Another great story by Robin Lee Hatcher

Julie Grace moved to Wyoming years ago as a young bride.  Recently widowed, she finally feels free to run her cattle ranch the way she sees fit and to enjoy life as never before--free from an abusive husband or any man for that matter.

Hugh Brennan finds himself in Wyoming searching for his sisters he was separated from 18 years ago when they were declared orphans.  He longs to fulfill his dying mother's wishes to locate and take care of his sisters regardless of the time that has passed.  When Hugh shows up at Julie's ranch hungry and with a lame horse, Julie agrees to allow him to stay and work for her until he is able to move on.  When the welfare of Julie's ranch is threatened, Hugh agrees to stay on for a few weeks to help out.

Both Julie and Hugh have been betrayed by those who should have loved them so are wary of trusting others.  But both of them need the other.  While they can't change the past, will they each be able to forgive, move beyond this past hurt and pain into the joyful life God wants for them?

Betrayal: Where the Heart Lives is the second in the series, following Belonging.  While I typically will never begin a series without reading the first book, I did in this instance for the purpose of reviewing Betrayal. Having read it, I am anxious to go back and read Belonging (which focuses on Hugh's sister, Felicia) and look forward to Beloved,  the next book in the series.  I had no difficulty following the storyline of Betrayal as I was expecting.  Ms. Hatcher fills the reader in with details that are necessary to understanding the history behind the characters, making this an easy stand-alone story but I am certain others will feel as I do and want to read the entire series, if only to find the answers to questions left unanswered in this volume.  Ms. Hatcher also has a writing style that is easy to read and flows perfectly.

Simply put, as a lover of historical fiction, I loved this book.  The characters were interesting and multi-dimensional, adding to the story's appeal.   Their ability to move beyond their past and "betrayals" makes them so real and easy to identify with.  You won't want to put this one down.  It is a wonderful story of forgiveness and God taking something ugly and making something beautiful from it.

I did receive this book free from Zondervan Publishing in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to leave a positive review.  To order directly from the publisher:  http://zondervan.com/9780310258094.