Hearts Made Whole

Caroline Taylor runs the Windmill Point Lighthouse and has no intention of leaving, despite her father's death and a rule about light keepers being male. When she is terminated and the new keeper, Ryan Chambers, arrives early to take possession, the future seems dark for Caroline and her siblings. However, Ryan is willing to let her stay while he becomes familiar with running the light and it quickly becomes apparent that the pain of his past keeps him from properly running the lighthouse. In spite of her uncertain future, Caroline finds herself drawn to Ryan. Both Caroline and Ryan need the light keeper job, but only one can have it. Who will keep it and can love survive the struggles that rage in each heart? Read more in Hearts Made show more Whole by Jody Hedlund.

Hearts Made Whole is the second book in Jody Hedlund's Beacons of Hope series. While it worked fine as a stand-alone book, I recommend reading Out of the Storm (The Series Prequel) and Love Unexpected (Book One) because they are enjoyable and certain characters are mentioned in Hearts Made Whole. Of the three, I think Love Unexpected is my favorite.

Like its predecessor, Hearts Made Whole oozes with themes of grace and forgiveness. Character development comes partly through struggles with anger, resentment and grief. The struggle, perseverance and process of overcoming allow the characters to be both relatable and admirable. I especially enjoyed seeing Ryan change and grow. That the characters needed each other to heal is not uncommon, but the fact that Ryan realized ultimate healing comes from God, not another person, is an important thought missing in many of today's inspirational romance books. Some unexpected suspense also heightened the story's appeal. The plot didn't drag, but the suspense of “who did it, what really happened, and is there any way they can be together?” definitely kept me reading later into the night than I should have.

I fully recommend Hearts Made Whole by Jody Hedlund to fans of historical romances. It's a keeper for my bookshelf. :)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. 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 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." show less

1865 Michigan
"Cast your cares on Him, honey."
The Civil War has ended but the suffering for everyone in America hasn't stopped. Shortages of food and medicine, men coming home wounded in mind and body. Also a time of healing in many ways. Caroline's father tended a lighthouse and their family lived there. Caroline did the work of taking care of the lighthouse when her father couldn't do it, but people wouldn't approve. After her father drowned she tried to continue but they wouldn't let her, sending Ryan to take over. But he's not in good enough shape to do it either. Excellent story as these people come together for healing and support. Second book in the series.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the show more publisher and Netgalley book review bloggers 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 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” show less

4.5 stars

"You're qualified to get married, bear children, and manage your household," is what Caroline Taylor is told after being wrested from her job as lighthouse keeper. She enjoys her job; it keeps her and her younger siblings fed and sheltered. But with a new keeper being appointed, their future is uncertain.

Ryan Chambers, a seemingly broken man and a Civil War veteran, has come to Windmill Point seeking a fresh start. He's secured the position as the new lighthouse keeper, but an unyielding woman and his own incompetence keep getting in the way. Both are drawn to the other, but can they look past their differences and help each other heal?

This was my first novel by Jody Hedlund and I really think she's one of the more talented show more Christian Fiction authors out there. Hearts Made Whole captured my attention from the start and didn't let me go until the very end.

Caroline's situation easily garnered my sympathy. After tragic circumstances, she must take the role as provider for her family. But in 1865 Michigan it just isn't proper that a woman hold the position as lighthouse keeper. The value of family is a strong theme in this book, which I appreciated, and was glad to see Caroline fight for hers.

Ryan was an interesting character for sure. He comes to Windmill Point a wounded man, physically and spiritually. Though slightly predictable, I eagerly read Caroline's and Ryan's stories, and it was so fun to see how they intertwined. There were mix-ups and misunderstandings, but I love how everything was settled in the end. I admit, I really didn't expect that twist at the end. It made me wince, I was so surprised, but Ms. Hedlund expertly wove it in.

Overall, Hearts Made Whole is a sweet romance, with a heartwarming message of hope and grace for the sinner that turns to God.

“We can't do anything on our own to be righteous. But when we turn to Him, He'll fill us with His goodness.”

Content: Kissing; embracing; all the emotions. Nothing overly detailed, but recommend for girls 15 .

**I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Many thanks to Bethany House. show less

Engaging Post-Civil War Fiction to Change Your Life!!

I love a great historical fiction book that also seamlessly weaves into it spiritual lessons for today. Jody Hedlund's Hearts Made Whole, second of the Beacons of Hope series, has everything in it a Christian reader could want. Plenty of drama, plenty of passion,plenty of descriptions of Michigan's rugged Great Lakes' beauty. Unfortunately for the reader's heart, plenty of terror, accidents, and deceit and betrayal.

The story has two main threads, the growing relationship between Caroline Taylor, who has kept Windmill Point Light since her father died;and Ryan Chambers, drunk, pill-popping soldier who has regretfully survived the Civil War.
The second thread meshes well into the first. show more Once Caroline's father has died, Ryan, who has a bare minimum of experience with lighthouses, is declared the keeper because he is male. Apparently, even back then, women were challenging the glass ceiling. Caroline and her family and friends try to prove that she is every bit as capable of running the lighthouse as a man. However, Caroline does befriend Ryan, teaches him how to keep the light, and yet finds that someone is still opposing her presence.

I fell in love with the believable characters Jody Hedlund drew. I cried with them and panicked with them and worried with them. Hopefully, I also learned with them the value of forgiveness in the face of betrayal, not to be so self-centered, and to rely on God moment by moment.

But the clincher lesson for me? Casting one's cares on God. "Had she ever cast her cares on the Lord? She pictured the twins casting their fishing lines,tossing the bait as deep and as far as they possibly could. Was that what it was like to cast her cares? Did she need to mentally throw them as far away from herself as she could and let God swallow them up?"

This book is the perfect combination of Christian historical fiction elements and deserves a permanent place on your bookshelf or in your e-reader. I gratefully received this book from bookfun.org in exchange for an honest review. show less

With sorrow and uncertainty all around, Caroline will do anything to keep her family safe and protected.

Caroline Taylor's family has had their fair share of suffering. With their father having recently passed, their beloved home is now being threatened. But in 1865, because Caroline is a woman, the inspector sees fit to replace her with a man, Civil War veteran Ryan Chambers. Ryan is haunted by the pain of the past. All he wants to do is drown his sorrows any way that he can. Will they try to find their own solutions to their problems? Or will they turn to the only One who can heal their hearts and make them whole again?

"God is good all the time, no matter what bad things come into their lives." - Hearts Made Whole

There is something show more about Jody Hedlund's books that grip my heart. My laundry has sat forsaken the last few days and I have burned the midnight oil finishing Hearts Made Whole. Every emotion feels so real, the anger, love, fear, and hope. The exact circumstances portrayed in the book might never become a reality for me, but the emotions are very real. It was almost challenging to see the internal struggles that I deal with on a daily basis, brought to life before my very eyes. The distressing scenes only caused me to read faster and longer, wanting to know what would happen next. The hope that is instilled into the characters was contagious. The romance is passionate but clean and honorable. In all honesty, we need more authors like Jody Hedlund! Add Hearts Made Whole to your reading list today! This book can stand alone, but you really don't want to miss out on the first book in the series: Love Unexpected.

I received a free digital copy of Hearts Made Whole from Bethany House Publishers through
NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. show less

Hearts Made Whole by Jody Hedlund is a sweet Christian romance novel set just after the Civil War. Caroline Taylor is the eldest of five children. Her family has been living at Windmill Point Lighthouse for years. One night there is a storm and their father insists on going across the lake with the doctor to find medicine for his sick daughter, Sarah (medicine was in short supply during and after the war). Unfortunately, neither the doctor nor their father made it to land. Caroline is now in charge of the children (Tessa, Sarah, Hugh, and Harold) and gets herself appointed temporary keeper of the lighthouse. Four months later Mr. Finick, the district lighthouse inspector, arrives to inform Caroline that he has hired a man to take over show more the lighthouse duties (Mr. Finick believes women belong in the home taking care of their husband and having children). He gives them one week to vacate the premises.

The next day Caroline’s sleep is interrupted when someone lands in her bed. Caroline was up all night doing her duties as lighthouse keeper and had just gotten to sleep after dawn. Ryan Chambers is drunk and on pain pills when he arrives at the lighthouse to assume his new duties as lighthouse keeper. Even in his stupor, Ryan is understanding and agrees to stay in the boat house. Ryan was injured during the war and lost part of one hand. Shrapnel is still lodged in the hand/arm which causes him pain (hence the pain pills. The alcohol is also numbing and helps Ryan with his pity party). The first few days that Ryan is at the lighthouse, he does not show up to do any of his duties. Caroline is still performing the job. Ryan, slowly starts to learn (yes, learn) how to operate the lighthouse and Caroline starts substituting his pain pills for herbal pain remedies. Then someone starts sabotaging things around the lighthouse. Caroline’s garden is destroyed (the plants and bulbs destroyed with a blade), ducks nailed to rowboat, hole in rowboat, being locked in root cellar, and a fire. Who is behind these terrible deeds?

In addition, Mr. Finick returns and insists that Caroline has to leave (he really has something against her). When Ryan proposes to Caroline (they have fallen in love) something happens that could ruin the happiness for everyone. You will have to read Hearts Made Whole to find out who is behind the sabotage, if Caroline will get to stay at the lighthouse, and if the family can move on from their grief and find happiness. I give Hearts Made Whole 4 out of 5 stars. It was a good story, but I found it very predictable. I also found Caroline’s character a bit of a contradiction. She is portrayed as this strong character, but she rarely stood up for herself. Caroline was always backing down. Hearts Made Whole is well-written and contains some interesting characters.

I received a complimentary copy of Hearts Made Whole from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are my own. show less

A glimpse into our world just after the end of the Civil War, and how evil can be personified and how it was done was surprising.
Carolyn Taylor’s lot in life has been a tough one, she has lost her mother, and as the book opens she looses her father. Now she is the support for her family, including a very ill younger sister.
We next meet Ryan Taylor, a man fighting his own demons, today know as PTSD, and a sever injury. When he arrives on the scene he is about to disrupt her life like nothing else.
The book is very informational, we lean quite a lot about what when into keeping the Lighthouse lite back in the 1800’s. Not an easy task, it took a lot of stamina, one that most believed a woman could not handle.
This is one action packed show more book from the first to the last page, you never know what is going to happen, and that is a good thing. I for one never saw or even guessed what was about to take place.
Loved the faith these people showed, and how they love God, sure helped in hopeless times. I really enjoyed this book!

I received this book through Litfuse Virtual Book Tours and was not required to give a positive review. show less