Terra Froese has spent most of her adult life bouncing from job to job, man to man, and drink to drink. But when her latest relationship and job simultaneously fall apart, she leaves Seattle for rural Montana to visit her sister, Leslie VandeKeere, to whom she hasn't spoken in over a year. If anyone can help Terra sort out her life, it'll be Leslie, who has managed success despite family odds and a recent move from city to country. With plans to rescue herself and her sister from the threat of going nowhere, Terra's in for a big surprise--Leslie likes her new country life. When Terra rebels against her sister's conformity, how much wildness can the VandeKeeres stand in order to keep the family ALL IN ONE PLACE?
Even with over 1.5 million copies of my books in print, I still feel like I haven’t written the perfect story. From my office in the woods of Northern Alberta, I’ll keep trying. Inspired by spectacular sunrises, breathtaking Northern Lights and long walks through wooded trails, the stories keep coming. To find out more about my life and my writing, check out my website at www.carolyneaarsen.com
Very nice book...enjoyed it. Great character development, easy rainy-day read. I did not know at the time of reading this, there was another book before this one that tells the other sisters story. They do not show as series books but more as companions. I will read the one before this and am sure I will enjoy it to.
Sucked! When I reserved the book from the library, I had no idea it was "inspirational" (i.e. religous-based). It was fine until it started getting into religion and it was then I put it down. It had the potential to be a good book.
Loved it. I laughed and cried. It was a very powerful book. Brought back memories of my past. Thank God we have a savior that loves us so much. I could relate to Tarra. If not for my God I would not be where I am today. Good job Carolyne. Thank you.
I read the first chapter and a half and had to quit. The plot was confusing, contradictory, and I did not even know who the "I" was that was narrating. Very poorly written.
This second book of the series tells a complete story and could stand alone. I didn't read other books, but it seems like I didn't miss much.
This is a Christian book. It has a lot of flaws, but they aren't hard to overlook, so the story is interesting. It isn't long, so it mostly keeps moving. There is a twist that I didn't see coming but perhaps I should have. There are also some obvious things at the end. And there is a partially hidden secret that is revealed bit by bit through the story. Another positive is the dialogue and first person narrative which is witty, albeit sarcastic.
Flaws: It is extremely preachy. If you are already a Christian, the preaching isn't really necessary. If you aren't, there are better stories to get the gospel message.
In the first half of the book, so many of the Christians in it appeared so judgmental that the book almost seemed like a satirical condemnation of hypocritical Christians. Further along, those same Christians became a little more friendly and supportive.
There are a couple of theological issues that make me pause. Someone tells Terra that what she did "was an atonement", meaning she made atonement for herself. To say that a Christian makes atonement for herself is heresy in almost any orthodox branch of Christianity. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not because of works so that no one may boast." Eph. 2:8-9 The other issue is more a lack of wisdom. A Christian should not try to date a non-Christian or hope to convert that non-Christian while dating her. So many lives have endured continuing struggles because of two people being "unequally yoked" in marriage.
A sheriff, or a Mountie, is committing a serious ethical violation trying to date a person he arrested and is pending trial.
The entire assault scenario is even more messed up. There was no mention of arraignment, and bail for an assault resulting in stitches would not be cheap enough that Terra and Leslie could have afforded it, especially since Terra was obviously a flight risk. Then Terra didn't seem to take the whole thing too seriously. While she does worry about it, she doesn't even consider that she might receive serious jail time, and she barely considers hiring a lawyer, nor is she offered one. As to what takes place in the bar, it is quite scary to consider what might have happened in a very public business establishment with the bartender himself condoning and possibly contributing to sexual assault, This is "good ol' boy" or "redneck" behavior at its worst and most dangerous.
Likewise, Amelia and Madison's whole situation just seems off. For one thing, there is no confidentiality by either Jack or Leslie and there is little action taken for days or even weeks.
There are a couple of serious social issues that are central to the story. The author does a good job of showing Terra's distrust, even justified paranoia, resulting from her backstory. There is a bit of inconsistency here because at times Terra shows very unusual wisdom and maturity when she sees the symptoms in another person and tries to act to ameliorate them. For someone who was so recently a victim, and so obviously paranoid, this maturity doesn't fit. But the author also shows how society and the legal system sometimes stacks the deck against the victim.
The other social issue is a definite spoiler so don't open unless you want to really be spoiled.
Mature themes: there is no description of sex but there is much discussion of physical abuse by a partner. Early in the book, a woman is assaulted by a man with the potential for serious consequences and then defends herself with further violence.
Quick read and parts were interesting enough to make me want to continue reading but I also didn’t like it at the same time. I found myself rolling my eyes at the Christian plugs people were giving Terra. Maybe that was a good thing because that was kinda how Terra felt. I appreciate when authors try to add in the Christian element but I’m finding that it is extremely difficult to do successfully and this was not my favorite execution. There were times when the preaching seemed a little too long. Maybe Christian fiction just isn’t the genre for me. I did like that Terra was changed by the town and the people and that after years of running she finally found home. The romance between her and Jack, a policeman seems very unlikely so I wasn’t totally sold on it. I really liked that Terra was running away from an abusive relationship and when she sees the signs of abuse in another young woman’s life, she steps in. I admire Terra’s bravery. Fairly good book with just a few flaws.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
All in One Place by Carolyne Aarsen Holmes Crossing Series Book Two Terra Froese had some big problems and she didn't want to bring them to her sister's door...so she was just going to stop in and see her sister and her family before going back on the run. She was the big sister, and it used to be just her and Leslie...their mother was around but it was Terra who had to be the responsible one.
Now, it's Leslie who is the mature one. Married, a family, a home. And God. Terra felt very out of place. Not to mention her grand entrance into Holmes Crossing was started on the best foot...with the law, or Leslie.
And then there was the handsome mountie, Jack DeWindt. All the more reason for Terra to get out of town as soon as she could. She wasn't like these people...or her sister. Great story. Book one is Leslie's story. https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...
***3.5 stars*** I would have given this book a higher rating, but it needed some more editing. There were some typos and some mixed-up timelines, but overall it was a good story. I liked the strong faith message about forgiveness and God loving us no matter what we have done. To me the faith message was much stronger in book 2 then in the previous book. I liked the characters and thought Tessa was realistic and relatable. There were some parts that felt a bit rushed and I couldn't understand how someone could get into a car that had been sitting for 2 or 4 years (the characters couldn't agree how long) and just drive away with it. There would be a lot of work that needed to be done to it probably starting with a battery. Another issue I had was with the main guy pursuing Tessa when he was a chrisitan and she didn't want to have anything to do with God. I thought he should have perhaps been a friend to her and waited to be anything more. I was disappointed that even by the end of the book, Tessa hadn't actually accepted Christ, but He was definitely working on her heart.
This is a great story for women who don't like themselves and see no hope in their future. Been there. I know--not everyone in this world is drop-dead gorgeous, but I guess writers are afraid if the heroine isn't breath-taking and the hero equally attractive, no one will keep reading. This is the reason I'm giving this four stars rather than five. The story is fast-paced and well-written, and I would classify it as romantic suspense.
It's about a young woman desperate to get away from an abusive boyfriend who's threatened to kill her if she leaves him. She thinks this time she's made it. He can't possibly know where her sister lives. The little pile of money she's squirreled away should keep her in food and shoes until she can find a job. And then she gets to her sister's town, her money is stolen, a classless idiot makes a pass at her, and she's arrested. Of course she decked him. Who wouldn't?
I like that it starts after the main character has left an abusive relationship. So we get to see the aftermath but not live it with her. As the main story takes place after leaving, it would have only dragged the plot to have started while she was still in the relationship. The pacing throughout matches the small-town setting, allowing for more focus on character development (always a plus for me). I appreciated that there was enough info given initially and then hinted periodically to keep the reader aware of future conflicts. When I finished, the ending was a little too Christian cheese for my taste. There's nothing wrong with that, and it wasn't as if I expected any different. That being said, it still just felt kind of meh to me. To be fair, fiction books with religious themes can be hit or miss for me. I can be very picky when it comes to how a religion is woven into the plot. Almost as picky as I am about story endings, but that's a conversation for another time.
I enjoyed reading this book about Terra and Jack's romance and how Terra turned her life around when she ended up in Holmes Crossing after escaping an abusive relationship with Eric. She met Jack, a policeman, when he arrested her in a drunken brawl at a local bar. When her sister, Leslie, had to pay her bail; Terra decided to get a job until she made enough money to pay Leslie back. Her extra time in town gave her and Leslie time to rekindle their relationship as sisters and to start a relationship with God which also gave her time to get to know Jack and other people in the small town of Holmes Crossing. This is a beautiful clean Christian romance and a great book overall and a great addition to this series. It is well worth your time to read it. This is my voluntary and honest review.
When Terra leaves her abusive boyfriend, she makes a stop in Holmes Crossing, where her sister lives, for a short visit before continuing on her way to Chicago. But upon her arrival, she is arrested for a barfight and is forced to stick around until the trial. Terra's sister, Leslie, doesn't know what all she's been through and Terra struggles to connect with Leslie's new faith-filled life.
The story was pretty predictable, but pleasant. My biggest issue was the writing. Aarsen writes like a romance author. The way local policeman Jack was described made it sound like the book's cover should have been a depiction of a cowboy's denim-clad legs and torso in a too tight white t-shirt. Seriously, it was ridiculous. And I rolled my eyes every time Terra and Leslie had a conversation. Does anyone seriously call their sisters, "Little Sister" or "Sister" while talking to them?
Terra flees her ex-boyfriend and hitchhikes to Holmes Crossing to reconnect with her sister and her family. Her plans for a short visit are thwarted and she needs to stay in Holmes Crossing longer than she plans. Terra doesn't understand her sister, Leslie's faith in God. The longer than Terra stays in town the more she connects with its citizens and her family. I really like seeing how Terra grows and connects. Terra is a much better person than she believes. Through faith, she might learn to believe in herself. I like the slow growing romance between Terra and Jack. This book can be enjoyed as a standalone, but is a richer read if read as part of the series. I love this book and this series.
Fleeing an abusive relationship, Terra arrives in Holmes Crossing with the hope of reconnecting with her younger sister and hiding from her boyfriend until she feels safe. She soon finds herself unjustly accused of assault and in jail. Having her sister bail her out is not the reunion she had hoped for and only justifies how Leslie’s husband and his family feel about her. Terra will have to find a job and stick around long enough to repay her sister and attend her court appearance, but then she will hit the highway and leave these new problems behind her. But Holmes Crossing is a town that seems determined to interfere with her plans.
This is a beautiful story of God's love and forgiveness.
I really enjoyed this story of Terra, a life gone bad while trying to find good and fulfill her dreams that she had growing up with her sister, Leslie, and a mother who was never there. Terra's life could be anyone's life when searching for love in all the wrong places, and Eric was definitely 'a wrong place'. Luckily, Terra has a sister who has found love, fulfillment and family happiness, as well as a church family who cares. When Terra ends up in Holmes Crossing, she begins to see all the things that she had been missing. The author does a great job of presenting this story with a woman gone wrong to a woman who finds a readon to live. She presents it in a clean, loving and believeable way.
This book is a wonderful all encompassing story of family, one that loves each other and has a foundation in the Love of God. The situations that they deal with are so real, as are the solutions. A town that I can imagine living in, just to feel the warmth of others caring for one another. Book 1 was a very good starter - "The Only Best Place" - family interaction and interference. And book 2 follows beautifully. So refreshing to read books showing the power and love of the power of God and prayer. Looking forward to reading the next in the series. Refreshing!!
All in One Place caught my attention—and my heart—from the beginning. Actually, I think my heart may still be in Holmes Crossing, where faith is not only discussed, it is lived. Out loud, with grace. Terra’s flight from abuse and threats of even worse brings her to the only family she has left, her sister Leslie. Terra is unprepared for the changes in Leslie’s life and attitude, but her need prepares her to watch and listen. I love this story of atonement and redemption. All in One Place reveals truth about mistakes, sin, and their consequences. It also shows clearly the wonderful hope available through Jesus Christ. It easily earns five stars. Highly recommended!
This book is not one I would have chosen to read if I had not needed a book for a reading challenge. I do not ordinarily choose to read books where Christian beliefs are used within the narrative to help a character grow. Terra decides to go to where her sister lives to escape her abusive boyfriend. Leslie has found faith in Christ and that faith and the beliefs of others in the book, allow Terra to understand herself and her past and to make decisions about her future. I highly recommend reading this book, it is well written and the story is good. Terra finds diner language and uses it as a waitress to convey orders to the cook. This touch makes it more realistic.
Running from an abusive relationship, her destination where her younger sister now called home. However, all was not the same with her sibling, something had changed and now she was on the outside, blocked by new family members and faith. She understood the new family members reluctance to accept her, and her rebellious streak, but faith, she had never experienced and understood. Yes, it is a good read. However, it has Christian readings and beliefs throughout, so if these offend you, then perhaps another book would suit you more.
I grew up in a Christian based family kind of like Tabitha. Great expectations. A village involved in my development. Some straying moments with grace. One aspect I've highlighted but so much more. The greatest disaster for a person is their separation from Jesus Christ. People search high and low trying to find the missing link refusing to accept JC as that link. Change is a process that takes a lifetime but as new creatures in JC the old is passing away and behold the new is taking its place. Much of this was shown in this story.
Similar to a Hallmark Movie. Was waiting for something to happen the whole story and nothing really did. I have never read a Christian fiction novel. I am not religious and do not enjoy very religious books. The Christian piece was bearable until the end. Almost stopped reading because it was over the top. Someone who enjoys the bible and atonement might like it. It was too much for me. Story wasn’t terrible, but it also wasn’t fabulous. It was eh. Characters were likeable and developed. Not my kind of nevoel, but may be someone else’s if they enjoy Hallmark movies and the bible.
A story of a hurt women was at a young age lost her mother- who left both her & her sister and Father. The father was so heartbroken he was no good to either of his daughters. The oldest daughter tried to hold the family together, fixing meals and then finally having to get a job to bring food into the house. A story of God’s grace & her sisters prayers and the community that open their arms and hearts to the lost and needy.
Tarra comes to Holmes Crossing for two reasons. First and for most to get away from an abusive relationship and also to find her baby sister that lives there. After a rocky start, she finally lands a job as a waitress and starts making new friends. One being a local police officer. Since her life has been hard, she thinks God has forgotten her. Her sister, on the other hand, has found God, as all her new friends have. It is a good book. It tells about her life and how she befriends a woman with a baby, while hiding from the ex-boyfriend . A really good read with a good ending.
I really enjoyed reading Terra's story. Having met her through her email correspondence with her sister Leslie in book #1, it was nice to learn more about her. Poor Terra has had a difficult life and seems to have a hard time escaping her past. Her sister gently leads her in the direction she needs to go...toward God and toward the love and acceptance of the people of Holmes County. Ms. Aarsen has written a very emotionally charged story that was definitely a pleasure to read!
This book has a Christian theme, with the religious aspects woven seamlessly with the rest in a nonpreachy way. As a devout person of another faith, I found the characters engaging, realistically dealing with serious issues, and well worth reading in spite of theological differences. If you are not religious, do not let that stop you from enjoying a deep and moving story.
This romance moves a bit slower than some others I've read. I don't usually like 1st person POV, but it worked really well for this story. The richness of the world building, characters, and setting was written well enough that I felt like I was part of the story. If you enjoy and inspirational romance with a heroine who is flawed but determined to keep moving forward, and a hero with a healthy dose of integrity, then you should give this book a try.