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    The Hope of Azure Springs
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    The Hope of Azure Springs
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    The Hope of Azure Springs
    Audiobook8 hours

    The Hope of Azure Springs

    Written by Rachel Fordham

    Narrated by Coleen Marlo

    4/5

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    Currently unavailable

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    About this audiobook

    Seven years ago, orphaned and alone, Em finally arrived at a new home in Iowa after riding the orphan train. But secrets from her past haunt her, and her new life in the Western wilderness is a rough one. When her guardian is shot and killed, Em, now 19, finally has the chance to search for her long-lost sister, but she won't be able to do it alone.

    For Azure Springs Sheriff Caleb Reynolds, securing justice for the waifish and injured Em is just part of his job. He's determined to solve every case put before him in order to impress his parents and make a name for himself. Caleb expects to succeed. What he doesn't expect is the hold this strange young woman will have on his heart.

    Debut author Rachel Fordham invites historical romance listeners back to the 1880s and the charming town of Azure Springs, Iowa, where people care deeply for one another and, sometimes, even fall in love.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherDreamscape Media Audio
    Release dateJul 3, 2018
    ISBN9781974903498
    Author

    Rachel Fordham

    Rachel Fordham is the author of Where the Road Bends, A Lady in Attendance, A Life Once Dreamed, The Hope of Azure Springs, and Yours Truly, Thomas. Fans expect stories with heart and she delivers, diving deep into the human experience and tugging at reader emotions. She loves connecting with people, traveling to new places, and daydreaming about future projects that will have sigh-worthy endings and memorable characters. She is a busy mom, raising both biological and foster children (a cause she feels passionate about). She lives with her husband and children on an island in the state of Washington. Learn more at rachelfordham.com; Instagram: @rachel_fordham; Facebook: @rachelfordhamfans.

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    Reviews for The Hope of Azure Springs

    4/5

    64 ratings21 reviews

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    • 4/5
      This is a beautifully written story that takes readers to 1881 where the land was hard to work and the town was small in Azure Springs, Iowa. The author captures the time period with breathtaking scenery painted by words. I could see the town and the promises of growth and wealth in the small but almost forgotten piece of the world.The character Em is a rare and mysterious young woman. She has been left to die but lucky for her was found and taken in by a gracious family. Em has had a hard life and her strength overwhelmed me. She never gives up and her determination is far greater than most her age. I loved how she didn't want hand outs and was willing to work to repay the family that helped her. She also has a mission to find her sister.Caleb is the sheriff and wants to find out who hurt Em and why. He has this sense of protection over her and wants to help her find answers to her past. Their relationship is slow and I kept wondering why Em was referred to as a plain woman. Perhaps people couldn't see the real beauty she had inside. The author draws the characters closer as they open up about their past. There are emotional times that brought tears to my eyes. Will Em find her sister? Can Caleb and Em learn to trust each other? It's hard to believe this is a debut novel . The writing flows easily and the character development is right on track. There is a bit of danger in the story that will keep readers on their toes. Overall I love the townspeople and how they came together to help Em feel at home.I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishing . The review is my own opinion.
    • 4/5
      This was an Early Reviewers book. In this book, the heroine (Em) wakes up in an unfamiliar place, not knowing exactly what has happened to her. The story takes place in a town in Iowa. Em must face her past, and try to reconcile it with her future. After soul searching and seeking, Em returns to Azure Springs to make her new life, and finally feels at home. Slow start, but got better as the book continued on. I did like the information about the orphan train.
    • 4/5
      The Hope of Azure Springs takes place in the 1880s, is written as a western, and for all age groups. If you are not a fan of westerns please don’t let that fact deter you from reading this debut like I almost did. I assure you that if you give it a try you will not be disappointed as it is a combination of drama, comedy, thriller, and romance. Thus there is a little something for just about everyone.In The Hope of Azure Springs Rachel brought every character, from the two main characters to the most minor character, to life with very distinct engaging personalities and authentic voices that were a delight to get to know. They made me want to move to Azure Springs. I was especially drawn to a secondary character, eccentric Margaret, her attitude toward life and her interactions with Em, the damsel in distress, and Caleb, the Sheriff, who were the two main characters. Rachel brought out in me many different emotions throughout her story from uncontrollable laughter to tears of both sorrow and joy. Rachel’s account of the detestable side of the orphan train made my skin crawl unlike any story I have read. I guess what I am saying is that each and every environment Rachel created in The Hope of Azure Springs was very vivid right down to the tiniest detail. I could easily picture such things as the trees they climbed, Margaret’s house, frog catching, etc. My reason for a 4 Star review is that there were a few undeniable details that seemed out of place for the time period. The most obvious one which did not set right with me was Caleb taking women out unescorted, both of them riding together on his horse and going to remote areas. There was only one instance where it would have been acceptable which I am not going to go into detail about as not to give away the climax. Rachel Fordham, a new and quickly rising in notoriety debut author, has written a story that will take you on a beautiful emotional roller coaster ride you will not want to ever get off. I am definitely putting her on my list of authors to watch in the future as I am very interested to read what she writes next.I received an ARC of this book from the author via her launch group. All options expressed in this review are completely my own.
    • 4/5
      Where will Em decide her best future lies, in The Hope of Azure Springs by Rachel Fordham?Fordham brings to life the story of a “prince” and “princesses,” beauty and ugliness, and the ugly reality of lonely children who travel the orphan train west to very uncertain futures.I loved Abigail and Abraham Howell and the generosity and love they show to Em in her hour of need. I also appreciate the fact that one of their children is NOT walking in their ways. How true to life that can really be. I also loved that the heroine is not beautiful by most people’s description of beautiful. Beauty comes from the inside out. This is one discussion my husband and I have repeatedly with our young, single twenty-somethings. Can Caleb, the sheriff, ever start seeing with eyes of the soul?Sometimes we think the little things we do for others don’t matter. Not so. Em discovers this when Abigail lends her a clean nightgown. “...it was not just a nightdress, it was kindness.”A few other quotables:“Where does a caged animal go when it is freed?”“How will you ever truly live if you are too afraid to be where you need to be?”Definitely, a book to read to experience the varied lives of orphan train children. I gratefully received a copy of the book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affected my opinions. I was not required to leave a positive review.
    • 4/5
      I received this book through Librarything.com Early Member Giveaway for an honest review. This book is a good book. An orphan girl named Em goes looking for her little sister. The book takes place in 1881.I highly recommend this book.
    • 4/5
      Wow! A fabulous debut from Rachel Fordham!

      Both the cover and the description had me hooked when I first saw this on Netgalley, and I'm so glad I decided to read it! It was so lovely to step into this simply-written small-town historical story with heart-melting characters, a sweet romance, and even gun-toting outlaws.

      Both Caleb and Em were unique and realistic MCs with so much depth to their characters. I loved their sweet relationship, easy banter, and lighthearted competition. I also loved the secondary cast of Mae and Milly, Margaret, and the Howells, with the exception of Eliza. Her character was a bit . . . odd. I see why she was necessary to show how Em was different, but I feel like Eliza ended up being unrealistic. There are more effective ways to show the contrast, in my opinion.

      The story, while a bit slow at times, was heartwarming and enthralling. I loved the contrast of inner beauty vs. outer beauty the author made. I feel like so many romances put such weight on the physical and often forget inner beauty entirely. Fordham did a fabulous job with that subject. The romance was slow and sweet and pure, just the way I like it.

      A couple of my quibbles: Eliza, as mentioned above. As well, the writing style seemed a little oversimplified at times, which is probably just my personal preference. Also, some of the dialogue and description seemed historically innaccurateinauthentic. I'm always a stickler for historical accuracy, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment of this book too much.

      All in all, I greatly enjoyed The Hope of Azure Springs and look forward to reading more from this talented author!

      Recommended for ages 14 for mild romance.


      FTC DISCLOSURE: I received an electronic copy of this book from NetGalley. A positive review was not required. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
    • 3/5
      The story's plot was compelling and unique: an "unbeautiful" woman finds love could come to her.The characters' arc, especially of the antagonist seemed to instantly change by one confrontation. The transformation from hate to friends seemed unreal and too sudden.The main character's "ability" to penetrate and "change" other characters' long-term habits by a single conversation made it too "fairy-tale" like.Historical accuracy with some details were missing, throwing me out of the story. (For example, a woman would ride a horse side-saddle, not double with a man, although acceptable for when the character was found injured, later when the ride was repeated, it wouldn't have been appropriate.Another doubt-able premise, major to the plot's development: the man waited for the woman to "find herself and her purpose" rather than being the leader and pursuing her. Both very modern ideas with feminist leanings.)I did enjoy the different take on love by looking at beauty from within.
    • 5/5
      This book has a story in a story in a story and the author has woven them beautifully together.We are given a read that will have you questioning how a child could have been left the way she was, but you get to watch her rescue and how she moves forward.I found this book to be a very fast read, maybe because I found it so entertaining, and I had to know the ending.There are several chuckles, and you just might want to have the tissues handy, there are some very emotional happenings here. Something for everyone, and more!I received this book through The LibraryThing, and was not required to give a positive review.
    • 4/5
      I do not cry very often at books, but I needed a tissue for this one. It has so much suffering and heartache but ultimately, redemption.The story is about Em, a scrawny girl who comes to Azure Springs, Iowa on the orphan train. No one chooses her but an old, angry man. For seven years, Em lives in a barn loft doing hard work and eating little. When the old man is murdered, Em is shot and left for dead. This begins the next chapter of her life. She meets a new family who welcomes her with open arms and show her true love. At the same time, the sheriff of Azure Springs also falls for Em.The story started out slow, but it kept my attention enough to keep reading. I'm glad I did. This book turned out to be very good. I liked the characters and the author uses good description to put the reader in the story. Anyone who likes historical fiction will enjoy this book.
    • 4/5
      The Hope Of Azure Springs, a young girl, Iowa 1881: is she dead? gunshot, she is bleeding badly, this is the introduction to Em. We follow her trying to reclaim her life..I love the way Rachel Fordham writes, will be on lookout for more books from her.. I will give this book 4 stars
    • 4/5
      This first published novel by Rachel Fordham shows great promise for her future career. Set in Iowa in the 1880s, it is the story of Em, who had been placed in Iowa after traveling on an orphan train with her younger sister Lucy. Lucy had been separated from Em when Lucy was placed in a home in a town far to the east of where Em was literally last taken off the train. Seven years with George, her "benefactor", had left Em emaciated and finally as a victim of a shooting during which George was murdered. Dragging herself away, she escaped on a horse only to fall off and be left for dead when she was discovered and taken to the nearest town for care. Here she meets many caring and loving people. Em's journey to find her sister and discover her purpose is the compelling part of this story and what eventually drew me in and captivated me despite what I found to be a slow start to the book. Fans of historical fiction should like this book.
    • 5/5
      Em, our main character, woke up in Azure Springs in 1881. She had been shot and had lost a lot of blood. Her hair was filthy and unkempt with years worth of dirt on her body. There was hardly any fat on her, she seemed childlike and close to death. The local Doctor determined that the bullet had missed her vital organs but she had lost a lot of blood and needed time, rest, and food to recuperate. Caleb the local sheriff who had brought her in was determined to get to the bottom of the shooting and to go back to the place that he had found her in order to bury the man that she had been living with. It only took a few pages for me to be hooked. What a wonderful fast paced and interesting story. The author's style makes it an easy read and really easy to dive right in. I thoroughly enjoyed the book was moved emotionally for the characters and finished the book quickly. I highly recommend it.-Library Thing win
    • 5/5
      I really enjoyed this book. The characters were interesting and the story was great. There is an enjoyable mystery in the search for the bandits who hurt Em and a wonderful tale of a young woman learning to find where she belongs. Even when you think you know how it is going to end, it still gives you a few surprises along the way.
    • 4/5
      Em was sent to Iowa on an orphan train along with her sister Lucy. They are separated when a family takes 7-year-old Lucy but doesn't realize that 12-year-old Em is her sister. No one chooses Em so she is given to George at the end of the line. Seven years later George is murdered and Em severly injured. Em was neglected by George, including not given enough food, and feels inferior because she is plain and unable to read.Em is taken in by the Howell family in town while she recovers from her injuries. Here she learns what a family should be like as she finds a place in all of their hearts except for the beautiful but spoiled oldest daughter. Em must come to terms with her past and learn to trust those who love her as she inadvertently helps them deal with their loses. The sheriff also learns that true beauty is on the inside as his friendship with Em develops.This historical romance is a sweet, fun read. While reader's won't be surprised by the ending, it features well-developed main characters which are likeable in spite of their flaws. However, Em's impact on the minor characters is too abrupt. The experience of a child on one of the orphan trains and its emotional trauma years later is well explored.
    • 5/5
      Really enjoyed the historical nature of the story. Always thinking of her need to find her sister that was lost. I really enjoyed the romance in the story with the mystery of the ending was very nice. The historical Orphan train. story was very well done. Looking forward to more of Rachel Fordhams books.
    • 5/5
      This book was marvelous! It set up so many different scenarios that begs the reader to keep listening. Character descriptions were so vivid, you come to know them as real. Please read. You will love it and wish for more.
    • 3/5
      This book is suited for young adults with all the immature stuff they did and Em cannot read but uses all those big meanings word not realistic I will pass on this writer
    • 5/5
      Rachel Fordham takes us back in history to Azure Springs, a small town in Iowa. The Sheriff Caleb Reynolds has Hollywood good looks without the pride or attitude. Em our leading lady, seven years ago came across on an orphan train from New York. Like many siblings on the trains, she and her sister were separated. Finding Lucy again and reuniting with her is the one thing that keeps Em going. When her guardian is shot and killed, Em thinks this will be her opportunity to pursue finding Lucy. She is finally free. I think I am a lot like the twin seven year old's, Mae and Millie. They enjoyed most the “And They Lived Happily Ever After” at the end of the fairy tails, told to them by Em. That's my favorite kind of story too. Rachel Fordham will take you on an unforgettable journey. Congratulations Rachel on your debut novel, I truly enjoyed it. I received this ARC book from Revell Publishing through LibraryThing. The Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
    • 5/5
      This engrossing work of historical fiction will capture your interest from the very first page, and even after you finish the tale, it will leave you pondering the characters. Em is an unlikely hero. Sent west with her younger sister on the orphan train, they are taken by different people. Em is taken by a man who barely acknowledges her existence and who treats her exceedingly poorly. She vows someday to be reunited with her sister. Fate steps in in a cruel way, and Em, nearly twenty, finds herself being cared for by a loving family. But Em has unfinished business to complete and cannot stay with them. Author Rachel Fordham has done a masterful job of taking us back in time to 1881 and creating a cast of colorful characters placed in a well thought out plot. She brings in such issues as the welfare of the children on the orphan trains, prejudice against others for the way they look, man’s inhumanity, adapting to and accepting changes in life, helping others, and hoping in the face of despair. This well-written novel will entertain as well as enlighten its readers pearls of wisdom.
    • 5/5
      I can’t believe this was a debut novel. This made me laugh and cry. I did not want to put this book down. The orphan train was an interesting idea but unluckily there were too many people who would abuse the system. I loved the characters of Em and Caleb. There were so many twists and turns for a historical novel. I received a copy of this book from Revell for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      The story is about one of the children from the orphan trains, but not one of the lucky ones. Instead, her story is tragic and sad. She seeks her sister Lucy and that is her end hope, to find her sister.This was a really good book. To be honest, the cover art was nice to look at, but it in no way portrayed the story that I read between the pages. It was sad, it depressing but yet encouraging and delightful. It had me smiling and then teary. I loved this book. It took me a day and a half to finish it, and by the time I finished, I had texted my friends the picture of the book to tell them to read it!The story is atypical to the traditional Christian fiction story, especially those set in the time period as this one. For a new author, Rachel Fordham, has captivated me. I want to read more from her. In fact, should I ever get an opportunity to write (aka be motivated) I aspire to write like Rachel.I look forward to more stories by Rachel Fordham and encourage others to read this book also.I received this book from the publisher with no requirements to leave a review. All opinions are my own.

      1 person found this helpful