Helpful Score: 2
This book provided a pleasent surprise for me.
I expected a book full of stereotypical romance characters, a weak female character (or at least weak when it came to men), a formulaic story, and poor writing.
First, the story was well written, full of nice imagery that drew you into the scenes and the feelings, emotions, and motivations of the characters. The narrative drew me with the first sentence. The somewhat complex story was face-paced and well developed and didn't loose my interest. It provided an excellent, although slightly predictable, conclusion.
While some of the story may have followed a formula (you knew, for instance, that the male and female protagonist were going to fall in love. There is never any mystery in that department in typical romance fiction, Christian or secular.), but the characters were fresh and real and believable. The woman even had ugly burn scars on her face. Wow! How many romance novels do you read in which both main characters are NOT unrealistically beautiful? Romance (ordinarily) don't do ugly!
She lives alone like a hermit on one of the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington State to escape the memories of a house fire that killed her husband and child and left her disfigured. She has self-sufficient and has adapeted will to lonely plight.
But then A man, an ex-minister, who is trying to escape his own past full of false accusations and his wife's death, turns up on her doorstep ia the middle of a fierce rainstorm asking for shelter.
Later, he agrees to stay on, living in her guest shed and helping out with anything that needs doing.
But, someone else has interupted her solitude. She is aware from the beginning of the frightened, ragged little boy is observing her from hidden spots. Who is he? Does he need help? What can she do for him?
Altogether, although there are a few minor flaws, and some of the story was a bit formulaic, I thought that this book provided a great story of renewed hope, renewed lives, forgiveness, and inward healing. It was a good, warm, human story. I would like to read more books by this author and I would recommend the book to others.
I expected a book full of stereotypical romance characters, a weak female character (or at least weak when it came to men), a formulaic story, and poor writing.
First, the story was well written, full of nice imagery that drew you into the scenes and the feelings, emotions, and motivations of the characters. The narrative drew me with the first sentence. The somewhat complex story was face-paced and well developed and didn't loose my interest. It provided an excellent, although slightly predictable, conclusion.
While some of the story may have followed a formula (you knew, for instance, that the male and female protagonist were going to fall in love. There is never any mystery in that department in typical romance fiction, Christian or secular.), but the characters were fresh and real and believable. The woman even had ugly burn scars on her face. Wow! How many romance novels do you read in which both main characters are NOT unrealistically beautiful? Romance (ordinarily) don't do ugly!
She lives alone like a hermit on one of the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington State to escape the memories of a house fire that killed her husband and child and left her disfigured. She has self-sufficient and has adapeted will to lonely plight.
But then A man, an ex-minister, who is trying to escape his own past full of false accusations and his wife's death, turns up on her doorstep ia the middle of a fierce rainstorm asking for shelter.
Later, he agrees to stay on, living in her guest shed and helping out with anything that needs doing.
But, someone else has interupted her solitude. She is aware from the beginning of the frightened, ragged little boy is observing her from hidden spots. Who is he? Does he need help? What can she do for him?
Altogether, although there are a few minor flaws, and some of the story was a bit formulaic, I thought that this book provided a great story of renewed hope, renewed lives, forgiveness, and inward healing. It was a good, warm, human story. I would like to read more books by this author and I would recommend the book to others.
Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
