Depending on You

Melissa Jagears has added to her Frontier Vows series with a delightful Christmastime novella, Depending on You. I so enjoyed this story of second chances and forgiveness. I highly recommend this entire series. It will not disappoint.

Well written story of redemption & forgiveness between a husband & wife fighting their way back to each other. ***** Wyoming Territory, 1884 - This story picks up 7 months after the previous book ends. Bryan Whittsett has just been released from jail for his part in duping the town. His wife, Leah, has been struggling to make ends meet and come to terms with her injuries and scars. When he returns, her resentment won't allow her to accept him back. As Christmas draws near, he is desperate to regain her acceptance and her love. The town won't hire a convicted felon and Bryant genuinely wants to turn his life around and surrender to God. Additionally, his daughter, Ava, is having marriage problems of her own; after giving birth to a daughter six months prior her husband, Oliver, has grown distant. ***** "God... She closed her eyes. It's been so long since she prayed. She didn't deserve to be heard, and yet... The problem is I don't want to do this. I don't feel like it at all." ***** "Making no attempt to wipe away the tears dripping down her cheeks, she spent the next hour listening to Bryant's breathing while praying for a new heart, a heart that overflowed with desire for her husband." ***** This story moved right along, with a real struggle and the yearning couples feel to be loved and accepted despite pain and disappointments. There is also a charming Christmas play. ***** Easily read in about 3-4 hours. ***** Book 3 in Frontier Vows series. ***** 4 Stars - I really liked it. ***** I was gifted an eBook in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.

Bryant & Leah Whitsett are the primary characters in this book. This is not a typical romance since they are already married, but we learn from a previous book that they have been separated for several months. Bryant has just returned and he anticipates being able to secure a job in town will be nearly impossible. Therefore, he's hoping that Leah will be willing to move elsewhere where he can find a job. In the meantime, Leah has taken over the town laundry shop and learned to be more independent. She also feels that she is needed with their eldest daughter who has a young child of her own. Therefore, she cannot bring herself to agree with Bryant about moving. But, is she willing to see him leave without her? What follows is more than your typical romance. It's more than your typical feel-good Christmas story. It's an object lesson on forgiveness and faithfulness. Bryant broke everyone's trust, especially Leah's and he has to prove himself again. But, will Leah be willing to forgive him and allow him to show he's trustworthy again? Will she allow selfishness and bitterness to interfere with her decisions? Not often am I determined to keep reading so late into the night, but this story kept me up late! I just have to say that I loved it. Forgiveness is a much needed theme in today's world. Thank you, Melissa Jagears for stepping out and tackling this in a way that connects to people. Romance - PG / kissing Language - Clean Themes - forgiveness, selfishness, bitterness, trust My rating - 5 stars