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Harvest Bay Series #1
The Heart's Journey Home
Three years after Kate Sterling's heart was shattered by the unexpected death of her husband, she packs up what is left of her life and moves back to Harvest Bay, Ohio, with her young daughter. She soon discovers that her sleepy hometown has changed--and that she has been given a second chance at love. But is God leading her to a love linked to the past . . . or to one who will walk with her into the future?
384 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2010
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78 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 7, 2010
There was so much I loved about this book I'm not sure where to begin. It's a beautifully told story about second chances. Jen Stephens creates relatable characters with real life struggles. The story had so many levels too; healing from loss, returning to your roots, finding love again -- but the heart of the story was in rediscovering Faith.
Along with being such a great story, The Heart's Journey Home has tremendous cultural relevance. There's something for everyone, but as a thirty-something y/o woman, I understood the characters' phase in life, balancing kids and career. While I recommend this book for everyone, I think single parents would find it exceptionally interesting -- not just for its entertainment value, but for the hopeful message and it's realistic portrayal of life as a single Christian parent. And I wouldn't do the book justice if I didn't mention that it's beautifully romantic as well.
Along with being such a great story, The Heart's Journey Home has tremendous cultural relevance. There's something for everyone, but as a thirty-something y/o woman, I understood the characters' phase in life, balancing kids and career. While I recommend this book for everyone, I think single parents would find it exceptionally interesting -- not just for its entertainment value, but for the hopeful message and it's realistic portrayal of life as a single Christian parent. And I wouldn't do the book justice if I didn't mention that it's beautifully romantic as well.
August 17, 2010
The Heart's Journey Home was an exceptional debut novel by a fantastic new author. This story was complex and deeply romantic, but also spiritual and incredibly edifying. I learned a lot about the characters, about myself, and also about forgiveness, healing, and following God's voice from this story.
Sometimes God leads us places and though we don't realize the full impact of His reasoning until He reveals it to us, if we are sensitive to God's leading He will give us more than we hoped for or imagined. This story showed how each Christian needs to realize that what we think is best may not be what He thinks is best, so we have to know His voice in order to be fully in God's will. I loved how this book illustrated all of those things, and so much more.
The characters in this novel were all complex and three dimensional. I loved how the author showed how strong love is and how it doesn't have to be mutually exclusive, or limited to one person. She also allowed her characters to feel many different things and to seek God's will in the process. I loved how much of a tender and emotional journey this book was for me. I loved how detailed and intricately complex the heart was portrayed to be.
The title for this book was perfect because it did show the heart's journey home and the healing that took place in all of the characters' lives as they were transformed by God's love. I adored this book. It made think. It made me smile. It made me sigh. That's a great novel. I am now a devoted fan of Ms. Stephen's work.
Sometimes God leads us places and though we don't realize the full impact of His reasoning until He reveals it to us, if we are sensitive to God's leading He will give us more than we hoped for or imagined. This story showed how each Christian needs to realize that what we think is best may not be what He thinks is best, so we have to know His voice in order to be fully in God's will. I loved how this book illustrated all of those things, and so much more.
The characters in this novel were all complex and three dimensional. I loved how the author showed how strong love is and how it doesn't have to be mutually exclusive, or limited to one person. She also allowed her characters to feel many different things and to seek God's will in the process. I loved how much of a tender and emotional journey this book was for me. I loved how detailed and intricately complex the heart was portrayed to be.
The title for this book was perfect because it did show the heart's journey home and the healing that took place in all of the characters' lives as they were transformed by God's love. I adored this book. It made think. It made me smile. It made me sigh. That's a great novel. I am now a devoted fan of Ms. Stephen's work.
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August 4, 2011I found this book to be a refreshing and quick read. It was nice to pick up a book that I didn't have to worry about the "appropriateness" of it's content with every turn of the page. It was encouraging to read about each of the character's journey in their relationship with God. I liked the way that Jen Stephens incorporated their conversations with God into the text, and especially her use of scripture. However, I did find it disturbing in Chapter 23 that when Adam asks Grandpa Clayton what he needs to do to receive God's gifts, the scripture referenced (Romans 10:9) only points to a part of the picture. I think that it's important when studying the Bible to realize that we can easily mislead others if we choose isolated scriptures and fail to point out others dealing with the same topic. Every example of conversion within the New Testament church, as revealed repeatedly within the book of Acts, involves more than confession. A person must hear the word of God, believe it, repent of his/her sins, confess the name of Jesus before men and be baptized. The "picture" becomes complete when all of the pieces are fitly put together.
November 1, 2019
It Had My Heart!
I can't find the words to tell you how really good this book is. This book was filled with the love of the Lord. The stories were amazing. The characters were so real. I finished it tonight and have already bought the next book. Jen Stephens, you a a really great author!
I can't find the words to tell you how really good this book is. This book was filled with the love of the Lord. The stories were amazing. The characters were so real. I finished it tonight and have already bought the next book. Jen Stephens, you a a really great author!
March 13, 2011
The Heart’s Journey Home is an incredible adventure that takes you down a sad road with Kate Sterling. She still hasn’t recovered from the loss of her husband three years earlier, and raising her young daughter on her own isn’t easy. Moving back to her home town, she prays she can find peace – both with God and with herself. She isn’t prepared for how much the town has changed or that the Lord would teach her how to open her heart to love again.
This story had an interesting twist almost from the get-go. I felt Nathan’s pain as he watched Kate drive off, fully believing that she took his heart with her. And Kate, completely unaware of his affections. The little adventure with the flat tire threw another curveball into the scene as an old schoolmate she grew up with, Adam, came to her aid.
While there wasn’t any fast-paced, edge of your seat action, this story still drew me in. It was hard to put down! Kate’s story, of her struggle with letting Ryan go and seeking the Lord, was described so realistically that you couldn’t help loving Kate. Then her struggles over her attractions to an unbeliever – so realistic! I really appreciated that Jen brought this up in Kate’s story. So many stories out there they fall in love and then the one they love suddenly comes to Christ and they marry – with hardly a mention of the character falling in love with an nonbeliever in the first place. In The Heart’s Journey Home Kate faces this and even resigns herself to the fact that she cannot have a future with a certain character because he isn’t a Christian.
There were a few kisses within the pages of this book. I felt that the kisses were rushed for the characters, but maybe that’s just me. This book deals a lot with single parents raising kids, which was something I’d never really read about before.
If you haven’t read The Hearts Journey Home yet, I highly encourage you to. Jen Stephens is a wonderful author and I enjoyed her story and the voice she used to tell it so much. I am looking forward to the release of her next book at the end of the year. :-)
This story had an interesting twist almost from the get-go. I felt Nathan’s pain as he watched Kate drive off, fully believing that she took his heart with her. And Kate, completely unaware of his affections. The little adventure with the flat tire threw another curveball into the scene as an old schoolmate she grew up with, Adam, came to her aid.
While there wasn’t any fast-paced, edge of your seat action, this story still drew me in. It was hard to put down! Kate’s story, of her struggle with letting Ryan go and seeking the Lord, was described so realistically that you couldn’t help loving Kate. Then her struggles over her attractions to an unbeliever – so realistic! I really appreciated that Jen brought this up in Kate’s story. So many stories out there they fall in love and then the one they love suddenly comes to Christ and they marry – with hardly a mention of the character falling in love with an nonbeliever in the first place. In The Heart’s Journey Home Kate faces this and even resigns herself to the fact that she cannot have a future with a certain character because he isn’t a Christian.
There were a few kisses within the pages of this book. I felt that the kisses were rushed for the characters, but maybe that’s just me. This book deals a lot with single parents raising kids, which was something I’d never really read about before.
If you haven’t read The Hearts Journey Home yet, I highly encourage you to. Jen Stephens is a wonderful author and I enjoyed her story and the voice she used to tell it so much. I am looking forward to the release of her next book at the end of the year. :-)
November 15, 2013
Three years after the unexpected death of Kate Sterling's husband, she moves back to Harvest Bay, Ohio, with her young daughter. She soon discovers that things have changed in the sleepy little community she grew up in. When she suffers another devastating loss, she finally understands that the One who loves and cares for her has given her a second chance at love. But is God leading her to a love linked to the past... or to one who will walk with her into the future?
My Review:
This was a very nice, romantic story, with a heroine and two heroes. My qualms with two choices in men, is that I never know who to root for! In some stories, the choice is obvious. But in this one, both had a place in Kate's heart, and I just couldn't choose for her. The characters were believable in their triumphs and struggles, and I loved how the author choose to write them as people we can really relate to and identify with.
The one and only thing I had trouble with this novel was when the author makes it seem that the only thing you have to do to enter the kingdom of heaven is believe. Yes, belief is a first step, but not the only one. Many people "believe" but that alone will not assure you a place in His Kingdom. Other than that, this novel was a wonderful read with solid Christian values and morals.
This book was provided by the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review.
My Review:
This was a very nice, romantic story, with a heroine and two heroes. My qualms with two choices in men, is that I never know who to root for! In some stories, the choice is obvious. But in this one, both had a place in Kate's heart, and I just couldn't choose for her. The characters were believable in their triumphs and struggles, and I loved how the author choose to write them as people we can really relate to and identify with.
The one and only thing I had trouble with this novel was when the author makes it seem that the only thing you have to do to enter the kingdom of heaven is believe. Yes, belief is a first step, but not the only one. Many people "believe" but that alone will not assure you a place in His Kingdom. Other than that, this novel was a wonderful read with solid Christian values and morals.
This book was provided by the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review.
February 20, 2011
What a dreamy book. How can you get any better than romance with a twist of complications? Of course, romance is always filled with complications, but this one has more than its share. Every one of the characters made me feel like I was right in their living room with their family experiencing their family bond. I loved the sprinkling of faith and scripture throughout that wrapped up the thoughts being portrayed. I felt genuine emotions throughout right along with the characters, and even cried at some points. This was such a moving story, and I would definitely recommend it to all my friends.
September 16, 2013
I thought this was a very touching and poignant story. I loved both the heroes, so it was really hard to know who to root for. They were both wonderful, swoon worthy men. I also liked the heroine, she is a tragic figure but comes out on.the other side with deepened faith and self awareness. I must admit the last few books I have read had a lot of language and sex. It was refreshing to read a sweet romance with with an intriguing plot and not have to wade through so much profanity. Everyone gets their HEA and I really liked the ending. I highly recommend.
July 8, 2011
I liked this romance novel. It was a quick read and I needed something brainless I could get into right now. The plot is predictable, however, and some of the character interactions were too convenient to be believable. Several characters just happened to come into a scene where someone else was speaking out loud and thus key information was shared. Once is okay. A handful of times and the author is just lazy about thinking up ways to really share the information.
June 28, 2015
This is a very touching, eyeopening book. The story of Kate 's journey is so unbelievable close to my heart. Just having lost my brother and now dealing with the dads healthy issues, this book so closely reflects life that it was uncanny to read. Having God in your life is a treasure and a strength to cherish. This book not only made me laugh and cry, it gave me hope and a deeper belief that I to will heal. I highly recommend for a spirit lifting read.
July 17, 2012
In this story, God takes a young, widowed mom and takes her back to her roots and guides her to help others and plug into her community. Her home church is still great and growing and she goes through different trials of faith and so does other church members~
God can take any situation, any person with their brokenness and make it right and good with wholeness!
God can take any situation, any person with their brokenness and make it right and good with wholeness!
May 22, 2011
Absolutely terrific book! As some of you may have realized, I've read it twice in the past six months. Loved it both times. This time was aloud...quite an easy book for reading aloud. Highly recommended! It's a favorite of mine and I personally think everyone should read it. :)
June 7, 2012
A christian story with God involved in their lives. Two people who turned away from God for personal reasons find each other accidently and also find their way back to God. Sweet story, nice beach read!
August 15, 2010
Finished in time for the book club discussion! Yeah!!
November 11, 2012
This is a wonderful heart warming story of loss and new beginnings. If you like Christian fiction, you will love this book!
January 6, 2013
I enjoyed this author and would like to find more books by her. Sweet story about finding love again after difficult hardships and following God's plan for their lives regardless of where He leads.
July 29, 2013
Beautifully written, with believable characters you come to love, this heartwarming story will hold your heart all the way to the very happy ending!
September 13, 2015
what a fantastic book. it will make you laugh and cry and laugh again.. It well worth reading.
August 23, 2010
3 1/2 - 4 stars
Particularly recommend for single parents or anyone who has experienced a loss.
Particularly recommend for single parents or anyone who has experienced a loss.
November 1, 2010
A story of loss and following God's for us--how He can take the bad and make something good.
November 24, 2010
A book about second chances in life and love. An easy read. The characters are likeable.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews