Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Review + Tour GIVEAWAY: The Truth Between Us by Tammy L. Gray


On Tour with Prism Book Tours


The Truth Between Us
(Bentwood #2)
By Tammy L. Gray
Inspirational Contemporary Romance
ebook, 252 Pages
July 12th 2018

Nine years to win her. Three years to love her. And one decision that destroyed it all.

April Duncan was raised with three clear truths: the family name is absolute, ambition and success rule over every emotion, and love always comes with strings attached. Image was everything in her carefully crafted world... until the mirror cracked.

Sean Taylor was April's best friend, the one man who taught her it was okay to let her guard down and to rely on someone. She trusted him. She loved him. Which made his deception the darkest kind of cruelty.

Now, nearly a year later, she’s ready to leave her failed engagement in the past and get back her life and her estranged family, even if it means dating a man solely for his connections. She’ll never again choose love over loyalty.

Sean has spent his entire life breaking barriers, facing challenges, and never giving up. Until one impossible choice destroyed his future and left him no option but to flee from the woman who annihilated his heart.

Now he’s back in Bentwood and determined to make her hear the truth and rebuild the trust he shattered. But April has become a mere shell of the woman who claimed his heart long ago.

Winning her back is more than just seizing a victory, because if he fails… the girl he’s loved for a lifetime will disappear forever.

The Truth Between Us is the second book in the Bentwood series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but it is recommended that you begin with book one to get the full experience among this tight group of family and friends.



My thoughts...

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and am thrilled to have discovered the writing of Tammy L. Gray. The Truth Between Us is an extremely well-written relationship drama with a strong, compelling plot and themes of grace and redemption. Honestly, I never wanted to put it down.

The Truth Between Us is Sean and April’s story, two members of the “Bentwood Brats.” If ever a book made me rush to read the previous story, it’s this one. I never completely got all the relationships and backstories straight, but it does stand alone and was a very satisfying read.

Sean and April are strong, compelling characters – realistically flawed and with emotional journeys to make – and what a read those stories made! I didn’t care much for April at first, but grew to love her as reasons for the way she was were revealed … Her family’s concept of love was tainted. Burdened with strings and conditions that could only be satisfied by compromising your soul. True love was unconditional, sacrificial. She’d just been too afraid to accept it. As for Sean, I connected with him from the beginning. The romantic tension between these two is great.

I would categorize this story as crossover Christian fiction, but with an edge to it because of certain elements – most of the characters aren’t Christians, mild profanity is used (3-4 times), and Sean and April lived together before their big breakup. Spiritual insight was very evident, however, through a new character. Caroline almost serves as a moral compass, drawing others to her quiet, sustaining faith and sharing spiritual wisdom as opportunities arose. I loved the relationship between Caroline and April, and one particular scene is so very funny!

“Sometimes, the things we desperately reach for 
end up destroying the person we’re meant to be.”
- Caroline

April, who had become empty and hollow in her attempt to win the love and approval of her parents, came to discover that love and grace didn’t make one weak, but rather strong. The Truth Between Us reveals much spiritual insight, peeling it back in layers a little at a time, just as we might minister to someone who is seeking in real life. I am a fan of Tammy L. Gray’s writing and eager to read Caroline and Beck’s story next – after going back to read Until I Knew Myself, that is.

Recommended.

I received a copy of this book through Prism Book Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.


Other Books in the Series

Until I Knew Myself
(Bentwood #1)
By Tammy L. Gray
Inspirational Contemporary Romance
ebook, 264 Pages
March 8th 2018

RITA Award-winning author Tammy L. Gray delivers an unforgettable new series following five struggling friends in search of the true meaning of family through secrets, betrayal and the unexpected influence of an outsider…

Tyler Mitchell grew up an orphan, taken in by his best friend’s family when he was only sixteen. Even though ten years have passed, and he’s been given everything he should ever want—a loving home, an adoring girlfriend, a successful career, and lifelong friendships—Tyler has always felt a foreigner in his own life.

When a surprising phone call reveals the death of his biological grandfather, Tyler’s seemingly perfect life starts to unravel. The people he loves most in world have kept from him the greatest secret of all—knowledge of his father’s family.

Now hunting for more information about his past, Tyler discovers nothing is quite as it seems. And the definition of family is far more complicated than choosing between blood and loyalty.



About the Author


Tammy L. Gray lives in the Dallas area with her family, and they love all things Texas, even the erratic weather patterns. She writes modern Christian romance with true-to-life characters and culturally-relevant plot lines. She believes hope and healing can be found through high quality fiction that inspires and provokes change.

Her characters are real, relatable and deep, earning her a 2017 RITA award in the Romance with Religious and Spiritual Elements category.

When not chasing after her three amazing kids, Tammy can be spotted with her head in a book. Writing has given her a platform to combine her passion with her ministry.



Tour Schedule

July 16th:
Launch
Remembrancy
Katie's Clean Book Collection
All-of-a-kind Mom
Christian Chick's Thoughts
July 17th:
The Power of Words
Uplifting Reads
My Scribbler's Heart
Locks, Hooks and Books
July 18th:
C Jane Read
Reading Is My SuperPower
Book by Book
Author Austin Ryan
July 19th:
Faithfully Bookish
Wishful Endings
Tell Tale Book Reviews
Rockin' Book Reviews
July 20th:
Redeemed Hope Dweller
Among the Reads
Christen Krumm
Heidi Reads...
July 21st:
Grand Finale


Tour Giveaway


1 winner will receive a Kindle ebook of UNTIL I NEW MYSELF, book one in The Brentwood Series, and a $10 Amazon eGift Card
- Open internationally
- Ends July 25th

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1 comment:

  1. Tammy Gray's books sound really gritty and compelling. I'm eager to read them.

    ReplyDelete