Hearts Crossing, Marianne Evans

Romance/Contemporary/Series
“How do you feel about God, Collin?”
“I don’t.”

Collin Edwards, a former parishoner at Woodland Church, has renounced God without apology, his faith drained away in the face of a tragic loss.

Daveny Montgomery cares deeply about her relationship with God, and the community of Woodland. Lately she's been in a rut, longing for something to reignite her spiritual enthusiasm.

A beautification project at Woodland seems the answer for them both. Daveny spearheads the effort and Collin assists, but only with the renovations, and only because he wants to know Daveny better. Despite his deepening feelings for her, even stepping into the common areas of the church stirs tension and anger.

Can Daveny trust in Collin’s fledgling return to faith? And can Collin ever accept the fact that while he turned his back on God, God never turned his back on him?

Excerpt:
The closer he got to Woodland Church, the more Collin's tension increased. He faced that fact without flinching, and without apologizing.
He couldn't help the sense of anger he felt whenever he considered matters of faith, so he didn't try to stem the tide. Helping his mom is what mattered, and the thought kept Collin centered as he turned off Jefferson Avenue and into the church parking lot.
“Wow.”
The single word exclamation was Collin's instinctive reaction upon seeing the church. Grounds were torn up in large spots and contractors worked at the open sores. Collin slowed his truck to a stop next to a series of graders, haulers and a semi presently swarmed by what he assumed were church volunteers.
He hopped down from the cab and released the back latch, looking for a person who might be deemed the project leader.
The fact that he stopped to stare drew the attention of a by-passer, who called affably, “Need some help?”
“Delivery. Can you point me to the right person?”
“That’d be Daveny. She’ll get you taken care of. Follow me over.”
They crossed the lot and closed in on a cluster of folks who were in scrubby clothes, water bottles and gardening tools in hand. At the center stood a slender, petite woman wearing jeans and a lime green t-shirt. They stepped up and Collin realized she was in the process of assigning volunteers to designated sections of the church grounds.
During a pause, Collin's escort spoke up. “Daveny, this gentleman brought us some supplies.”
“Perfect. Thanks, Gabe.”
With that, she turned. Collin's world tilted when her gaze lifted to his in greeting. Something overwhelming and instantly captivating swept through him like wind song when she smiled.
“Hi, I'm Daveny Montgomery.”
Collin stumbled over his own name, stalling out while he stared at her. There was a purity he sensed – elusive and instantly haunting.
“Collin Edwards,” he finally managed, taking hold of her extended hand. Firm grip, he realized, soft as silk skin. Nice.
Suddenly, he didn't want to leave. Not quite yet anyway.


Reviews:
Five Hearts – The Romance Studio, Brenda Talley
Ms. Evans has presented her readers with a highly-emotional, poignant book that (I promise) will tug at your heartstrings. She presented a plot that was impressive and involved several different support characters. These people were also interesting and drawn into the story. I loved the way this book unfolded. It showed a realistic look at Christians without being preachy or over-the-top. I know anyone who reads this book will love it. In fact, I hope there is a sequel.

4.5 Books – Long & Short Reviews, Orange Blossom
Ms. Evans certainly knows how to set a scene. Her word descriptions put you right there in a scene until you can taste the scented breeze. She writes sensually sweet which allows the reader into the heart of the characters as they experience every emotion in this whirlwind tale. It’s a story which touches the heart and tickles the senses.

WHY Marianne Wrote the Book:
I wrote the book in response to a contest sponsored by White Rose Publishing, and my entry ended up winning! What a thrill! I liked the idea of exploring an issue that hits all Christians at one point or another: Why does a loving God allow evil? Why does a loving God allow bad things to happen?

I think the last line of my blurb says it all: Even when we turn our back on God, God never, ever turns his back on us. My prayer is that readers take hope from that truth!

Purchase

Other Books in The Woodland series (coming soon):

Hearts Surrender

Hearts Communion

Hearts Key

Biography:
Marianne Evans has written numerous contemporary romances. Kensington Publishing purchased her first book, Friends & Lovers. Her second, Right Hand Man, followed shortly thereafter. Her third release from Kensington, Hannah’s Heart, won critical acclaim from The Oakland Press. Her fourth book is her inspirational romance debut with White Rose Publishing – a contest winning novella entitled Hearts Crossing.
The success of Hearts Crossing as led to the creation of The Woodland Series. Hearts Surrender, Hearts Communion and Hearts Key will tell the continuing story of characters first introduced in Hearts Crossing, all of which will revolve around Woodland Church. The series will be available in both print and e-book format. Hearts Surrender will be released in late 2010.
A lifelong resident of Michigan, Marianne is an active member of Romance Writers of America. She’s a long-time member of Greater Detroit RWA where she served the chapter in a number of capacities, but most notably for two terms as Chapter President. She also belongs to the Faith Hope and Love chapter of RWA, American Christian Fiction Writers and the Michigan Literary Network.

http://www.marianneevans.com/

Don't forget to leave a comment to enter this week's drawing. Winner will receive today's featured ebook, Hearts Crossing by Marianne Evans, plus And The Beat Goes On by Tracy Krauss, and Love Turns the Tide by Gail Pallotta.