigued me as well! Tackling the subject of laying on of hands and miraculous healing took alot of courage and Ms. Kraak did so with finesse and wisdom...addressing the question as to why some people get healed and others do not. The multifaceted main characters were admittedly admirable, but not infallible. And ooh, the romantic tension almost stole my breath away! 😯Sondra Kraak is an amazingly talented author, and I anxiously await the next book in the Paths of Grace series! Be sure to order your copy of this emotionally stirring story of passion, forgiveness, and redemption today!
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This book may be purchased through Amazon, B&N, and BAM.
GIVEAWAY: Sondra Kraak has generously offered a paperback copy to one blessed commenter (US entrants only!) For contact purposes should your name be drawn, please be sure to leave your email addy written (at) and (dot) to protect yourself against spammers.
GIVEAWAY: Sondra Kraak has generously offered a paperback copy to one blessed commenter (US entrants only!) For contact purposes should your name be drawn, please be sure to leave your email addy written (at) and (dot) to protect yourself against spammers.
Isn't Sondra an amazing find, Diane?!! I had only discovered her books recently myself too, and after reading the first, immediately had to purchase her others! :) A beautiful review!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Noela! She is one author I definitely plan to keep my eye on! Such a great book!
DeleteThanks, Noela!
DeleteI've heard fabulous things about Sondra's books from my buddy, Rebecca Maney! Sounds like I will have to add this book to my wish list. :)
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed day, my OWG sisters!!!! Love y'all!!
OHHH, you must read this one, ANNE! I was so pleasantly surprised by Sondra's writing.
DeleteBlessings and love sent right back your way, sis!
Wow this book sounds right up my alley! I'll have to look into her books! Thanks for the lovely review, Diana! Hugs and blessings!
ReplyDeletefujitani69 (at) gmail dot com
Hi, REGINA! I loved the way Sondra stayed true to the genre "Christian" fiction, too. A very spiritual book and a great storyline as well! Hugs, blessings, and thank yous back your way!
DeleteThanks for stopping by, Regina!
DeleteYep. I just recently discovered Ms Kraak as well. Love to have her new book. No worries if I don't. It's only $3.99 for the Kindle version. tojoleen(at)gmail
ReplyDeleteWhat a great price for such a fabulous book, JOLEEN! Thanks for coming by and for sharing!
DeleteThanks for dropping by, Joleen!
DeleteThis sounds like an author I need to get to know. Hope to win her book.
ReplyDeleteGpk1946(at)gmail(dot)com
I'm so glad I did, PHYLLIS! Good luck in the drawing!
DeleteLooks like I have another book to add to my "read" pile - which seems to get bigger by the day.
ReplyDeleteconnie.tillman82 at gmail dot come
I know the feeling, CONNIE! lol I hope that you get the chance to read this one ASAP!
DeleteAaah Sondra's such a talented writer! And that cover is too die for!
ReplyDeleteIndeed she is, LUCY! That cover is what attracted me to Sondra in the first place, but sometimes covers can be deceiving. Not so in this case!
DeleteAnd Lucy's debut is out--a Christmas novella! Thanks for stopping by, Lucy!
DeleteWhat a great book this will be to read. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteJhdwayne(at)peoplepc(dot)com
You're welcome, DEANA! Hope you'll have an opportunity to read all about the lovely Anna soon!
DeleteSondra is new to me and I would love to read her book. Thank you for the opportunity. mauback55 at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I could help you discover another great author, MELANIE! Good luck and God bless!
DeleteThanks for stopping by, Melanie!
DeleteSondra, you're a new to me author, exciting! I absolutely love your cover & the excerpt is very interesting & grabbed my attention. Thanks so much for sharing a chance to win! Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleterw620 AT aol DOT com
The cover, the blurb - there's just not anything about this novel that's not to love, ROBIN! I think I just used a triple negative there, but you get my meaning. lol
DeleteAnd Merry Christmas to you as well! :-)
DeleteThanks, Robin! I absolutely agree about the cover. My designer did a great job! Merry Christmas!
DeleteOhhhh, this sounds like a GREAT read, thank you for the chance to win a copy!
ReplyDeletewfnren at aol dot com
It is indeed, WENDY! I hope you get a copy in your hands ASAP!
DeleteWendy, thanks for coming by!
DeleteThe cover is lovely.
ReplyDeleteKarenskrayons(at)gmail(dot)com
Isn't it though, KAREN! I just couldn't resist it so flew to Amazon. lol
DeleteThanks for visiting the blog today, Karen! I also love the cover. :)
DeleteThis sounds like an excellent book. Love the cover.
ReplyDeleteCherylB1987 AT hotmail DOT com
Me, too, CHERYL! Good luck in the drawing!
DeleteHi, Cheryl! Nice to run into you here. :)
DeleteIt's always fun to stumble across a new author!
ReplyDeleteLove the beautiful cover of this book...
Pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
I hope she didn't get hurt when I stumbled across her, PATTY! haha It's truly a sublime cover, isn't it? Thanks so much for coming by!
DeletePatty, thanks for stopping by. Diana--no, not hurt. :) Again, thanks for having me here.
DeleteI'm glad! ;) You're so welcome...it's such a pleasure having you!
DeleteOh wow, sounds very interesting. I have not read any of Sondra Kraak's books, thank you Diana for sharing Such A Hope with us.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Tina
You're so welcome, TINA! I hope to read the rest of this series for sure - as they are released! Blessings!
DeleteThanks for visiting today, Tina!
DeleteWhat a lovely cover for a lovely book. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteJoanEC128{at]AOL[dot]com
Yes, I love the cover and the contents! Have a blessed day, JOAN!
DeleteJoan, thanks for coming by. Lovely is a great word to describe the cover!
DeleteI know I will enjoy reading this book.Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteMarionMPC[at]AOL[dot]com
Indeed, you will, MARION! Good luck!
DeleteThank you for the opportunity to win this lovely book.
ReplyDeleteMarilynDKC[at]AOL[dot]com
You're welcome, MARILYN! Blessings on your day! :)
DeleteI've heard great things about her writing. I need to find the time to read her books. Sounds great! Nancycooks4u(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI squeezed this one in, NANCY, and it was well worth my while! Thanks and good luck!
DeleteGreat review. Sounds like a good read.
ReplyDeletedebsbunch777(at)gmail(dot)com
Indeed, CHAPPY! I know you'll enjoy it! :) Thank you!
DeleteOK, first things first. That cover is blowing me away! I didn't even see the author before I knew I wanted to read it. Next, I love that it is in Washington. I read an interview with Sondra Kraak awhile back where she talked about using WA as the setting for her historical books. Being a Washingtonian, I enjoy reading books that are set in my home state, as well as Idaho and Oregon. I wish I could say that I have already read Sondra's previous books, but I have the ebooks purchased with great intentions. I purchased them based on such great reviews such as Diana's glowing one here. Congrats on Such A Hope's release. I wish for only God's best. tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteTERRILL, I love reading your thoughtful posts. Some book covers can be deceiving as you no doubt have found out, but this one -- not so. Covers sell books which makes me wonder why authors/publishers sometimes settle for some of the worst covers! So much work is put into writing a book and it's worthy of a fabulous cover at least. This is definitely Washington in those early years and I believe from what you said that you'll thoroughly enjoy it! Thanks so much for sharing!
DeleteShe is a new author to me, also. Appreciate the introduction and interesting review. Beautiful setting for the book and a more unusual premise. dixiedobie at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll enjoy getting acquainted with Sondra's books, CATHY! Very descriptive setting and the premise is unusual to say the least!
DeleteWow! What a great idea for a story! It sounds incredible. It is now on my wish list.
ReplyDeletec4kwhite(at)gmail(dot)com
Totally incredible, CONNIE! I hope you get your wish fulfilled & if not here I would do some not so subtle hinting at Christmas time. ;)
DeleteThis is a new author to me, and this book sounds wonderful. Thanks for the great review, Diana. What a wonderful giveaway!
ReplyDeletebettimace(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi, BETTI! I'm so thrilled to be able to introduce Sondra to you! She's been a well-kept secret from some, so we'll just have to rectify that! lol Thank you! Blessings on your day!
DeleteThanks for your beautiful review, Diana!! I love the subject/storyline of 'Such A Hope' and definitely will be purchasing a copy as well as checking out Sondra's other books. Thanks for introducing me to her writing!!
ReplyDeleteYou're so welcome, BONNIE! My pleasure! And thank you for purchasing a copy! :)
DeleteSounds like a real toe-curler. ;) Wonderful review blondie.
ReplyDeleteLuke
Thanks, DD! It was indeed a toe-curler -- when they finally got around to it! These characters kept me on tenterhooks with their romantic tension. I was like get to it!! lol
DeleteI'm with you. Get to it. Why waste all that time? Haha.
DeleteTo fill up 300 plus pgs. of a book and keep readers like me in an emotional upheaval. chuckle...
DeleteGorgeous cover! I love it! This book sounds really interesting! :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
swordmaidenofthelight (at) gmail (dot) com
SHANTELLE, welcome to OWG! We have definitely got some cover love going on here this past couple of days! The cover attracted me and drew me in - the storyline and characters kept me there. Blessings!
DeleteDIANA, thank you for the STELLAR review! Sounds like a great story. I love this cover! (((((HUGS)))))
ReplyDeleteCARYL, thank you! I hope you get a chance to read it really soon! I would very loudly hint for an Amazon gift card for Christmas. lol
DeleteI've read and reviewed "Two Ways Home" and really did like her writing. I love the gorgeous cover of this one (who doesn't love a wedding dress?) and the premise :-) Thanks for your always lovely reviews Diana & for the chance to win a copy!
ReplyDeleteteamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
TRIXI, bless you and thank you! Hmm...just wondering who she is wearing that wedding dress for? ;) I'm looking forward to the next book in this series and I hope they do equally well with the cover. It'll be a hard one to beat!
DeleteThat IS a wedding dress, right?? I could be wrong....lol!
DeleteMum's the word, TRIXI. LOL! I'm letting you sample a little of that romantic tension I was talking about. hehe
DeleteGee, thanks!! HAHA!! I love it :-)
DeleteAs Kav always likes to tell me on her blog...bwahahahaha. I've always wanted to use that on our blog, too, so Trixi you're the first! :P
DeleteYou're welcome Diana! Glad to indulge you :-)
DeleteSondra is a new author to me. This book sounds like a great one with some suspense and romance included. Thanks for the review and giveaway. d[dot]brookmyer[at]yahoo[dot]com
ReplyDeleteDONNA, welcome to OWG! Hope you're having a great holiday season so far! Such a Hope has a little something for everyone and men will also enjoy reading it as well. Good luck in the giveaway. Thank you!
DeleteThis sounds like an amazing read. I was surprised to read in the description of the book that Anna was involved in her father's freighting business. That is such an unusual occupation to write about and interested me right away since I worked in the transportation industry as did my Dad. I always said it was in our blood. Would enjoy reading the book. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
She just grew up beside of him on that wagon, DIANNE, and finally longed for roots and friends. Pretty spunky but so vulnerable, too. I truly believe you will enjoy this novel a lot! Thanks so much for sharing.
DeleteCongrats to Joleen who won a copy of Such a Hope via random number! Happy reading, Joleen!!
ReplyDeleteI see that the contest is over,but I just had to comment on the lovely cover. I will check out this author for sure. :) Jacqueline Kimball,ACFW member
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to the next book in this series and am wondering if they come up with a cover as lovely as this one. It'll be hard to beat for sure! Thanks for coming by, JACKIE, and congrats on the release of your new book as well!
Delete