Revived Hope

Bay Town #0.5

by Kathleen J. Robison

How many near misses does it take not to be a coincidence anymore?

Melanie Thompson has spent her entire adult life trying to overcome the mistakes of her youth. Just as everything is looking up, it all begins to unravel as one problem after another piles on top of each other, each with one goal in mind. Get her out of the way.
Determined to make a better life for herself and her daughter, and with the help of her father, Melanie looks at alternative ways to make her dream of owning a storefront for her bridal business come true. Complications with her ex-husband, the new business, and a threatening landlord all conspire against her, and everything seems lost when tragedy strikes not once, but twice.

What will it take for Melanie to accept the alternate path the Lord has laid out for her?
Revived Hope , the prequel to the romantic suspense Bay Town Series, paves the path for Melanie and Lacey’s move from Orange County to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and a new life in Bay Town.

Genres: Romance, Fiction

124 pages, Paperback

Published October 13, 2021

About the author

Finding light in the darkest places.
www.kathleenjrobison.com
Kathleen is an award-winning author who
writes romantic suspense with a twist of faith, where life’s trials are believably depicted. Shattered lives, restored by grace and saved by grace. She is an Inspirational Christian Fiction author with six books published in the Romantic Suspense Bay Town Series set in a small coastal town in Mississippi. Revived Hope, The Prequel, Shattered Guilt, Book #1, Restored Grace, NEST Award winner, Book #2, Shadowed Doubt, Book #3, Ransomed Peace, Book #4, and Shaded Goodness, Book #5. Rich characters and fast-paced plots keep pages turning.

She also writes sweet holiday romance. Let Them Eat Fruitcake is light-hearted, Bay Town Book celebrating Christmas. Uniting the characters for the holidays.

The Award-winning Book, Keeping Christmas Vol 1, contains her intriguing Novella, The Cross at Morioka Castle, transporting you to modern-day Japan where the past hides secrets.

Mistletoe Village is a heart-wrenching Christmas Romance set in the Pacific Northwest where secrets stay hidden, but newcomers to the town of Grace change lives.

Adding Historical Fiction to her repertoire, The Missing Songbird, is a 1940s mystery set in Wales.

Kathleen was born in Okinawa, and raised in California, Florida, Mississippi, and Singapore. Her travels and her family are the sources of her inspiration. She and her retired Pastor husband have eight adult children, and seven are married, blessing them with twenty-one grandchildren and counting. The diversity of the family provides more lovely and lively characters than can be imagined. Sharing God’s amazing love amid trials, tragedies, and blessings through her books are her true inspiration and hope for all.
You can connect with Kathleen on her website:
www.kathleenjrobison.com or Facebook.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read my review in October's edition of #BecauseFiction Magazine: https://www.becausefiction.com/posts/...

[Sherry Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revived Hope is about a young lady (Melanie) and her daughter Lacey. This wonderful story is about hope, faith, dreams, heartache. It was very very good.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revived Hope is part of Kathleen J Robison’s Bay Town series. I enjoyed reading Shattered Guilt that was, also, part of the series and was excited to read this one, as well. At about one hundred and twenty pages, it was a short but faith filled read. I really connected to Melanie right from the start and had to keep reading to see what was going to happen with her. I loved reading her story.

I am giving Revived Hope a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading quick and clean romantic suspense. I can not wait to read more from Kathleen J Robison’s Bay Town series in the future.

I received a digital copy of Revived Hope from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

[Randi Sampson]

Revived Hope is a prelude to book one of Bay Town series. If you read Shattered Guilt and enjoyed Melanie's character as I did, it will be a chance to go back and see what her life was like before she came to Bay Town. It's always fun to revisit a character we enjoyed, even if it is before we met them to start with, isn't it? If you haven't yet read that first book, this will give you an introduction before you do. Part of me thinks that perhaps I would have liked to have read this one first, but ultimately, they can be enjoyed in either order.

As with Shattered Guilt, I feel like the author did a great job of creating very real characters and a story that feels genuine. She takes on difficult topics in a way that is honest, and she does so with grace. It is a quick read, but one filled with messages of faith that fans of Christian fiction are sure to enjoy.

**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

[Emma Filbrun · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is all right. It's not my favorite type of story, but I did enjoy seeing how Melanie worked her way through her struggles. The author did a good job of showing her faith in God and how she hung on through severe testing. I did wonder what would happen next; would she ever become friends with her ex-husband again?

[Patti Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revived Hope serves as the prequel to the Bay Town Series. It paves the way for Melanie and Laney’s move from Orange County in California to the Gulf Coast of Missippi. Melanie tries to take a Bridal Shop she inherited from the store owner and build something for her and her daughter. Melanie’s ex-husband, along with the store’s new landlord, cause problems for her. But then tragedy strikes twice. But blessings and answers to prayers comes from a bride-to-be from Missippi.

I have to say this story captured my attention and would not let go. I plan on reading the rest of the books in this series. It clearly shows how listening to those around us provides answers to prayers sometimes. I love the depth of the characters and plotlines in this story. When Melanie and Lacey hurt, I hurt for them. When blessings occurred, I rejoiced for the family. So if you enjoy stories with a wealth of emotions, check out this book for yourself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This quick read is the prequel to the author's Bay Town Series and her recently released novel "Shattered Guilt". You don't have to read the previous novel first to enjoy this book. This is a quick read and a great novel but it has a couple of things that made me cry. But, I am sure that is because of the things I an dealing with my own life at this time.

I recommend this book and "Shattered Guilt" to readers who likes inspirational reads.

I received an complimentary copy from the author and Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own.

[Kendra Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Revived Hope by Kathleen J Robison is a prequel book to the Bay Town series, also written by Kathleen J Robinson. Kathleen J Robinson is a new to me author, so I was excited to read this book.

Melanie Thompson is a single mother to a wonderful daughter. She is trying to get a new business, Bridal Services, up and running, but has obstacles in the way. Melanie realizes that the success of this business will also be the success of overcoming mistakes that have haunted her since Youth. Tragedy strikes twice and Melanie and her Dad begin to think that she might need an alternate plan to make her business successful. She is determined to make things happen. Will Melanie listen to God and follow his path for her? Will Melanie finally overcome her past mistakes and look forward to Victory?

WOW, the Christian message in this book is VERY clear! We all want success in life, but God's plan are better then our own. Revived Hope is only 120 pages long and a quick read, but a VERY powerful message. I appreciate how Melanie is striving for the best for her and her daughter and accepts the fact that her plans might not be the best plans. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who needs encouragement and hope and for those who love Christian Fiction! FANTASTIC BOOK!

[Deana Dick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being introduced to Melanie was very inspiring. I loved her determination, faith and love for her family. She has many struggles in her life but her parents have been a strong support system for her. Raising her daughter as a single parent was challenging at times, but it was nice to see how the grandparents were always there for both their daughter and granddaughter.

What I liked the most about this story was how the author illustrated how important it is to follow God’s direction for your life. There are some sad moments in the story which I think helped Melanie understand that she could handle anything with God’s help.

The story is at look at loss and finding a new beginning with God’s plan for your life. I think at times we all doubt that we will succeed at things, but if we could only grasp the truth that “God will never leave us nor forsake us,” we can find hope.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

[Ashley Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. I’ve read the first book this is a prequel for. This is a short book but the author packed it full. I really enjoyed getting the back stories from the other book.

It is the kind of book I enjoy reading and the author did a good job keeping it fast paced and interesting. Start to finish it was an enjoyable book.

4/5

Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book via Celebrate Lit. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revived Hope, by Kathleen J. Robinson, is the prequel of the Bay Town series. In this story we are introduced to the main characters and given the background information for the series. This is a well written story with realistic characters that struggle with making the right decisions not only for themselves but for others. This is a story of loss and moving forward. I especially enjoyed the faith her father had in her ability to have a successful business and the encouragement he gave her to start her business in a new location for a fresh start.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.

[Connie Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revived Hope is written by Kathleen J. Robinson. This is a Christian Romantic Suspense book. I loved the character of Melanie. I will admit that I have felt like her in the past. She was real feeling and had real life issues and struggles. So much so that she has spent her adult life trying to overcome. My heart went out to her as a single mom and wanting to give her daughter a better life.

She has dreams - she wants to have a storefront for her bridal business. I loved her determination. Especially when she was hit with hang outs with her ex and the landlord. I got frustrated for her! With everything happening there is an important lesson to learn here. How to make sure that you follow God’s path for our lives. Sometimes the roadblocks are for your good, not to hurt us.



This book is one not to miss. It is well written, engaging, and a real page turner. I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit blogging Program, all thoughts are my own.
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[Susan Beatty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revived Hope, by author Kathleen J. Robison, is aptly titled. The main character, Melanie, is trying to make it in the world of wedding planning and raise her daughter as a single mother. The author has created memorable characters and enough tension to keep the reader turning pages as we experience trail after trial with Melanie. Each time, she sees the Lord's answers, which restore her hope.

This quick read is the prequel to the author's Bay Town Series and her recently released novel Shattered Guilt. Just the thing to read when you want your own hope revived.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author. It's also a prelude to a series. And this book has me ready to start book 1! I prefer a longer book but did enjoy this one. I most liked that the author easily brought the characters faith into their daily lives in a non pushy way. Again, excited to continue this series.

[Marguerite Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

All is going well until a series of unusual events spins with drama and uncertainty. What a person does in that chaotic time sets the stage for God-designed purpose and adventure. A revived hope is often the result. Share in Melanie's journey as she finds a way forward.
Bravo, Kathleen!