Spring Hope (Seasons of the Heart #4) by Martha Rogers

Spring Hope (Seasons of the Heart #4) Reviews

• 
  June

  
  
  I have really enjoyed this whole series. Martha Rogers is a very talented author and tells a great story. The Reed, Monroe and Muldoon families have been fun to follow in this series.
• 
  enlin

  Wanted to give 1-2 stars due to certain quips and things which I have forgotten now but kinda made me recoil as I was reading.
  
  But I wanted to give 4 stars for the story and particularly Cory's arc.
  
  Thus an agreement was reached.
• 
  Deborah

  Civil War
  
  I gave it a 3 for what it was with the book being incomplete what I wish the book was was longer but this is just an excerpt from a book.
• 
  Patricia Kemp Blackmon

  Libby Cantrell has had a hard life ever since her mother's death four years ago. This left her with a grieving father that turned to alcohol and gambling. Then when he lost his job he put Libby to work in a saloon. She refused him and he beat her after that the beatings kept coming. One night he brought a man home and made her service the stranger. This was her life now selling her body and being abused. She tries to build up her courage to escape her father and the abuse. She can't bear for another man to ever touch her ever again.
  
  Deputy Sheriff Cory Muldoon makes his night rounds in Porterfield, Texas and as he enters the alley he finds a young women wrapped in a quilt unconscious and burning up with fever. He carries her straight to Doc Jensen's infirmary. The doc not only finds she has a high fever and a bad cough, he also finds signs of being abuse with new marks and old scars from past beatings. The bruises are not reported to Deputy Muldoon but he could tell she was scared and running from something. He was determined to find out who she was and what she was running from.
  
  Libby told the Doctor her name was Elizabeth Bradley because she did not trust anyone to know her real name for fear of her father finding her. Cory's sister was a nurse for the Doctor and came up with a plan to take Elizabeth to her parent's ranch, that way if someone came looing for her she would be well protected. Besides a stranger would not know to look for her on the ranch. Cory was not happy with this idea but how could he convince his mother and sister to abandon this plan. Will the people of Porterfield protect her once they find out who and what she really is or will they make her leave their town?
  
  As bad as Cory wants to protect her he just seems to not trust her. But why does he keep thinking about her? Could he really be developing feeling for this young woman?
  
  Women did not have many rights back in these days. They were at the mercy of their husbands and fathers. If they were beaten people would turn their heads. There were no laws against abuse. But some would do whatever they could to stop the abuse. There were also limited jobs available for women and they were looked down on if they tried to become doctors, nurses or lawyers.
  
  The people of Porterfield had faith in God and went all out to disciple and minister to one and all without prejudice and if anyone tried to stop them they better change their mind real quick because the whole town will be praying for them.
  
  From book one to book four the books just kept getting better. I enjoyed reading about the growth of Porterfield, Texas and also the spiritual growth of the community. I admired the bravery and fortitude of the women especially Ada Muldoon, Aunt Mae and let's not forget Kate Muldoon.
  
  I am ready to read more of Martha Roger's books. I hope there will be a book five in this series.
  
  Disclosure
  I received a free copy of this book from Charisma House for review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
  
• 
  Kathleen (Kat) Smith

  Being a huge fan of western romances, I am always thrilled when I receive a request to review a book in that genre. Today was no exception. I received Spring Hope by Martha Rogers compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and think this one was exceptional. This is book 4, in the Seasons of The Heart series and what's perfect is being able to read this one as a stand alone. I hadn't had the delight to read the previous three but now, I know I will be going back to pick those up as well based on Martha's ability to create a character readers can relate to.
  
  In Spring Hope, we meet Libby Cantrell who is running away from a painful past. After her mother died, her father found that he could profit off of Libby's beauty and sold her into prostitution at the local saloon. When she tried to resist, he beat her into submission. Finally she find that by running away from her father she might be able to start a life over again someplace far away. Unfortunately, God had different plans for her.
  
  Cold, weary and sick, Libby falls quite literally into the town of Portersfield, Texas late one night and Deputy Sheriff Cory Muldoon finds her behind the general store. Taking her to the doctor, she soon finds that every person she encounters in this small town offers her a second chance of acceptance. If she is only willing to share the truth and with that facing the judgement of the town, she falls back into hiding provides them with a false name of sort, Elizabeth Bradley, her real birth name but her mother's maiden name.
  
  Cory Muldoon fears she is running from more than she is willing to let on, and struggles to find out just what that is. Searching wanted posters, he can't seem to locate the reason for the fear in her eyes and why she pulls away from those wanting to help her. He also can't seem to keep his feelings for her in the right place, when he fears that she may very well break his heart if he is honest with himself. Cory prays that God will lead him in the right direction and that He will guide him on his path to finding out the truth.
  
  But when fate comes calling and a man shows up in town that knows Libby's past, will all hell break loose and cause Libby once more to run from a life that she believes God has placed in her path, or will she finally come to believe that God does care enough about her despite her own unwillingness to forgive her past and come to accept the life He has laid out in front of her? Guess, you'll have to pick this one up to find out the answers! I easily rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars and was able to finish this one in a matter of hours. I really is a wonderful story set in the late 1800's and has a powerful message about forgiveness and judging people.
• 
  Brenda

  Libby Cantrell is on the run,and never wants to go back to her home in Louisiana. Since the death of her mother, her pa had made her work as a prostitute in the local saloon, and when she rebelled he would beat her into submission. She decides her only hope is to run so far away that he wont be able to find her. She makes it to Portersfield, Texas where she is found in an alleyway by Sheriff Cory Muldoon. When he asks for her name she hesitates, not wanting to lie and start out on the wrong foot, but fearful if she gives her real name her pa will find her, she decides to use the last name Bradley, her mother's maiden name. Will she find a new life in Portersfield,or will her pa find her? What will the people of Portersfield think of her if they ever find out about her past?
  
  It's February 1891 in Portersfield ,Texas, and seems to be one of the coldest nights so far that winter. As Deputy Cory Muldoon is doing a walk thru of the alleys in town he finds what he first believes is a pile of garbage turns out to be a young lady,and she tells him her name is Libby Bradley. Cory is suspicious of her, and is determined to figure out just who she is. When he starts having feelings for her though what will he do?
  
  Libby was such an easy character to like, she was running from a past that wasn't her choice. It was easy to understand why she would question God's love.I thought the author did an amazing job of allowing her character to flourish as the story progressed. As a fan of historical inspiration I feel like Martha Rogers writes top notch stories. She always draws me back in time, provided a rich story, and characters that touch the heart.
  
  While "Spring Hope" is the fourth and final book in the Seasons of the Heart series it can easily be read as a stand alone work. Although if your like me your going to want to read all four stories. Fans of historical fiction that blends together a bit of romance as well as a positive inspirational message will certainly want to check out this book.
  
  A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Maureen Timerman

  Another great book by Martha Rogers and her Seasons of The Heart Series. Once started I didn't want to leave Portersfield, TX. This is a return visit for me, and was great to be reaquainted with old friends. Although this is a stand alone book, I recommend reading the other three, as they are equally good.
  We begin our journey as Libby Cantrell has literally dropped into this caring town. Sheriff Cory Muldoon stumbles by the alley, and see an unattended horse, and a bundle, which turns out to be a very ill Libby.
  We find out she is fleeing her horrible father. Only because of what he forced her to do, she is ashamed...so she doesn't give her real name or what she is fleeing.
  You see Cory start to have feeling, and his family, especially his Mom and sister's begin to love her. Cory though makes remarks about the woman working in a brothel, and Libby knows nothing can come of her feeling for him.
  I love the faith of these people, and Cory is one who is struggling along with Libby. They both have to learn how to trust God and find forgiveness. I myself would have a heard time forgiving her father, what a horrible man, how could he do what he did to his child??
  Love the ending of this book, and you will have to read it to find out if any or all are able to forgive? Enjoy a return visit with this great family, and town.
  
  I was given a copy of this book by the Publisher Realms, and was not required to give a positive review.
• 
  Linda

  I have enjoyed reading and reviewing this entire series (including prior books Summer Dream, Autumn Song, and Winter Promise), and Spring Hope may be my favorite of the four books. (While characters recur and events are connected within the books, they can be read as stand-alones, although I recommend reading them all!) Libby's plight tugged at my heart, and I longed for her to successfully escape her past and begin anew in Portersfield. The burden Libby feels to keep her past a secret is underscored by the portrayal of the attitudes many of the town's inhabitants demonstrate toward saloon girls. A strong message of faith, compassion, and forgiveness woven throughout the story makes this historical romance a delight to read.
  
  
  Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Realms. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
  
• 
  Ladette

  Hope Springs is a good historical fiction. I think I would have enjoyed it better if I had read the first three books in the series (Summer Dream, Autumn Song, and Winter Promise) because there are many times Rogers mentions things that must have happened in the previous books. That aside, the story is solid. The issues are (were) real and the personal struggles that Cory and Elizabeth face are struggles that we all might face at one point or another in our own Christianity and lives. Cory struggles with being judgmental and forgiveness. Elizabeth struggles with trust (of both God and people, but especially men). God works through their struggles, the people that surround them and natural disasters.
  
  I would definitely recommend the book to others, but I would recommend reading the series (Seasons of the Heart) in order.
  
• 
  Holly (2 Kids and Tired)

  The Seasons of the Heart series introduced us to the wonderful Muldoon family and in Spring Hope, we finally learn Cory's story. As a sheriff in Portersfield, Texas, Cory has a satisfying job and a terrific family. All he needs is a wife. When he discovers Libby Cantrell huddled in a doorway, sick and exhausted, Cory is drawn to her. He knows she has secrets and he's as determined to discover them as Libby is to hide them.
  
  I thought Cory was a little uber self-righteous and judgmental when it came to Libby's past, but it was nice to see him learn about forgiveness, just as Libby does. I loved revisiting the Muldoon family and I'm sad to see this series end.
  
  Fourth in the Seasons of the Heart series,the books can stand alone, but they are much richer stories when read in order.
• 
  Joy

  People can learn a lot from the townspeople of Porterfield, I admired their faith in God and their love of people. The main characters, Libby and Cory,
  quickly work their way into your heart though Cory can be quite stubborn and has a problem with judging others.
  
  Libby is running from her past, scared to death others will find out what she has been forced to do at the hand of her father. Cory is sure he knows what kind of woman she is... no better than a saloon girl. As they get to know each other both of them grow in their faith and learn lessons they will never forget.
  
  Great book, loved the characters, the storyline was wonderful. 5 out of 5 stars from me!
  
  I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Paula-O

  Spring Hope is book#4 in series "Seasons of the Heart" by Martha Rogers
  
  
  Martha tells a good story about another era and captures your interest from page one till you turn the last to "The End"...
  
  This book tells the story of Libby Cantrell after her mother dies and her father changes so much that he no longer seems to know right from wrong and his little girl is used and abused.
  The beginning of our story finds her as a run away and found by the sheriff of Porterfield Texas. All in the town befriend this young woman and she begins to think she just might be able to start over.
  Good people of Porterfield will help and she seems to blend right in. Can a heart mend after being broken by a father? come read and see the end that surprises most readers.
• 
  Jennah

  I enjoyed this story, it is a little similar to what I have read in the past, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. My favorite part about this story was the part when Elizabeth's father, Kurt, asked his daughter for forgiveness for the sinful things he did to her and made her do. I also loved all the women characters in this book, Aunt Mae and Ada reminded me of my own mother. A great story about God's forgiveness and the power of His unfailing love.
• 
  Heather Hart

  The first books in this series was really good... but I kind of wish Ms. Rogers would have quit while she was a head. I couldn't get into this last book and it seemed a little forced.