Restoration is the act of taking something back to its original form or making it better. We restore houses, cars, old furniture, and even relationships. Like anything else that is restored, the likelihood of returning a relationship to the exact original state is unlikely, but let’s be honest, if a relationship was perfect to begin with it wouldn’t need to be restored. And we lovers of contemporary Christian romance enjoy seeing restored relationships in the characters of the books we read.
One trope in particular that deals with restored relationships is Second Chances. Many of the authors here on the blog have written second chance novels. I have one in the In Love and War anthology titled Designed with Love, not to be confused with Designing Love. LOL
In Designed with Love the heroine is a landscaper with a passion for design. To save her fledgling landscape business, Jessie Morgan is determined to win an important design competition–even though her major competitors are ex-fiancé Brendon Jacobs and one-time best friend Scott Meyers. Tensions are high in the quaint town of Silver Spring, Oregon as neighbors and friends take sides. Will Brendon drive Jessie and Scott farther apart, or will they join forces…and find love in the process?
As you can see, there is going to be some kind of relationship restoration. I love how there are so many different ways to show restoration in fiction.
In Merrillee Wren’s book Second Chance Love God’s forgiveness and grace make Sam and Jillian realize they need to do the same for each other.
Toni Shilo’s book Grace Restored tells the power of grace and forgiveness for oneself and others.
In Julie Ardui’s book Match Made in Heaven we see the power of starting over and finding forgiveness as only God can orchestrate.
Valerie Comer’s book Dancing at Daybreak deals with doing things out of order and then finding Jesus. The ultimate restoration!
In Tara Grace Ericson book Summer to Remember Danielle finds the power of forgiveness and redeemed relationships.
Let’s keep the list going. Every comment today enters you for a chance to win an ebook copy of In Love and War. You’ll receive a bonus entry if you list a book by an Inspy romance blogger.
(Drawing closes Thursday May 21, 2020. I will contact the winner via email. The winner will be announced in the Sunday post. Valid for Amazon US site only–Amazon won’t let me purchase books on any other countries site. Void where prohibited by law.)
Award winning author Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance, romantic mystery, and romantic suspense that warms the heart and feeds the soul. Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.
Well, I can’t pass this up!!! I’ve got to mention Mandi Blake’s Unfailing Love series. Each of the six books deals with restoring relationships.The book titles: Just As I Am, Never Say Goodbye, Living Hope, Beautiful Storm, All the Stars, and What If I Loved You. Hallee Bridgeman’s book, Valerie’s Verdict deals with the same thing. Marion Ueckermann’s Chapel Cove books, Remember Me, Choose Me, and Accept Me all have the same type of theme, too.
Second chances (restoration) is a major trope in Christian fiction. It so echoes the restoration of our relationship with God, personally and collectively. Everything ruined! Everything made new. Ah…. I love it.
Hi Kimberly. Thanks for sharing. I enjoy reading second chance stories. Presently I am having a difficult time concentrating, so my reading is limited. Been a difficult year for our family and our Mitten state – Michigan. The Great Lakes since last spring have had the highest water levels in my life time. I never recall Lake Michigan this high. High lake water makes for high rivers and high creeks. A local park is underwater. Midland, Michigan – Lake Huron (East side of the state) was hit Saturday night with 8 inches of rain and it rained for 3 days. Lots of flooding. State of emergency. Shelters are open, but that is north of Detroit were Michigan has the most cases of Covid 19. Pray for Michigan. Blessings. Stay safe and healthy.
Awesome! This is clearly a popular theme. Thanks, Trudy.
So true, Valerie!
Hi, Renate. The water level in Michigan is definitely concerning. Stay safe. Praying things improve.
Stay With Me by Becky Wade is a good novella bout restoring a relationship. Also, What Could Be by Jaycee Weaver. I haven’t read this one yet, but I think it has elements in it about restoring relationships
I really enjoyed Valerie’s Dancing at Daybreak! This new one by you, Kimberly, sounds really good too!
My comment is to say thank you kindly.
Great to know. Thanks, Megan.
Awesome, Margaret.
Several of Valerie Bodden’s Hope Springs series feature second chance love stories: Not Until Forever (book 1), Not Until This Moment (book 2), Not Until Us (book 4). Also, Laurie Larsen’s Sanctuary, though both chances are embedded in the story itself.
Thanks for the list, Lincoln.
Thank you for the post, what a great way to share wonderful books with others.
Not sure of books to add right now but I do love the picture of the cats (was expecting something about cats in the post)
Second Chance is a favorite. If we believe in redemption, then second chance romance is a great way to show our faith in action.