Belonging

Robin Lee Hatcher

Aug 2011 · Where The Heart Lives Book 1 · Sold by Zondervan

About this ebook

In the high desert town of Frenchman’s Bluff, Idaho, Felicia Kristoffersen has set out to create a future for herself that is better than her painful past. Alone in the world with only her faith to sustain her, she must prove herself as this tiny community’s new school teacher. She cannot, must not, fail. But, there are those who never wanted her there to begin with. Five years after the death of his wife, local merchant Colin Murphy cares about just one thing: raising his daughter, Charity. Colin wants to give her the educational advantages he never had. The new schoolmarm’s inexperience doesn’t sit well with him, and if this teacher up and marries like the last one did, Charity’s heart will be broken once again. A woman who hasn’t known love. A man who lost the love he had. In the midst of the wide, sage-covered plains, each is about to discover that life’s bitterest circumstances truly can work together for good. Tender, evocative, and beautifully written, Belonging is a journey about love after loss, and about two hearts destined to become one—despite their stubbornness! Belonging is Robin Lee Hatcher at her best! —Tamera Alexander, bestselling author of Within My Heart and The Inheritance Belonging is vintage Robin Lee Hatcher: a touching, tender love story, filled with genuine conflict and characters that quietly build a nest in your heart. A skillful blend of description, emotion, and spiritual reflection, Belonging will sweep you away to late nineteenth-century Idaho, glad to have a seasoned novelist driving your buckboard wagon with a sure hand. By story's end you'll no doubt sigh with relief, smile with delight, and turn back to page one for a second visit with our determined Miss K. Loved it!" — Liz Curtis Higgs, New York Times bestselling author of Mine Is the Night

Ratings and reviews

Following the death of her parents, Felicia Kristoffersen chooses to embrace the opportunity she had to sacrifice in order to help the aging couple who once took her into their family. She starts over as the new schoolmarm in Frenchman's Bluff, Idaho. She's determined to make an impression upon those who didn't want her as the schoolmarm--especially Colin Murphy. Colin Murphy voted against Miss Kristofferesen as the new schoolmarm. After all, the other single schoolmarms up and left after finding a husband and marrying, leaving behind school children who felt that loss--including his own daughter, Charity. He doesn't want to see his daughter hurt when this schoolmarm does the same thing. As he gets to know Felicia, he realizes he just may be wrong about her motives for taking the position . . .and his own feelings toward her start to change. . .so much so that he can no longer avoid the very thing he was once against . . .taking away the town's schoolmarm. Belonging will keep you hanging on every word. I couldn't put it down. This novel is filled with sophisticated prose and writing, as well as outstanding characters and a compelling plot. I have to admit the writing style and tone in this novel appears to be different from any of Robin Lee Hatcher's previous works--which is both enjoyable and refreshing. While I've enjoyed Robin Lee Hatcher's other stories, I took to the style of writing, and the story itself, more than her others. I loved seeing the use of historical idiomatic phrases this story. If you aren't familiar with historical idiomatic phrases, some of them might have you scratching your head for half-a-second, but most--if not all--are fairly easy to figure out. I wish the trouble maker in this story had been a little more fleshed out, as far as motive goes. While I can understand what drove her despicable actions, I'm not sure what drove the motive for her actions. The one given to us didn't seem entirely too realistic. With that said, this trouble maker accomplished getting under my skin. I even found myself wishing she weren't a fictional character so I could give her a piece of my own mind. All in all, this has to be one of my favorites by Robin Lee Hatcher. I definitely recommend it. Fans of schoolmarm stories, will absolutely love Belonging. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zondervan Publishers, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

If in doubt, read the free sample, or the whole book, & decide for yourself, but I disagree with the 1 star reviewer ! While this one may not be anything magnificent, it is a very decent read. Has many good things going for it & while the plot may be predictable ( most romances are ! ) , It avoids the feeling of forced plot twists & pathetic drama. It avoids being annoying, to me. I lack the intelligence & education, myself, to further out my thoughts into words here, but it def. deserves 3 to 5 stars !

How I loved this wonderful story! The characters were brought to life by this amazing narrator. The author has created a story full of her special words that show the healing of hearts and God’s goodness. She even helps my faith and makes it stronger. Simply amazing❤️❤️

About the author

Robin Lee Hatcher is the author of over 80 novels and novellas with over five million copies of her books in print. She is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. Her numerous awards include the RITA Award, the Carol Award, the Christy Award, the HOLT Medallion, the National Reader’s Choice Award, and the Faith, Hope & Love Reader’s Choice Award. Robin is also the recipient of prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards from both American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. When not writing, she enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, Bible art journaling, reading books that make her cry, watching romantic movies, and decorative planning. Robin makes her home on the outskirts of Boise, sharing it with a demanding Papillon dog and a persnickety tuxedo cat.