Love Blooms at Bethel Series by Deborah Heal

A modern retelling of the Old Testament story of Ruth—a sweet romance about courage, loyalty, and second chances. When Julia passes through the small town of Coldwater, driving her screeching pickup with her mother-in-law and everything she owns in the RV they’re towing, all she wants is to get Helen settled on what’s left of the family farm and hurry back to civilization. Julia’s still mourning her husband, and so romance is the last thing on her mind... moreA modern retelling of the Old Testament story of Ruth—a sweet romance about courage, loyalty, and second chances. When Julia passes through the small town of Coldwater, driving her screeching pickup with her mother-in-law and everything she owns in the RV they’re towing, all she wants is to get Helen settled on what’s left of the family farm and hurry back to civilization. Julia’s still mourning her husband, and so romance is the last thing on her mind. But whenever Neil Ashe shows up, the attraction between them flares—even though his divorce has left him leery of city women, and she’s not interested in muscle-bound farmers, no matter how handsome they may be. Julia soon realizes she’s going to have to stick around to help Helen hold on to her forty-acres because someone is after them. Besides, how could she leave her mother-in-law to the tender mercies of the legalistic bullies who have taken over Bethel Church? They pick at Helen like Job’s “friends,” telling her God has cursed her. Why else would her husband and both sons die in tragic accidents? Julia is determined to deal with everything on her own, just as she’s been doing ever since Lucas died. But Neil thinks it’s his job to make all their problems go away. Will Julia stubbornly go it alone, holding on to both her pride and the memory of her husband, or will she ask Neil to come to the rescue—and into her heart? What readers are saying. . . “A fun read with characters that will pull at your heart, challenge your prejudices and renew your love for the land.” LeAnne Hardy, author of the Glastonbury Grail series. less

A sweet romance about forgiveness, redemption, and love the second time around. Kelsey would never have agreed to be Julia’s bridesmaid if she’d known she’d be paired with Philip Ashe. They’d been close friends in high school—until she wised up—and twelve years later, his reputation leaves her even more wary. Not even a tornado can spoil Julia and Neil’s wedding. But it does leave behind substantial damage in the area, so Kelsey volunteers to go help those affected... moreA sweet romance about forgiveness, redemption, and love the second time around. Kelsey would never have agreed to be Julia’s bridesmaid if she’d known she’d be paired with Philip Ashe. They’d been close friends in high school—until she wised up—and twelve years later, his reputation leaves her even more wary. Not even a tornado can spoil Julia and Neil’s wedding. But it does leave behind substantial damage in the area, so Kelsey volunteers to go help those affected. Then Philip joins the team too, forcing her into close proximity with him yet again. She’s determined to ignore him—and his outrageous flirting—but when his kindness and generosity begin to show just beneath his shallow, devil-may-care façade, she remembers why she fell for him once before. But Philip’s not a Christian, and friends caution her not to be “unequally yoked,” even when he comes up with a wonderful plan to help Coldwater’s needy. But there must be some reason their paths keep crossing. Is God testing her self-control? Or giving her a second chance to witness to him? The battle at Bethel Church rages on as Kurt Haney and other legalistic deacons try to undermine Pastor Garrett Stone’s leadership. Haney’s cruel words in the past drove Philip away from Bethel. Will his obnoxious behavior continue to reinforce Philip’s negative attitude about the church? Or will he finally accept Christ so Kelsey can allow herself to fall in love with him again? less