After All (Hanover Falls Series #3)

Deborah Raney is easily one of my favorite authors. Her stories are ones that I often think about for weeks after reading. She has a way of drawing me into a story, making me feel as if I personally know the characters, and that's just how I feel about the Hanover Falls series. Susan Marlowe is dealing with the pain of losing her husband in the Grove Street fire, but a secret that he was carrying comes to light, a secret that breaks her heart, and has her wondering if she really knew the man she was married to. How will she deal with the hurt? Even though this is the third book in a series, the story line still has the ability to provide a few twists and turns that kept me reading. There is still the mystery of who actually set the fire, as well as the emotional turmoil of losing loved ones, and trying to move on after such a tragedy. Susan is a commendable character. She is trying to keep the homeless shelter going, while dealing with the loss of her husband. When her son Davey not only drops out of college but also starts coming home drunk, she learns that he is carrying a painful secret, something that he knew about his father, her husband. "After All" is the third and final installment of the Hanover Falls Series, and while this book can be read as a stand alone work, the series is filled with such amazing characters that you really are going to want to read all three books. While I enjoyed the way the author wraps up this series, I really am going to miss my visits to Hanover Falls. I highly recommend this entire series! A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Raney has a skill for writing Christian fiction. The best part of Raney’s writing may be that the characters are human. They have flaws and talents just like everyone else. In this third novel of the Hanover Falls series, the town is trying to recover from the devastating fire that took the lives of five brave firefighters. The families and friends were left behind must somehow pull through their loss and move forward, with God. They must look past the secrets that fill the small town and forgive each other and themselves. This book is very well written and truly made me see the entire story unfolding in my head. I liked being able to visualize and understand the scenarios as they played out. Although I only read this last novel, I hope to read the first two. The mystery of the book pulls the reader in; I always thought I knew what was coming next but was rarely ever right. Romance also kept my attention, it added spark to my reading. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel and give it five out of five stars.

I have read all of Deb Raney's books and have loved all of them. I especially enjoyed the Hanover Falls series, and Deb wraps it up with a very satisfying ending. Once again Deb Raney takes us to Hanover Falls, the scene of a tragic fire that took the lives of five heroic firefighters. Susan Marlowe mourns the death of her husband David, Pete Brennan carries the weight of the death of four of his men and one woman in the fire, and Andrea Morley must mourn the loss of her closest friend in the fire without the right to mourn him. Raney weaves a story that reveals secrets which affect the lives of all concerned. She gives us characters who tug at our heart, make us angry, and give us hope. The twists and turns of events will keep you turning the pages to see where the next turn takes you. The last in the Hanover Falls series, Deb Raney wraps up the stories of the firefighters and their loved ones who have overcome loss to regain hope and forge a future that draws them closer to God and brings them great joy. After All begins eighteen months after the tragic fire at a homeless shelter. Susan Marlowe, manager of the shelter, mourns her husband who died in the fire. She is finally beginning to heal but discovers a secret her husband carried to his grave. Pete Brennan is the fire chief who continues to believe that somehow he could have prevented the tragedy. Andrea Morley mourns David Marlowe, but does so in silence because he was someone else’s husband. As Susan contends with the knowledge of David’s relationship with Andrea and the behavior and attitudes of her sons following the death of their father, she finds support in Pete who is rebuilding the team at Station 2. As these two grow closer, they learn lessons in love and forgiveness that only God could teach. Can't wait to see what she has for next.

Deborah Raney is a great author and all the books I have read of hers I always enjoy. Thanks to Glass Roads for sending me this book free for my review. The story begins the day David was buried after the fire in the Handover Falls homeless shelter had burned and these men had been killed. She did not bury him in Handover Falls where the others were buried but had him buried beside his parents in Springfield. After eighteen months had passed Susan Marlowe is just now beginning to heal somewhat after her husband David had died in a fire alone with four other firefighters. She then discovered that David had carried a secret to the grave with him. She and her sons begin their lived anew after the fire, but what is this secret? Surly there would have been something she had noticed about David. But when she found out, she knew she should have seen it a long time before David's death. Can she learn to find peace again and will she ever find another man to take her late husband's place in her life?

Deborah Raney is on my "Top 10" list of all-time favorite authors. She consistently gives us great characters with endearing quirks, captivating stories, and leaves us contemplating them long after we turn the last page. After All, the last in the Hanover Falls series, is no different. I highly recommend it.

Disclaimers: I received this for review from the publisher, Howard Books. Thanks once again. I really appreciate you sending me this to review. My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: Oh wow! Why haven't I heard of this series and this author before? I absolutely adored this book. I can't begin to express how much I thoroughly enjoyed this one.Raney crafted a world that sucked me in from the get-go and characters that I couldn't help but love. I haven't read the previous two in the series, but I have a feeling like I am going to have to go back and do so. Let's start with the characters. Yes, both Susan and David made some mistakes, but I couldn't help but like them. Their hearts were in the right place and I definitely loved watching them interact with each other. I've already mentioned I loved the writing, but I'm going to mention that again. I really enjoyed Raney's writing style. Her writing was beautiful, but didn't draw undue attention to itself. Instead, her writing simply took me on a journey where I could unwind and just be thoroughly entertained by the tale. I love Christian fiction and this is one that I'm going to be keeping on my shelf. In Summary: I absolutely adored this book and could definitely see myself rereading this one. The Wrap-up: Christian fiction at its best. Raney has distinguished herself as an author I know I'll be keeping tabs on and one who I will definitely want to read more from. Love, Danica Page

Loved the series. Can't wait to read Deb's next great idea!