Wedding bells are pealing for Caleb James and Rachel Taylor in Ridgemount, North Carolina.
Surrounded by their friends and family, the mad dash to the altar on New Year’s Eve is in full swing. With a house to remodel, a wedding to plan, and new opportunities and challenges around every corner, Caleb and Rachel, along with their friends, have no time to waste.
“A Moment Like This” ~ the prequel novella to the fifth installment of The Grace Series, “Raising Attabury” finds Derek and Jaycee West newly married, Caleb and Rachel heading down the aisle, Luke and Sage caught up helping their friends plan their extra-special day, and new-comers Eric and Dani Richardson straddling real life and what to do with the Attabury house. Hang on for a wild ride as everyone comes together once again in a tale of what it means to be friends and family over the holidays and beyond… *~* USA Today Bestselling Author, Staci Stallings, presents the fourth book in The Grace Series, “A Moment Like This.” Filled with love and laughter, tears and struggles, “A Moment Like This” brings back all the characters you’ve grown to love while adding a few more to the mix. A prequel novella to The Grace Series finale book, “Raising Attabury,” “A Moment Like This” creates a heart-warming bridge from the first three books in the series to the final installment. So sit back and enjoy another visit to Ridgemount where love always wins and life lessons are never in short supply.
A stay-at-home mom with a husband, three kids and a writing addiction on the side, Staci Stallings has numerous titles for readers to choose from. Not content to stay in one genre and write it to death, Staci’s stories run the gamut from young adult to adult, from motivational and inspirational to full-out Christian and back again. Every title is a new adventure! That’s what keeps Staci writing and you reading. Staci touches the lives of people across the globe every week with her various Internet endeavors including:
I downloaded it knowing it was Christian fiction which I normally avoid but I was pleasantly surprised by the 'low-key' churchiness.
What I did struggle with was the writing.
".... It's not like we're trying to impress anybody." That looked like Sage hated the way it tasted.
Can anyone please explain what 'looked like Sage hated the way it tasted' means?
and this:
The door swung open to reveal the pastor in nightclothes and looking quite disheveled as Sage had come to know he was at odd hours of the night.
and .. (Jaden's mother is making a sandwich for her daughter and has gone into the pantry to get some juice.) She added an apple and then thought better of the placement and rearranged all of it one item at a time.
There were several 'Checkov's Gun' moments that I though had to have some real significance - eg: the way she bought a doll online 'with no more than a thought' and the way she dosed the child with 'little thought to it' I kept waiting for something (anything... please!) to happen - the doll turning out to cost several thousand dollars through an online scam, the daughter being overdosed on the medicine but...... nothing.
This book is one in a series and anyone coming to this without having read the -previous books will no doubt struggle as much as I did. That is no reflection on the author, but I found little to keep me engaged in this story. It was merely a rather dull account of various couples doing stuff.
So, I finished the last three books and just had to keep going with this next book to see Rachel and Caleb married. These stories by Staci Stallings have been so good. It’s like I’m a part of a community and small town. I love how each book has something to draw upon and learn. This one is a little bit different from the first three books because each chapter is focused on one of the couples and what’s happening in their lives, but it also has a sweet overall theme that ties them all together. When Sage decides to get everyone to plan Rachel and Caleb’s wedding it becomes a sweet time of friendship building. Then we are introduced to another couple who are struggling and soon find their way into this wonderful community of friends. (But you’ll have to wait to see what happens because that's in the next book.) Staci Stallings weaves into each of her stories, beautiful lessons of God’s grace and protection. Her stories aren’t pushy or preachy. They are real with real-life issues. I’ve found that her writing is powerful and what she shares really hits the spot in my soul! She’s also an author who brings to life characters that will end up digging down deep into your soul! It amazed me how each character had something I could identify with and take to heart. It was exquisitely written and flowed smoothly, so smoothly that at the end my heart was tumbling all over the place. I laughed, I smiled, and I cried, throughout the book. There were so many emotions in just one reading! It truly touched my heart, and I know it will stay with me for a long time. Now I’m going to continue with the last book in the series because I just can’t get enough of these wonderful characters and what’s happening in their lives. I highly recommend you pick this book up and read it, it just might change how you view things, and each moment in your life!
Staci always outdoes herself in every book. Obviously, she is one of my many favorite authors. The way she weaves deep Truths into the stories, the way every character becomes someone you "know" is delightful. From this story I received some deep insight on God's idea of marriage through what the pastor said as he married Rachel and Caleb. This book is worth the read! Rather confusing at first but eventually all the characters are joined and understanding begins to dawn. I loved it!
What I’ll remember about this is all the meaningful conversations and thoughts. It takes place in a happy time where family pulls together for a wedding and life gives the characters big changes. Beautiful words at the wedding had me blinking back tears. In contrast we’re introduced to Eric and Dani and their difficult issues. With the warm welcome they are getting into this loving group of friends, I just know there’s going to be more hearts healed and I’m excited to read it in the next book!
2nd book I've read in the series. Excellent Christian read. Love how the author wrote the story between the friends/couples that help Caleb and Rachel. There is nothing they won't do to step in and help get the house ready for Caleb's parents and to help make the wedding a special event. Makes you want to get your own friend base like that. Pastor Steve has lots of insightful life lessons to pass on they really make you stop and ponder what your own relationship is with God. With God as the center of your life, nothing is impossible.
Staci Stallings did it again! S he wrote a book that completes the romance of Rachel and Caleb, but is also once again a guide to having a godly marriage, through the wisdom of Pastor Steve . The examples that are set for them by the other loving couples in their lives, Jaycee and Derek, Luke and Sage, Pastor Steve and Jane help guide them to make a commitment to each other that is centered on their relationship with God. A truly remarkable book. I'm looking forward to her next book!:
This author has yet to disappoint. The down to earth messages are just what is needed by many, including me. The characters feel like family and dearest friends. This book finishes up another story and introduces a character, her husband and child who. The wife made a brief appearance in a different book which didn't follow up on that appearance,but I think readers will appreciate the connection to this very special community!! Pastor Steve does both of his roles full justice!
What a wonderful continued story with Caleb, Rachel, Sage, Luke, Derek, Jaycee, Pastor Steve, Jane and introducing Dani and Eric. I laughed, I cried (even at the doctors office and my doctor asked what the book was about). I marvel at how Staci writes especially when Pastor Steve is talking about grace and realize that could be a message from my Pastor! I can't wait to finish the series with Dani & Eric.
This little cumulation of Rachel and Caleb's story seemed right, but after some of the long, drawn out sagas, a bit clipped. I could not figure out the Attabury part of the story at first and had to go back and re-read a few times. Overall, I am looking forward to that next part of the story as well as seeing what the married families do in the future.
I haven't cried in a long time when reading a book but the wedding scene brought back so many memories of my own special day... 48 years later I am still married to my husband! Everything the pastor said about marriage is so true! Looking forward to the last book in the series but I am hoping MS Stallings revisits this group of characters in later books!
I love this author's writings. The teaching in each book is such a blessing. The minister in the books sermons are a gift. You feel so blessed and the story lines are outstanding. I feel I'm part of the books family.
This novella would be considered a novel if you went by size alone. It's a great chance to catch up on the current inner workings of the first three couples of the Grace Series. It also introduces us to the final couple in the series.
This was a book of love and friendship and family. How we all would like to be filed into that kind of family. There are many words of wisdom from the pastor which we could all stand to follow. A must read book and series. Thank you for these books.
I’m really enjoying this series. I love the connection these friends all share....friends who love you so much it feels like you are family. Beautiful storyline!
I was so glad this book was available to read right after I finished "A Love Like This." It really is just a continuation of that story, plus introduces the family featured in the next book, "Raising Attabury." There is so much good, deep, rich Biblical teaching on love and marriage!