Review + GIVEAWAY: Keeper of the Stars

Keeper of the Stars
By Robin Lee Hatcher
A Kings Meadow Romance, #3
Thomas Nelson, 2016


Summary

Because it's not always love at first sight!

When her mother died from pneumonia, Penny Cartwright was heartbroken. But now, after burying her younger brother just 12 years later, she is devastated. Anger, guilt, and sorrow cloud Penny's mind, and the last thing she wants is to be reminded of her pain---but that's exactly what happens when a stranger comes to town.

Trevor Reynolds has been chasing fame for more than a dozen years, but his musical career can't get off the ground. While on the road, an accident kills his young drummer, Brad Cartwright. Trevor wasn't behind the wheel, but he still blames himself . . . and so does Brad's sister, Penny. Now Trevor finds himself in Kings Meadow, determined to follow through on his final promise to his friend.

Still feeling the pain of Brad's death, Penny and Trevor must learn that forgiveness is the only thing that can heal their hearts. And if they do forgive, something beautiful may rise from the ashes of heartbreak.

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Best-selling novelist Robin Lee Hatcher is known for her heart-warming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. 

The winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance, two RT Career Achievement Awards, and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award, Robin is the author of over sixty novels.

Connect with Robin:  www.robinleehatcher.com, Twitter, Facebook


My thoughts

A beautiful setting vividly conveyed. Love of family. A community that helps out when needed. Guilt, grief, anger. Forgiveness. A spiritual journey of growing faith. All this and more describes the final book in Robin Lee Hatcher’s Kings Meadow series, Keeper of the Stars. But one theme rises above all the others to my way of thinking, and that is influence.

Keeper of the Stars is a lighter novel in some respects, yet it deals with some deep issues that affect most of us at one time or another, and it captured me emotionally - an ability that Robin seems to have in her writing. Rather than enjoying life, Penny was worried about her Dad and couldn’t let go of anger and bitterness, her trust in God broken the night her brother died. Trevor, a kind guy who was focused solely on achieving a successful career in country music, felt like the accident had been his fault. It was easy for me to connect with Penny and Trevor, and while I enjoyed their romance, its importance seemed secondary to the spiritual and relational themes – and that’s the way it should be.

But the main character in this story isn’t even alive – Penny’s brother, Brad – and that’s where the theme of influence that I mentioned earlier comes in. We are privileged to meet Brad through occasional flashbacks and the effect of his sweet, gentle faith in God is seen on every page. Being an only child who always longed for a sibling, I found the close brother/sister relationship between Brad and Penny very moving.

There are several messages that readers will take away – the need to simply let go and forgive, to offer up everything in our lives to God – but the importance of our witness spoke strongest to me. We don’t always see the effects of our personal witness, but Brad’s life was a gentle reminder that God is always working through us, drawing people to Him. Thank you, Robin, for the spiritual themes you always weave throughout your writing.

In the Kings Meadow series, Robin has created a community that I hate to leave. It is delightful to see previous characters pop in, but this story stands alone. If the series had to end, Keeper of the Stars is a beautiful and fitting conclusion. Highly recommended.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review – and for making this giveaway possible.

Litfuse landing page:

http://litfusegroup.com/author/rhatcher

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GIVEAWAY

To enter the drawing for Keeper of the Stars, please click on this link and share my Facebook post, then leave a comment here. Are you new to Robin’s writing or are you a long-time fan? Do you have a favorite story or series? (I’ve enjoyed several of Robin’s books, but this Kings Meadow contemporary series just might be my favorite so far.)

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BE SURE to leave your name and your email address in a safe format - [at] and [dot] - for the drawing. E-mail required for entry. Contest ends at midnight PST on Sunday, February 21. Winner will be chosen by random.org and contacted by e-mail.

Eligibility: US residents