Joshua’s Hope by Carol Ann Erhardt is an inspirational romantic suspense story.

Hope is at the end of her rope. She thought that in her marriage to Peter she would find the love and safety she always wanted. Except, she quickly learned that Peter wasn’t the man she thought when he began verbally abusing her. The only thing that kept her happy was Peter’s son Joshua, the most beautiful and loving boy she ever met. Hope stayed as long as she could and the only reason she was allowed to leave and still spend time with Joshua is that Hope knew a lot of damaging information about Peter. Now alone and friendless, Hope returns to the only place she ever found peace, her grandmother’s home in Pine Cove. Hope goes looking for help to save Joshua with little result until she runs into a man from her childhood, Zack Stone, the local Sheriff. Things continue to spiral out of control when Joshua sees something that puts his safety in jeopardy. Will Hope find the help she needs to save one special little boy and find the love that she has always been looking for?

Ms. Erhardt has created this phenomenal story that ensnares the reader from the very first paragraph. I couldn’t put the book down until the very last page. This intricate story has strong characters that come to life for the reader. The character of Peter with his domineering and abusive behavior would have been very scary to live with, especially for a very young child. Hope is one very special young lady who is willing to fight for the life of a child who she accepted as her own when she married Peter. To be willing to put your life on the line for someone else is rare, and Zack Stone is one such person. Thanks go to Ms. Erhardt for this incredible story.

Reviewed by: Teresa