What I’m Reading–God Bless the Broken Road

Patricia Bradley What I'm Reading 42 Comments

What I’m Reading–God Bless the Broken Road by Jennifer Dornbush is a story I highly recommend. It’s a story of hope and second chances. But first the scripture verse and photo. Again, a photo from my friend, Deb Smith. She has a great eye for composition. And I thought this verse worked well.

Now for What I’m Reading–God Bless the Broken Road:

God Bless the Broken RoadWar widow and single mom Amber Hill feels like all hope is lost—but when an impulsive and irresistible race car driver comes into her life, he shows her the way back to her daughter, her faith, and a new love in this sweetly romantic novel.

Amber Hill never imagined she would find herself a war widow and single mom. She feels robbed and is angry at God. Where, Amber wonders, are the Sunday dinners, the picnics, the bike rides, the time they should be enjoying as a family? Instead, Amber is left with a folded flag and an empty heart. But above all, while dealing with her own grief, Amber struggles to help her nine-year-old daughter, Bree.

Cody Jackson has a death wish. Or at least that’s what his manager thinks, as Cody pushes his race car and his luck in every race. Is he hiding something as he tempts death and destruction on the track? When Cody encourages Bree to join in a derby car race for local youth, she finds a way to channel her grief into something good. And she likes that her mom and Cody are starting to become friends—or maybe something more.

As Amber struggles to hold it all together, her growing feelings for Cody complicate things. But when the unthinkable happens, she has nowhere left to turn and she finally cries out to God for help. With her faith, her life, her family, and her heart hanging in the balance, Amber is forced to decide between the broken road she knows so well and trusting that God will provide a new path in this heartwarming and charming novel.

My Take: God Bless the Broken Road

I really enjoyed this book by Jennifer Dornbush. It grabbed my heart from the beginning and didn’t let go. I wanted to yell at Amber when she was making bad choices, but in her place, I probably would have done the same thing. The story flowed like a movie…which it became. I could see the scenes in my mind so clearly. Bree was definitely a star in the story, and she will tug at your heart.

The characters are well fleshed out and the problems Amber faces are realistic. The reader hurts for her as she wanders away from God and cheers as she makes her way back. I haven’t watched the movie yet, but I plan to.

A little about the author: Jennifer Dornbush grew up the daughter of a medical examiner and even helped her father on some of his cases since the medical examiner’s office was in their home. I love her two coroner’s daughter mysteries, as well. You can learn more about Jennifer and her other books at her website.

Leave a comment and I’ll enter you in a January drawing for a book from my library. Tell me if you’ve ever told a character they were making a mistake when you were reading a story.

I'm reviewing God Bless the Broken Road by Jennifer Dornbush on my Friday blog. Check it out here and leave a comment and you may win a book from my library! Share on X

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Comments 42

  1. Monique

    I don’t think I’ve done it out loud – 8 siblings, etc…! – but for sure in my head. “Aargh, why are you doing this? Can’t you see the obvious mistake here?” says me, who has insider information from earlier in the book! ;P Yep, definitely do that!! Do you tell your characters off for doing stupid things or leaving the script whilst writing? (Oh, and I wondered why this sounded familiar – I’ve watched the movie, but didn’t realize there was a book! Going on my TBR right now!!)

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  2. Tim Johnson

    Pat, that photo is amazing. Makes me wish I’d seen that scene in person. Good Scripture choice to go with it. I often associate the verse with the night sky, but God’s sky is always showing His glory, isn’t it.

    Yes, there are times when reading a novel, I’m ready to yank the character out of the book and give him/her a lecture. For the most part, they seem to figure it out without my help. I’ve also heard of authors saying their characters occasionally go in a different direction from the author’s original intent. I would think to write realistic characters, an author would almost have to think of them as being alive.

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  3. Perrianne Askew

    I have definitely said that a character is making a huge mistake in my mind but not aloud. I have to trust that the author has a plan to remedy that problem. Your friend Deb Smith has an awesome eye for photography!

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      Patricia Bradley

      Perianne, she has a great eye! I would love to see her go out to New Mexico and get photos of the moon there. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. Somehow the moon and stars seem closer out there. Thanks for stopping by!

      1. Tim Johnson

        Pat, your comment reminds me of one of Ansel Adams’ most famous photos, “Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico”. Way back when I was living in the Washington, D.C. area, I attended a lecture by Mr. Adams in which he recapped some of his experiences. He told the story of how he took that photo. It was essentially a slap shot, if any of his photos could be called that. I found the story retold by Adams here: https://www.anseladams.com/anecdotes/
        I’m fortunate to live in Tucson where the U. of Arizona maintains an archive of Adams’ work.

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        Patricia Bradley

        You are fortunate, Tim. I’ve often wondered why everything is so clear and magnified out there. Something about the atmosphere, I think? Thanks so much for stopping by. I’m off to read about Ansel Adams, now!

  4. Toni Stevens

    Oh I’ve so done it right out loud. Glad I’m not the only one . This sounds amazingly good. And thanks for heads up on the movie. The verse is perfect for that gorgeous photo. Reminds me too that He is in control always. Blessings.

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  5. Betti

    Oh I have frequently said things out loud, words that those characters need to hear…lol! This one sounds good – will have to be on the lookout for it. Love the picture and the verse. Thanks for sharing :).

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  6. Suzanne Sellner

    I sometimes think in my head that I would have made a different choice in that same situation, but the characters wouldn’t change their decisions even if I voiced my displeasure with their choices.

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      Patricia Bradley

      It’s kind of like yelling at the TV, isn’t it, Suzanne? Or Siri. I get so aggravated at myself for doing that. It’s one reason I never use Siri and won’t until they get a Siri that can understand Southern dialect. lol Thanks so much for stopping by!

  7. Gloria A

    I have definitely gotten frustrated when characters put themselves in danger or said something that they shouldn’t have said. 🙂

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  8. Edward Arrington

    Wow! What a gorgeous picture! Love that verse with it.

    There have been many times when I have “told” characters to back away from situations. I can see the outcome of their decisions and know they are headed for trouble. It accomplishes about as much as trying to tell a teenage or adult child that they are walking into an undesirable situation. Unless they ask for advice, they don’t hear me. Obviously, there’s no way for a character in a book to hear me.

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  9. Priscilla Bettis

    It sounds like such a sweet book, and oh yes, I’ve definitely told a character he or she was making a mistake! Second guessing the characters is part of the fun of reading.:-) The sunset photo your friend Deb took is spectacular!

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  10. Alicia Haney

    This book sounds like a very good read,and I love the book cover! Yes,I have told a character that they were making a mistake, especially when they keep making the same mistake. Thank you so much for sharing about this book. Have a Great weekend and stay safe. God Bless you.

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  11. Lelia (Lucy) Reynolds

    Definitely have told them silently. Sounds like a great book. Love the scripture as always. Blessings

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  12. Megan

    Sounds like a good book. I quite often get angry at characters when they make awful decisions, but it usually works out into the end for them.

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  13. Joni R

    Love the photo and the verse is so fitting a reminder for these days we are in. I have had Dornbush on my TBR list for a while. This is a good reminder. Thanks again for all you do.

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  14. Diana Hardt

    Beautiful photo. It sounds like a really interesting book. No, I’ve never told a character they were making a mistake when I’m reading a story, but I have done it to the TV.

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  15. Trixi

    Yes, I have yelled at characters, both in books & on TV…lol! And there have been times when I’m reading a book and I want to smack heads together. I just think that’s the nature of a reader.

    1. Trixi

      I’m sorry, I forgot to add that the book sounds really good! I love a read that pulls out all the emotions. 🙂

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