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The Brothers' Bond #2
A Touch of Grace
The moment her sister's body was discovered near Ian Carpenter's New Orleans mission, crusading journalist Gretchen Barker was torn between devastating grief and a desire for revenge. She mourned her sister's drug problems and the family trouble that had started them, but the minister's professions of help made her suspicious.
Except the more she got to know Ian, the more she recognized his courage in the face of adversity and his commitment to faith...and Gretchen's sharp edges began to soften. Until a mysterious phone call left her questioning whether or not he truly had something to hide.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published February 27, 2007
About the author
Linda Goodnight
218 books524 followersNY Times and USA Bestseller, Linda Goodnight writes novels of faith and family that point to hope through Christ. Her emotional stories have won the RITA , the Carol, the Reviewer’s Choice, and numerous other industry awards. Her two great passions are faith in Jesus and her large extended family. (And pie. she loves pie.)
Readers may connect with Linda through her website at www.lindagoodnight.com or on Facebook.
Readers may connect with Linda through her website at www.lindagoodnight.com or on Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 19, 2022
I discovered Linda Goodnight late last year and I am on a mission to finish her backlist. A reading friend recommended this series to me and I read the first one and was blown away by the emotion contained in the pages. This second one is even more so. Wow! This author is very talented. There is so much emotion here. Ian is a very many layered character and I loved how he is portrayed. It is so heart consuming. I can't wait to finish the third in the series. I highly recommend not only this series but the author.
February 16, 2018
First of all this was not at all what I was expecting ! This is usually not my kind of book but boy was I surprised !
This is book two of the brothers bond series it's about Collins brother Ian .
Ian 😍: Obsessed with buying new tennis shoes ,dresses like a teenager ,down to earth ,lives in a mission house ,minister
Ian is a misinster at the Isaiah mission house everything is going ok in his mission work until one of the (Idk how to phrase this lol ) people who live at the mission are found dead after she overdoses in drugs .
Gretchen : (To be honest I didn't really like Gretchen ) journalist ,news reporter bent on exposing corruption in charities .
The girl who died just so happens to,be Gretchens sister . Gretchen is determined to expose Ian and his mission house to public scrutiny . To uncover this corruption she follows Ian wherever he goes even as he walks the streets at night trying to bring people into the mission for shelter and food .
Thanks for reading ! 💋
This is book two of the brothers bond series it's about Collins brother Ian .
Ian 😍: Obsessed with buying new tennis shoes ,dresses like a teenager ,down to earth ,lives in a mission house ,minister
Ian is a misinster at the Isaiah mission house everything is going ok in his mission work until one of the (Idk how to phrase this lol ) people who live at the mission are found dead after she overdoses in drugs .
Gretchen : (To be honest I didn't really like Gretchen ) journalist ,news reporter bent on exposing corruption in charities .
The girl who died just so happens to,be Gretchens sister . Gretchen is determined to expose Ian and his mission house to public scrutiny . To uncover this corruption she follows Ian wherever he goes even as he walks the streets at night trying to bring people into the mission for shelter and food .
Thanks for reading ! 💋
May 19, 2025
This book was really good.
Ian is a minister and the director of Isaiah House, a home for runaways and those seeking help with drug addictions. They also run a soup kitchen for the homeless. Surrounding neighbors and businesses don't like the street people being so close to them, so they're looking for reasons to discredit the mission and have it closed down.
Gretchen is an investigative reporter for a television station in New Orleans. She's doing a series on charities, determined to find the facts to help the public know the truth about what really goes on with their donated dollars. Isaiah House becomes her pet project when her sister is found dead on the mission grounds. Gretchen wants to blame someone, and if she can prove Ian might have been at fault in some way, she'll do anything to unearth the truth. But what if that truth isn't what she thinks it is? What if Ian really is as good as he seems to be?
There are problems at the mission, though, and as these problems develop, so, too, does the relationship between Ian and Gretchen. Ian tries to hold himself in check, though, knowing Gretchen blames God for her childhood and the cult in which she grew up. He wants a wife, but a Christian wife, and Gretchen just isn't his type.
I love books where I have a strong dislike for a character and that character develops through the story into someone I may not always agree with, but I can at least come to understand what makes them the way they are. I had this happen with Gretchen. I loved the way the author handled the story without being overly preachy. The ending leaves you wanting to read the other books in the series.
Ian is a minister and the director of Isaiah House, a home for runaways and those seeking help with drug addictions. They also run a soup kitchen for the homeless. Surrounding neighbors and businesses don't like the street people being so close to them, so they're looking for reasons to discredit the mission and have it closed down.
Gretchen is an investigative reporter for a television station in New Orleans. She's doing a series on charities, determined to find the facts to help the public know the truth about what really goes on with their donated dollars. Isaiah House becomes her pet project when her sister is found dead on the mission grounds. Gretchen wants to blame someone, and if she can prove Ian might have been at fault in some way, she'll do anything to unearth the truth. But what if that truth isn't what she thinks it is? What if Ian really is as good as he seems to be?
There are problems at the mission, though, and as these problems develop, so, too, does the relationship between Ian and Gretchen. Ian tries to hold himself in check, though, knowing Gretchen blames God for her childhood and the cult in which she grew up. He wants a wife, but a Christian wife, and Gretchen just isn't his type.
I love books where I have a strong dislike for a character and that character develops through the story into someone I may not always agree with, but I can at least come to understand what makes them the way they are. I had this happen with Gretchen. I loved the way the author handled the story without being overly preachy. The ending leaves you wanting to read the other books in the series.
December 7, 2019
Second in this great trilogy, this book focuses on the youngest of 3 brothers separated by the foster system. The author created 3 great and very likable characters in the three brothers, and if possible to pick a favorite, I lean towards Ian. Though he is a fictional character, the book made me long for the kind of relationship and life he had in the book. I admit the emotional reunion between the oldest and younger brother had my eyes watering. Great read.
May 16, 2022
Can be a stand a lone,but better as the series.
This was a very good story about love,misunderstandings and how things happen in God's time. It brought tears to my eyes and joy in my heart.
This was a very good story about love,misunderstandings and how things happen in God's time. It brought tears to my eyes and joy in my heart.
October 22, 2024
A great series
As an adoptive mom. I appreciate the tenderness the author gave to each of the lives affected by foster care and adoption. There aren't many books that are loving and respectful to these families.
As an adoptive mom. I appreciate the tenderness the author gave to each of the lives affected by foster care and adoption. There aren't many books that are loving and respectful to these families.
June 18, 2016
When news journalist Gretchen Barker identifies her sister's dead body outside a New Orleans mission outreach center, she is devastated. Instincts kicking in, she is determined to investigate whether or not the Isaiah House or its director, had any negative influence on her troubled sibling. The director, Ian Carpenter, seems just a little too good to be true.
Ian Carpenter is resigned to the fact that Gretchen Barker is going to be a semi-permanent fixture while she doggedly pursues the notion that something dishonorable is going on behind closed doors at the mission where Ian has spent years building a respectable reputation. Spending time with the lovely reporter has his senses on high alert, in spite of the growing attraction it seems that Gretchen has had a horrible experience with religious figures. It will be no easy task to earn her trust. Ironically, Ian has no idea how similar their pasts are going to turn out to be.
Enjoy this nicely written story in Linda Goodnight's "The Brothers' Bond"series; brothers separated for years, but hardly forgotten.
Ian Carpenter is resigned to the fact that Gretchen Barker is going to be a semi-permanent fixture while she doggedly pursues the notion that something dishonorable is going on behind closed doors at the mission where Ian has spent years building a respectable reputation. Spending time with the lovely reporter has his senses on high alert, in spite of the growing attraction it seems that Gretchen has had a horrible experience with religious figures. It will be no easy task to earn her trust. Ironically, Ian has no idea how similar their pasts are going to turn out to be.
Enjoy this nicely written story in Linda Goodnight's "The Brothers' Bond"series; brothers separated for years, but hardly forgotten.
January 19, 2021
This is the second book in the Brothers Bond Series about three young brothers who were separated by the Foster Care System.
Book 1 tells the story of Collin Grace, the oldest brother, who will stop at nothing to find his younger brothers.
Book 2 tells of Ian Carpenter, the youngest brother, now grown up and the minister at Isaiah House for troubled and runaway teens. Journalist Gretchen Barker will do anything to get a negative story about the Mission, bitter towards God because of circumstances in her past.
I think this was a wonderful story of God's goodness and faithfulness. Can't wait to read Book 3.
Book 1 tells the story of Collin Grace, the oldest brother, who will stop at nothing to find his younger brothers.
Book 2 tells of Ian Carpenter, the youngest brother, now grown up and the minister at Isaiah House for troubled and runaway teens. Journalist Gretchen Barker will do anything to get a negative story about the Mission, bitter towards God because of circumstances in her past.
I think this was a wonderful story of God's goodness and faithfulness. Can't wait to read Book 3.
April 6, 2016
Ian's ministry puts Gretchen on the the defense as her sister was found dead nearby. Gretchen's reporter instincts may harm the Isaiah House mission, but can Ian help that as he is dealing with big news of his own. His brother??? found him. Ian always thought he was an only child.
January 7, 2009
This is Collin Graces brother, the brothers that were seperated into the foster system.
July 29, 2011
This book was ok. A little too corny.
March 24, 2015
The lead female's ethics just didn't sit well with me at all. The storyline is still great and I love everything else about the book but her spiritual actions turned me off.
February 25, 2016
Deeply insightful stimulating read
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews