This story has a powerful message of forgiveness...forgiving oneself; forgiving others. There is also the message that that forgiveness can only come through one's faith in and dependence upon God. One of the surprises in the story is diabetes related, which tends to bring any story a little closer to home for me (since my daughter has Type 1, my dad and I have Type 2).

If you enjoy stories of faith, with a little romance thrown in, you may enjoy this book. ( )

Penny Cartwright and her brother, Brad, were very close and that’s why she was angry with him when he announced that he wanted to be the drummer for country singer Trevor Reynolds. That would take him away from the Ranch. Brad and Trevor soon became close friends. Trevor envied Brad as he’d listen to stories about his dad, sister and the folks of Kings Meadow. Then the unthinkable happened. A car accident that takes Brad’s life. Not only does Trevor blame himself, even though he wasn’t driving, but Penny blames him as well. In keeping a promise to Brad, Trevor shows up in Kings Meadow. Penny’s not happy about him being there and wants him gone as quickly as possible. Her dad, however, understands that God had a purpose in Trevor being there. Will Trevor and Penny work through their pain and discover the true meaning of forgiveness?

The cover as well as the title made me want to read this book, but I must say, the story inside was a real treasure. I love how the author shows the emotions of the characters so authentically. I appreciated the things that Trevor and Penny learned along the way, that the reader can learn too. You’ll see how the influence of Brad affected Trevor’s life, yet I’m sure Brad was unaware. That’s so true in real life; you never know the impact you have on someone, whether good or bad. Throughout the story, you learn more about Brad, little bits at a time, which I liked. Trevor was a wonderful kind of hero; he had an inner strength yet was vulnerable. His kind and gentle ways will suck you in like a vacuum. Penny was someone you could relate to. She dealt with anger, guilt and worried about carrying her share of ranch responsibilities with her father. We’ve all, I’m sure, dealt with at least one of those things. I thoroughly enjoyed the chemistry between Trevor and Penny, it definitely kept me turning pages. Although this is part of a series, you can easily read it as a stand alone. You won’t find danger, suspense or intrigue but what you will find is a beautiful story of two hurting people who learn what it means to trust the Keeper of the Stars.

*This complimentary copy was provided by Thomas Nelson through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

A few favorite quotes:

His son had had the gift of discernment. He’d cared about and accepted people wherever he found them, then had drawn them closer to God by being a loving friend. Brad had sent Trevor to Kings Meadow out of love Rodney understood that much.

He [Trevor] remembered Brad, the way the young man’s faith had seemed to shine through him, like sunlight through a stained-glass window.

“It isn’t New Year’s yet. I can make us some decaf while we wait for midnight.” “Sure. I’ll come in.” He didn’t take a seat at the table, as expected. Instead, he stood only a few feet away from the coffeemaker, observing her every movement. She felt nervous and clumsy. “You know,” he said, his voice low, “maybe coffee isn’t what I want.”

For more information about this book or other books by Robin Lee Hatcher, I encourage you to visit her website at www.robinleehatcher.com ( )

Title: Keeper of the Stars (A Kings Meadow Romance #3)
Author: Robin Hatcher
Pages: 304
Year: 2016
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
My rating is 5+ stars.
Typically one looks to the genre of romance once in awhile encountering emotions such as grief, anger, loss, and a host of other often viewed negative emotions. However, while there are those emotions in the story, the truth is what shines brightest and that is God makes beauty from ashes. Here readers will find the heart encapsulated within the grief that Penny Cartwright and her father experience in the loss of a brother/son.
What kept it so captivating was how the author switched back and forth between current happenings on the Kings Meadow Ranch and past expressions of Brad, who they lost. With the keen insight of what Brad thought, felt and expressed to his Dad and sister, readers will come to understand the tight bond the three of them experienced as a family. On the opposite side of a close family is a young man named Trevor Reynolds whose family closeness didn’t include his father and it colored negatively how Trevor looked at God.
As I moved toward the conclusion of both the series and characters, hope began to come to the forefront as a main theme. I easily envisioned the scenes in the novel whether it was mucking out stalls or riding horseback in the snow. My heart would be gripped by some of the hard times the various characters went through like when an unexpected emergency came up with Penny’s dad.
I hope you curl up and enjoy reading Robin’s works of fiction because they are truly enjoyable and captivate the heart of the reader!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” ( )