INSPIRATIONAL
ROMANCE
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OUTSTANDING BOOK
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Crocus
Photo credit:
Bernd Haynold |
Sugarcreek, Ohio
(red dot on map)
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BOOK
ILLUMINATIONS
From Merrimon Book Reviews
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Spring's Renewal
by Shelley Shepard
Gray
Tim Graber isn't all that
anxious to come to Sugarcreek. After all, he has a sweetheart at
home. Tim loves his aunt and uncle, however, so he plans to help
them through the season and then go home to the life he planned.
When he meets Clara, a teacher at the local school, Tim finds himself
drawn to her. Clara Slabaugh loves her job teaching young
children. With the children, Clara's self-consciousness about her
appearance disappears as does the barrier between herself and
others. An accident left Clara with burns on her face and
arms. Clara has resigned herself to the fact that love and family
will never be hers but when she meets Tim, he opens her heart in new
ways. He even makes her feel pretty. Does she dare hope for
the life of her dreams? Both Tim and Clara have definite plans
for their lives, plans that make their futures separate. When a
terrifying event comes to Sugarcreek, will their prayers open their
hearts in new ways? Does God have a way of renewing their hearts
so that new pathways and possibilities open to them?
SPRING'S RENEWAL, the second Amish inspirational romance in the
Sugarcreek series after WINTER'S AWAKENING, has characters that will
steal your heart, an exciting story with several intriguing twists, and
a romance that renews one's faith. SPRING'S RENEWAL is my
absolate favorite romance by this author. Clara is a superb
romance heroine! A reader just wants to know her and roots for
her. Clara is bright and independent but she has a sensitive
heart as well. She is a wounded soul yet a woman strong in her
faith. Tim is the perfect man for Clara, a man who sees her
beauty inside and out. Although he makes youthful mistakes, he
also has a steadiness and honesty with himself deep down. When
push comes to shove, he knows when to stand up for love. In a
brief romantic moment, Tim knows exactly how to reach Clara's
heart. Without explicit details that are inappropriate for
younger readers or those older readers wanting less graphic details but
more romance, Shelley Shepard Gray creates the most memorable,
heartwarming moments that stick with a reader long after the last page.
SPRING'S RENEWAL creates multi-dimensional characters and
relationships. Shelley Shepard Gray does an excellent job in the
portrayal of Clara's
relationship with her mother. She does not gloss over the
difficulties of this relationship, but rather creates emotional depth
in their characters. She brings unique insights into her male
characters as well. The ending of this romance is all the more
powerful and satisfying because of the obstacles the young couple
faces. Shelley Shepard Gray does an excellent job in her
portrayal with the emotions and thoughts of youthful first
love. For young readers, her vision instills hope,
courage and comfort. For older readers, the generosity of spirit
gives a new and hopeful perspective on one's own past.
For readers who have been following the series, one feels a special
delight in revisiting familiar characters while getting to know the
stories of newer characters. If you are new to the series
and do not like spoilers, however, reading WINTER'S AWAKENING first
would be the best plan of action because SPRING'S RENEWAL follows
chronologically from the previous book. A series of reading
questions will help book club or church group discussions as well as
enrich an individual's own reading. Shelley Shepard Gray's Amish
inspirational romances will appeal to romance readers across the wider
Christian community. The author has the ability to develop
meaningful themes of faith and spirituality that resonate within.
Shelley Shepard Gray is an excellent storyteller. Here, faith
emerges from the story itself amd the life of her characters.
SPRING'S RENEWAL is not only the best romance I have read by this
author, but also the best inspirational romance this reader has read to
date. Outstanding!
Publisher: Avon Inspire (April 27,
2010)
Series: Seasons of
Sugarcreek
Other books in the series: Winter's Awakening (February 2010), Autumn's
Promise (August 2010)
Author website
Reviewed by Merrimon,
Merrimon Book Reviews
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