Softly and Tenderly is an emotional journey through the hard times in life. It makes you remember/think of past decisions and how life can change in a single moment. ( )

Jade is happily married and longs to begin a family with her husband, Max. However, when she discovers that Max has an illegitimate son, who he wants them to raise, Jade had second thoughts........

I am having a bit of trouble with this one. Oh, no, it's nothing bad with the book. In fact, I loved the book. Just like I love The Sweet By and By. What I'm having a hard time with is this: is it better than The Sweet By and By or just as good??? I am leaning toward better. Sara and Rachel just have a bond that blends perfectly when it comes to writing the novels for the Songbird series. Their talent screams for the Lord and flows through their words.

Jade and Max are back and happily married. Or so Jade thought. But what happens when Max throws a twist in her life: a son that he wants her to help raise. Wow. She wanted a family but I don't think she wanted it quite THAT way. It was really an interesting twist to the story. It captured me and held me til the end, that much is for certain! I loved the roller coaster ride that it took me on, as Jade dealt with that struggle, along with many more struggles along the way.

The moral of this story was similar to the message in The Sweet By and By, but it spoke volumes to me, just the same. This is a chick lit novel that really captures, not just the hearts of the readers but the souls, too. The souls are pulled in and twisted and turned along with Jade, Max and all the other amazing characters along the way. The message of God's love and trusting in Him completely to lead the way is amazing. When Jade had to think long and hard on raising a child that wasn't hers biologically, it really wrenched my heart. But, God's love for is always tender and He speaks so softly to our souls and hearts, that I had came to love the child like Jade did: Softly and Tenderly.

This was an absolutely amazing book. It is one that is a fast, capturing read, and worthy of recommendations. I give this read 5 stars and can't wait for book 3!!

*This book was provided for review through NetGalley and Thomas Nelson* ( )

This story is about Jade and her husband Max. Both are happily married and anxious to start a family of their own. However, Jade faces numerous miscarriages which cause doubt and heartache over her worthiness to have a child. Then Jade discovers that her husband had a son by another woman and through an unexpected turn of events, he wants Jade to help him raise his child. Hurting and betrayed, Jade "runs away" to her mom's farmhouse in the country where she must find acceptance with her mom's failing health and her husband's cover up.

This "Southern soap opera" features cheating husbands, an illegitimate son, a supreme court justice, a barren wife, secrets and suits.

I read this book in just a few days, it was that good. The characters in this story all have flaws and are suddenly faced with circumstances that will ultimately force them to come to terms with their situation. I kept wondering how this story would end. Would the characters all find their "happily ever after?" I was not disappointed and it looks like there will be a sequel in 2012.

I also found out later that this is book 2 in the Songbird series, but it was easy to follow and no problem at all if you have not read the first book. Overall, good writing mixed in with lots of drama and a bit of hope and faith. ( )

Jade Benson is happily married to Max and runs two upscale 'thrift' type stores. She longs to begin a family of her own but has only been faced with miscarriages. Max seems to be very supportive and continues to encourage Jade about how much he wants a son of his own. Jade's world is turned upside down when the truth comes out that he already has a son by his ex-fiance. A secret that he and his mother have kept from her for the last 18 months. She has dealt with Max's addiction, the guilt of an abortion and the impending death of her mother and now this. So Jade decides to give her mother her dying wish. To take her home to her farmhouse in Iowa. Max's mother comes along and they make it a girls road trip in a pink caddy. Jade feels like some space between her and max will give her some room to breath. The problem is her first love and ex-husband, Dustin is there and is willing to supply all the comfort she needs. But as the end of her mother's days draw near, Jade questions her new found faith and tries to deal with the guilt of hating her mother for so many years. Is Jesus really who he says he is? Is He truly strong enough to help her through this mass of issues?

WOW! This was not at all what I was expecting when I picked up Softly and Tenderly. I guess I was thinking it would be a sweet southern type story but what a grand surprise I had! This is a story loaded with human emotion. Jade was a such complex character who was dealing with lots of baggage not only from her growing up years but because she was married before and had had an abortion. Max was a great guy who I think truly loves Jade but he also deals with baggage of his own. His own family's problems, his addiction to pain killers and a secret he's keeping from his wife. I reeled with emotion as these characters dealt with very difficult issues. I cringed when Jade and her mother-in-law caught her father-in-law in an 'indiscretion'. I felt my heart wrenching as Jade finds out that her husband has a son already by someone she also counted as a friend. I was afraid was I saw Jade leaning her heart toward her first love. I wept as Jade slowly said goodbye to her mother. I hoped as I saw that maybe something hopeful would come out of all this trauma. If you like an emotionally charged story where the characters are truly flawed and realistic, then this is the story for you. My only complaint was when I got to the back of the book and it said that the next installment isn't due out until winter of 2012. That's a long time to wait because the story did leave you hanging! A thank you goes to Booksneeze for providing this complimentary review copy. ( )