"We can become so busy doing good things for God that we miss the best things He intends for us.”

I grew up reading books about horses so I was excited to find this horse book for grown-ups! Ashley and Ben are two people who want to make a difference, and they find their motivation in a horse stall. When they team up to start a program that will help others through equine therapy, they also start to wonder if they will make a great team romantically. They have more in common than they think and they will have to face their problems from the past in order to move on with their future together.

This book definitely reminded me of a Nicholas Sparks novel but it's clean reading and filled with inspiring scripture. I love how the author used specific scripture passages throughout the book and I highlighted so many passages. My eyes were opened to many thoughts I hadn't paid attention to before and that is always a great thing to gain from a good book. The one thing I didn't care for in this read was the time jump. I felt like I was reading two different stories and I would have like to read these as separate books. I am not usually a fan of jumping back and forth. Nevertheless, I am thankful to have had the chance to read and review this book!

This is the second book in the Legacy of Faith series centered around the family Bible. The main character Ben has a past. He is a recovering alcoholic with his fair share of mistakes. Having done rehab, and been through an equine rehabilitation program, he wants to be able to help others. He has plans to use his grandfather's farm as an equine rehabilitation program to help others in the same way that he was helped. Through this, he meets Ashley, who lacks the faith that Ben has. What she does have is rescue horses, and as she helps Ben develop his program, she finds herself falling in love with him.

I loved this story. The references to faith and forgiveness were just what I needed to read. It was a definite page-turner.

Cross My Heart by Robin Lee Hatcher is a most delightful dual timeline Christian novel about love and the heart of God. It is the second book in the Legacy Of Faith series but can be read as a stand-alone. I enjoyed catching up with familiar faces.
The story spans present day and the World War II years. In both the characters trust God to see them through all the stages of life.
Prayer is important. “Our prayers never go unanswered, even when things don’t turn out the way we expected.” God answers our prayers in His way and in His timing. Prayers are our lifeline. Lives are altered through prayer.
God rescues us from our situations when He hears our heartfelt prayers. We may think that we are searching for God (and we may be) but God is also searching for us. “I didn’t have to find Him. He was there all the time. Waiting for me.” What a beautiful image that conjures up. God waits for us.
God longs for us to turn to Him. Within the novel there are horses rescued from terrible situations. They can be seen as a motif for us – God rescues us, gives us unconditional love and restores our lives.
Horses are important in helping to heal broken lives. They give unconditional love and wait patiently for it to be returned. Again this can be seen as the heart of God.
Within the tale there is a God-given vision of an equine therapy farm. It is “broken horses helping broken people.” It is also “a place where spirits get healed and hope gets restored through the use of horses.” When God gives a vision, it will come to fruition.
There are the difficult themes of alcohol and drug abuse. Until we admit we have a problem we cannot begin to heal. We need others to help raise us up out of our pits of desperation.
The themes of forgiveness and trust also link in here. We must forgive both ourselves and others and learn to trust again.
I adored Cross My Heart. The characters are realistically drawn and relatable. This is a fabulous series and I cannot wait to read more about the Henning family. Robin Lee Hatcher is a talented author who draws the reader in from the very first page. It is an absolutely wonderful book.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

I loved reading this wonderful story. I loved Abby and. Ben. These characters are both slightly broken and they help each other heal. I love the side story from the past and how it connects with the present. I did not want to stop reading this book and I hope there will be more on the family from the past in the next book in the series. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

This book was wonderful! I loved seeing how Ben put into practice what he felt God wanted him to do, by opening an equine therapy barn and also working with rescue horses. He was such a wonderful character, so generous and loving, even to people who didn't deserve it. I also loved how patient he was with Ashley, wanting what was best for her even if that didn't end up being him. His relationship with his grandfather was wonderful to see, also, and I loved how wise his grandfather was. Ashley had a lot of issues to work through because of her brother and it was interesting to see her faith grow throughout the story. I feel like I was encouraged in my faith as I read this book and prayed right along with Ashley about some things I'd been dealing with. It was interesting learning about equine therapy and horse rescue; it's not a topic I see often in fiction. I also liked that this book dealt with addiction, both from a character who was in the midst of it and one who had come out the other side stronger. I also loved the split time element as the story of Ben's great-great grandpa was continued from the first book, this time set during World War II, as Ben's great-grandpa goes off to war and his family is left at home to grow food for others and pray for his safe return. The Godly wisdom shared was wonderful as the men in both time periods had such strong faith and really read their Bibles, prayed and spent time with God. This book works as a stand-alone but I recommend you read the first book as that was wonderful as well. I highly recommend this book and can't wait for the next!

I received this book from the author. I was not compensated for this review. All opinions are my own.

Ben Henning was once mired in alcoholism and bad decision making. Through God's grace, the love of his grandparents, and equine therapy, Ben found his way again. Now that his grandfather is passing down the family ranch in Kuna, Idaho, to him, it's Ben's desire to start a therapy barn of his own in order to give back to the community.

Ashley Showalter has loved horses for a long time, and she works with a rescue network to help save animals that have been subjected to cruelty or starvation. When Ben approaches her about the possibility of using rescue horses in his ministry, she's quite intrigued by the idea. They begin an easy friendship through their shared love and appreciation of horses.

Continuing with the story we were first introduced to in Who I Am With You, Andrew Henning — great-great-grandfather of Ben — grapples with life and faith while World War II rages.

This is a gentle story that has some deeper themes woven in. I've never been a big fan of horses, but I imagine those who are would enjoy this story even more than I did. This is a sweet series and I am looking forward to the next release to continue this family saga!

I received my copy of the book from JustRead Publicity Tours. All opinions in this review are my own.

I really enjoyed book 1 of the A Legacy of Faith series, but Hatcher just nailed this one. You can't go wrong with realistic characters who pull at your heartstrings and then throw in dogs, horses, and Idaho farm country. Top it off then with a strong spiritual thread that is food for the soul, and you definitely have a winner.

Hatcher dealt with not so common subject matter in this one since the main male character, Ben, was a recovered alcoholic/drug user who only found his way back to normality through a 12 step program, a developing faith, and a wonderful equine rehabilitation program. Now he wants to pay it back by using his grandfather' farm that has been left to him to develop his own equine rehab program. Ashley has been burned by love and has no faith, but she loves her rescue horses and buries herself in them and her waitress job. But can a connection with Ben and helping developing his equine program, lead both her and Ben to something more in life.

This dual time line story flashed back to Ben's ancestors during World War II. Hatcher did an excellent job of winding the two time lines in and out of one another. I loved seeing the strength of partnership between Andrew and Helen as they faced two of their children heading off to war and a third falling in love through letter writing with a sailor who had no family. This partnership as well as the one between Ben's grandparents were both models for what Ben wanted in a relationship and marriage.

Hated to see this book end, and definitely hope there will be another book in this series.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

Cross My Heart is a good story about a man, Ben, and a girl, Ashley, and their mutual love for horses. I discovered at the end that this is book two of a series. Maybe I would have liked it better if I had read the first book, but I found it odd that this story kept switching between modern day and World War 2. It didn't seem to have a purpose for doing that. Maybe I should have read the first book before reading this one. I still enjoyed the story.

"Broken horses for broken people." This is part of Ben Henning's vision for his family farm, newly named Harmony Barn. He dreams of having equine therapy to provide for those who could benefit from it. Ben receives his great-great grandfather Andrew's Bible from cousin Jessica shortly after moving to the farm. Andrew had owned this property with his wife. The story weaves back and forth between the 1940's life on the farm and World War II while focusing on Ben during his pursuit of an equine therapy program during current time. I don't care for going back and forth in time but in this story the author briefly adds to Andrew's days of the past smoothly. She keeps it interesting and I don't lose track of both stories which can be irritating. The strong threads of faith that Andrew and great-great grandson Ben live by are heartwarming and encouraging to the reader. I didn't feel preached at, just inspired by the scripture and prayers the men read, marked in the Bible or spoke. What a legacy to have an ancestors Bible to hold in hand and read his notes, see his marked verses and share his faith.
Ben meets Ashley, rescuer of neglected and abused horses. He knows she is the one who is needed for the horses involved in the therapy program. There is attraction but both battle the repercussions of addiction. There's a lot of tension in the story which keeps it moving forward as both characters grow positively. I like how the author realistically included the feelings, fears and emotional scars having an addict in the family can mark a persons life. It was something I can personally relate to.
This is such a good read. It was hard to put down. I did not read the first story in the series and this definitely worked as a stand alone.

I want to thank the author and her publisher Thomas Nelson, along with NetGalley for my advanced copy of the book. It is a blessing to have a book that is inspiring to anyone who chooses to read it.

The Legacy of Faith is series with a dual timeline tying the Henning family beginning during the Depression and forward with present day cousins. In Cross My Heart, Ben Henning, a recovering alcoholic, has a dream to start an equine therapy non-profit business to help those dealing with various situations causing difficult problems-from abusive situations to drug/alcohol issues. Ashley Showalter is dealing with her own problems but her heart lies with horses, mostly rescue horses. The two get together and work on Ben's dream and help each other mutually.
In Andrew and Helen Henning's life, World War II is going on and the story shows how it is affecting their family, especially those sons who are led to enlist for the service of this country. Their family is growing up and expanding.
Robin Lee Hatcher is a great storyteller who is able to weave a lovely and touching story of family and faith that will stay with you long after you finish the book.
I received a complimentary ARC from Thomas Nelson Publishing through NetGalley. The opinions and thoughts stated are mine only.

This is the story of Ben and Ashley. The story begins with a cousin of Ben’s gifting him a bible from his great-great-grandfather.Ben is starting an equine therapy program on a farm that has been in his family for generations. Ashley rescues horses and finds new homes for these beautiful animals. The two meet when Ben needs help finding horses for his program. Both are gun shy about new relationships, so slowly they become friends. Soon they find out that they have more in common than just horses. They both had troubled pasts and have past relationships that have hurt them. Both are harboring secrets from their pasts and are worried that if they bring them into the light it might jeopardize their new friendship. Will they reveal what’s hidden deep inside themselves for a chance at love?

Robin Lee Hatcher does a brilliant job of blending the story of Ben and Ashley in with the story of Ben’s great-great-grandfather Andrew’s story from long ago. I loved how beautifully she wove bible passages into the story and touched so eloquently on the joy, faith and hope of being a Christian not only in today’s society but also how a family relied on their beliefs to get them through the war. I absolutely loved this story and only found out after I read it that’s it’s the second book in her “Legacy of Faith” series. The book definitely can be read as a stand-alone novel, but I am already looking up the first book to read and can’t wait for the next one. Thank you so much Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book to review.

A recovering alcoholic, Ben has been given the family farm by the grandfather who helped him get back on his feet, and his God-given dream is to use it for equine therapy combined with horse rescue. To do that, though, he needs help - and God puts in his way Ashley, who rescues horses but has very limited space to do so. Each coming from bad family backgrounds, with alcohol having played a part in destroying each life (him directly, her through her brother), these two broken people are trying to set up a place where broken horses can be helped by broken people, and help them in return. But will they be strong enough to deal with their pasts, in order to have a future together?

I have never yet been disappointed in one of this author's books, and this was no exception. The story is told from both Ben's and Ashley's points of view, with bits of Ben's great-(great?)-grandfather's story interspersed, following on from the previous book in the series. The changing of points of view is done clearly and well, and especially the change in time going back to Andrew, but I have to say that again, I can't really see what including Andrew's story adds to this book - I'd rather have it fully fleshed out in its own book. Despite this, I thoroughly enjoyed the story, with its clean content, well-worked storyline, and characters who felt real. I look forward to more of the author's books, and I'd love to hear more about how Ben and Ashley (and Harmony Barn) go after marriage.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

3.5 stars
This is a sweet faith-filled tale that many readers will connect with through their own life experiences.
It is the second in the Legacy of Faith series, which weaves together the lives of a family during World War II and the family Bible that gives these cousins in the present day help and guide them.
Ashley's character really grated on me at first, until Hatcher shows her heart being beaten down over the years with disappointment and hurt from her brother's addiction. I appreciated that it didn't overall make that much of a difference in her relationship with Ben, but as more of her past was revealed, I could see where she was coming from guarding her heart.
I also liked getting to know more about the family in the past and furthering that storyline, and I also was fascinated by the information about horse rescues and equine therapy.

Themes of forgiveness and courage resonate throughout. I look forward to the next book in the series.

My Review:

Genre: Romance, fiction, Christian fiction.

My Rating: 5 stars.

My Recommendation: 16 up for mentions of drunkenness and drugs but that's about it.

My Favorite Character/s: Hmm, Ben! Both of them to be truthful. But (the main character) Ben was such a great guy, I loved getting to see his struggles and accomplishments. He was so good to Ashley and I loved seeing him with his grandfather. I also liked that he still tried to reach people he harmed...

My Verse for Ben is Proverbs 22:6 
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (King James Version.) And this verse is all because of Ben's grandparents...

Ashley was just slightly under him in place for my favorite character but only because I loved the character growth in Ben throughout the book, it was harder to see the growth in Ashley.

My Thoughts: Like the first book in this series I feel in love with the characters and loved the story, plus it had dogs and horses, what not to love? And Ben taking care of Ashley was so so so so so sweet and cute! This book was a wonderful continuance of the first with Andrew's point of view and I look forward to reading many more of the author's books.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review and am truly happy to provide it!

Such a good book!The book has two time lines. The first is set on a farm in Idaho during World War II. The family is fortunate to have the farm. The family is able to have sufficient food despite the rationing that is going on. The war touches the family in a personal way when two of the sons leave to fight in the war.The second time line is the same farm in modern day Idaho.The current owner of the farm is entrusted with the family Bible. He reads comments in it's margins that were written by one of his ancestors. The written words speak to him as much as The Word itself.Through Ben and Ashely's thoughts and deeds we get a glimpse at how people struggle to come to grips with the knowledge that they are loved by God and He has a plan for their life.God's plan for Ben and Ashely is better than either one of them could even imagine.I hope you chose to pick up a copy of this book. There are so many  details about equine therapy that are very interesting. This is a beautiful love story and so much more.

Cross My Heart is the second book in this series. Robin Lee Hatcher has done it again, I am never disappointed in her books. She is a master of the time-slip storyline. This book is so well-written and the characters are superbly developed. I loved it.

I love being back with Grandpa Andrew Henning’s Bible and how he continues to touch the lives of his decedents.
The book does flash back to the time leading up to and continuing into WWII, and we are with those who are the family of the current day relatives.
The book does touch on some tough topics, and then with the help of those that have met the same challenges find healing. We put faces on these individual through the words of this author, and in the end, I wanted to go and volunteer at the ranch.
There is a little bit of sweet romance here, a scare because of greed, and a love one ending up in jail, and now I am wondering who the next recipient of God’s Word will be?

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.

What a wonderful story that captures the hearts of two people dealing with their past and trying to make a fresh start.The author does a great job of giving us characters that are easy to relate to and scriptures that fill your soul with hope. It is easy to fall in love with Ashley and Ben as they find common ground with love of horses and wanting to help hurting people. I loved the story and the message of hope and forgiveness. The story is also a time slip which gives us a glimpse into a war that took many lives. Come join the author as two generations collide on a journey to freedom and unconditional love.

I received an arc copy from the author and publisher. The review is my own opinion.

"Follow God and you will never lose your way."

Cross My Heart was fantastic. Book two in Robin's Legacy Of Faith series, this story was a joy to read. I really liked Ben and Ashley and my favorite character was Grandpa Grant. He was adorable! I loved the fact that Ben is starting an equine therapy center and all the horse stuff in the book. I have a personal experience with a equine therapy center while working as a Para, and I can tell you it works. So to see it in a novel thrilled me! Robin weaves stories that just flow off the page and they are quick, easy reads with a ton of heart and story. I can not recommend this series enough!

I received this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

Once again after reading a Robin Lee Hatcher book I have come away feeling refreshed and renewed in faith and spiritual well being.
This book is amazing! The characters held my attention and before I knew it I had read the whole book.
This is the second book in the Legacy of Faith series. It is a time split novel and once again the family bible has a strong connection between past and present, what a wonderful idea!
Ben has forgiven himself through his faith for a reckless time period when he was younger, his ex-best friend is bitter and does not have a strong faith and can not forgive him.
Ben through his faith has turned his life around and now wants to give back to troubled and disadvantaged people through his equine program he has started on the farm he has inherited from his grandfather.
Ashley Showalter is his contact person to get the process started. She doesn't have the room on her property to keep many horses but she rescues and rehabilitates them. After this Ben comes in and trains them for his equine program. These two tender hearts come together in partnership with the horses but can God bring them together for a lifetime partnership ?
Sweet tender romance,the words flowed beautifully in this book!

Expected publication: June 25th 2019 by Thomas Nelson
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.