The Houses of Hope series follows the James family of Owens Valley, Missouri. Each book features a story of hope and redemption as the flawed and broken characters meet Jesus and HIs grace in a very real way, with a little romance along the way.

Book 4 in Sheri Smith Shonk’s Houses of Hope series is just out. Each may be enjoyed without reading the others, but I enjoyed recognizing may of the same characters from getting acquainted with them earlier in the series. 

Walk With Me (Book Four)

Veterinarian Dr. Garrett James returns home to the small town of Owens Valley, Missouri to leave behind the life he no longer wanted. His struggles to find his footing are complicated by a woman who refuses to let go of him and his interest in the quiet, sweet artist that moves in next door.

When the school where she’s taught for the last five years closes, Erin McCoy loads up her things and makes the move from the big town of Dallas to the small town of Owens Valley, Missouri to be close to her best friend. When Garrett shows up at her new place with Sadie’s husband to help unload her things, she’s flustered at the attraction she feels when he smiles down at her.

She doesn’t trust his flattery, or his freely given sexy smiles, and she isn’t sure he even shares her faith. Still, her heart races when he’s near and she laughs at his jokes even when she doesn’t want to. He’s handsome and successful, why would he want her?

Can Garrett find his way back to the steady, strong faith of his youth, forgive himself for his failings and convince Erin that his motives are true? And if he does, will his past stay in the past or will it shatter the love he and Erin find? Enjoy Garrett and Erin’s story with this fourth book in the Houses of Hope series, Walk With Me.

My take: Chemistry was not their problem, but was there hope for a future together? Art teacher Erin McCoy and veterinarian Garrett James both carry baggage from the past, both challenging to overcome. Nudged by friends, family, and scripture verses to put God first. This is such a satisfying story of including God in life, the big things and the small ones. After all, he has promised his followers a hope and a future.

—–

Dancing On (Book One)

When Sadie loses her young husband just days after his deployment only to discover that she is expecting their child, she has a decision to make. Stay in the place that reminds her of Daniel every day or go and restart her life in the town she remembers.

Weeks away from delivery Sadie makes the move from Texas to her family home in the small town of Owens Valley, Missouri. A new group of friends that love her like family and a second chance at love with rancher Dusty James, places her on a path she never expected. Will she finally have the life and family she always wanted or will tragedy strike a second time? Is she strong enough to take another chance or will fear keep her from allowing God to turn ashes to beauty in her life? Her story is just beginning.

To Sing a New Song (Book Two)

Jillian James had a gift. Her voice led her to places she thought she wanted to go, drove her to make life changing choices and cost her almost everything. Ten years after leaving home to follow her dreams, she nearly loses her life in a devastating fire. Taking a tiny step of faith, Jillian finds forgiveness, love and a new song in the arms of handsome, God-fearing firefighter Marcus McBride. Follow her journey from broken to healed in this moving story of God’s redemptive grace over addiction, shattered dreams and broken promises.

Giving in to Grace (Book Three)

Joshua “Coop” Cooper and Grace James are like fire and gasoline from day one. He’s a battle-scarred Marine, with PTSD and a drinking problem. She’s a stubborn, faith-filled woman who sees something deep inside him that she can’t ignore, far more than Coop wants her to. Working closely together to restore a huge Victorian house for his best friend, and her cousin, they clash daily.

She’s never felt so attracted to a man, even as his gruff manner, and sarcasm drives her crazy some days. He’s convinced she’s far too young and naive for him, a do gooder hell-bent on making his life more difficult. Until one hot night when Coop lets down the defenses holding her at bay, too weary to fight for just one evening.

Can Grace get through to him about God’s love and mercy? How long can they fight the attraction they both feel? Maybe Grace is right when she says God has a plan for him, and it just might include her.

—–

The Author: Sheri Smith Shonk

Sheri Smith Shonk is a prolific writer of both fiction and non-fiction. She lives in a small town in Iowa with her husband and the youngest two of her ten children. She is a follower of Jesus, wife, mother, grandmother, writer and speaker. She enjoys leading the local Writers Group, speaking at women’s events, and Writers Conferences, as well as spending time with her family.

Here is Sheri’s Amazon Author Page.