"My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love..." Colossians 2:2
After her abusive husband’s death, Misty Stephens returns to her job as a nurse and volunteer at a women’s shelter. She intends to put her life back together and has no intention of ever being vulnerable to a man again. But when an abuse victim dies in her care, Misty finds herself consoling the girl’s brother ... and fighting attraction.
Adam Jenkins sees Misty’s heart for the oppressed and implores her to help build Hope House, a women’s shelter, in honor of his sister. Though grieving, Adam is drawn to Misty. But he approaches romance the way he does ranching—quick and decisive—an almost disastrous mistake. While dealing with family fallout and troubles at work, this new project and Misty become a light shining into Adam’s grief.
A common purpose binds them together, and Misty’s heart starts to open to Adam. But she finds it much harder to lower her defenses than she imagined. Can any man be fully trusted—especially a powerful, wealthy rancher? When the past rears its ugly head and her reality starts to crumble, Misty's trust in God and hope for a bright future are put to the test. Will hope’s gentle touch finally bring the love Misty’s heart needs to heal?
Praise for Hope's Gentle Touch:
Poole handles the tender topic of abuse with grace and just enough tension to remind the reader that our happily ever afters are often hard won. She writes with the kind of authenticity and wisdom that transforms a sweet romance into a meaningful tale that will give readers something to think about long after turning the last page. -- Sarah Loudin Thomas, Christy-nominated author of Miracle in a Dry Season
A heartwarming novel with characters you can't quit rooting for. This book is perfect for fans of small-town inspirational romance.
-- Heidi McCahan, author of Unraveled
Hope's Gentle Touch is a profound look at the effects of spouse/date abuse on its victims. Heartbreaking and honest, the story weaves a realistic psychological study of the long-lasting turmoil faced by those who are trapped or have been trapped in abusive relationships. Yet author Laura Poole offers words of hope in the midst of tragedy, light in the midst of the darkness. A well-crafted novel that will bring understanding about this often-hidden evil. -- Elaine Marie Cooper, author of Love's Kindling, Scarred Vessels
Author Laura Hodges Poole crafts a page-turning and suspense-filled love story filled with twists and turns that every reader loves to sink their teeth into...a great inspirational novel with wonderful characters readers are easily connected to and an ending that leaves you satisfied.
-- Cindy Sproles, author of Mercy's Rain, Liar's Winter, and What Momma Left Behind
After her abusive husband’s death, Misty Stephens returns to her job as a nurse and volunteer at a women’s shelter. She intends to put her life back together and has no intention of ever being vulnerable to a man again. But when an abuse victim dies in her care, Misty finds herself consoling the girl’s brother ... and fighting attraction.
Adam Jenkins sees Misty’s heart for the oppressed and implores her to help build Hope House, a women’s shelter, in honor of his sister. Though grieving, Adam is drawn to Misty. But he approaches romance the way he does ranching—quick and decisive—an almost disastrous mistake. While dealing with family fallout and troubles at work, this new project and Misty become a light shining into Adam’s grief.
A common purpose binds them together, and Misty’s heart starts to open to Adam. But she finds it much harder to lower her defenses than she imagined. Can any man be fully trusted—especially a powerful, wealthy rancher? When the past rears its ugly head and her reality starts to crumble, Misty's trust in God and hope for a bright future are put to the test. Will hope’s gentle touch finally bring the love Misty’s heart needs to heal?
Praise for Hope's Gentle Touch:
Poole handles the tender topic of abuse with grace and just enough tension to remind the reader that our happily ever afters are often hard won. She writes with the kind of authenticity and wisdom that transforms a sweet romance into a meaningful tale that will give readers something to think about long after turning the last page. -- Sarah Loudin Thomas, Christy-nominated author of Miracle in a Dry Season
A heartwarming novel with characters you can't quit rooting for. This book is perfect for fans of small-town inspirational romance.
-- Heidi McCahan, author of Unraveled
Hope's Gentle Touch is a profound look at the effects of spouse/date abuse on its victims. Heartbreaking and honest, the story weaves a realistic psychological study of the long-lasting turmoil faced by those who are trapped or have been trapped in abusive relationships. Yet author Laura Poole offers words of hope in the midst of tragedy, light in the midst of the darkness. A well-crafted novel that will bring understanding about this often-hidden evil. -- Elaine Marie Cooper, author of Love's Kindling, Scarred Vessels
Author Laura Hodges Poole crafts a page-turning and suspense-filled love story filled with twists and turns that every reader loves to sink their teeth into...a great inspirational novel with wonderful characters readers are easily connected to and an ending that leaves you satisfied.
-- Cindy Sproles, author of Mercy's Rain, Liar's Winter, and What Momma Left Behind
When financier Penny Ruskin returns to Walhalla,
South Carolina, she has one purpose—to settle her grandmother’s estate and sell the Victorian house she grew up in. Not an easy task with the downturned economy. What she doesn't count on
are all the roadblocks thrown in her path.
Walhalla is Tommy McAllister’s life. Between his family’s feed-and-seed store and the bank he’s vice president of, he’s stretched thin trying to survive the recession. But when a girl he hasn’t seen since high school breezes back into town, he’s ready to push himself even further to help her feel at home—and convince her to stay. He reaches out to Penny, but the last thing she wants is to be trapped in a small town that holds painful memories—one dark secret in particular.
The town matchmaker and bank manager, Miss Betty, a motherless teen Emma who lives down the lane from Penny, and the church ladies of Walhalla’s First Baptist add both heartwarming and challenging moments to Penny’s life.
With the past dogging Penny’s steps, dredging up painful memories she’s tried to outrun, relatives threaten the future she has begun to hope for…But somewhere deep inside her, a spark of hope remains. Tommy isn’t the only one praying for a miracle.
Return to Walhalla endorsements:
"A satisfying story you won't soon forget."~ Ann Tatlock, Christy award- winning novelist
"A story about finding one's way to self-forgiveness, it will tug on your emotions and lead you to understand that
God is a mighty God...I highly recommend this book!"
~ Lynette Eason, award-winning, best-selling author of The Elite Guardians Series
"Laura Hodges Poole takes the reader on a delightful journey of returning to faith, hope, and love
in the heart bed of southern Americana."
~ Jenny L. Cote, award-winning author of The Amazing Tales of Max and Liz®,
and Epic Order of the Seven® series
South Carolina, she has one purpose—to settle her grandmother’s estate and sell the Victorian house she grew up in. Not an easy task with the downturned economy. What she doesn't count on
are all the roadblocks thrown in her path.
Walhalla is Tommy McAllister’s life. Between his family’s feed-and-seed store and the bank he’s vice president of, he’s stretched thin trying to survive the recession. But when a girl he hasn’t seen since high school breezes back into town, he’s ready to push himself even further to help her feel at home—and convince her to stay. He reaches out to Penny, but the last thing she wants is to be trapped in a small town that holds painful memories—one dark secret in particular.
The town matchmaker and bank manager, Miss Betty, a motherless teen Emma who lives down the lane from Penny, and the church ladies of Walhalla’s First Baptist add both heartwarming and challenging moments to Penny’s life.
With the past dogging Penny’s steps, dredging up painful memories she’s tried to outrun, relatives threaten the future she has begun to hope for…But somewhere deep inside her, a spark of hope remains. Tommy isn’t the only one praying for a miracle.
Return to Walhalla endorsements:
"A satisfying story you won't soon forget."~ Ann Tatlock, Christy award- winning novelist
"A story about finding one's way to self-forgiveness, it will tug on your emotions and lead you to understand that
God is a mighty God...I highly recommend this book!"
~ Lynette Eason, award-winning, best-selling author of The Elite Guardians Series
"Laura Hodges Poole takes the reader on a delightful journey of returning to faith, hope, and love
in the heart bed of southern Americana."
~ Jenny L. Cote, award-winning author of The Amazing Tales of Max and Liz®,
and Epic Order of the Seven® series
Previously Released Novellas
Amazon Reviews:
The story flows smoothly and reminded me of a Hallmark Christmas movie. A thoroughly satisfying read. I loved the setting. The Blue Ridge mountains at Christmas time. A broken trust, a loving God, healing, and an unexpected twist. Good read. I will buy the next book. Silent Stars of Bethlehem is a delightful story, a quick read that doesn’t feel rushed. I loved the characters, especially Miss Lottie, and Carly’s quirky friend Jenna adds some humorous moments. The faith message is clear, and the changes in both Carly and Drew are compelling and believable. I thoroughly enjoyed it. |
Amazon Reviews: It's unusual to find books that skillfully span reader generations. The Trouble with Jasmine is one of those - equally likable by adults and older tweens/YA. As the story unfolds for Jasmine and Zach, secrets come to light and dreams get sideswiped ~ or do they? It's refreshing to find a sweet and heartfelt story in an avalanche of books that are polar opposite. In this sweet story we see how God can make beauty from the ashes of our grief. There is always hope when we know Christ. This is a clean, inspiring romance. A wonderful book! Very clean and refreshing read! Jasmine is a great character. You'll want to rejoice and cry with her. |
Amazon Reviews: Believable main characters with both joys and struggles that change and grow...Laura Hodges Poole delighted me with her masterful storytelling that led me to scroll from page to page, wanting to know more. She effectively carried her Ephesians 3:20 theme throughout A Christmas Chance, unfolding it beautifully. Altogether, an excellent, heartwarming and worthwhile Christmas story that inspires "more than you can ask for or imagine" hope. Heartache, yearning, hope...all three tangled up in one novella. A great read just in time for Christmas! |
Devotionals
“Hope. It’s a foundation of our faith, but a difficult concept to live out.
Author Laura Hodges Poole understands that, and this devotional gives
us the roadmap for the path from despair to hope. She writes from the
perspective of someone who has traveled that road. Her honesty and
humility draws us in, while her wisdom shows us how living in hope
truly is possible. This book will have a coveted place on my bedside
table and will be a resource that I return to again and again.”
~Edie Melson, co-director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian
Writers Conference and author of Prayers for My Soldier
Upcoming Fall 2023 - Waiting For Christmas - Advent devotional
My aim is to put down on paper what I see and what I feel in the best and simplest way. ~Ernest Hemingway
Get More Inspiration!
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"Lord, make me a crisis man. Let me not be a mile-post on a single road, but make me a fork that men must turn one way or another in facing Christ in me."
~ Jim Elliot (martyred American missionary)
"Living is never easy...all human history is a record of achievement in disaster, and...our great
asset is the valor of the American spirit."
~ Rose Wilder Lane, author (daughter of Laura Ingalls Wilder)