Travis Harders has been a single dad since the day he learned he had a daughter with his only one-night stand. Fifteen years later, he and Cassie are getting along just fine and he's even fallen in love. The last thing he expects to find on his doorstep one Tuesday morning is Cassie's mom - the one person he thought he’d never see again - and she's asking the impossible.
Circumstances, including her firefighter brother's death on 9/11, forced Abi Connealy into a decision she's spent years regretting and her daughter grew up without her. But now, a family crisis compels her to do the one thing she swore she never would: find the daughter she’d abandoned just a few days after birth.
Shocked when Travis doesn’t send her packing, Abi prays to a God she doesn’t believe in that her relationship with her daughter will be restored. Travis plans to propose to his girlfriend, but their relationship hits the rocks as he and Abi both struggle with the long-dormant feelings that never had the chance to develop.
When Cassie demonstrates incredible grace toward the grandfather who refuses to acknowledge her existence, Abi begins to learn the love of a Savior - a Savior who has more than enough Grace to Save.
When she's not writing about her imaginary friends, Carol Moncado is hanging out with her husband, four kids, and a dog who weighs less than most hard cover books. She prefers watching NCIS to just about anything, except maybe watching Castle. She believes peanut butter M&Ms are the perfect food and Dr. Pepper should come in an IV. When not watching her kids - and the dog - race around her big backyard in Southwest Missouri, she's teaching American Government at a local community college. She's a founding member and President of MozArks ACFW, category coordinator for First Impressions, blogger at InspyRomance, and represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of The Steve Laube Agency.
This is a really great story. Realistic, complicated emotions that are not resolved too quickly, characters I loved and a great story they told. So why only 3 stars? 1) The editing seems a bit rushed. Several times I had to report typos, and a couple of scenes seem out of order. It wouldn't take too long to revise, and it really is a good story, but it was annoying to keep being pulled out of it by these details. 2) I've read, I think, 5 of Carol Moncado's books now, and this is the second one where a father calls his daughter "punkin". And it grates on me. It's not even a word! "Pumpkin" would be one thing, or even "pu'kin" (although now I've just written it that one does look a bit like "puking"...), but "punkin" is weird and it grates on me. And for one character, it's excusable, but two is getting to be an author problem. There are other terms of endearment! And if I do go on to read all of the interconnected stories she's done, I don't want all the characters to bleed into each other in my mind.
Single dad Travis has a good life, raising his daughter Cassie, and teaching high school drama. But now his life is filled with real drama, when Abi knocks on his door, fifteen years after abruptly leaving him with their newborn. The timing is awkward, Travis is getting ready to pop the question to Kristy. A new love, but now there are old feelings, jealous women and a confused daughter. And where does God fit into this story?
I have read most of Carol's books with fervor and respect! I love how she creatively lets the reality of our fallen world weave around the truth of God's love for us and even though there are consequences for wrong choices God never turns his back on his children. Hope is present in each plot line.
Travis gets the news of his life in the form of a baby, his baby Cassie. Fast forward 15 years and they’ve settled in nicely and have a great relationship. Then her mother, Abi, shows up, needing a favor. The book will pull heart strings and is one that keeps you turning the pages wondering how things are going to turn out. Another great addition to this author’s works.
This story was a powerful presentation of the full gospel: creator God, fallen man, sacrificial Jesus, and salvation through grace by faith. There were some editing flaws and some characterizations that I didn't enjoy. However, the powerful message fully compensated for any perceived errors.
What an awesome example of love and forgiveness. Relating God’s unconditional love for mankind to the of kind of unconditional love we too must also walk in.
I enjoyed this story because it helps one see how all the people in our lives truly influence the choices we make. There always decision we make that we question even years later. Truly enjoyed this book.
I’m finding that I always seem to enjoy reading one of Ms. Moncado’s books. This one did not disappoint. You could see how God was working to bring forgiveness and restoration to this little family. The 9/11 side storyline was a great addition.
As usual, I enjoyed this book. Carol Moncado has done it again. The characters were realistic and the story was well-written. I definitely recommend this book.
Ive been enjoying working my way through all of Carol's books but this one was so beautiful. The title is really perfect for it. Grace shines through all the pages.
Once again, a love story from Carol Moncado grabs our hearts. Jesus, Love, and Reconciliation. But then again, that's what THE LOVE STORY is about, isn't it?
I like how all of the characters are flawed & have to overcome their flaws as the story progresses. These stories are so well thought out & tied into each other. I can't wait for more from Serenity Landing.
Grace to Save, written by Carol Moncado, is the first book of Serenity Landing Tuesdays of Grace. What a read! Moncado brought a lot of emotions into Grace to Save....trauma of 9/11, bad decisions, inability to forgive, abandonment, romance and then soooo many consequences. Abi, Travis, Cassie...none of them planned the life they lead, but now they find themselves face to face in a situation that the only fix is the Grace to Save that Christ offers. I sooooo love the way that this author is so great at weaving Serenity Landing and the people that we know and love from other stories into each of her books! My favorite character: Travis, by far. He's the hunky best friend of Abi's brother...he's a bit older than Abi and he always made time for her. Then they find themselves dealing with the consequences of one night...He steps up and is just the dream of a guy that everyone wants for a friend, let alone a love! He's the package deal! I felt like this book was a lot different from any of the books that I've read by Moncado. I loved the storyline, but the telling of it was a different style. It seemed that the switching from first and third person was somewhat bumpy, although my favorite of all POV's is first person, I'm not sure if I totally loved the style of switching back and forth....BUT I loved the storyline! I'm probably going to have to say this is 4.5 stars (although I'm showing the 5 star) only because of the bumpiness of the changing from first and third person POV. I know I loved the book and the story, just those bumps were a little harder for me to get through. I definitely didn't find it so off-putting that I couldn't read it or disliked it so much that I wouldn't read the next book, because I'm so looking forward to Moncado's next book in this series! I was gifted this book in exchange for my honest review.
Reading a new book by Carol Moncado is like getting together again with a bunch of old friends to find out what's new in their lives. Her newest release, “Grace to Save,” fits right in there, telling the story of a couple of characters that have shown up in several other of her books.
There aren't heart-stopping plot twists as in some of Carol's books, but it's still a very satisfying story. The suspense is more the kind of revealing little bits of the characters' back stories as the book progresses, leaving you wanting more and more of those details, so you keep reading.
So, get ready for a good read as you find out more about old friends. Now I need to get back to the housework I neglected to finish reading Travis, Cassie & Abi's story!
Carol had done it again! I just LOVE all the characters of Serenity Landing. There are so many connection and wonderful books. I love how Carol has woven many different books together. This book truly touched my heart. I've never experienced any of the things Abi, Travis and Cassie have gone through, but I can understand it. Carol writes in such a vivid colorful way that it's not hard to picture the struggles and issues. It truly was heartfelt emotions of loss, abandonment, never being enough, and hopelessness. Yet there also was, LOVE, FAITH, HOPE, ACCEPTANCE, RENEWAL, AND ROMANCE. I appreciated how Carol clearly presented the message of God's unending LOVE for everyone of who wants to accept it. This was a sweet book and I highly recommend it!
I love a good romance and this one is good with a whole lot more. Abi and Travis had a one night stand accidentally and Cassie was a result. Travis never knew Abi was pregnant until she dropped off Cassie and told him she couldn't care for her. Fast forward 15 years, and Abi shows up again. I loved the story and how the author weaves Serenity Landing into all her stories. Her characters are old friends who pop in for a visit now and then. We see God's redemption and love throughout the book. Thanks For another good book and I anticipate the next one.
This book was so good, from start to finish Carol holds your attention. This book had a bunch of research put into it, it's partially about 9/11 and what some of the people who survived went through during and after it happened. It's weaved in wonderfully with a story about a women who left her daughter at birth, and comes back into her daughter's life; and that of the father's as well. Great read and a truly wonderful book.
I have enjoyed all of Carol Moncado's books, but I think Grace to Save may be the deepest and most touching. The story begins on September 11, 2001, and then jumps ahead 15 years to present day. With all of Carol's stories I recommend starting with her first book, Finding Mr. Write (free on Amazon) and reading through all the series, but Grace to Save is stand alone enough to be enjoyable without reading any of the previous books.
I gave this 5stars because this story really made me reevaluate my life. Although my story is not like Abi, Travis, or Cassie's the message hit home. No matter what we've been through, with prayer and a little courage we can always go home because He is forgiving and ready to embrace us with unconditional love and open arms.
I loved the characters. The father and daughters relationship was a great reminder of Gods unconditional love for us. I did not like the meanness that came out from one of the characters. It seamed fake and forced to me. Overall I really enjoyed the book. You could guess the ending in chapter one but sometimes that is just what you need in a story.
An amazing novel that talks about past mistakes, forgiveness and most of all faith, Thus is such a good novel that's it literally gets you thinking and knowing that God can change an unbeliever into a believer just by having a little faith.
When circumstances, events, and lack of communication separates a loving family, they are reunited according to God's plan and timing. God's love casts out fear. Thoroughly enjoyable story. Amen!