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The God Who #2
Who Stirs Up the Sea
So many secrets between them. But when the truth comes out, will it drive them apart?
When Emma Fiori’s book club members take DNA tests to discover their ancestry “just for fun,” she fully expects the results will confirm the family history she’s grown up cherishing—especially her Italian roots, which have given her the flower farm on beautiful Saint Simons Island, Georgia that she inherited from her paternal grandparents. When her test comes back with startling revelations—and her mother refuses to tell her the truth about her heritage—Emma must come to terms with the fact that she’s unwittingly lived a lie for all of her twenty-eight years.
Emma’s budding romance with Tadhg McKay offers comfort in the storm, but Tadhg harbors secrets of his own—a deceit he fully intended to reveal before they became more than “just friends.” But romance turned too quickly to love, and now, when she’s still reeling from her mother’s betrayal, how can he confess that he, too, is keeping secrets from her?
When Emma Fiori’s book club members take DNA tests to discover their ancestry “just for fun,” she fully expects the results will confirm the family history she’s grown up cherishing—especially her Italian roots, which have given her the flower farm on beautiful Saint Simons Island, Georgia that she inherited from her paternal grandparents. When her test comes back with startling revelations—and her mother refuses to tell her the truth about her heritage—Emma must come to terms with the fact that she’s unwittingly lived a lie for all of her twenty-eight years.
Emma’s budding romance with Tadhg McKay offers comfort in the storm, but Tadhg harbors secrets of his own—a deceit he fully intended to reveal before they became more than “just friends.” But romance turned too quickly to love, and now, when she’s still reeling from her mother’s betrayal, how can he confess that he, too, is keeping secrets from her?
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 9, 2025
About the author
Deborah Raney
71 books713 followersDEBORAH RANEY's first novel, A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title and launched Deb’s writing career. Twenty-five years, forty-plus books, and numerous awards later, she's still creating stories that touch hearts and lives. Her novels have won RWA's RITA Award, the ACFW Carol Award, the National Readers Choice Award, and the HOLT Medallion. She is also a three-time Christy Award finalist. Deb is a recent Missouri transplant, having moved with her husband, Ken Raney, from their native Kansas to be closer to kids and grandkids. They love road trips, Friday garage sale dates, and breakfast on the screened porch overlooking their wooded backyard. Visit Deb on the Web at www.deborahraney.com.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 9, 2025
Another winner from my favorite author!
A great plot with mystery woven through that keeps you invested! But you will also be invested in the characters and dreamy setting! A darling meet-cute, flirty banter, and a deep love that forms over time and shared faith!
I did not guess the ending and that made it all the more fun!
5 big stars!!!
A great plot with mystery woven through that keeps you invested! But you will also be invested in the characters and dreamy setting! A darling meet-cute, flirty banter, and a deep love that forms over time and shared faith!
I did not guess the ending and that made it all the more fun!
5 big stars!!!
October 25, 2025
Well this book took over my life from page 1! Emma and Tadhg immediately stole my heart and I loved traveling their road leading to love, not only for each other, but for their Heavenly Father. The island of Saint Simons in Georgia was so well described I felt it and smelled it and longed to see and hear the ocean and Spanish Moss trees. I think the mystery of Emma’s past and her joy in discovering our greatest inheritance is in our Redeemer who with his blood purchased us so that we can be called the children of God came together so well. Deb’s writing always flows almost in a musical prose that I really look forward to.
November 3, 2025
Another heartwarming novel in The God Who series. Since more than one member of my extended family has discovered previously unknown familial connections through these types of DNA tests, Emma's story struck a chord with me. Clearly, the science has the potential to bring about both joyful reunions and unwelcome surprises.
As always, Deborah Raney handles difficult subject matter with gentleness and insight. Emma's fun and supportive friendship with Tadhg soon develops into love. But Tadhg is healing from his own troubled past, and with Emma struggling with shocking revelations about her identity, their chance for a future together is in doubt. Throughout, the characters' reactions and emotions are believable, and the resolution brings healing all around.
As always, Deborah Raney handles difficult subject matter with gentleness and insight. Emma's fun and supportive friendship with Tadhg soon develops into love. But Tadhg is healing from his own troubled past, and with Emma struggling with shocking revelations about her identity, their chance for a future together is in doubt. Throughout, the characters' reactions and emotions are believable, and the resolution brings healing all around.
September 19, 2025
Wonderful story!
I loved these characters and this story. Even if Tanhg (see, I still can't spell it!) 'S name tripped up my brain every time! The ups and downs of their relationship seemed so real to me and I'm so glad they found each other and learned to be honest in the best way! Deb Raney never disappoints.
I loved these characters and this story. Even if Tanhg (see, I still can't spell it!) 'S name tripped up my brain every time! The ups and downs of their relationship seemed so real to me and I'm so glad they found each other and learned to be honest in the best way! Deb Raney never disappoints.
September 27, 2025
Sweet story
Such a sweet story . It shows how a family with secrets can survive when love outshines the secrets. So much like life when we allow Gods Word to direct our lives even in the tough times. Forgiveness and healing is always the better way to handle life’s surprises.
Such a sweet story . It shows how a family with secrets can survive when love outshines the secrets. So much like life when we allow Gods Word to direct our lives even in the tough times. Forgiveness and healing is always the better way to handle life’s surprises.
September 20, 2025
Hard to put down
I loved this love story and how forgiveness, God's love, and His adoption of us. A story that was written so well and read in a few hours.
I loved this love story and how forgiveness, God's love, and His adoption of us. A story that was written so well and read in a few hours.
September 25, 2025
Book 2
This wonderful series continues with another faith filled story. The book contains meaningful discussion by the characters about adoption and faith.
This wonderful series continues with another faith filled story. The book contains meaningful discussion by the characters about adoption and faith.
September 26, 2025
Another great read by Deborah Raney.
I am never disappointed in reading one of her stories. I highly recommend this book.
I am never disappointed in reading one of her stories. I highly recommend this book.
November 20, 2025
Another great book by Deborah Raney. A DNA test interrupts the life of Emma just when she begins dating Tadhg, who also has secrets of his own. They both struggle with their own problems and their relationship takes a backseat temporarily until they can come to terms with their family issues.
June 2, 2026
Secrets. We all have them. We all struggle with trusting someone who lies to us. In this story, Emma, her mom, and her new friend, Tadhg, all struggle with the secrets that threaten to break their relationships into pieces that cannot be put back together. It is a story of overcoming the past with the bonds of family and love. A story we can all relate to. It's also one of those that keeps you turning the page to see what happens next. That "just one more chapter" sort of book. I'm looking forward to reading the other books in this series.
February 11, 2026
The characters in this novel are filled with flaws and emotions as the navigate life. It is beautiful to see the way they grow and change through the book as well as realizing the perfection is not the goal but friendship and relationships are more important than everything being right.
September 18, 2025
I have known several people who were adopted and don't recall there being such anguish as books like to portray
June 12, 2026
Who Stirs Up the Sea is the second book in The God Who series by Deborah Raney. These books can be read as standalones.
I loved the premise of this book. Emma owns a small flower farm, which she inherited from her parental grandparents, located on Saint Simons, Georgia. Emma’s book club decides to take a DNA test as an extra activity to go along with the book. Emma doesn’t think she will find anything exciting from the DNA test because she knows her parents’ heritage. When her results come back, she assumes that a mistake has been made when she has no Italian. When she retakes the test and receives the same results, only one thing could make sense: her dad is not her dad. Her father has passed, and her mom is not forthcoming with the truth. Through it all, Tadhg has become her comfort and friend. But he has his own secrets and doesn’t know how to tell Emma.
The meet-cute between Emma and Tadhg was so sweet. I loved watching their relationship unfold throughout the story. The romance elements were perfect and sweet.
Watching Emma struggle through this secret and find truth, leaning into God for comfort. Deborah Raney did a great job of intertwining faith throughout the story.
“God was here all along. Even when I couldn’t feel it. And it was Him who controlled it all- the waves and the wind…”
“ Sometimes I think He has to stir up the sea of our lives a little just to get our attention. Or to move us in a different direction.”
I loved the premise of this book. Emma owns a small flower farm, which she inherited from her parental grandparents, located on Saint Simons, Georgia. Emma’s book club decides to take a DNA test as an extra activity to go along with the book. Emma doesn’t think she will find anything exciting from the DNA test because she knows her parents’ heritage. When her results come back, she assumes that a mistake has been made when she has no Italian. When she retakes the test and receives the same results, only one thing could make sense: her dad is not her dad. Her father has passed, and her mom is not forthcoming with the truth. Through it all, Tadhg has become her comfort and friend. But he has his own secrets and doesn’t know how to tell Emma.
The meet-cute between Emma and Tadhg was so sweet. I loved watching their relationship unfold throughout the story. The romance elements were perfect and sweet.
Watching Emma struggle through this secret and find truth, leaning into God for comfort. Deborah Raney did a great job of intertwining faith throughout the story.
“God was here all along. Even when I couldn’t feel it. And it was Him who controlled it all- the waves and the wind…”
“ Sometimes I think He has to stir up the sea of our lives a little just to get our attention. Or to move us in a different direction.”
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews