Hope Springs

By Kim Tate
This book tells us of 3 women's stories (Janelle, Stephanie, Becca) that are interlinked with each others lives.

Grandma Geraldine (Geri) is very sick and so when the family and friends learn of this they all show up for the family reunion for Christmas (all but one daughter that is). The grandmother won't allow anyone call the daughter and tell her, how she is sick, and that she wants a reunion with her family because of their hearts, not out of pity for her or some sense of duty, etc.

Hope Springs is the town this story is based out of it has two churches, one black and one white, and neither church goers seem to want to mingle with the others church functions. The 2 main families in the story go to different churchs. The Dillons (Becca's husband, Todd) is a member of the white church (and he is thinking of taking his late fathers position as Pastor), the Sanders (Janelle, Stephanie, Geri,etc) belong to the black church, Maybe if the two pastor join forces.....

Janelle's husband, David, died around 2 years ago and because of that she had distanced herself from her family and her hometown. Even though she didn't want to go to the family reunion she does, cause she knows her grandmother is sick. After she get there she feels compelled to stay with her grandmother, to help her out while she goes through her treatments (won't say what as it is though). A past love from her hometown who broke her heart in College appears, Kory, and their daughters become very fast friends....

Janelle's cousin - Stephanie decides to stay with Grandma as well, she feels that God is making her start her Boot Camp training, for helping to serve others and Him. Her husband is serving a medical mission out of the country. She then feels compelled to have to work and help out in a Diner where there is much help needed.

Becca is super happy that she has landed a spot speaking at a big women's conference called, Worth & Purpose. Now her husband, Todd, wants to take over preaching at his old hometown church, to move and sell their house.

I loved reading these tales, each one has their own unique style of what is going on. The author did a great job telling their tales in each story.

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Book Description

God’s plans for three women—and the small town of Hope Springs—may be bigger than anyone could have imagined.

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.

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?

Stephanie London is married to a doctor in St. Louis and living an ideal life. When her cousin Janelle volunteers to stay in Hope Springs and care for their grandmother, she feels compelled to do the same. It’s a decision that will forever change her.

As these women come together, 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.

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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.