DescriptionAnnabelle Grayson has been given a second chance at life, but she can't claim it with the cloud of her past hanging over her in Willow Springs. After her husband dies, she advertises for a trail guide to accompany her to land waiting for her in Idaho--and a most unlikely candidate applies for the job.Matthew Taylor is a man on the run, with consequences of past mistakes pursuing him at every turn. Meeting Annabelle Grayson the first time was unpleasant enough, but when she crosses his path again, her presence in his life--and what she reveals--is devastating. If given a single wish, Matthew would turn back time and right a grievous wrong. If given a second wish, he would make Annabelle Grayson pay.ReviewThis is the second book in the Chronicles of Fountain Creek series, and the sequel to Rekindled. First, I'd like to say that it's rare I read a sequel and enjoy it even better than the first book, if I loved the first book, and I loved Rekindled. With that said, I'd like to state that Revealed is even better. While it isn't necessary to read these books in order to understand the plot, it will give you an appreciation to see how far these characters have evolved from one book to the next. They are all introduced in the first book and the author has given them such life as second characters that you want to know more about them and discover their individual stories.In Revealed, Matthew is so determined to think the worst of Annabelle. He judges her by society's standards and doesn't see her through the eyes of God, overlooking God's salvation and redemption. One of the reasons Annabelle is so intriguing is that she has a mixture of God's humbleness without losing her individual spirit. She's great with witty comebacks and the tension of their banter is compelling, making the reader eager to see how Matthew will next react. The internal conflict of this story is so strong that it can almost carry the book without an external conflict, although both are present.The plot, the characters' behaviors, and dialogue is believable. The flavor for the historical time period is authentic and pulls you into the story, allowing to the reader to get lost in time and enjoy a great read. On a scale of one to five, I give this book five stars. There isn't anything I would change. All my questions were answered, and the ending very satisfying. I would highly recommend this book, in fact, the whole series. I'm eager to read the third book that is now out, Remembered.
Move over Petticoat Ranch! I still love ya, but Revealed moves into the top spot now. In fact, I dare say I loved Revealed as much as Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers, which has always been my favorite book... period. The title Revealed is so perfect and sums up the story in so many ways.What made this book so amazing? The characters were not just flawed, but they grew throughout the story. Especially the hero. To me, this is the most powerful redemption story I've ever read. The tension between the characters was truly believable. As they got to know each other more they discovered that many of their assumptions about each other were not true, which meant they had to change things about themselves because of that revelation. Is that cool, or what?I don't want to spoil the story for you with too many details, but there was just so much healing and character growth in this novel that it sets it apart from most historical westerns. Sure, you still have the sleazy characters that you want to choke, and they were believable, too. But there is just more depth to this story than most. The spiritual threads were delicately woven throughout the book and not at all preachy, IMHO. And that first kiss was perfect. The finger trailing the lip. The look in his eyes. The romantic waiting. The fact that he said he'd wait. So many things understood between them without a word. Oh, and her scary feelings of love (as a woman should feel) and the wonder of it all was fabulously done. She experienced how special things could be with Matthew.One of the things I loved best about this story was the theme of how you can't love others if you don't know what unconditional love is. Johnny rescued Annabelle from a horrible life and prepared the soil for her to experience true love for the first time in her life. I also loved how the author used Annabelle's concern for Sadie to reach Matthew as well. Their relationship was so well done, as was the guardedness on Sadie's end. Several times my eyes misted. Great emotional impact! I highly recommend this book.
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Continuing in the tradition of one of her favorite books, Redeeming Love, author Tamera Alexander explores the nature of forgiveness in the life of a reformed prostitute. Although some of the issues could have been better explored and in reality would have required more thorough resolutions, this book was a treasure. Annabelle Grayson is endearing as she begins to see herself for who she is, a child of God, rather than what she’s done. Matthew Taylor is a wonderful and lovable leading man, whose weaknesses make him real while his strengths make him adorable. What really sets this book apart are Alexander’s intuitive theological thoughts at the most appropriate places, most notably the notions of filtering every decision through the truth that “only what we do for God will last,” and even more so the realization of what forgiveness what must be like to God: as expressed through the eyes of a failing old man with Alzheimer’s, who cannot remember his own wrongs much less the wrongs of others. Although I did not feel this book was as deep or touching as Rekindled, it did have some wonderful moments and Alexander is still one of my favorite authors.
—Melissa
I will not tell a lie, I was not really cheering for the main female for majority of the book. I know that God forgives people and gives them a new life, but I confess I didn’t like her. So I found myself silently cheering the rift between her and her brother-in-law (I know it was wrong) but I got so involved in this book I’ve decided to be honest about my feelings right through.Then when I neared the end, it hit me about how my attitude is actually typical of how people react in real life. This was a story of true forgiveness, restoration, redemption and falling in love with someone unexpected. No one is allowed to hold anyone’s past against them especially when God has forgiven them and when God forgives, he truly forgives!Alexander writes quality books, I love how the reader is so well informed about the characters thoughts and emotions (after all, it is supposed to be a romance and not suspense) all of her characters are so deep and can usually read into the thoughts and feelings of the other characters in the book..i know that’s not likely but I recognize its her writing style so that the reader can know what is really going on in the hearts of those she writes.4.5 stars…
—LadyS
I have really enjoyed all of the Tamera Alexander books that I've read, but this one isn't my favorite. I love a good romance where the two main characters can't stand each other in the beginning. Usually this situation adds to the enjoyment of the book. In Revealed, Matthew literally hates Annabelle and spends half of the book hating her. This dislike didn't feel "fun." The author was obviously teaching a moral lesson by this but I think I prefer something a little lighter. If you want a good lesson on not judging this would be a good choice of a book to read.The subject of this book was also heavy. The book is about Annabelle's rise above prostitution. You learn that things are not as they seem, hence my comment about not judging. The main characters certainly grow and mature. There is also a definite Christian message to this book.I certainly didn't dislike this book, I just prefer her newer historical fiction books. I would still recommend Tamera Alexander as an author!
—Alyson
