**I received a complimentary copy of this book for consideration. All thoughts are my own.
Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for For the Love of Joy by Janet W. Ferguson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
Title: For the Love of Joy
Series: Coastal Hearts
Author: Janet W. Ferguson
Release Date: January 1, 2021
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance / Southern rom-com
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository | BookBub
BOOKS IN THIS SERIES
Janet W. Ferguson is a Grace Award winner, FHL Readers Choice Winner, and a Christy Award finalist. She grew up in Mississippi and received a degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Mississippi. She has served as a children’s minister and a church youth volunteer. An avid reader, she worked as a librarian at a large public high school. She writes humorous inspirational fiction for people with real lives and real problems. Janet and her husband have two grown children, one really smart dog, and a cat that allows them to share the space.
For the Love of Joy is the 5th book in Janet W. Ferguson's Coastal Hearts series. While I believe this book could be read as a standalone, many of the side characters are introduced in previous books in the series and reading in order would certainly allow a better overall understanding.
In this book, we get see Davis' story. Before starting a new job in ministry, he sets out to settle his previous marriage which had ended with a Dear John letter while he was in Afghanistan. When he finds Joy, he learns what became of their marriage/divorce and that Joy now had a son. When she is injured with no one else to take care of the two of them, he opens his home and his heart to the woman he'd once loved.
Like many of the characters in this series, Davis and Joy both have their pasts... and they aren't pretty ones. With issues like having a child out of wedlock, adultery and alcohol abuse, they both had a lot to overcome. I loved seeing them reconnect, of course, and found this to be a rather unique type of love story... but more importantly than a romance, it was a great love story with God. With their various flaws, we are reminded just how much God loves us and how His grace is more than enough to cover all of our past sins even if we ourselves struggle to let go of the shame. It also illustrated a beautiful reminder that God can take all the messes we make of our lives and use them for His good.
With the adorable Hankie and fun southern phrases adding a lightness and humor to the story, it helped to bring a little lightness to what might otherwise be a fairly heavy story. I absolutely could not get enough of it. If you love a story of second chances and faith, this is definitely a must read!
In this book, we get see Davis' story. Before starting a new job in ministry, he sets out to settle his previous marriage which had ended with a Dear John letter while he was in Afghanistan. When he finds Joy, he learns what became of their marriage/divorce and that Joy now had a son. When she is injured with no one else to take care of the two of them, he opens his home and his heart to the woman he'd once loved.
Like many of the characters in this series, Davis and Joy both have their pasts... and they aren't pretty ones. With issues like having a child out of wedlock, adultery and alcohol abuse, they both had a lot to overcome. I loved seeing them reconnect, of course, and found this to be a rather unique type of love story... but more importantly than a romance, it was a great love story with God. With their various flaws, we are reminded just how much God loves us and how His grace is more than enough to cover all of our past sins even if we ourselves struggle to let go of the shame. It also illustrated a beautiful reminder that God can take all the messes we make of our lives and use them for His good.
With the adorable Hankie and fun southern phrases adding a lightness and humor to the story, it helped to bring a little lightness to what might otherwise be a fairly heavy story. I absolutely could not get enough of it. If you love a story of second chances and faith, this is definitely a must read!
(1) winner will receive a wetcat Hug Yourself Turkish beach towel, beach bookmark, Meyers lavender soy candle, signed book, note, and shell from the author! Dream beach 2021!
Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight January 19, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on January 26, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
This sounds like an engaging book that I would love to read!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts on the book.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win a copy of this book. I always enjoy Janet's stories!
ReplyDeleteFor the Love of Joy sounds like a great book! And definitely one I’d like to read.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your review! Glad you enjoyed it! - JustRead Tours
ReplyDeleteIt looks like an interesting read.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed the story!!
ReplyDeleteExcellent review! I'm looking forward to read this series. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing cover Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for reviewing! I'm happy you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteLooks like an interesting book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the contest.
Love stories are my favorite! I'd love to win!
ReplyDelete