Beyond the Shadows

Women of Hope #3

by Robin Lee Hatcher

When Deborah Haskin's husband dies, her world is torn apart. She finds hope and healing when an old war buddy of her husband's shows up on her doorstep. But as she begins to open up to Gideon Clermont, Deborah comes to some terrible realizations-Gideon suffers from alcoholism, and sometimes the people who bring healing bring hurt as well. Deborah learns to cling to Jesus as her only true hope. A poignant tale of pain and redemption.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Audiobook, Romance, Contemporary, Christian Romance

319 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Robin Lee Hatcher is the author of over 95 novels and novellas with more than five million copies of her books in print. She is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. Her numerous awards include the RITA® Award, Christy Award, Carol Award, HOLT Medallion, National Reader’s Choice Award, and the Faith, Hope & Love Reader’s Choice Award, and she is also the recipient of prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards from both American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America®. When not writing, she enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, Bible art journaling, reading books that make her cry, watching romantic movies, and decorative planning. A mother and grandmother, Robin makes her home on the outskirts of Boise, sharing it with a demanding Papillon dog.

Be sure to follow Robin on BookBub so you'll receive new book and special deal alerts:
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Reviews

[Hannah Beth (Hannah's Book Cafe) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. The topic was a hard one to cover and I thought the author did a good job. However, maybe it is just me but it felt just a bit, rushed? I would have liked to have seen more of Gideon's recovery process, not just a nice clean wrap up in the end of the book.

Otherwise, this is a good read and an encouraging one to someone who may be going through something similar in their own life. We can all use a bit of a reminder to lean more on God instead of ourselves.

[Sherrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. Hatcher adeptly introduces the reader to the complicated world of alcoholism. Set during the 1950s, when the stigma was even greater than today, we watch familiar behavior driven by addiction, fear, anger, and shame. Still keening from the loss of her first husband, Deborah gives her heart and life to Gideon, but when alcohol puts them in jeopardy, she has to consider the safety her family. Through the caring heart of a coworker who has already been down this road, Deborah rediscovers her faith and allows God to hold her through the trials and setbacks.

[Bruce Dinsman · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart hurts

First let me say I was disconcerted with multiple first person voices, but I really got into it as the story progressed. There was so much here. I was grateful for the scriptures and the prayers, grateful for transparent leadership in a local congregation that really cared. Dealing with addiction is never easy. You must come to the understanding that you were putting your addiction ahead of God in your life. That my friends is worth the whole book all by itself. Thanks also for the extended (probably original) Serenity prayer.

[Joan Arning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond the Shadows deals with alcoholism and it's effect on the entire family through fiction. But it also deals with how there is hope in Christ. I admired Deborah for her determination to stand by her husband an love him. One of my favorite paragraphs stated "There's a reason the Bible tells us not to forsake gathering together with other believers. Because without them, we suffer. When you see a Christian neglecting being in fellowship, you're seeing a Christian in spiritual trouble." I recommend Beyond the Shadows by Robin Lee Hatcher to others.

[Gail Helgeson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how the author wrote from the perspective of those who knew Deborah at the end of every chapter. You will see what I mean when you read.
Gideon was a master manipulator and Deborah always wanted to believe him. Such a great story about alcohol and its effects on everyone who knows the abuser.
I read this story in one sitting. A can't put down page turner. Had me hooked to see what would happen next.
Want to understand what its like to love an alcoholic? Read the book.

[David Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. It was often painful to read about the pain caused by another's alcoholism but it was beautifully written. I have always considered Robin Lee Hatcher to be a talented writer but Beyond the Shadows just lifted her many levels above talented. I have been fortunate not to have dealt with alcoholism personally or it's effects on a loved one but this book has given me a new found respect on those who have. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Bravo Robin Lee Hatcher.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book you will read about a tragic accident and alcoholism. The characters in this book are truly amazing people. Deborah is struggling after the accident and the church members are all there to support her. Gideon has been a great help to Deborah since he arrived at the farm. What happens next will have you turning the pages to see what happens next. I had the honor to review this book for the author.

[Judy Cook · Rating 1 out of 5]

I do not want to write a review. I will stop reading my Kindle books if I always have to review everything

I will not write a review not clear this out so I can go to my library and read something good


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[Mrs G Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

So honest

This book was so good to read. I want to say it was a delight but it was really hard at times. It reminded me that even in my struggles and good intentions and even when I fail to carry through He still loves me and wants the best for me, and that is realised in complete surrender. What I face is different to what Deb and Gideon faced, but our God is the same.

[Missy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

It's a book about a journey many go thru...it shows the effects that achloism has on not just u but everyone around you...it shows Gods love and grace through it all and how Je turns it to the greater good if we just surrender.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heart-wrenching account of the affects of alcoholism on a family.
I found it to be a quick read. The insights of observers at the end of chapters was an effective way to help tell the story. Satisfying ending.

[Debbie Crotts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope 🩵

Hope is one of my favorite words. Hope and Faith. Story of love , heartbreak, forgiving , trusting, hope, faith , hurt , .. love Robin Lee Hatcher books where God and Faith play such an important part in it ..
very good book to read ..

[JustMe · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[ChrisGA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very emotionally- wringing story of living with an alcoholic.

[Roxine]

Good read

A good plot, imagery, flow, struggle, and end.

You will hardly want to put this moving novel down!

Thank you.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secrets of Alcoholism

Our author writes on most subjects because it seems God has brought her through a lot of trials . She brings this to every book she writes.

Well written example of addictions.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Melissa Dunning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. I liked the way the author told the story.

[Emma Filbrun · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't expect to like this one as much as I did. Turned out to be very worth reading.

[Ij · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a perfect read for those who are undergoing a crisis in their relationship with God. The presence and absence of God in crisis and in happiness

[Liselouh · Rating 3 out of 5]

She doesn’t good job with a difficult topic but it is still quite bland.

[Heather Purvis]

4.75

[Darcy Schock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beyond the shadows is a story of loss and redemption. Deborah losses her first husband in a farming accident and hastily marries again. Their marriage starts out great but fades into years lost to alcoholism. I love how the author paints a picture of faithfulness even when feelings are all over the place. It was a great read, bringing understanding to the journey of an alcoholic and the loved ones who struggle through the pain of living with them. It was an easy read with a lot of good lessons woven in.

[Rachelle Bachiu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for writing this book Robin. It touches on alcoholism and how it affects the people you come in contact with and worst of all, your family. When you stray away from God this can happen if you have had this problem before. Stay close to God and Christian friends that can help you overcome and have victory over the enemy.

[Paul Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Spoilers) At the previous attempt I stopped reading after the first chapter. The overtly Christian content was stifling the narrative.

Having run out of other audio books I reloaded this one and tried again. On the whole I'm glad I did. The tale of a young widow who is visited by a friend of her husband sounds somewhat predictable and certainly the stuff of the Romance shelves but I was drawn in by the gentle language.

Deb, the main character, remarries in haste and lives to bitterly regret it. Her new husband is a secret drinker and in her naivety she fails to spot the signs until it's almost too late.

I couldn't give this five stars because one matter detracted from the otherwise chilling authenticity. Deb had a violent reaction against Gideon's drinking, even when it remained at the social stage. She demonstrated fully-fledged fear an

d loathing from the outset. Perhaps it has to do with the era and setting. The story is set in 1950s Idaho when the social stigma of alcoholism was high and the condition less understood.

Other features are painfully and accurately drawn, the lies, cunning, denial, secrecy and personal isolation of the drinker, the arguments, the recriminations and the promises and the co-dependence. A near catastrophic event brings about a climax but we don't learn the final outcome.

I found the religious theme and approach rather intrusive and the Christain intervention somewhat trite but ultimately, if as a non-Christian, you strip away those aspects, the tales stands tall as a tragic account of addiction.

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond the Shadows: A Love Story is a touching story about one woman's spiritual journey. Deborah Haskin's life was wonderful. She and her new husband, Andy, had just bought near the small town of Amethyst. Though a city boy, Andy's dream was to become a farmer, have children, and grow old with Deborah. Unfortunately, these dreams were not meant to be. After only fifteen months of marriage, Andy was killed in a farming accident. Deborah was crushed. She was angry at Andy for leaving her and angry at God for taking him.

Then Gideon Clermont came into Deborah's life. Gideon had been an army buddy of Andy's. Just before his death, Andy had asked Gideon's help on the farm. Honouring his friend's request, Gideon set out to help Andy's widow with various handyman chores around the farm.

For Deborah and Gideon, it seemed as though Andy and God had brought them together to grieve and then to live. The couple's romance blossomed and the two quickly wed. Drunk in her new love, Deborah didn't realize that she had forgotten her faith. Moreover, Deborah's wonderful life wasn't really as perfect as she thought.

Beyond the Shadows: A Love Story is a beautiful inspirational story of finding and embracing the Christian faith. I suggest this book to anyone needing a faith lift.

[Roberta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every now and then I like to take a detour from my regular suspenseful reading material. Hence, that is why I selected this book.

I was able to finish this book in a single day. Although I felt the writing itself was in the category of average, the story content made up for whatever was lacking in descriptive creativity. Also, I favor books that write about life in the 50's.

The story involved a married Christian woman living on a farm, widowed at a young age through a tragic farming accident. Before his demise, her late husband had often mentioned a close friend he had while he served in the Korean War. After the funeral, this friend stopped by & they began a relationship, which culminated in marriage.

The new husband developed a drinking problem & the wife was forced to endure emotional ups and downs. She gave birth to 2 children, which made her day-to-day life even more harrowing. Her faith was her rock.

I'll not tell you how the story ends. That's for the reader to find out.

[Melaniegurnett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book about love, loss, tragedy and heart ache.
Hatcher did a good job writing about a difficult topic. I like her use of first person accounts written throughout the book from Deb and Gideon's friends and family.
It helped to show how hard situations hurt everyone and people need a community of loving friend to help get them through. And of course a constant dependence on Jesus Christ.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the 1950s in the USA, the book opens at the heroine's husband's funeral, where she meets a friend of her husband's. Sensitively written, probably eye-opening to some, I found this very moving and difficult to put down by the time I was half-way through. A pity that the blurb on the back reveals one of the significant plot points, however.

[Paula-O · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book about love the second time around and touches alcaholic addiction. I am anxious to find out if they can weather the storms in their lives and come out victorius. I have finished reading as I could not put down very long. Robin did a great job on this one,it held my interest to the end and told a story that needed to be told.