I enjoyed the beginning but too much happened at the end.

3 Stars ( )

58183

Can be read as a stand alone. Four books in series.

FROM AMAZON: For most, it's the safest place on earth. For Gracie, it's the last place she wants to be...and the one place she must return.

With nothing but five dollars and the wedding dress she's wearing, Gracie Lister flees with her daughter by train to West Texas, to the town she ran away from so long ago. There, they find refuge in the home of Michael Wayne - devoted single father and seasoned soldier - who gives Gracie a job caring for his two children and the hiding place she needs from her former fiancé.

Michael and Gracie aren't looking for love, but it finds them right away. And then trouble comes to call in the form of Gracie's ex-fiancé who is now on the FBI's most-wanted list. Together, Michael and Gracie must find the strength they need to protect their newly forged family.

"Colleen weaves intrigue and God's love into a story full of carefully crafted characters. If you're looking for an awesome writer, I highly recommend her!" (Tracie Peterson, best-selling author of Dawn's Prelude, Song of Alaska series) ( )

It's Gracie's wedding day and her life had finally taken a turn for the better when the rug is swept out from under her. In fear for her life and the life of her young daughter, Hope, she runs with only her daughter and the wedding dress on her back. Michael has just returned from a tour in Afghanistan. He's come home to care for his children after his children were devastated by the tragic death of their mother...his ex-wife. Michale and Gracie's first meeting was something out of a fairy tale, yet believable enough to keep me fully engaged in the story. I loved it! My favorite parts of the book: I loved watching Michael and Gracie work with the children. Sure, they had disagreements, but they learned how to compromise and they both really WORKED at it. Parenting isn't easy and I liked how Ms. Coble shows that it's a skill to hone on a daily basis throughout the children lives. It was a nice touch of reality.

The series has taken off since the first book. I like seeing the other couples participate in the new stories, too. I should mention that the books are a little formulaic; all the couples enter into marriages of convenience, usually for the safety and benefit of one parent's child (or in this case, both parents children). However, there's a big payoff for the reader.

The couples face unique challenges. Without the benefit of a long courtship, they are literal strangers, forced to deal with the personal baggage each brought into the new marriage and blended family. Ms. Coble adds her talented mix of suspense and romance, faith and love, taking the reader along on for the journey.

Lonestar Homecoming is a fantastic addition to the series! It's by far my favorite installment to date! ( )

audiobook- 2.5 stars
A romantic tale of rescue and trust. Gracie runs form her wedding, in he dress with her ver young daughter to start a new life. She is fearful and guilt ridden and does one stupid thing after another IMHO. ( I was shaking my head at her more than once) She is broke has a hungry child and meets a man, Michael, who has just lost his wife and needs help with his home and children. It's a good situation except both of them have a past that wants them to suffer and is not going to disappear.
It was a short romantic tale, with bits of Christian beliefs thrown in but not preachy. I was seriously annoyed with Gracie's idiotic thoughts and moves a few times. Michael, the hero was a wonderful character. I felt sorry for him getting straddled to this clueless woman. I bet you can see that I didn't care for her character much. She was unbelievable and lacked common sense, and hid from everything. The narration was very good, it made the story more interesting. ( )