Depending on You

In this episode, Tiffanie and Melissa will be discussing the third book in Melissa Jagger's Frontier Vow series. Depending on you.

 Leah Winslet's life was ideal until a disastrous day. She nearly died because of her husband's deceit. When he returns home weeks before Christmas, she knows the best gift she can give him is forgiveness. But how can she relinquish her hard won independence knowing he plans to turn their family's life upside down.

 Bryan has always known his wife was a gift he'd never deserved. But how can he provide for her in a town that no longer wants anything to do with him? He longs to atone for the misery he put his loved ones through. But when he brings a family member home for the holidays, they may end up even further apart with emotions high and their marriage at stake.

 Will this season bring the hope they need or are their rifts too large to mend?

 Melissa: At first, I was surprised to find that this was a novella. It was a super short, very quick read, but then looking through more of Melissa Jagger's series, it seems she places novellas in most of her series.

 Leah and Bryant's story has really been a background or side story so far in this series. Did you enjoy having a story centered on them?

 Tiffanie: I did like having that wrap up and yeah, I liked how they processed through their emotions in this book, both of them. I think down the road, one of my struggles with this book is how they just did not communicate with each other, and I feel like that was kind of their downfall in the first place.

 Melissa: I really enjoyed reading more about them. And I like the complexity of Melissa's characters and how real they feel.

 So as a husband and wife, Leah and Bryant face, one of the hardest obstacles to overcome in a relationship, Broken trust. How did you feel about the way Leah and Bryant dealt with the entire situation?

 Tiffanie: At the beginning, I was very frustrated with how they were, especially how Leah was so forgiving, towards Celia and other people. Then she just kind of wasn't with her husband. But I think part of that too was herself.

 Melissa: She was scared to be kind of like that naive person again.

 Tiffanie:  Yeah and didn't want to get her heart broken again.

 Melissa: So, I really felt for both of them, Bryant had sunk to some all-time lows because of his choices, which he made in an effort to keep from disappointing Leah and losing her love in the first place. I can remember when reading Romancing in the Bride, I was desperately wanting him to just confess before it was too late. I thought he handled coming back to Armell with dignity and grace and I loved how we got to see what a loving father he is because we hadn't seen that yet.

 With Leah this time you see all the struggles, the lessons she's learned. And I just enjoyed how Melissa brought in the story of Ruth from the Bible and how she had laid at Boaz’s, I hope I say that right. Some of those Bible names are hard to say, but she laid at his feet, and how that story helped Leah take that first step in just sleeping in the same bed again.

 What are some themes or messages or life lessons you felt were woven into Leah and Bryant's story?

 Tiffanie: I feel like the main one was trust when it's broken, how hard it is to get it back.

 Melissa: Yeah, I also think that God's forgiveness was woven in there as well.

 Tiffanie: And the communication aspect of marriage is very important.

 Melissa: I felt like Leah learned not to put someone on such a high pedestal, that you're oblivious to their wayward ways. You know, I feel like only God can sit up there as perfect, and I felt like she had elevated Bryant so much. It went too far. It went to the point that she didn't see any of his wrongdoings.

 Did you enjoy the fact that their story took place during Christmas?

 Tiffanie: I did. I think that kind of helped, things move along and show the happy aspects of the family.

 Melissa: I did enjoy the Christmas theme and the miracles in Leah and Bryant's life that parallel the miracle of Jesus' birth. One being focused on trust. I mean, can you imagine the trust that both Joseph and Mary had to have, not only in God, but in each other, it's especially considering the times, it's just amazing.

 Were there any scenes or characters that you really enjoyed in this story?

 Tiffanie: Like that scene of Oliver actually playing with the baby on the floor. I loved Spencer and the joy he brings along with the comedic relief

 Melissa: Yes, I enjoyed all of Spencer's scenes, but especially the one where he's getting a wedgie from the rigging as he's playing the flying angel during the Christmas play.

 Thank you for tuning to our discussion of Depending on You, by Melissa Jaggers. Don't forget to tune in next week as we discuss the fourth book in her Frontier Vow series. Marrying Mr. Wrong.

 You Won't want to miss the exciting video where we determine our winner, along with our podcast interview with Melissa Jaggers coming on November 4th. Consider Becoming a member today. Thank you for your support and until next time, happy and blessed reading!