Memories of the Heart: A Christian Romance (River Falls Book 3)

Heartfelt, Heart Wrenching … faith, love, choicesIf you want all consuming, this is your book…. It gives hope while it breaks your heart. Abigail has a past, one that haunts her, mentally and emotionally. She’s not who everyone thinks she is. She almost convinces herself that the lies that protect is her true self… and in a way they are…. at least now they are. But the past has a way of reveling itself. Choices have to be made. Abigail can face her past, allow her ‘family’ to know who she was but is no longer…. or she can run. Choices, choices…. it’s all about choices. Not only for Abagail but for her new ‘family’, especially Simeon, the one who holds her heart. They ‘lived’ their faith, didn’t just talk it.🤔 HMMMMM….. More Thoughts✒︎ Wendy is one devious person Some people have to fall flat on their face before changing. She goes after who and what she wants regardless of who it hurts. Wanted to see her have to look in the mirror.✒︎ There’s got to me more to this story. Abigail’s parents???? Maybe Abigail’s tell it all novel will make them face some consequences. I hope so.✒︎ After reading Ava’s and Jordan’s story in ‘Pieces of Forever’, I thought no way the next book could top it. But then I got Lydia’s heart wrenching story in ‘Songs of Home’ and it was every bit as good. (I still want to ‘see’ Lydia’s backstabbing betrayers get booed off stage and forced to face what they did.) Now after reading ‘Memories of the Heart’, I’m all in with this River Falls series, I’m sold. I don’t know how the author keeps it up, how she keeps putting out these sweet, heartfelt books of faith, love and real life hurts and pains.✒︎ Wondered about Garrett. Have we heard the last of him?✒︎ Would love to see a followup book on all the betrayers in this and past books having to deal with the consequences of their choices. King David was a man after G_d’s own heart but he still suffered consequences of his bad choices.I was given an advance copy of this book and freely leave my review

Memories of the Heart will capture your heart so...Grab your tissue box and prepare to really feel this story of imaginary characters who live with struggles that many of us have actually faced or may in the future. This book will not only touch your heart, it will help you help others in their difficult times if you pay careful attention to the things you can and should take away from it.Memories of the Heart is such a well written saga of the lives of Simeon and Abigail Calvano, our star characters. Valerie Bodden masterfully pulls you hook, line, and sinker into the depths of their troubles. Abigail is haunted and guilt-ridden over a wicked past that is hidden from those closest to her, even her husband, Simeon. Simeon is plagued with her depression and his longing to bring her back to their happy life--the life they had before the not-so-happily-ever-after events that soon followed the wedding.There was a glimmer of hope that things might be turning a corner when yet another tragedy was upon them. Simeon, a Christian counselor, feels inept to "counsel" Abigail and even himself in their own troubles and turns to the Psalms where he has often found comfort. It was Psalm 46.10 that captured his attention, “Be still, and know that I am God.” He decided that that was what he would do...he would be still, he would remember who God is, what He has done, and trust God for what else He would do. He would love her, and wait on God. We see Simeon following this wisdom and leading Abigail as the couple grapples with the painful aftermath of the incident that affected the whole Calvano family.Through their deep and agonizing trials we see faith, missteps, misunderstandings, frustration, some wavering and some steadfast dependence on God, who “works all things together for good to them who are called according to His purpose.” It is this faith that keeps them going through it all. Even though these are characters in a story, they remind us that the principles of Biblical faith and living are what will get us through real life, too. God truly is the answer, we need to be still, and know that He is God.

Another good book by Valerie Bodden; a bit longer than other books of hers that I have read. Because of my personal reading preference, I give it a 4.5 instead of a full 5 star rating.Simeon is a counselor--this is where my half rating came into play. I read to "escape," not to dwell on others' issues through counseling.The book itself was well written and gives much faith-based advice in the story. I love how Pastor Calvano gives such practical life applications, many of them personal, to his sermons.I was provided an ARC by the author. This review is my personal opinion

This story was hard to read. There was so much pain and regret, Abigail was literally drowning in her feelings. She is ready to be done with everything and everyone and leave them behind. But then there’s the accident, and her choices are taken from her.But Simeon’s love is stronger than Abigail’s fears. It isn’t easy and it isn’t fast, but his steadfast love continues to chip away at the ice enclosing Abigail’s heart. But the love of God, and the understanding of how wide and deep and strong that love is finally convinces Abigail of her worth to her Savior.There were times I didn’t like Abigail very much, because I got frustrated with her unwillingness to be vulnerable. Especially since Simeon’s love was so powerful and forgiving. But in the end I was cheering their HEA.I received an ARC of this book but my review is freely given.