Dorothy Clark (1) (1929–)

It's a bit better than most Love Inspired titles--at least it had some Christian lessons in it that different characters had to learn. I don't know if I've read anything by this author before. A friend sent me this book in a box of books, but when I started it, it hardly seemed like it had been read before.

WARNING: REMAINDER OF REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS. READ ON AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION

****

Likes:
The church's response to Gelina's decision.

The lady who helped Gelina asking Gelina to pay it forward rather than taking money.

Angela's choices made to pay the good deed forward: helping a shelter, visiting the elderly and buying items for them, helping Cathy to attend college and get out of a bad situation.

Hosea's response to Angela's past. It's nice to know there are people out there who can hate the sin but love the sinner, who can walk the "God makes everything new and clean" talk.

Cathy's making the most of the chance offered to her. The church's response to Cathy's plight. (I do wonder what happened to or became of her father--I wonder if he will show up in another book? I hope he finds salvation somewhere along the way.)

Cathy paying the good deeds shown to her forward by being a friend to Diana and even staying over the Christmas holiday at school with her.

Frank and Greta--nice caretaker, grandparent/parent figures.

That many characters see and think that God is working in their lives: Hosea recognizes it in his life and counsels Leigh in it, Angela wonders if God is trying to prevent her from calling a realtor.

Seeing Hosea struggle--pastors aren't immune to the struggles the rest of us humans have. Also seeing Hosea turn to his parents (believers) and to God for counsel.

The lessons characters learn throughout the story.

Dislikes:
Angela's resolution to her mental struggle occurs abruptly. After all the wrestling with it that she did, I have a hard time believing that a short conversation resolves it for her.

Hosea's response to Angela's past: while I like his response overall, it's not the norm to a situation like that. I wonder, did he struggle with it in the years between his guest preaching stint and his acceptance of the pastor position in Harmony, Colorado? Because if his only struggle with it is what's portrayed in this book, then I'm not sure how realistic the struggle is/was.

I didn't get the leap of logic that allows Hosea, Leigh and Phil to connect Cathy's comment about the cabins with where Angela would have gone when she fled Harmony.… (mehr)

An easy story to read, and an enjoyable outcome. Ambitious reporter David Carlson is on the fast track to success. He is given an assignment that leads him to Erin Kelly, a women who pretty much knocks him for a loop. She is a Christian, which first of all makes David want nothing to do with her. But while working on an article together, he will discover he can't get her out of his mind. Erin grows to eventually trust David, but she just can't let their relationship go further because of his antagonism towards Christians. But when push comes to shove, David will realize what he has been running from all his life, is what will save him and his relationship with Erin. But tragedy will strike and the author does a great job of bringing this much loved couple to a happy conclusion.… (mehr)

"3 out of 5 stars!! A man and woman find themselves in a unique situation and get into an in-name-only marriage, all to save a shop and protect a little baby. However, will they find love along the way?

This was a sweet romance that made me put on my "genealogist hat" as I kept thinking about ..."

Read more of this review and TWO TEASERS here: https://frommetoyouvideophoto.blogspot.com/2019/07/made-grade-stand-in-brides-se...… (mehr)