Miracles in Disguise

The Trampled Rose #1

by Michelle Lynn Brown

What do you do when the pain of your past leaves you feeling so unworthy, that any hope of a future crumbles right before your eyes?

Since Kristina Talbot can remember, she’s tried to earn the love of men in her life, only to be hurt in the process. On the heels of her abusive husband’s death, Kristina Talbot leaves New York and heads to New Mexico to try and get her life headed down a new road – one that doesn't include a man.

Even before she reaches her destination, Nathan McKinley sets up a roadblock to her plan. His charming and gentle personality is no match for her love-starved heart. And when Nathan shows her God in a new light, and how to place her trust in Him and not her circumstances, she begins to hope…

When Kristina’s past collides with her present, and tragedy strikes close to Kristina’s heart, her fears and distrust come flooding back, threatening to sweep away her newfound hope. Can Nathan help her hold on to her new relationship with God, or will she allow her dark and troubled past to pluck out the tiny bud of hope that is beginning to blossom within her heart?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Inspirational, Contemporary, Christian Romance

201 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 5, 2013

About the author

When Michelle Lynn Brown was a teenager, her mother used to take her to used books stores at least once a month. It was there she fell in love with the written word. As a writer, she uses this passion to share with others the joy of having a personal and intimate relationship with Christ.

She is a housewife, mother of three, military spouse, writer, blogger, hopeless romantic, and a cuddly lap for one very large cat. She was born in Dayton, Ohio, but raised in El Paso, Texas. And since she married her husband, the military has blessed her with the opportunity to live in many locations, from Germany to Pennsylvania, where she now resides.

Like the flawed characters that grace her books, she has had many stumbles and struggles in her life. God’s grace and mercy through these trials have kept her on her knees. It is from this humble position that she seeks to minister through her writing – not as someone who has it all figured out, but just someone who has figured out how wonderful and awesome God is.

Reviews

[Lillie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate that this story is as much a story of faith as it is a story of romance. I recently read a book with a similar plot--a woman who had escaped from an abusive marriage is slow to trust the new man in her life because of her experiences. But in that book, the character relied on her on her strength to overcome her past. In Miracles in Disguise, God is the One who heals and restores. Although this is part of a series, it worked well as a standalone.

[Maira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an amazing book, ever since I started reading this book I was hooked to it. I could relate to the characters in this story. Kristina who is the main character in this book fights with her past to accept the new love God has put in front of her, which is Nathan. In the beginning of the story Kristina is seen as a lost and fearful character. She has to be accustomed to live in a new place, which is Hamilton due to various factors that have occurred in her past. Nathan and Barbara, who is one of Kristina's students helps both Kristina and Nathan in their troubles, because of her status. Throughout the book, you will that each character faces their own problems through the ups and downs. I felled in love with the characters of this story, so I recommend this book to everybody who loves romance and mystery. You will not regret reading this book, go and pick it up NOW!!!!!

[Kaylee G · Rating 5 out of 5]

THis is a awesome book!!!!I couldn't put it down because I didn't know what would happen next.This book has awesome deets:)when her husband dies Kristina Talbot leaves New York and went to a new Mexico to start a new begging.Kristiana is still scared because she thinks her husband is alive because he use the bible to lectures,of how she is doing this wrong and stuff like that,to he.So now she isn't trusting nobody.She meets charming Nathan,who is such a gentleman.He try helping kristiana
to help her with her struggles and to help her walk with God, to trust him in circumstances. Can Nathan help her hold on to her new
relationship with God
READ this book to find OUT!!! and don't forget there is romance:)

[Heather Belleguelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've just finished reading Miracles in Disguise and had to review it right away. What a beautifully written and inspiring book!

There is nothing I love more than to see God healing and restoring people, particularly women, and this is just what this story is about. To follow the distrustful and damaged Kristina as she went on her journey to wholeness was just the most wonderful and moving experience.

Even though I have never had to go through the experiences that Kristina had, I felt that I could relate to her as she struggled with her fears and learned to accept God's love for her. Both she and the wonderful Nathan, as well as the book's other characters, were very believable.

Thank you so much Michelle and I can't wait to read the next two books in the series.

[Dianne Sidebottom · Rating 5 out of 5]

the storyline covered date rape n battered wife syndrome which are heavy circumstances to overcome n deal with. God is good and does help heal with the right people to support n having a relationship with God. The series is called Trampled Rose and I see that now after having read this book the first one I have read of Michelle's. God spoke to me in this story quoting Nathan's mum Sandra about God isn't about your circumstance he is God all the time he doesn't change. Got me thinking. Thank you Michelle in writing this story I feel GOD must have inspired you to write it and God meant that I read it for my growing n healing.

[Jeaux Raynebeaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story. While getting engrossed in the lives of the characters, I got a deeper understanding of God, that I hadn't had before. Michelle has a great talent, and I really loved this book, and look forward to reading the whole series.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Simple love story

I loved this book. It was an easy read and a page turner. There was never a time I was confused about how the story was going. It also gave me an opportunity to see God's love and hope in this book. I would definitely recommend it.

[Rita K · Rating 5 out of 5]

for anyone who has survived an abusive relationship this is one book that will help

I loved this book because I survived much the same as Kat. Some days, I have to lay it down at the cross again and remember how much GOD loves me. This book is a great reminder!

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an emotional, small town story of Kristina, an English professor, who runs away from her great job teaching in New York to the small town of Hamilton, New Mexico, after an abusive and traumatic marriage ends with her husband committing suicide while in jail (or did he?). Her worn out car breaks down on the country road to Hamilton, and handsome, blue-eyed Nathan comes to her rescue. It doesn't take Kristina long to discover that this carpenter in a truck who came to her rescue is not just any small-town man, but someone very special.

The author describes and develops her characters very well, and as Kristina's life continues teaching in the High School in Hamilton, the reader gets to more many people in the school environment and the local church environment. We get to see and read about Christ-like love and kindness, as well as disgusting bullying behaviour - all circumstances that exist in both large cities and small towns, and I was certainly happy to continue reading about these characters in the following book in this set 'Consider The Thorns'.

I would recommend this read to young teenagers, young adults and all the way up to older seniors. The three books in the Series are available as a Box Set called 'The Trampled Rose Collection' and I would I think they would be best enjoyed when all three are read together, although anyone could be read as a stand-alone.

[Jennifer Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written. Inspiring. Clean. Christ-Centered.

Beautifully written. A wonderful way to describe and help guide with God's Word in these touchy topics. Very inspiring and helpful in so many different ways for all sorts of "baggage" that people carry around when we really don't have too. Thank you for your insightful words and passage references. It was a book I had a hard time putting down. It also felt to me as if God was speaking to me through some of this book on so many different levels. I pray you continue to write in this clean and obviously Christ-centered manner.

[Christina Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it, I didn't realize it was a book regarding my Lord and Saviour and love , Thank you! The story made my heart happy and made me realize how truly blessed I am with my own husband.

I could recommend this book to any one I loved it, I truly did and I appreciate you for telling the story.

[Marilyn Burrows · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I ever was able to read ever again, I’m thankful I was able to read this story. The hospitality just had to be in Oklahoma. The friends I have from there are the most genuine people I know. The leadership and unselfish ness is abundant in the Christian’s who truly have a deep love of God. Thank you for this story. I will treasure it always

[Bernard Holler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leaving our baggage at the cross ...

Romance develops between Kristina and Nathan but can it lead to a life together unless she gives her life to God and leaves her past with him? This story shows what can happen when we let God do it instead of us doing it without Him.

[Mary Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even before she reaches her destination, Nathan McKinley sets up a roadblock to her plan. His charming and gentle personality is no match for her love-starved heart. And when Nathan shows her God in a new light, and how to place her trust in Him and not her circumstances, she begins to hope

[Lois A Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice, sweet story with good thought

I appreciated the fact that the abuse was not overly dramatized - not taking away the tragedy though. The reminder about looking to God and not our circumstances is always good.

[Hope A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring

Michelle is an amazing storyteller! You can feel God’s hand in her telling of this story. Letting go and letting God is the hardest thing, when it should be the easiest. But, we are only human…

[Tricia Hungerford · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot went straight to my heart! Hope to read more of this type of Christian fiction!

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good

I loved this book, it deals with real issues in a real way. The characters are well developed and I loved them. Can't wait to read the next in the series.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story. Christian and a bit of preaching.

[Coco.V]

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[Pascale’s*ARC,Unwind,Read,Review · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story has potential but needs a lot of editing and proofreading. It’s also a bit too preachy for my taste.

[mike stensrud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful

Read this book and you will not b the same.what I wonderful story of consequences and redemption. Highly recommended read

[Heather Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never been one to highlight while reading fiction, but my Kindle copy of Michelle Lynn Brown's book, Miracles in Disguise, probably has more highlights and notes than any of my non-fiction books.

Kristina has had a rough life, but she is finally free to live the life she wants. And she knows what she doesn't want. She doesn't want to be under the thumb of another man. Nathan is drawn to the new English teacher, but he knows she is hiding something. What he doesn't understand is why she won't trust him. Brown has crafted a beautiful story of letting go of your past and surrendering control to God.

My favorite part of this book was how it blended Christ and life. It wasn't preachy, but it ministered to my soul. Normally when authors try to fit sermons and prayers into their books they are forced and I tend to skim because they don't add to the story. Yet every word Brown wrote was relevant to the story and was woven in gracefully. The characters hunger for the Word was genuine and I devoured it right along with them.

Quick note: Despite my love for this book, at the very end of the story, there was one question that I was dying to know the answer to that was never explained. It wasn't a huge piece of the story, more of just a niggling, but still, I hate loose ends (pet-peeve).

[Gophergirl58 · Rating 2 out of 5]

A disturbing subject of rape left this book difficult for me to read because of the pain the character went through. Overall, however, I did not believe that the main character was fleshed out enough. It went from one moment in her life to another, and I did not get the feel that she was a romance author other than a few snippets in sentences here and there. How the main character went from one point to another and then another seemed rushed and without key changes to link everything together a little better. Lastly, I found the Christian influence of this book to be somewhat lacking. Yes, there were the references for Barbara to give everything to the Lord, but I don't know - maybe it was just the mood I was in when I read the book, but the Christianity seemed thrown in.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
Not a typical read for me. I fully understand how Kristina is broken and that it makes it hard for her to trust, but it was such a woe is me tale that I couldn’t jump on board. Steven tries so hard and is great but after all the distance and broken bird spiel she gives him how could he be interested? There must really be no available females in Hamilton, because I didn’t find Kristina to be exceptional. The dialog and the triumph is what make this a feel a good book, but I wasn’t really rooting for our female lead.

[Parker Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gripped me from the first opening pages. I could not put it down until I finished reading it. The story of Kristina and Nathan has many twists and turns. Kristina has fear of the past that blocks her from seeing the hope of tomorrow. Nathan is running from his calling as a minister. Their relationship is one that makes you truly thankful that God can heal all our wounds, no matter how deep they are.

[R. Dewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I will be looking into the next two books in the series. This book drew me in. I looked up several of the scriptures it references. It was frustrating at times, but most books are. While this book did have a few spots that left you guessing (like the attack on Barbara. I didn't know at first if she had been beaten or raped)I still had to give it 5 stars because I could not put it down. I recommend it to anyone looking for a great christian romance.

[Brigitte · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quote I really liked from this book about God regarding tough times: “Don’t get caught up in how He is going to do it, or even what He is going to do,” Kristina said. “Get caught up in His greatness, in who He is. That will carry you through everything. Because that is what you rest in when you don’t know which way is up anymore.”

[Mary Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, a positive book, although I did doubt it would turn out that way at times. The characters, both him and her, spent too much time crying. While realistic in that it does take time for people to work through their issues and figure out what God wants them to do, the book kind of dragged in spots due to a lack of action or advancement in their relationships with each other.

[Julie Malcolm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhere between 2 and 3 stars for this one. Good story but story telling not so great. The author clearly had some messages she wanted to convey to the reader and she had her characters make some extremely clunky, unnatural speeches in order to do so. Better writing would have got the message across without it being so jarring.