In a Mother's Arms: Finally a Family / Home Again

by Jillian Hart, Victoria Bylin

Finally a Family by Jillian Hart -
Widow Molly McKaslin won't marry for less than true love. But does handsome town doctor Sam Frost want a wife, or a housekeeper for his daughters? With the help of two little matchmakers, Molly might end up with the family of her dreams.
Home Again by Victoria Bylin -
When her troublemaking son vandalizes the town church, Cassie O'Rourke comes face-to-face with town sheriff — and former love — Gabe Wyatt. The honorable lawman offers to help tame her wild child, if he can come courting. For the love of her son, dare she entrust her heart to this man once more?

Genres: Love Inspired, Historical, Love Inspired Historical, Christian Fiction, Romance, Harlequin, Christian

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Jillian Hart grew up on her family's homestead in Washington state, where she raised cattle, rode horses and scribbled stories in her spare time.
After earning her English degree from Whitman College, she worked in travel and advertising before selling her first novel.
When Jillian isn't working on her next story, she can be found puttering around her rose garden, curled up with a good book and spending quiet evenings at home with her family.

Reviews

[Debbie Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first story a lot the second one not as much . And this is another book where the cover does not match either story. there were blonde twins in the first book and a teenaged boy in the second.

[Terry Yaceyko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two Novellas by my favorite Jillian Hart, and a new author to me, Victoria Bylin. "Finally a Family" stars a widow who also lost her child. She grieves these losses, but will not compromise and just marry to be married. When she comes to live near family, she meets a doctor who is a widower raising twin presumptuous daughters. Many people see this as the perfect match for her and would give her a chance to raise children. As sweet as she is, she will not marry without love in the equation. It takes some time for the doctor to realize that he does care for her for more than a nanny. He allows his hardened heart to open to love when he spends more time around her and also sees a mother's heart. A sweet story.

"Home Again" brings Cassie and her son to her original hometown after her husband abuses her physically and emotionally. It just so happens that her first love is now the sheriff. She doesn't really give any credence to the idea of them getting back together, but he has never forgotten her or married. He becomes involved in her life and her son's, as he acts out after leaving the big city. The storyline brings them together as he proves what a good father he would be, and she recognizes her own feelings of love for him still.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two very sweet novellas centering on mothers, this book is well worth reading.

Finally a Family by Jillian Hart - Jillian Hart is excellent at portraying the inner emotions of her characters, and when she puts children and animals in her stories, as she does in this novella, they absolutely come to life in an endearing way. I felt there could have been a little more action and/or conflict, but the things that did happen were delightfully humorous, and it is a novella, after all.

Home Again by Victoria Bylin - This story about a single mother and her troubles with her son will keep your attention throughout. I love the characters of Gabe, Cassie, and Luke, and there were also some characters you grew to dislike because of the way they treated others. The issues of abuse and bullying are dealt with extremely well.

[Rachel Brand · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Finally a Family" by Jillian Hart - 6/10

"Home Again" by Victoria Bylin - 6/10

I enjoyed both of these stories for very different reasons. The first one had a predictable plot where not a lot happened but I loved the humour and the personalities of the twin girls. The second story, I felt, had a bit more substance and more interaction with secondary characters, but I didn't connect with the characters in the same way. Overall, sweet and fairly enjoyable stories, but not terribly memorable. 6/10

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am all out of Love Inspireds! I'll need to make a new order at some point. I liked reading a new McKaslin story (although the twins were occasionally over-precious!) and Home Again was a very strong story (although part of the ending was resolved too quickly, imo. Not the romance part, though, which was pitch perfect, so I'm less picky.)

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both stories in this book were great.

Jillian Hart's "Finally a Family" continued the McKaslin Family

and Home Again reminds us once again of small town gossips and how much they can hurt someone but of course love prevails.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently started reading Love Inspired Love Inspired books, I love them!
This book has 2 stories in it, both are very good. Im currently reading His Holiday Bride by Jillian Hart, and plan to read many more books by this author.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this Historical Romance. written with very enduring characters. I plan to read many more by Victoria Bylin.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars for Both "In a Mother's Arms:Finally a Family" and "Home Again". Enjoyed both stories in this book. Both were a quick read, that kept me interested and engaged the entire time.

[Jody · Rating 2 out of 5]

I actually only read the first story and it was good, but the second was so sad that I was just not in a mood to read it now. Great setup and Hart has never disappointed but just sad.