Back when I “restarted” my blog in October, I started following many other book blogs. Everyone seemed to be getting books from a place called NetGalley and my curiosity was piqued. Once I was approved, I decided to take out just one title to see what it was all about — Softly & Tenderly, by Sara Evans.Did I mention that back in October I didn’t have an ereader? Yeah, that was a huge deterent for my using NetGalley. Needless to say, this book sat in my ADE until it expired. The computer was just too hard to read on and my iPod was just too small.Of course, now that I have an ereader, I love NetGalley and regularly request books from them. But I still wanted to read Softly & Tenderly since I was so interested back in October, so I checked it out from the library. Sure I was a little late reading it, but I was getting it done.Softly & Tenderly, the second book in the Songbird series, is about Jade, who is trying to get pregnant. But after suffering a few miscarriages, which ultimately lead to heartbreak, she fears that it’s just not in her DNA to have a child. Just when she’s ready to try again, she finds out that her husband has a child with another woman. Hurt and confused, Jade retreats to her childhood home to find out exactly what her future holds for her.I’ve always loved titles from Thomas Nelson. They have great heart to them, have great plot lines and twists and turns, and they have various aspects of faith in them. I admit that when I originally requested this, I had no idea it was part of a series. I don’t think I was that book savvy at that point to even check and see — I just fell in love with the eye-catching cover (something I still fall prey to).Luckily, this book stand on its own two feet just fine and I didn’t feel lost having not read the previous book in the series. That being said, I don’t think the book left me intrigued enough to read the next one in the series. I liked the characters to a point — they all had hardships they had to work through, which they did, but I was curious why everyone seemed to want to do anything to spite anyone. Secrets were held back in every relationship and I figured that, this being a Christian literature book, there would be a little less deviance from the basics of faith.The faith aspect in this book is pretty subdued compared to other books I’ve read from Thomas Nelson. It was there, of course, but I definitely wanted more — which is saying a lot since I don’t consider myself to be the most knowledgable in that department.The story was definitely intriguing. Things just kept happening and it kept me turning the pages. I liked that I was hooked from the first chapter, but I also felt that the whole story was wrapped up too quickly in the end. Throughout the whole book, things moved slowly, but it seemed like things were a little too neat in the end, maybe for a sake of a resolution.There is a part of me that’s curious about what happens in the next book, He Lifted Me, but I’m still not sure if I’m that interested to read it yet. Still, this is a good title from Thomas Nelson and it was a quick read. At just under 300 pages, it’s easy to finish within a day. It’s a story of moving on in life and love, despite what may have happened in the past — it’s sad, moving, and real. Sara Evans is also an American country singer. This book was sent to me through BookSneeze and the publishers for review.Details about the book:Author: Sara Evans and Rachel HauckTitle: Softly & TenderlyPublisher: Thomas NelsonWhen I requested for this particular book for review, I was not aware of the fact that this is part of a series, in fact this is the second book in the Songbird series. But that is no cause for concern, as you can very well read this book as an individual novella without any need to refer to any part of a series.The main protagonist is Jade, a young woman who has been married for quite some time now to her dashing husband Max. Jade is a successful business woman, with two boutiques in the small town where she lives, and a wonderful reputation of being the perfect woman, except that she has still not conceived.Jade longs to start a family with her husband, though she is unable to bear him a child, and this is one nagging thought that makes her long for a child of her own even more.Jade's world is suddenly turned upside down as she discovers a secret between her in-laws, a secret to which she unwillingly and unknowingly becomes a witness. Already burdened with the thought of her ailing mother who is spending her fight with cancer, this revelation seems like it is enough drama for now. But is it? Jade has more to witness, as she is confronted with a past from her husband, a husband who she loves with all her heart and who loves her back with as much passion, but whose past is now catching up nonetheless with Jade's present, and threatening to ruin all that she believed in.Jade decides to run away from all the confusion and heart-break and decides to take her mother back to where she grew up. Thus Jade embarks on a road trip with her mother Beryl and her mother-in-law June.I will not go into any more details as it would give up a lot on the story.The book is a very fast read, especially as it is in large fonts and can be finished off in one sitting. The characters are nice and can be related to easily, the story is interesting, and I found it a little too easy a read for me.However, as I am a non-believer, I found the concepts of 'Faith' and 'His Power' a little too much for my taste. I would rather have this as a regular book than a 'Believe In God' book. But I definitely do not mean that you will not like the book. The story is interestingly built and I actually liked it a bit, just the fact that the references to 'Him' were a little unnecessary for me, that's all. Hope I am not offending anyone here with my (non)belief.I will give this book two stars: An OK read.
What do You think about Softly & Tenderly (2011)?
Pretty good. Liked the first one better but I'm still looking forward to reading the 3rd one!
—hakki
It was a good book and an easy read. I look forward to reading the last book in the series.
—Gummybeargirl04
Dramatic, soapy, but satisfying book about sin and forgiveness.
—Liv
