The Memory House {A Book Review + Giveaway}

**Book received for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own. 

Embracing the future means remembering the past . . . 

When Beck Holiday lost her father in the North Tower on 9/11, she also lost her memories of him. Eighteen years later, she’s a tough New York City cop burdened with a damaging secret, suspended for misconduct, and struggling to get her life in order. Meanwhile a mysterious letter arrives informing her she’s inherited a house along Florida’s northern coast, and what she discovers there will change her life forever. Matters of the heart only become more complicated when she runs into handsome Bruno Endicott, a driven sports agent who fondly recalls the connection they shared as teenagers. But Beck doesn’t remember that either.

Decades earlier, widow Everleigh Applegate lives a steady, uneventful life with her widowed mother after a tornado ripped through Waco, Texas, and destroyed her new, young married life. When she runs into old high school friend Don Callahan, she begins to yearn for change. Yet no matter how much she longs to love again, she is hindered by a secret she can never share.

Fifty years separate the women but through the power of love and miracle of faith, they each find healing in a beautiful Victorian known affectionately as The Memory House.  

Click here to read an excerpt!

Rachel Hauck is an award winning, New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journalbestselling author.

Her book The Wedding Dress was named Inspirational Novel of the Year by Romantic Times Book Reviews. She is a double RITA finalist, and a Christy and Carol Award Winner.

Her book, Once Upon A Prince, first in the Royal Wedding Series, was filmed for an Original Hallmark movie.

Rachel has been awarded the prestigious Career Achievement Award for her body of original work by Romantic Times Book Reviews.

A member of the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers, she teaches workshops and leads worship at the annual conference. She is a past Mentor of The Year.

At home, she’s a wife, writer, worship leader and works out at the gym semi-enthusiastically.

A graduate of Ohio State University (Go Bucks!) with a degree in Journalism, she’s a former sorority girl and a devoted Ohio State football fan. Her bucket list is to stand on the sidelines with Ryan Day.

She lives in sunny central Florida with her husband and ornery cat.

For more information, visit www.rachelhauck.com, Facebook (@rachelhauck), Twitter (@RachelHauck) and Instagram (@rachelhauck).

When I started reading this book, I must admit it didn't grab me at first. It wasn't one of those that had me in its grips from page one, but rather it took me about four chapters in or so. Perhaps this was based on the frequent back and forth between the various characters and timelines. It wasn't hard to follow, but did take me a bit to adjust to I think. Once I got into the flow of the story, I absolutely loved seeing these two love stories play out and finding out how they all went together.

Both of the women we meet in this novel have faced great tragedy in their lives. Everleigh lost her husband in a tornado and held onto the memory, refusing to move on for many years. Beck lost her father on 9/11 and for reasons at first unknown to her lost all memory associated with him. The memories to painful to recall. Throughout their respective stories, both of these women have to learn to deal with their pasts and learn how to open themselves up to love again. I loved seeing how their stories mirrored each other here and there, but were both truly unique and heartwarming in their own ways. I also loved seeing their relationships with God develop and grow throughout the story as well.

I will confess though--- as someone with a MAJOR phobia of storms, parts were quite anxiety producing for me. After all, the loss of her husband to a tornado was a pretty significant moment and one that shapes Everleigh throughout her story as well. If you're like me and your heart starts racing at the mere sight of the word, that is something to be more mindful of. To be honest, had I paid closer attention to the description that might have even kept me from giving it a chance (like I said, it's a severe phobia!), but I'm really glad I'd overlooked that part and read it anyway because I would have missed out on a really great story otherwise!

Overall, this was a really great read and I would certainly recommend.

'The Memory House' is available to purchase now at your favorite Christian book retailers.

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