Price of Trust - by Amanda Stephan

Beaten and betrayed by the one who was supposed to love her, Carly Richards is on the run!  Forced to live as a fugitive as her ex-fiance stalks her across the country, Carly finds refuge in a small town in Montana.  Unsure how long it will be before she has to run again, she resists the friendliness of those around her - especially handsome farmer Joe Baird.  Caught in the circumstances, the kind people around her begin to creep into her softening heart.  God is at work, and she has to trust Him to not only take care of her, but care for the people she is learning to love.  Carly must learn the Price of Trust!



Confession time.  This book was given to me several months ago by the author, Amanda Stephan, along with her newest book, "Lonely Hearts".  Amanda sent this to me during our library's 13th Anniversary Celebration that we were having earlier this year.  They both looked interesting as I skimmed through them, so I put them into the computer and added them into circulation in the library.  In the back of my mind, I told myself to remember to pickup "Price of Trust" and read it soon.  Let's fast forward to last Sunday at church.  I had plans for the week to travel to Chicago for business so I needed something to read on the plane.  I saw "Price of Trust" and thought it would keep me occupied during the week.  Well, let me tell you, I was wrong.  Not only did it not keep me occupied during the week, it almost didn't last the entire plane ride to Chicago.  When I touched down Tuesday morning, I had about 40 pages left to finish the book.  Luckily, my conference didn't start until noon, so I was able to check into my room and finish the book!

We meet Carly as she is praying her car to take her "one more mile".  The car finally dies in a small town in Montana.  Carly finds work and housing at a hardware store run by a little old man named, Sam.  Sam and his wife take Carly under their wings,  happy to have someone onsite to help Sam with the running of the business.  Carly begins to let her guard down as she makes friends at church, especially Joe.  Knowing that he good fortune can't last long, though, she begins to pull away again.  As mysterious phone calls begin, and strangers start showing up at the hardward store, Carly knows that it's time to move on.  Does she finally open up to Joe?  Will she let Sam in on what's happening?  Not going to tell you, you'll have to buy the book...... HAHAHAHAHAHA!

I loved how Carly was always "talking" to God through the first part of the book.  It showed me why she had been successful in avoiding her ex-fiance, by giving it all to Him and letting Him guide her way.  I was a little disappointed, at first, that she seemed to have stopped talking to Him, but then I realized that isn't that the way we do as well?  When things are against us, we are in constant prayer with Him to help us through the situation, but when the seas calm again, we go back to thinking we can handle it on our own.  The relationship the builds with Joe touched me as a father, because that is the type of man I wish for my daughters.  Joe is strong not only physically, but also in his faith as well.  He also recognizes the mind and spirit of Carly, and as she befriends another man that isn't well liked in town, he trusts that he intentions are clear.  When Carly walks this other guy through salvation and acceptance, Joe is there supporting her and his new christian brother.  I will miss these characters, as I rooted for Carly through this whole book, and was glad to see it end the way it did.

Is this a "man's book"?  This book did catch my attention and keep me interested.  There was intrigue that flowed throughout the book and culminated at the end.  The relationship part of the book might turn some men away, but I would tell them to suck it up and read it.  There is a lot to be said sometimes with how a woman writes a man's character, and I think this time that Amanda did us men justice.  Thanks for reminding me, Amanda, how the real character of a man should look.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amanda Stephan is just a normal, everyday country girl.  Residing in Tennessee with her husband and children who closely resemble several of the seven dwarfs (sleepy, sneezy, grumpy/happy) three cats (only because hubby refuses to get one of his own so she must share) one dog and multiple roosters that love to roost under the bedroom window.  She loves to laugh and have a good time, and read a good book.

She finds writing to be her opportunity to share God's love for others in a fun and entertaining way. Not quite a recluse, Amanda is camera shy, doesn't like to be in the spotlight and LOVES to have her feet tickled.  She would say that her most interesting accomplishment is her ability to laugh like Scooby Doo.

You can check out her website at Books By Amanda


Amanda is graciously offering a free copy of this book to me to be given away through my blog.  So please leave her some comments, leave me a way to contact you in case you win, and go buy her books!