Where the Road Bends

Author: Rachel Fordham
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: June 7, 2022

The strongest love is formed in the crucible of hardship

As Norah King surveys her family land in Iowa in 1880, she is acutely aware that it is all she has left, and she will do everything in her power to save it--even if that means marrying a man she hardly knows. Days before her wedding, Norah discovers an injured man on her property. Her sense of duty compels her to take him in and nurse him back to health. Little does she realize just how much this act of kindness will complicate her life and threaten the future she's planned.

Norah's care does more than aid Quincy Barnes's recovery--it awakens his heart to possibilities. Penniless and homeless, he knows the most honorable thing he can do is head on down the road and leave Norah to marry her intended. But walking away from the first person to believe in him proves much harder than he imagined.

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Reviewer:  Connie Porter Saunders

'She'd rescued him in more ways than one when she scared off those vultures. No gesture, no words would ever fully capture his gratitude. Leaving now was the only gift he could give.'

Norah King saves a badly hurt stranger from vultures, and this is a meeting that will prove monumental. Norah's willingness to help Quincy Barnes is the beginning of a seemingly temporary relationship but oh, the surprise that's waiting to happen! Norah's kindness inspires Quincy to turn his life around and help others as she has helped him, but who could imagine that this changed man would one day be her saving grace?

"I was lost. And then God put an angel in my path, and I'm doing what I can now to show my gratitude. That's all that matters."

Author Rachel Fordham shares a tale with twists, turns, and many unexpected roadblocks. I was fully engaged in life as it would have been in 1880s Iowa. Norah and Quincy are wonderful main characters who have become my new super-couple. But I also fell in love with Nels, Alice, and Mrs. Dover. They all add so much to the touching journey that we are invited to take!

Where the Road Bends is another example of Fordham's amazing ability to transport readers to a different time and place and leave them forever changed. It has a lovely, heartwarming message of love and hope. I highly recommend it to all who enjoy historical Christian fiction. 

I received a review copy courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Joy Hannabass

With both parents gone, Norah King is alone. All she has left is the farm, and she is left alone to farm the land. Where the Road Bends is a heart-wrenching story about a woman who is prepared to do anything to keep the land her parents left her.

Wow! This is an awesome read. The characters are crafted and developed extremely well as the story unfolds. Norah is a sweet and caring person, but sometimes almost too caring. When she finds Quincy Barnes and tries to save his life, she has someone to talk to at least and a way to fill her time. I liked Quincy too. Despite being a fighter, he had a quiet manner and treated Norah with respect. I wasn't much on Norah's intended and definitely didn't want her to marry him, but she had no choice. And I could go on, but I can't mention other things that happened because I don't want to spoil anything for other readers. 

I have to say, this is one of the best books I have read in a while. The writing is phenomenal. The twists and turns will have you on the edge of your seats and wondering what kind of ending this one would have. But hang in there reading it. You have to get to the end! 

If you enjoy historical fiction in a time when things were tough, especially for a single woman trying to keep what's left to her, you have to read this one! And if you just enjoy an awesome, clean, historical read. This one is for you. 

I received a review copy courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Winnie Thomas

Where the Road Bends is a beautiful story of second chances, redemption, forgiveness, and hope. The story opens as Norah King is about to marry a man she hardly knows to save her land and secure her future. Days before her wedding she finds a badly injured man on her property and brings him to her house to treat his wounds. This act will drastically change the course of her life and that of the injured man. Quincy Barnes has had a rough life and is down on his luck when Norah finds him. Although he’s attracted to Norah, he feels he needs to leave her to the life she’s chosen since he has no way to help her save her farm.

“I think you should hold on to that desire and follow where the road bends. You can have a different life.”

As the story picks up two years later, Quincy has landed on his feet. Unexpected events bring Quincy and Norah together, but they are both changed by the past. I enjoyed the relationship and growth between the two. Rachel Fordham creates wonderful, endearing main characters and engaging secondary characters, and the plot caught my interest and kept it to the end of the tale.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Revell. All opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Raechel Kelly
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Beautifully crafted, "Where the Road Bends" is a truly heartwarming story with such lovely characters and a plot that has you rooting hard for their dear story.

I was really impressed with how Norah King progressed from the first chapter to the last - we get to know her first when her life seems to be going smoothly. Then two years pass, and we see how some of life's events affected her and how she changed yet grew. She was a very loveable character, and she was so easy to feel for, and want the best for her! And Quincy....well, well, well. Another hero for me to be sweet on. No, he was such a wonderful character as well, and his own journey was marvelous. I loved how he was rough around the edges yet had such a heart of gold. The relationship between Norah and Quincy was also so delightful.

The Persuasion references were heart-melting, by the way. Captain Wentworth is my favorite Austen hero, and I loved how Persuasion played a sweet role in this novel.

The author writes in such a comforting way, her stories are so easy to love, and I look forward to whatever she writes next.

This book was provided courtesy of Revell through Interviews and Reviews for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Billi Varela

I cannot begin to describe how I feel after reading Where the Road Bends by Rachel Fordham. But, I can say that it was an amazing, heartfelt, emotional, and beautiful ride. It’s a must-read!

Rachel Fordham instantly drew me in from the first page and kept me engaged till the last page. It was very well written with a powerful message. This book deals with the power of condemnation that one or a few decisions can bring. The characters, Quincy and Norah, have to deal with and confront their past before they can truly be set free from the condemnation that keeps lingering in their life. 

I instantly fell in love with Norah and Quincy and enjoyed their journey. It was a very bumpy one, but they made it by the grace of God. The characters were very enjoyable and very realistic. There was never a moment that I thought the characters or the plot seemed unrealistic. Rachel Fordham painted a beautiful picture, making everything crystal clear and never leaving me wondering what the scenery looked like or what was transpiring between the characters. 

Anyone who loves history, romance, or even action scenes will find this book enjoyable. I loved this book. It was tough to put down. Also, it was a clean book, so it was even more enjoyable. 

I received a review copy courtesy of Revell through NetGalley and Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion. 

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

I have come to trust Rachel Fordham as a writer whose books will never disappoint me. She is one of my favourite authors and she proves why in Where the Road Bends. A book you will love from beginning to end.

The chemistry between Norah and Quincy is apparent from the get-go. They are instantly attracted to each other and of course circumstances being what they are (she is engaged, he's homeless) have them both doing the right thing and parting ways. Fortunately, the author doesn't leave us hanging and two years after their first meeting we find out what has happened to Quincy and Norah. And it is here where the novel picks up its pace and keeps you riveted to the last page.

I found myself yelling at Quincy at various points in the book. He wanted to do the "right" thing by Norah and everything seemed to be going well. But his attempts to do something noble were so stupid I just wanted to slap him upside the head. I love novels that get me invested like that! And you will too.

If you love historical romance you cannot go wrong with Where the Road Bends.

I received a review copy courtesy of Revell through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Susan Feaster

Where The Road Bends is a beautifully poignant book that carries us back to life in the Midwest in the 1880s. This story drew me in right away and lingered with me long after I finished reading.

I liked Norah King immediately. When we first meet Norah, she is planning to be married, not for love, but in hopes of saving the family farm. I loved this strong young woman who took off her shoes and stockings to go barefoot in the creek (unheard of in the 1880s), yet also loved to read Jane Austen.

While Norah is enjoying the walk in the creek, she discovers a badly injured man face down in the water. Norah manages to rescue this very large man from the creek and nurses him back to health before he goes on his way. When we meet Quincy Barnes again, his life is much improved. But he has not forgotten Norah.

This multilayered story is exquisitely written. The characters are very real, and the setting is so clearly described that I felt as though I had landed in a field in Iowa in days long past. Rachel Fordham has given us a captivating historical romance, but she has given us so much more. This is a love story, but it is also a story of forgiveness, redemption, and second chances. It was a joy to read!

I received a review courtesy of Revell through Interview & Reviews. I was not required to give a positive review.

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Reviewer: Carolyn Bryant

Where the Road Bends is a heartwarming and sometimes heartbreaking story of changed lives triumphing over difficult circumstances. 

Set in 1880s Iowa, this character-driven saga centers around homesteader Norah King and ex-fighter Quincy Barnes and their journey towards love and restoration. Ms. Fordham, with her impressive storytelling skill, has a knack for putting you at the scene to experience the story with her characters. 

A well-paced plot, superb characterization, sweet romance, and an encouraging faith thread make this an emotionally rich, enjoyable read. I highly recommend this book, especially for fans of historical romance. 

I received a review copy courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Anna Bottoms

Each person in this book has disappointments, times of self-discovery, and depth of character that shows through their circumstances. Both Quincy and Norah lean on God for comfort and direction as they navigate life decisions separately and together.

I love how their relationship develops from when she saves his life to when he returns the favor. While trying to make amends for something he feels he should have done differently. And the real struggles they face as they make choices that could affect their life together. I particularly like how Quincy grows and must choose between truth and taking an easier path. 

In the end, this is a most satisfying love story that touches the heart and shows how God’s hand is present in circumstances we might never imagine. I recommend this book.

I received a copy through NetGalley courtesy of Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. This is my honest opinion.

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