Deborah Raney

Oh my word.

I never had a family like the Whitmans but Thanks to Deborah Raney, I can imagine that I have.

Family drama is exhausting…

I had no idea Deborah Raney had such a long list of best-selling titles to her name but I can see why.

NO ONE writes Family Drama in a CLEAN, DECENT way, than Deborah Raney.

WOW!

It only took a page – 1 page for me to get sucked right into this book and it was exceptionally difficult to put down, even with two kiddos wanting my constant attention.

Ironically, it show more has shown me that while I had more the upbringing Chase experienced (minus the mom running off), the family I am raising now is much more on par with the Whitmans – only I just have the two kids.

Oh well. They’re still young. Maybe some day…

It’s no wonder Deborah Raney has had so many Best-sellers and has such a large following! She paints a vivid picture of everything from the newly-remodeled Inn to the Rain-drenched streets of New York.

Her characters are vibrant and REAL, and their story is so true-to-life it’s astonishing!

I absolutely love how she weaves God into the story. There’s nothing preachy about it. It’s just how true followers of Christ live their lives, with God at the heart of it all!

All told, an excellent read!

I received this book free in exchange for an honest review. show less

No joke...Deborah Raney gets better with every single book she writes! This has to be her best book yet, and she's written some pretty awesome books! Her trademark is evoking emotion through her characters, which in turn, sucks the reader into an unforgettable story. Another author who does this well is Karen Kingsbury, but I don't think she's got anything on Deborah Raney!

The action begins in the very first chapter, and that is my kind of book. Unfortunately, it starts with a huge tragedy show more that affects 5 families and the community around them. As the days go by, the questions start to pile up. "Who's responsible?" "What started the fire?" Bryn thinks she knows how it started, but after awhile she convinces herself that she had nothing to do with it. It's not long, though, before the doubt starts to creep in, and she wonders if she truly was responsible.

Garrett's wife, Molly, was one of the firefighters who died in the fire, along with Bryn's husband, Adam. Even though I never got to read about them while they were among the living, I thought Deborah did an awesome job of portraying them after their tragic deaths. She also did an incredible job writing the emotions of the surviving spouses, and the incredible grief that each one felt.

There is so much more about this story I could share, but if I did, I would honestly be spoiling it for you! If you love stories that pull on your heartstrings, make you shed a few tears (I certainly did), and ones that just stay with you for days and weeks, then you need to get your hands on every single Deb Raney book available! I assure you....you will not be sorry! :o) show less

I found this book boring and the characters unbelievable. I found it ridiculous that the main male character was supposed to be a volunteer firefighter, yet didn't have a carbon monoxide detector in his own home. The relationship between Doug and Mickey moved WAY too fast for someone who had just lost a spouse in a tragic accident. Mickey had apparently already had feelings for another widower, so her interest in Doug was almost comical, as if she was just searching for a ready-made family. show more The relationship with Mickey to the children was stereotypical at best. And the whole pregnancy thing...ridiculous. Aren't autopsies required in any death at home where no one is present? Two thumbs down on this one. show less

A mix of subjects — a fixer-upper project, a grieving family, and a budding romance — combine in one very good contemporary novel by Deborah Raney. Raney has the knack of bringing her fictional worlds to life, and Reason to Breathe is a great example. The first novel in the Chandler Sisters series, this book had everything I could want — real and relatable characters, great writing, and a naturally developing love story. Add in the Christ-centered message and you’ve got a winner. show more This one is a recommended read!

I loved all the characters in Reason to Breathe, but Phylicia (Phee) and Quinn are the focus of this first book. Their relationship has a few obstacles — an age gap, trust issues, and uncertainties of family dynamics — but it definitely is a romance readers will cheer on. The fixer-upper story line is a great vehicle for the budding romance and fun for the reader as well. Phylicia and Quinn are both believers, and Raney develops their relationship with an emphasis on God-honoring actions. In today’s world that is indeed refreshing. In fact the entire novel is infused with spiritual truths including the major theme of God’s timing — a message I certainly needed reminding of. Although Reason to Breathe is Phee and Quinn’s story, the two other sisters, Joanna and Britt, play major roles in the action. I am looking forward to the development of their characters and storylines.

Well-written and true to life, Reason to Breathe is a great choice for all readers.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to Gilead Publishing for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) show less