Reclaiming Hope release week of fun

Starting December 7th

Take me away

We’re talking about dream islands this week in celebration of Carolyn Miller’s release of Reclaiming Hope. This is also the last book on the Hooper Island tour. I hope you have enjoyed the journey.

So, when Carolyn asked us to share what our dream island looked like, it took me a minute to come up with an answer. Then I remembered that I had been dreaming of this fantasy island since 2002.

What mother doesn’t dream of an island getaway throughout her child raising years? Being clung to and called for every moment of the day was not the part of motherhood I was warned about. I didn’t do well with it. Sure, it wasn’t too bad when there was only one child, but then number two can a year later. He was a trip-in-a-half. I loved my boys and had fun, most of the time with them.

Then life became busier and while my husband was driving semi’s across the nation (Maine to Long Beach, CA), I became a single parent without being single. I was all the boys had for a while. When hubby found a local trucking job, it didn’t get much easier because a few years after child number 2, came child number 3.

I dreamed of all sorts of scenarios that involved white sandy beaches, palm trees, fancy drinks with umbrellas in them, and a large expanse of water to look out over. This place was quiet, secluded, and sunny almost all the time. Getting away to this place was a dream, literally, because it was only in my mind.

This island getaway wasn’t a forever fantasy because I love my family and enjoyed being needed. It just represented a vacation that was needed and wanted more from time to time.

Here is the funny thing, and I am sure any mom with grown kids would agree—I have small regrets to my desire to run away back then. Now, I still want to get away to some secluded island in a warmer location (especially right now when it is 20 degrees out), but I want only my family with me. My sons and daughter, my husband, my parents, my brother and his little family. It would be the perfect vacation in my mind when there is zero obligations and we just get to enjoy each other’s company. Sure, there is still plenty of sand and sun, but instead of separating myself from everyone, I pull them all together around me.

(Now, let’s talk about this book)

Reclaiming Hope by Carolyn Miller

Opposites attract—but can they last?

Callie Steele might be a bit…focused on work, but despite what her employers say,

she enjoys her well-ordered, productive life.

When she’s sent to meet the owners of an estate requiring post-hurricane landscaping, Callie meets their son, Kai Brody, a super-chilled pro surfer, who is as opposite from her as they come. Though initially smitten, Callie knows a relationship with Kai is a bad idea—a very bad idea.

Kai, however, can’t help but be intrigued by someone who challenges him to make something of his life again. He’s determined to pursue her, if she’ll give him half a chance.

The more time they spend together, negotiating the challenges of work, illness, and family, the more their opposing outlooks clash and connect. What do these unlikely friends really want from life? Is it best to focus on work or recreation?

As Kai and Callie seek answers from the Lord, they also must consider if such complete opposites have enough in common to make a relationship last.

Reclaiming Hope concludes the Hooper Island stories of the Independence Islands Series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.