Book Review and Giveaway: Seasoned Grace - Sara Beth Williams, Author

Seasoned Grace: Hooper Island (Independence Islands Book 14)

By Melissa Wardwell

Contemporary Christian Romance

About the Book

You can run from your past, but you can’t escape it.

Though he disappeared that day, Raylin McReynolds never believed her father died at the World Trade Center on 9/11.

So, when a mysterious letter arrives from Breakers Head, informing her that she would find him on the Independence Islands off the coast of Georgia, she has no choice but to find a job, get there, find her father.

As mainland troubles encroach on Hooper Island, Sean Anderson devises a plan and presents it to the island pastors and his cousin, Scott. The result: Grace Mission—a place where those struggling can find the help they need.

What he didn’t need was a distraction in the form of a newcomer to the islands—a mission volunteer, no less.

Others at the mission, Beth and Scott, see more than just frustration brew between Raylin and Sean. What will it take to convince Sean and Raylin to stop bickering long enough to see what’s obvious to everyone else?

Raylin’s on a mission to find her father and protect her heart, but neither seem willing to cooperate.

Seasoned Grace continues the Hooper Island stories of the Independence Islands Series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

The Independence Islands Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.

Amazon

My Thoughts

This was a fitting story to read in September, on the 20th anniversary of 9/11, a day that changed US history forever (and the history of the world, really) I thought Wardwell’s depiction in the beginning of that day 20 years ago was well done for this genre and this story in particular, as it portrayed just the right amount of fear, emotion and desperation. Not too graphic, and not too emotional. Unless you were in New York on 9/11 and have had personal close experiences, those first few scenes should be just fine.

Overall I enjoyed this story. I’m seeing more stories with double couples involved recently. (essentially two storylines woven together between 2 different couples) I found no problems with this method of story telling here, as the plot flowed smoothly. Actually I would have even appreciated more background info on Raylin’s father’s past. We do find out where he was 20 years ago, and then discover who he is in the present, and Wardwell does go into a little bit about where he was for the past 20 years, but I think it would’ve been fascinating to know more details there.

I love double meanings in titles, and this one particularly hit the mark. This was a great romance with a solid message of Grace and Love.

Independent Island series note:

All of these books can be read as stand alone stories. All of the authors have done a superb job of creating books that can be enjoyed whether you’ve read zero, one or ten of the other books. The connections comes from the settings of all of the different Independence Islands.

However, all of the books under the same author have recurring characters and it is enjoyable to read those together. If you’re interested in this story, check out the rest of Melissa Wardwell’s Independence Island books to dive deeper into all her characters’ stories. Be sure to read her author’s note below as she reviews some of her earlier Hooper Island books.

Hear more from Melissa below, and don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

About the Author

She doesn’t mind alternating between the world of writing and the reality of being a mother, but she would rather sit with a good book or a good friend and a cup of coffee.

When she isn’t penning works of fiction, she is busy reviewing books for her blog, Back Porch Reads.

To see more from Melissa Wardwell, visit www.melissawardwell.com

More from Melissa

Here we are, in the middle of the collection. The third island—Hooper Island. Have you enjoyed the journey so far? I hope you have, I’m sure you have 😉

Seasoned Grace quickly became my favorite addition to the Independence Islands Collection. It is a little more serious on a few of the topics than my first two contributions. Now that a foundation has been set, I felt like I could get a little deeper into my character’s emotions and pasts. People are complex so writing two-dimensional characters are not something I like doing. I want readers to see the secret hurts that mold them into the person they are, and how God can heal those painful areas.

Grace is the running theme throughout this book. Grace enough to let things go, the Father’s grace, showing grace to those around us, and any other form of grace that might come up. Grace is like salt and pepper. It gives the right kind of flavor to our lives. At least I think that is a life quote Gram would tell Beth.

There is one chapter that you will see one of the new characters lay out their painful past in a rather quick way in a conversation with another character. This character suffered much in their life that some will struggle with understanding how they could talk about it so freely (which is why I am shining a light on it now).

When a person has found healing in life by following Christ and has allowed Him to take away the sting of what others have done to them, those moments become easy to talk about with others. Especially if it means that the one listening will seek healing for themselves.

This conversation in the book is intense and thought-provoking. It also displays the level of grace required to see people the way God might see them instead of through our tainted lenses. I found myself crying as I wrote it because I know how freeing it is to forgive and let the Father heal a wounded heart.

Seasoned Grace also has several returning characters—Beth and Scott, Thaddeus, Amara and Dante, Sarah Reid, and her boys. There are also two new faces, Raylin and Sean, as well as a couple of other mobile business owners who come together to help Elnora Island bounce back from a hurricane.

All my contributions to the collection flow from one book to the next like a television series. While the other writers may have written their stories to be independently read from the others, that is not something I have done. Trust me when I say that it wasn’t my original intent. As I saw my five stories develop, there was a constant feeling of community and character interaction throughout the books. I couldn’t just leave some characters behind, never to be heard from again, while I bring in new faces. It just wouldn’t be right. They have developed friendships and that cannot be overlooked. That said, when they come together at the end for Thanksgiving dinner, they, and you the reader, will have a pleasant surprise.

So, stay with me, push through, read on—it will all be worth it in the end.

P.S. I realize that I gave a recipe for Scrumptious Independence, but not Heart Pressed. I apologize for that one.

I hope this one makes up for it. This is Scott’s favorite:

Fish Tacos

Oil

If you don’t have a deep fryer (like me), get a thick bottom, deep pan

Use natural oil, like corn or canola oil

Gauge the temperature with a candy or deep fry thermometer

Fill your pan no more than 2/3 of the way

Heat the oil slowly to 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit

too low of heat, you will get greasy fish

too high of heat, you will burn the fish