👶🏻👣💕 "A Father's Promise" (Bliss, Texas #1) 💕 👣👶🏻 (2020) - Book Review
Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for A Father's Promise by Mindy Obenhaus, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: A Father's Promise
Author: Mindy Obenhaus
Author: Mindy Obenhaus
Publisher: Love Inspired
Release Date: June 16, 2020
Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Romance
He doesn't think he deserves a family...
but now he has a daughter.
Stunned to discover he has a child, Wes Bishop isn't sure he's father material. But his adorable daughter needs him, and he can't help feeling drawn to her mother, Laurel Donovan -- a woman he's finally getting to know.
But can this sudden dad overcome a past tragedy that has him convinced he's not meant to be a husband or a father...and make a promise of forever?
MY REVIEW
Thank
you in advance to the author, Mindy Obenhaus, along with JustRead Publicity
tours for providing a complimentary copy of this book to review. A positive review
was not requested or required. All words are my own.
Obenhaus
is an author I’ve had the privilege of reading a previous novel of. That was
the emotional “Her Rocky Mountain Hope” which was book #5 of the Rocky Mountain
Heroes series. I enjoyed book #5 so much that I, with some difficulty, tracked
down the previous four novels. And, while I haven’t read them – they are on the
TBR list that for some of us readers; never ends.
This
book had such a journey and history to me. The first copy never made it to me
and is in transit somewhere as of this review. I did get a replacement, which
made it. Talk about the message of God has his own plans …
Anyway …
There
is SO much goodness in this novel it is hard to know where to start. I truly
don’t. There is just a lot to love about this novel.
I LOVE
stories set in Texas, preferably those in small towns; add in the SUPER-CUTE,
absolutely ADORABLE cover with that baby (awww) … this is a perfect summer
read. Okay, let me amend that – perfect ANYTIME read. Texas, babies, and cute
guys? I’m in!
The
characters were SO realistic that it was as if I knew these people. I
definitely identified with Laurel the most, and that was surprising. I was born
in Grand Prairie, Texas (and lived in the Dallas area for several years) so
there is that connection. I also LOVED the Dallas Cowboys (and just recently
found my t-shirt), I still drink Coke, I totally understand the rejection of a
parent (father), and I have about the same feelings about dating. Most of the
foods in chapter 15 are my favorites (except potato salad).
The Bluebell
Ice Cream reference makes me miss it SO much and made me feel like I was at
home. It definitely should be the official Ice Cream of Texas, and for a short
time I had it in my area (praying for it to return someday). In addition, I
grew up in and currently live in the Las Vegas, NV area. I especially loved the
reference on pg. 107 about “what happens in Vegas” (with reference to the
one-night-stand). Kudos and thank you to the author for that.
I was
also raised by my mother and grandmother for several years. So it is VERY
little surprise that I truly enjoyed Obenhaus’ realistic writing in this novel.
I adored
how Wes wanted to jump right in and be a father to that cute little girl
without hesitation. His attention and devotion to her was beautiful and
endearing.
Obenhaus
doesn’t make us wait too long to learn about Wes’ tragedy or the big reveal –
most of this is done by the end of chapter 3. As the story progresses, it is
sad to see that Wes doesn’t feel worthy of having his own family, culminating
with the complete reveal in chapter 14. The fear of failure was definitely
understandable.
The
other characters were great in their own way. I did feel a bit overwhelmed with
how many people were in the story. However, I definitely can’t wait to read
their stories in this series. Since this is the first book of the series, it is
obvious it is a standalone read, but I am sure it won’t remain that way.
The
side story, of the work on Irma’s home, seemed to act as a metaphor for what
was going on in Wes and Laurel’s lives.
Obenhaus
also gives the reader two gut-wrenching stories for the price of one. So this
is one of those “grab the tissues” and curl up kind of reads.
There
was some stress of will/won’t he return for Laurel which was at times annoying,
but completely understandable given the character’s past with her father. In
addition, Wes’ conflict between doing humanitarian work in Iraq or staying
close by for the baby was definitely nail-biting.
One
thing that I wished had been addressed was the motive/reason for Laurel’s
grandmother returning some letters. I wanted to know more about that to truly
understand what happened, and where that story line was going.
Obenhaus’
writing is just beautiful – weaving at times a light-hearted and heart-warming
tale, but adding in the realism of abandonment, death, and redemption. She isn’t
shy when tackling them and knows how to tug at the heartstrings. I didn’t
really want to put this book down. So, I am certain her fans and those of the
genre would be delighted to read this latest offering. It is her tenth (10th)
LOVE INSPIRED novel and what a treat it is.
Since it
is “LOVE INSPIRED”; which is a more Christian/faith themed line; there will be
references to God, faith, even bible quotes. This has some strong themes of
faith, redemption, and forgiveness. The tone isn’t preachy, but this book does
tend to go heavier than some. The message that Obenhaus delivers is that God is
in control – he has a plan/purpose for all of us despite the pain and tragedies
we go through.
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal
Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
RATING:
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
CONNECT WITH MINDY:Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads | Bookbub
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a signed copy of A Father's Promise, a $20 Amazon gift card, and a James 1:17 mug!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight July 6, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on July 13, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
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