Reviewed by cherryblossommj on
I did not know what I would think about this book from the outset. Looking at it online I wasn't impressed by the cover, but with the book in hand I have to say that I retract that statement and opinion; it is truly gorgeous. I really enjoyed [a:Ann Shorey|1949873|Ann Shorey|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1231558780p2/1949873.jpg]'s first series including [b:Edge of Light, The|8763767|The Edge of Light (At Home in Beldon Grove, #1)|Ann Shorey|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1301868105l/8763767._SY75_.jpg|4734002], [b:The Promise of Morning|6605731|The Promise of Morning (At Home in Beldon Grove, #2)|Ann Shorey|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1439957368l/6605731._SY75_.jpg|6799645] and [b:The Dawn of a Dream|8329474|The Dawn of a Dream (At Home in Beldon Grove, #3)|Ann Shorey|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1277400029l/8329474._SY75_.jpg|13179362]. I knew that I was looking forward to reading more. What I was not expecting was just how much I was going to enjoy this book. It was difficult to put down as I was drawn the characters and just had to keep reading.
Our main character Faith just wants to run away. She lost her father and brother in the War Between the States and she things that her home of Noble Springs holds too many reminders of the past, but she doesn't seem to understand that no matter how badly she wants to escape to the west she cannot run away from the painful memories as they are in our mind. I suppose that she could get away from reminders that would trigger the memories, but leaving won't solve all her issues and it will not erase her old life to start a-new.
The way that she acts with assumed permission from her grandfather brings to mind about how we often act with assumed permission from God and his will. We appear to be in charge, but for reality, he still owns the store and God still is the one that our lives should promote.
Looking into the way that Faith was taken aback by the war-worn appearance of our protagonist Curt it does make me think about my first impressions of a dear friend of our family. He was so invested in making children and others realize they had a future even when times were bleak. This man owned a jewelry shop and made incredible pieces and knew the Bible so well. But at the same time he was a crazy pierced, tatooed biker with long rag-tag hair. At a glance you'd find him terrifying and assume he didn't care about anything but a beer. But he was all about life and helping others. As a matter of fact he once made the newspapers as he grabbed a man off a bridge who was about to jump. Judging a book or person by it's cover is always a tricky thing. Opinions can definitely change as you get to know them better. In another instance, my mohauk, tatooed, pierced male hair stylist is one amazing father, husband to his wife and so involved in his church. Whenever I go in we talk the whole time about the amazing things God has done lately. Who knew?
Faith and Curt had one of those relationships where I just wanted to scream, "Talk to her! Tell her! Tell him! Quit being so silly!" But isn't that one of those things that makes you turn the page? Because after all, it has to work out. Right? As for Faith's friend and Curt's sister Rosemary. Well I am definitely looking forward to more in the series, which I can only hope and assume will include a romance for her. She is looked down on her wartime service as a nurse and that is something I haven't thought about much. It brings to mind how from story to story even in the same time period how Doctors can either be treated as a Gentleman's profession or one of a "filthy laborer" with dirty hands. It's all in the prospective and culture. As someone who went to nursing school reading about the early ministrations of nurses always surprises me. After all the natural motherly experience, wouldn't one assume that you would want to be carried for by a woman of motherly touch as opposed to a doctor of indifference. (Not all doctors fit that judgement I know.) As I was taught in school, the nurse treats the patient, while the doctor treats the disease. Yes the lines cross and there is plenty of grey. But the care is there.
Through out the book, continually reoccurring is the mention of Faith's grandfather's verse that leads his life. I have one such verse in my own, that pretty much sums up my faith and life. Galatians 2:20. Since it is no longer I that live, but Christ who lives through me... I cannot imagine how my days would differ without having that support stream to fall back upon. This is one for the keeper shelf and I anxiously await the rest of the series.
Thanks to Revell for providing a copy for review.
Originally posted: http://wp.me/pYHD5-35z
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 15 January, 2012: Finished reading
- 15 January, 2012: Reviewed