Sweetwater Gap Reviewed
January 14, 2009
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Thomas Nelson (December 16, 2008)
by
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Denise lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she’s been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!
ABOUT THE BOOK
A story of new beginnings from best-selling Romance for Good™ author Denise Hunter.
When Josephine’s family insists she come home to help with the harvest, the timing works. But her return isn’t simple benevolence-she plans to persuade the family to sell the failing orchard.
The new manager’s presence is making it difficult. Grady MacKenzie takes an immediate disliking to Josephine and becomes outright cantankerous when she tries talking her family into selling. As she and Grady work side by side in the orchard, she begins to appreciate his devotion and quiet faith. She senses a vulnerability in him that makes her want to delve deeper, but there’s no point letting her heart have its way-he’s tied to the orchard, and she could never stay there.
A brush with death tears down Josephine’s defenses and for the first time in her life, she feels freedom-freedom from the heavy burden of guilt, freedom to live her life the way it was intended, with a heart full of love.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Sweetwater Gap, go HERE
Sally Says: Sweetwater Gap is an easy-to-read romance set in an apple orchard which is a bit of an unusual setting.
I’m not a big fan of straight romance novels, and when I chose to read this book, it was because it came across as women’s fiction. But it has a very typical romance storyline — hero and heroine disagree on a major point and it interferes with their feelings about each other. Of course they eventually overcome their disagreement (which we know will happen), so the story is more about the journey than wondering how it will end.
There were a few parts of the plot that felt underdone, almost underdeveloped, but then again, that could be because this isn’t my most favorite genre. If you’re a romance fan, you’ll probably feel much differently. I have read one of Hunter’s previous books (Finding Faith, I think) and did enjoy it, so I plan on reading more of her books. I even have Surrender Bay in my TBR pile, and people have raved about that one.
If you’ve read Sweetwater Gap, let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear your take on it.
Comments
2 Responses to “Sweetwater Gap Reviewed”
You’re probably right, Sally. It’s probably the genre that was the problem. But a lot of folks like knowing they’re moving toward the happy ending, I guess.
I normally don’t care for straight romance, but I enjoy a book like this one sometimes if I have been reading heavier stuff.