"He tilted my face up to his, kissing me with a tenderness that begged for tears. Because I'd fallen in love with him. There was no other way to spin it. No other way to write this story. I was in love with Joshua Avery, and everything in me wanted that to be enough."
From Before I Called You Mine by Nicole Deese
Lauren Bailey has been matched up with various men over the past decade but one thing or another leads to these relationships to not work out.
She's satisfied with life, being an elementary school teacher she has plenty of children though certain ones hold a special place in her heart and memory.
Her heart years for a child to call her own though and she's been on an adoption list for several years through a foreign adoption agency.
Enter Joshua Avery substitute teacher at the school where she teaches. He's not just another man though , he has such a passion for teaching the children and creating educational technology that Lauren's heart can't help but to come alive in his presence.
She must fight the awakening of her heart for the first time in a long time though, this is not the times for loves blossoming to awaken.
The adoption agency has strict rules about marriage and adoption and she must follow them or be disqualified from adopting.
He relentlessly pursues her heart though and her resolve is weakening . Can she stay unattached as she's put to the test as never before?
The love of a man or the love of a child?
Is it fair to have to make this heart wrenching choice? Will she be able to choose between the two deepest desires of her heart?
Excellent book, this one will really make you pause to appreciate all you have in your life, all of God's blessings that shine down upon you!
Paperback, 368 pagesPublished March 31st 2020 by Bethany House Publishers
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
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Lauren Bailey may be a romantic at heart, but after a decade of matchmaking schemes gone wrong, there's only one match she's committed to now--the one that will make her a mother. Lauren is a dedicated first grade teacher in Idaho, and her love for children has led her to the path of international adoption. To satisfy her adoption agency's requirements, she gladly agreed to remain single for the foreseeable future; however, just as her long wait comes to an end, Lauren is blindsided by a complication she never saw coming: Joshua Avery.
Joshua may be a substitute teacher by day, but Lauren finds his passion for creating educational technology as fascinating as his antics in the classroom. Though she does her best to downplay the undeniable connection between them, his relentless pursuit of her heart puts her commitment to stay unattached to the test and causes her once-firm conviction to waver.
With an impossible decision looming, Lauren might very well find herself choosing between the two deepest desires of her heart . . . even if saying yes to one means letting go of the other.
Born
in California, The United States
Website
Genre
Romance, Christian, Contemporary
Nicole Deese's eight humorous, heartfelt, and hope-filled novels include the 2017 Carol Award-winning A Season to Love. Her 2018 release, A New Shade of Summer, was a finalist in the RITA Awards, Carol Awards, and INSPY Awards. Both of these books are from her bestselling Love in Lenox series. When she's not working on her next contemporary romance, she can usually be found reading one by a window overlooking the inspiring beauty of the Pacific Northwest. She lives in small-town Idaho with her happily-ever-after hubby, two rambunctious sons, and princess daughter with the heart of a warrior.
To learn more, visit www.nicoledeese.com.
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