Four women, one weekend, and their lives will never be the same. Stephanie London thought she’d heard from God when she moved to Hope Springs, N.C. But a tragedy in that small town left her soul desolate. Now her husband’s inattentiveness has pushed her over the edge. Bereft of hope, she travels home to St. Louis as a women’s ministry conference kicks off. Though less than enthused to attend, new friendships offer strength and light. But what happens when the weekend ends and real life begins again? Treva Langston grieves still the loss of her husband of twenty-two years. Now, two years later, her heart is breaking again as her oldest daughter’s travails come to light. Traveling from DC to St. Louis for a women’s conference seems the last thing she should do, given the circumstances. But in St. Louis her path crosses with someone new—and her world turns upside down. Will it only lead to more heartbreak? Jillian Mason can’t wait to attend the Living Word women’s conference. She’s done their Bible studies for years and expects God to show up in an amazing way. But the weekend delivers something unexpected—a discovery about her husband. As the state of her marriage hangs in the balance, Jillian is suddenly anxious about returning home. Faith Langston has always been a girl after God’s heart. She loves Living Word studies and registered early for the conference. But at the end of her college sophomore year, she finds herself in circumstances she never imagined—with a heart that has strayed from God. She makes it to St. Louis nonetheless, with her boyfriend in tow—but how will she find her way back to God? Four women in different seasons of life converge at a women’s conference—with a theme that charges them to run “in hot pursuit” for Christ. But how do they run when challenges seem insurmountable? And can they help one another navigate the difficult terrain? “The author has a gift for bringing God’s love and light into even the darkest situation.” — Romantic Times (The Color of Hope)
Kim Cash Tate is the author of several books and a former practicing attorney. She has a deep love for the word of God, and loves to ignite a passion in others to not only know the Lord, but to walk intimately with Him. Kim lives in St. Louis with her husband of twenty-three years and their two children.
In life we stumble. God promised we won't fall. Love the circle Kim has started to weave with the characters. This was a hard read, as God made them and us face the issues and disappointments of life head on. He gives beauty for ashes and keeps His promises. I so love Stephanie.
Yes indeed, I stayed up all night to finish this book. I was already invested in these characters from Kim's previous books. BUT, even if you haven't read one of them (but why not I would ask), the story line just kept drawing me in. You know, if I stop after this chapter then I won't know what Stephanie and Lindell are going to do. And why did I not have pastor's like Lance? Hmmm? I love that the characters were dealing with real life issues, not fluff. Each lady and her family were dealing with things I have either personally experienced or walked through it with someone I know. It endeared these characters to me even more. Now SOME might say the conference scenes were preachy. I say they gave me a conference for the cost of this book. A steal I tell you! And if I can't get some Word in my Christian fiction, what am I reading it for? I hope Kim writes fast because I am ready to see what transpires next with these characters. They truly have stolen my heart!
Kim Cash Tate has a gift! Though I Stumble is a phenomenal story of God's promise, that though we may stumble, we will not fall. I loved every thread in this book, ever person's story. Treva's heartbreak and strength brought me to tears. And the surprise love interest melted my heart! I was so glad to see his face again.Faith's struggle with faith and return to God was beautiful. I felt like I was ministered to while I read this book. I devoured it and one sitting and can't wait to dive into book 2.
(I read this book as part of a book club selection) A group of women, some related, some not, attend a weekend women's conference and come face to face with their individual life challenges and look to God and each other to get them through.
With that said, it was a little hard to rate this book. From time to time I will read Christian fiction and there are some books in this genre that are absolutely excellent (most anything by Francine Rivers), and then there are some that are a little too sugary sweet, all works out in the end. This book kind of toes the line into the super sweet, it all works out for everyone variety. There were some serious subject matters dealt with like marriage difficulties, grief, and pregnancy, which was good, but...
Not to be preachy, the book is a little preachy, but everything doesn't always work out in life and having faith doesn't mean that everything will "work out" in the traditional sense. I think instead of having all the plot lines tied up in a nice happy bow, there should have been some focus on there being at least one situation where the character arc ended with, yes, I'm in a crappy situation, I'm going to have faith and pray, and although my situation has not changed, I've found peace and the grace to deal with it.
For example, (this won't be a spoiler since this isn't one of the plot lines in the book, it is just one character who shared a situation from her past), but a sub-character, Kelli, shares the fact that she got pregnant by her boyfriend, who was a Christian recording artist, had an abortion, but through prayer and faith, they are now happily married and ministering to others.
Is this possible? Absolutely. Is it the norm, or what will happen for most young girls in this situation? Absolutely NOT! I think you can have a story line like this to show that miracles can happen, but when it's balanced with a story where the guy doesn't come back, but the girl learns to love herself, see herself as God sees her and has the emotional support of her family/friends. Also, I think everything was wrapped up too quickly.
This wasn't a bad read, it was okay/entertaining for me. I think some people will really enjoy it and it was nice to see a group of women strongly supporting each other, which is why I gave it 3 stars instead of 2. This book would be PERFECT for someone who likes Christian fiction, romance novels, and traditional Chick Lit, it has all of those elements.
I am not one for long reviews. I enjoyed the book but it was just a little much for me. Everyone lived happily ever after and some of that was a bit hard for me to swallow. Persevering doesn't mean all will be well on this side of life and for this reason it just didn't feel realistic enough for me with how the lives ended up for the characters compared to the author's other books.
"Sometimes the pursuit is a slow crawl. And it’s a good thing. Forward progress is a win.”
When I got to this statement, I knew I would be highlighting and taking notes. I love real books with real characters! The women and the men were tripping, and nothing was resolved overnight - just like life. This book was a blessing for me, I needed this story, and the message in it. Just keep running, fast or slow - keep going.
This is my first time reading this author, and I'm looking forward to reading more.
If you are looking for a Christian based fiction novel that feels real…this is the book (series) for you!!! The raw emotion and hard topics that were touched on that normally are not talked about in church was a breath of fresh air and made it such a great read. Each character was relatable in different ways and the way the author incorporated Bible verses was beautiful. Highly recommend this one and can’t wait to read the rest of the Promises of God series♥️
I absolutely loved this book!!! This was my first time actually highlighting anything in a book as well. There were so many life lessons that hit home no matter what your situation is. I loved how smoothly the spiritual aspect was inserted in this story. I loved that it was realistic, relatable & practical. Storytelling like this is how souls can be drawn to God. It wasn’t pushy or forced, it flowed & made you think all while enjoying the drama, love & comedy that was incorporated. As believers we need clean but fun entertainment & Kim Cash Tate definitely provided that in this story. So many more things I could say but I’ll just end this by saying, I recommend this highly! If you stumbled across this book or this review, give the book a try, it’s truly mind altering, prepare for your soul to be impacted !
Edit: I noticed a lot of reviews complaining about the happy ending. I understand that it is good to show people that even when things don’t have a happy ending, we still should run our race & keep our faith BUT the fun of writing (speaking as a writer) is that we get to create our own world. There’s enough heartache in the world & I felt it was nice to read something that had a happy ending.
If you are looking to be entertained and encouraged then this book is for you! I genuinely enjoyed this book. Easy, quick read. It’s been a minute since I’ve read Christian fiction. I was a little apprehensive at first, but I did find encouragement from some of the characters and their storylines. That being said, some of the characters relationship with God seemed unrealistic. I don’t want to spoil it but it seemed like everything they prayed for they received. There were a couple of corny jokes about being a Proverbs 31 woman that made me roll my eyes - and their fixation on this conference was a little odd to me. It was like they equated godliness with attending the conference. Anyway. Good read. On to the next 💪🏽
I downloaded this book because the blurb on the back cover sounded interesting. Prior to this book I hadn't read anything by this author before, and I must say I wasn't disappointed. This isn't a light read, Tate throws you into the mess and chaos of life immediately.
The story focuses on four women who are linked by relation or mutual interest in an upcoming ladies conference. The dialogue is crisp, the characters are relatable, both flawed and uniquely beautiful. Interestingly, by the time the conference played out in the story, I felt as if I'd attended it myself. I admire authors that are able to deliver a story that is both entertaining and meaningful, but Tate has nailed the human condition so well, while pointing to the hope we have in Christ that I found myself praying about my own challenges and inconsistencies with the determination to press on. This book is rich with truth, compassion, and the encouragement to "run the race".
A great story of faith and love. I bonded with the women in this story instantly and enjoyed each of their journeys. This was my first read by Kim Cash Tate and she quickly became a new favorite. I’ve already started the next book in the series because I had to know where their stories left off.
Kim Cash Tate has done it again. She writes the most compelling storylines. I loved each of the women and felt that I knew them. Lots of good stuff here about pursuing God and running the good race. I highly recommend.
I loved this book! It is the 1st one in a series and it has me excited about the next one. A women's conference impacts 4 women's lives. You have to read this to experience the changes that are brought about in their lives. The things God do is amazing!
Great book! Faith based; true to life issues; and the strength & love of God shining through it all! Would highly recommend! Can’t wait to read the next one
I enjoy reading the familiar and this book was filled with all the things conferences entail. It surely caused me to evaluate the level of my pursuit.....and I realized no matter how long I'm still in hot pursuit of Christ!!!! I especially enjoyed the forming of new friendships and Stephanie's path to purpose. I would recommend this book to those who have been in the women's conference atmosphere as they would have visuals throughout. I would also gift this to that college aged female who started with a hot pursuit but waxed cold after sin. There is something to truly gain!!
From the intro I thought this book might help me as I dealt with the death of my husband. I truly know that God is a miracle worker. He also deals in the impossible. He is a forgiving God plus a God of second chances. Yet often times even as we rely on Him our situations and\or relationships are not saved. We sometimes cannot ride off into the sunset where everyday is Sunday. That is the reality of life for believers & nonbelievers. The ups and downs of life - where not all marriages are saved; where unwed father's refuse involvement in his childs life. Let's get real here. Share the story of how God continues to lead\guide folks when there is no reconciliation in marriage or when babies are given up for adoption or when people become alcoholics or substance abusers. Maybe the author wanted to send a message of hope by letting all end well. But the real message to me is that we must learn to be hopeful and remain hopeful when the outcome of our situation is not sunny & bright and coming up rosey.
Great read! A family that prays together stays together. Marriage isn’t easy but taking your vows seriously and loving one another in the purest form will allow you to forgive, heal and move on. I enjoyed the book. The storyline moved a little slowly because the author had to develop five couples and their characteristics but I really enjoyed it. It is a trilogy so I can’t wait to read Books 2 and 3. Again, love is a powerful emotion but you must be realistic about marriage because it is not a fantasy wedding. It’s a lifetime commitment between two willing people who really want it to last a lifetime! I recommend this book especially to couples who are having struggles. Yes, it is a fictional book but there are great lessons to learn from these couples.
This was a good story, but I gave it three stars because I thought it was just way too long and it could've been edited to be a shorter book. I ended up skimming through some of the pages at first. It took me 2 weeks to get to 34% of the book and once I found out Echo dot could read my kindle books I was able to finish it in 3 days.
"Your race isn't suspended because the storm blew in. God knew the storm was coming. Run! Right where you are!"... this is just part of a great message that connected with my spirit. Great book!!!
I loved this book and I love how it spoke to me. Especially running the race this book really touched me and made me take a look at my walk with Christ! Thank u!
As someone who doesn’t usually read christian fiction, I will admit that I assumed that the book would be full of nothing but prayer, bible verses and have little substance. I can honestly say that after reading this book, I was wrong with my assumptions about the christian fiction genre.
“Though I Stumble” highlights four women in various stages of life as they each navigate the challenges of life and prepare to attend a women’s ministry conference. Stephanie London left her hometown of St. Louis to follow God’s call and move to Hope, North Carolina. After a tragedy occurs with a student she taught, she is empty and and finds solace in food and drinking wine. In addition, she feel neglected by her husband who is a doctor that care more about tending to patients in Haiti than working on his marriage.
Treva Langston is a woman still grieving the loss of her beloved husband of twenty-two years. After two years had passed, Treva is managing to raise three daughters alone but is shocked when she receives life changing new regarding her oldest daughter. Despite her daughter’s news and the changes it brings, Treva still decides to attend the conference because she feels it could lead to God making big moves in her and her daughter’s lives.
Faith Langston is Treva’s oldest daughter who loves God and registered to attend the women’s conference early. After the end of her sophomore year in college, she finds herself in a situation she could have never imagined and feels disconnected from God. While she decides to attend the conference, with her boyfriend, Faith wonders if she will be able to restore the relationship she once shared with God?
Jillian Mason is Treva’s younger sister and is juggling raising four kids with Cecil, her husband of nineteen years. Jillian is excited about attending this conference with her sister and niece since she’s been doing the church’s bible studies for years. Although the weekend brings excitement through reuniting with a old friend, it also leads to a discovery about her husband that leads her to question the future of her marriage.
This was an enjoyable read in that the author creates relatable characters who love the Lord but are also flawed. By intertwining the four women’s lives together, this shows that God can put certain people in your life at a specific time to serve a specific purpose. In addition, I liked the way in which the author interjects God into the story in a which that enhances the book rather than come off as preachy.
For Christian Fiction this piece is pretty clean and solid. In terms of working in spirituality naturally, Tate nailed it. I found myself saying Amen, okay! Snaps to her.
However… the fiction was giving too much of Hallmark. Because as a series, why are we falling deep into the trenches of love after 2 DAYS?! That was a little distasteful… in my very personal opinion, I like a nice slow burn, and organic sense of romance. This certainly didn’t give. But they cute I guess, I would too, like a Lance Alexander. Tehe.
There wasn’t a character I didn’t like… well besides Jesse but he came around. I do wish everything didn’t work out so perfect with EVERYONE, but even in that, it just goes to show that God can work through such messy situations and make them beautiful again.
Overall, I really did enjoy this book and even after wanting to throw it against the wall at times, I do plan to continue with the series! I would recommend for YA! :))
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
A right on time read!! The bonding, fellowship and dedication to each others growth was awesome!! Treva, Jillian, Faith and Stephanie each faced life altering situations that made them question who they were and if their walk truly matched their faith. Jillian caught up being a mom & teacher. Stephanie grieving the loss of a friend not thinking the next loss would be her marriage. Faith rocked to her core as boundaries are being pushed. Treva doesn't feel she is enough, because she didn't give enough.
I enjoyed how the author included their spouses every step of the journey...the struggle, the acceptance and the healing. Tommy making the firm decision to stand down. Cedric standing in the gap for his brother Lindell. Cecil taking responsibility and not placing blame. Lance taking a chance to be vulnerable.
I'm looking forward to the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
A lovely Christian romance! I heard Kim Cash Tate speak on the Revive Our Hearts 21' Conference and I just loved her. Then I found out she was a writer and author of several Christian fiction books, which is the kind of book I love reading to relax. But I didn't expected I would be so much blessed by this one! This is a story of 4 women in different seasons of life, each one dealing with different struggles. When they meet in a Women's Conference, their lives change. There, they deepen their relationship with God, strengthen their faith and develop a life of prayer. They experience the love of Jesus in a whole new level and grow in the knowledge of the Word. It is a beautiful story, very well written, and it also pushes us to grow in our own relationship with the Lord as we read it. Highly recommend it!!!
Read for in-laws book club - I wish the quality of this book reflected the quality of my family's faith.
At the conference session on grief, the speaker says a student who was raped committed suicide so her teacher could be on CNN. This speaker is a protagonist.
Another character says God gave his first wife cancer because it was the only way she would give him the time of day. This character is a love interest.
Men cannot be friends with women. Women should take back men who cheat on and abandon them if they make grand material gestures (no mention of dedication to therapy, increased equitable shouldering of the mental load, or any authentic hard work for forgiveness and commitment). "If It Isn't Love" is a romantic song to play at your wedding.
Most reviewers got something from this book. There is a Christian rapper named Alien, so at least I got a chuckle.
I stayed up all night reading this book. I hadn't read this author's work before but her style drew me in from the beginning. The synopsis of the book caught my eye and for the reasonable kindle price I thought why not give it a try.
In places this book had me crying so hard I couldn't see to read but in a good way, it was like God was speaking through the author but not in a preachy kind of way.. This book was full of life. The people are so real even when they're not acting in authentic ways. It also reminded me of a very important fact:
"I may be a mess in places but God is right there with me in the mess."
I'd recommend reading "Though I Stumble" I believe you will be blessed by this Christian fiction book. I've already bought more of the author's work to enjoy.