About the Book

Book: Coming Home Forever

Author: Michelle De Bruin

Genre: Inspirational Historical Fiction

Release Date: May 30, 2023

Her college career is cut short, so Rose Harper takes a job that throws her into the path of a weary soldier who joins her in the search of a place to call home.

Rose Harper dreams of becoming a teacher, but she quit school at the local college because her classes were harder than she expected. Dreading the thought of returning to her hometown and sharing a home with her father, Rose works two jobs so that she can stay in Oswell City with her friends. When she gets called in to help with special events at the Ellenbroek home, Rose is forced to make a big decision. Should she continue working as a maid, or does she dare to try and achieve her goal of becoming a teacher? Obstacles lie in the way, but thanks to the assistance of a supportive friend, Rose is given the chance to find a place to belong.

Timothy Ellenbroek has just completed his tour of duty as a chaplain to the soldiers on the Front. Now he has come home weary, grieving, and under pressure to find a job. His father would love to see him in a high-profile career, powerful and important. But Tim isn’t so sure. He longs for a safe place to rest, to heal, and to live a quiet peaceful life. When his father intervenes in the job search with an offer to work with him in the mayor’s office at City Hall, Tim resists. He wants peace and a meaningful career, but Oswell City can’t give him both. Tim wonders if he will have to leave home again. The longer he stays, the more his hometown means to him. Tim must make the choice to listen to his heart and trust where it leads him.

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My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this story of Rose Harper and Timothy Ellenbroek, from their messy first meeting, to their friendship, courtship, and everything in between. The story of how each found their forever home was uplifting and romantic.

Rose has had a bit of a hard time since moving out of her parents' home to go to college to become a teacher. She ended up fighting with her best friend and hanging out with the wrong people. Wasting her life away staying out late and getting drunk to the point that she leaves college and just works as a maid in a hotel. Until her aunt gives her an ultimatum to get her life straightened up.

Timothy has just come home from the war and home is where he would like to stay. At least for a little while to have some normalcy after the horrors of the war. However, his parents expect more, and Timothy feels lost as to where he should pursue his career. Then Rose and Timothy meet in a very unconventional way. Rose is embarrassed but Timothy is intrigued.

Can these two hurting souls help one another in their relationship with God and others? How about with one another? Rose and Timothy have a lot to get through, but I so enjoyed the steadfastness of their faith and love in God and one another. A sweet romance of what two people will struggle through and fight for to be with the one they love.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

About the Author

Michelle De Bruin lives in Iowa with her husband of 25 years and two young adult sons who are college students at Iowa State. She has a bachelor’s degree in religion with a Christian Ministry emphasis, and in Music. Michelle serves as a chaplain for Pella Regional Health Center. She writes inspirational historical romance about people who live in rural communities. Characters that bring to life the delights of farm and small-town living, whispers of Dutch heritage, and Christian faith make Michelle’s stories distinct. A romantic at heart, Michelle is always on the lookout for glimpses of God’s love through the window of a good story. You can learn more about Michelle by visiting her website: michelledebruin.com

More from Michelle

Coming Home Forever is the last in a trilogy of books set in a small Iowa town during the years 1913 through 1918. This is the second series of books I have written. The Tomorrow series is the first set, and if you’ve already read it, you will recognize characters that appeared in Hope for Tomorrow, Promise for Tomorrow, and Dreaming of Tomorrow.

This book opens in the winter of 1919, after the end of World War I when the soldiers are coming home. We meet Timothy Ellenbroek, the son of Oswell City’s mayor. He’s been in France serving as a chaplain in the military and now that his tour of duty is completed, he’s ready to find a peaceful place to call home.

Rose Harper dreamed of becoming a teacher, but college was much harder than she expected. Now she is trying to chart a new course, but it isn’t going like she thought. Through a few unexpected adventures, she joins Tim in the search for a peaceful, safe place.

I wrote this book to illustrate how God is always with us, working through us, and speaking to us. I also wanted to encourage readers that yes, we can change, we can heal, and we can be restored, putting bad decisions behind us for good.

Thank you for joining me on this tour. I hope you enjoy the blog posts and enter the drawing for the giveaway.

Grace and peace,

Michelle De Bruin