This book caught my attention the minute I started to read it. This historical fiction was so good. The characters were well developed and I loved reading about them. Norah King is set to marry a man she barely knows that can help her keep her family land. Through unexpected events, she finds Quincy Barnes, near to death and nurses him back to health.
The story continues and just keeps getting better. The connection between Norah and Quincy has to end due to Norah's upcoming marriage. They cross paths later and the friendship they had nurtured is built on friendship and good communication. Yet there is much to overcome and work through. And there are parts that will surprise you. I enjoyed the interaction with the townspeople and the little historical town in which the story takes place.

I loved the way it was written, the detail, the characters and the events that tied it all together.

You will not want to miss this excellent book. I will be watching for more books by this author, that's a sure fact!

I received a complimentary copy from Revell Publishers. All views are my honest opinion.

Norah King is days away from getting married when she finds a seriously injured man on her property, Quincy Barnes. Due to Norah's care of him and listening to him as they talk, Quincy begins to see himself and his future differently. When the time comes for him to leave, he promises Norah he will change his life and help others the way she has helped him.

Word gets around about the mysterious man and Norah's marriage is immediately called off. After losing her land, Norah is forced to make decisions she never imagined just to survive.

A few years later Norah and Quincy cross paths again. The result is a friendship that grows and teaches them both that the past is the past and moving forward is what matters. They learn that with the Lord and each other, they can forgive and overcome so many things.

This was my first novel by Rachel Fordham and it will not be my last. She is a new-to-me author and I cannot wait to read more. Her characters are flawed, as are we all, and they learn powerful lessons we can all relate to learning, albeit in different ways. I love Norah and Quincy and their story. Their path was messy and complicated and beautiful and is one that will stay with me for a while.

I voluntarily received a copy of this book from Revell Publishing. All views are simply my honest opinion.

Where the Road Bends is a historical fiction novel written by Rachel Fordham.

Summary: Norah King will do anything to save her family land-including marrying a man she barely knows. But when she discovers a severely beaten and bloodied man on her property, she knows she needs to help him, or he will die.

As she nurses him back to health, she finds herself drawn to the mysterious stranger. What could her life be like if she married someone she cared about?

But, a promise is a promise, and she is determined to follow through on her original plans, marry, and save her land.

Can she live her life with a stranger, when her heart really belongs to another?

My Thoughts: This book is really good. I love how the author sets the stage for the relationship that can never happen, and there were some true surprises in the book that I didn’t see coming at all.

There is action, adventure, a damsel in distress, and a nice romance. I really loved the character development-especially with some of the townspeople, and found myself wishing for more books set in the tiny town so that I could keep reading about them!

This is a well-written book that is worth the read, and I enjoyed it very much.

I would like to thank Revell for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you!

This is my first book by Rachel Fordham and I’ve totally been missing out. I read a lot of books and because of that, I can tell when a book is written well. This was written well!! Rachel snagged me from the very beginning.

I was interested to know what would happen, anxious for the twists and turns, and truly excited for these two people to fall in love. She wrote in a way that made me long for the type of love they both dreamed of—even though I’m happily married.

It’s not easy to transport someone into a world that makes you feel like you’re actually there, feeling all the emotions. I felt that here.

It’s a cute story with a different approach than what I expected—and I LOVE that!! I was reminded that even if we make mistakes, there’s always an opportunity to take the high road.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Loved this Christian historical romance. It is so hard to find a really good historical romance without smutt and grafic language band was so happy and blessed to be granted a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in return for my honest opinion.

The characters of Quincy and Norah were beautifully written. I loved Norah and related especially with her because if her love for books.

The book was truly a blessing to read and I enjoyed every moment of being lost in the world of Quincy and Norah.

Thank you again NetGalley.

Recommend.

This was a fun historical romance read.

Norah is fighting to keep her family land, but a single woman can’t manage it alone. She agrees to a marriage of convenience in order to keep her land. When she finds a beaten and bloodied man in her field, her life will never be the same again.

I really liked the chemistry between Quincy and Norah. They just had a sweetness about them that immediately endeared them to me. Quincy is the kind of hero you want to see with a happy ending – he’s strong, tough, but has a soft side to him that Norah, and those in need, brings out in him.

I didn’t like how long he held on to his secret, before telling Norah what he did. He had ample opportunity – even with another character prodding him to speak the truth. It was frustrating at times, but I could still see where he was coming from.

A light faith thread makes Quincy’s story of restitution all the more sweet.

There’s a little bit of everything in this rags to riches romance that makes it a fun, light read.

There is mention of prostitution, child neglect, gambling, and boxing.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

"Where the Road Bends" is a Christian romance set mainly in 1882 in Iowa. Norah saved Quincy in the prologue, and they got along well, like old friends who could open up about their worries and past. When they realized that Quincy's presence threatened Norah's reputation, he left so she could marry her betrothed and save her beloved farm. He struggled to find a steady job, so when he discovered some money in the old clothes that Norah gave to him, he decided he needed it more than her. He bought a hotel, made it profitable, and helped others start anew. Yet he can't get rid of the guilt of taking her money. When he tries to repay it, he discovers that his actions hurt Norah more than he could have guessed. He does all he can to make things right and help her heal from what she's suffered.

The characters were likable, complex, and acted realistically. Their actions had serious consequences but their courage to stand for forgiveness and God's grace could change a whole (small) town. Historical and setting details were woven in and immersed me in the story. Quincy was determined to make Norah's dreams come true (from doing nothing but relaxing and reading books for a week to her bigger dreams) to show his love for her. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this enjoyable romance.

Again I have read a book by this author and experienced many emotions. I love her writing and the lives she weaves together through her characters. This is the fifth book I have read by this author and she never disappoints.
A story that shows the bends in life can take you to the place that is right for you. Another must read.

Thanks to the publisher for an advanced copy. This is my personal onion of this book and a review was not required.

This book was such a sweet and tender story of two people with dreams, broken dreams, struggles, sorrows, disappointment, joys, hope and friendship. It was very touching. I loved how much the hope shone through. As well as the possibility of redemption, forgiveness, healing, family and love.

Life doesn't always happen as we dream it will and these two characters definitely knew that very well. Norah has been left on her own due to the passing of her parents. She's struggling and trying so very hard to keep her family farm running. She loves her land and will do anything to keep it thriving. Even marry someone whom she doesn't love. But then Quincy comes into the picture. He's broken, unconscious, hurt and alone. In rescuing him, they forge a friendship and bond that was very touching. Both end up on different paths than they thought would happen. Both of them rescue each other throughout the book in different ways than they could have ever imagined. Both of them have had ups and downs.

I loved the strength and goodness both Norah and Quincy show. Their goodness and help towards others. Their selflessness was very touching. I love when characters can show that inner strength and goodness after suffering themselves.

I really enjoyed reading and listening to this book and seeing how these two were able to help, sacrifice, forgive, rescue, offer hopes and dreams, and allow love and healing to bloom.

Content: Clean. This is a Christian fiction book and has themes of hope and redemption. There is discussion of some hard topics but nothing overly graphic or that would make this book unclean. Very well written and addressed.

I received a copy from the publisher, Revell, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

This story had an emotional depth uncommon to many of the books that I review. There are real issues and mistakes. There are uncomfortable topics and tough conversations, but there is love. There is the love of a family created, the love of friends, and learning to love yourself and forgive your circumstances.

Norah has a good heart and finds herself in troubling circumstances, She finds Quincy, left for dead, and nurses him back to health. She is engaged to Jake, who is going to help her save her family's farm.

What happens next is a painful and beautiful story that brings two kindred hearts together and introduces some fantastic characters.

Rachel Fordham writes an unforgettable story about being human. I laughed, I cried, I wanted to hit someone, but that was taken care of in the story. I loved the characters, their chemistry, and everything that happened in between.

Norah finds strength beyond her own and inspires the same in Quincy. There is so much good in this story that inspires faith in people and in God.

I received an early copy through the publisher and this is my honest review.

Rachel Fordham creates a beautiful second chance romance and tale of overcoming difficulties in Western America.

Read it for the:
- second chance romance
- echo of Jane Austen’s Persuasion
- overcoming dark past
-charming leads

Final rating: 5/5
Content overview: clean - kissing only
Trigger warnings: mention of physical abuse

Review:
I enjoyed this story! It’s my favorite of Fordham’s books so far. It’s a story of redemption and trying to pay forward the good deeds done to you by helping others. The romance is there from the first meeting, and only deepens as Norah and Quincy work together to try to make something of the hard life they were given. Their story tugs at your heart strings as tackles difficult topics like desperation, abuse, prejudices, honesty, and forgiveness. The religious notes were present but did not take away from the story or seemed uncomfortable. Fordham fans will enjoy catching glimpses of characters from other books mentioned. A story that nods to Janes Austen’s classic, you won’t be disappointed to read.


Summary:

Norah King struggles to maintain her farm as a single woman. She can save her farm by marrying. Although she doesn’t expect much from her upcoming marriage, she is determined to be a good wife and mother while working her land. Quincy Barnes is a former boxer, fighting his way out of the streets, only to end up as beaten pile on Norah’s land. Norah cares for the wounded man and the two develop a friendship. When Quincy leaves, he promises Norah he will make something of himself and one day repay all she has done for him.

Two years later, Quincy has made good on his promise, but has never once stopped thinking about Norah. In his search to thank her, he finds Norah is no longer the positive farm girl filled with hope, but a broken woman in need of help.

I was provided an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to the publisher and author for allowing me the opportunity to read and share my thoughts!

Thank you Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC in exchange for my honest review! I loved the back story of these characters I felt like I really got to know them ! The writing from this author was amazing

Sigh. What an enjoyable read! I was almost sad to finish it. I loved the characters with their interesting quirks and imperfect backstories. The secondary characters were developed with their own back stories. While the story itself was a little predictable, i really enjoyed the writing style of the author and look forward to reading more from her!

It’s 1880 in Blackwell, Iowa. Norah King finds An injured Quincy Barnes on her land and nurses him back to health. She’s to marry Jake Granger in order to save her land, even though she doesn’t love him. Quincy complicates her decision and future with his arrival.

Two years later, Quincy is living in Longview. He’s doing well and leading a much different life. When he reaches out to Norah, he finds her circumstances have changed dramatically. Will they reunite and what will become of these two unlikely friends.

This is my first book by this author and I loved it. It was such a sweet read. A great tale of the power of redemption. I look forward to your next book.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

It is always such a privilege to read anything by this author. I also follow her on facebook and really appreciate her love for the Lord and also her heart for foster care.



My favorite characters in the story are: Quincy, Norah, Nels, Sam, Alice and Mrs. Dovers. I really enjoy a story that displays the possibility of second chances. The most interesting premise was having someone ask you what your dreams are and then fighting to have them fulfilled. I also liked the part of not letting the vultures get you.



Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

First sentence: The small band on her ring finger glistened in the sunlight as Norah King walked the family land she had nearly lost.

Premise/plot: Norah King, our heroine, needs to marry to save her family farm. Jake Granger steps up...mostly because he really wants that farm for his own. But when Norah stumbles across an injured man on her property, a man with severe injuries, a man who is possibly dying, she sees only one way forward: to help him no matter the cost. Of course, she believes that Jake will believe her that when she tells him about the circumstances as to why they are together in her farm house, he will believe the best in her. But her first priority is doing anything and everything to nurse him. The injured man is down on his luck boxer named Quincy Barnes. He has no memory how he came to be there, but, he does know that Norah is sent from God. Taking this as a sign from God, he vows to make a fresh start and start making changes that will make him a better man, a man worthy of someone like Norah. He knows she's engaged to marry. He isn't trying to woo her away from Jake (who wants her farm).

All of that occurs in the prologue, MOST of this book occurs two years later (circa 1882, still Iowa). Quincy is a new man, a business man, a man with a big heart that wants to make amends for his past mistakes...and one of those mistakes concerns Norah... But knowing that surely Norah is a married woman, he only wants to write her a letter...but that letter ends up being returned to sender... which sends Quincy on an adventure of his own...

My thoughts: I love all the Persuasion love. Persuasion is her favorite book. He goes out of his way to gift her with HER original copy (with an inscription from her mother). He reads it so they can discuss it. They adopt it as "their" own book. It's always nice to see all the love for Captain Wentworth and his letters. But. As much as this novel may be trying to be Persuasion 2.0, I had ALL the vibes from Les Miserables. That could be just me. (I do love Les Miserables.) Both books do have a theme of redemption and second chances.

I found this a quick, enjoyable read. I loved that it wasn't melodramatic. It had places where it could have gone melodramatic, pushed things into that zone. (There was only one little scene where it might have crossed the line.)

I loved the romance. I loved Quincy and Norah together. I loved the side characters as well. It was just a well-balanced story that was sweet in all the right ways.

Unforgettable story of hope, forgiveness, and second chances

I really enjoyed this wonderful historical fiction story "Where the Road Bends" by Author Rachel Fordham. What a beautiful story of hope and forgiveness and second chances, despite really difficult situations.

Norah King only has her family farm left after her parents pass away. She is young and willing to marry anyone who can help her keep the land. With weeks before her marriage to an older local man, she finds a huge, half-alive man collapsed on her property. She runs for her horse and cart and drags him into the wagon and then into the safety of her home as she cleans up his wounds she finds a bullet. Quincy Barnes wakes up to the care of a small woman with a big heart caring for him. They develop an easy friendship. Quincy ran away from an uncaring family when he was young and has a past he isn't proud of. He is so moved by the care given to him by a complete stranger. "This, my new friend, is more than I deserve. Your kindness and contagious hope in tomorrow is good medicine." Quincy right then and there decides to become a better man. He does the honorable thing and leaves before he can create any problems between his new friend and her intended. They promise each other to hold onto their dreams in the future.

Boy do things take many unexpected twists and turns after this point. God can take bad experiences and dispel the darkness and good can come of them. A heartwarming and heart wrenching tale. I really enjoyed all the authentic secondary characters especially Mrs. Dover, Nels, Alice, and Sam. I had to agree with Mrs. Dover on not waiting to tell the truth.

I highly recommend this story of grit and hard work, despair, and hope. I loved it!

“Nothing in my life has gone how I thought it would, but it’s all getting me to where I want to be. I’d live it all again. It was my road to you.” Reminds me of the song Bless the Broken Road.

Thank you to the author and Revell for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.

Don’t make the same mistake and pass on this novel because it’s set in the 1880s! Thank goodness for the wonderful people at Revell who took a chance on me the day before publication and offered me a chance to read this spectacular book.

Rachel Fordham’s Christian historical romance is full of swoon-worthy moments and is a stellar example of an author who expertly writes budding romance and tension-filled chemistry between her characters!

The novel opens with Norah King engaged to a man she doesn’t know very well, but one she respects, in order to save her family’s land. After her parents died she struggled to keep the farm and this man, 20 years her senior, is the answer to her problems. A couple of weeks before the wedding she finds an injured man on her property and decides to bring him back to her farmhouse to tend to his wounds. Norah’s decision to help him is just one of several bends in the road!

A new author to me, Rachel Fordham impressed me with her deep dive into the 1880s. I was expecting wagons, bonnets and farming, but Fordham shows readers that the Midwest at this time was full of so much more - they were enamoured with baseball! Fordham’s rich character development and descriptive prose enabled me to be transported back to Iowa and allowed me to feel as though I was interacting with the book’s characters myself! I loved Norah. This strong protagonist seemed to be always fighting an uphill battle, but I cheered her on as she was always willing to do what was necessary to get things done. The developing relationship hooked me and I enjoyed seeing the couple’s strengths and honesty play out. This book has nestled in between my heartstrings and I’m not quite ready to let the characters go. I hope the author hasn’t finished with them yet and we get to see them in another book! Fordham’s exploration of second chances, forgiveness and redemption is a 5-star read - one that romance and historical fiction lovers will want to put on the top of their list.

I was gifted this advance copy by Rachel Fordham, Revell, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

After hearing great things about Rachel Fordham’s books, I was drawn to her latest release. The author definitely lives up to the hype.

The characters in this book will win your heart. With her sweet heart and unique personality, Norah is a heroine that readers won’t be able to help but cheer for. Fordham shines a spotlight on the ill treatment of women at the time of this book, while offering hope that things can change for the better. With his chivalry and determination, Quincy will have readers swooning as he works to right old wrongs and reunite with the woman that stole his heart.

I also loved the Persuasion theme to this book. It’s one of my favorite Austen novels and it was great to see it appreciated in this book. Combine this with the author’s lovely prose, and you have a top pick for inspirational readers.

Readers who love sweet and tender historical romance will most definitely want to pick up Where the Road Bends.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book wasted no time getting right into the story. It kept me interested till the very end. Usually I can predict most books but this one surprised me a few times. I wasn’t expecting some of the twists. Quincy and Nora were both such sweet characters. I loved seeing their growth and how they survived the hardships they were dealt without becoming bitter. I wasn’t sure there would be a happy ending but I was happy with how things turned out. I was also lucky enough to listen to the audio version of this book and it was very well done. The narrator did a great job.