Customer Reviews

Once Upon a Family (Fostered by Love Series #1) (Larger Print Love Inspired #393)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Laura Williams is a new widower with a troubled son. She has three children, and the two youngest seem to have adjusted to their father's death, but Sean, the oldest, is rebellious, angry, and fighting at school. Now Laura and Sean have been summoned to the pricipal's office, and she's at a loss what to do next.
Laura meets Peter Stone, who is tall, handsome, and concrened. He wants to help Sean work through his anger. After all, he was just like this boy once, and someone helped him. Laura isn't sure Peter knows what he's doing, and she isn't ready to become involved with a man. However, she and her children seem to be spending a lot of time at Peter's ranch. A warm-hearted story about two people who have been hurt, and are cautious about falling in love again, until they learn that God knows what's best for them.

This was a great book to start the Fostered by Love series (see below). This author has an affinity for people and animals that are in any way disadvantaged whether physically, mentally or emotionally. It shines through her books like no other author I've read. She uses this first book in the series to set the stage for the other 2 which all centre around the need for good loving foster homes for kids that need shelter for whatever the reason.

In Once Upon a Family, Laura Williams is trying to get her life back together after a traumatic experience just prior to her husband's death. Abused and disillusioned by a man she thought would protect her, she arrives in Cimarron City, Oklahoma with her 4 kids and accepts her aunt's offer of a rent-free duplex. Laura doesn't want to accept her aunt's charity, but her children need a home and her aunt needs care so it's more like an exchange, anyway.

It doesn't help that within 2 wks of hitting town, Laura's heading to the high school principal's office in response to some trouble her son has been involved with. It also doesn't help that Principal Stone is one good looking man who seems to want to get to know her and her kids better. But wait - he's mentioned he'll never marry again but he wants kids - that's couldn't be the real reason he's paying her attention...could it?

Peter Stone is still hurting after his ex-wife's betrayal 3 yrs ago. He doesn't think he can ever trust a woman again - even one that he really likes being around. But her twins make him laugh and her son is crying out for help. Peter has the skills to relate to Laura's troubled teen on a level she can't. Peter also has a farm with a bunch of abandoned animals that Laura's son has an affinity toward.

It seems like the animals might be the key to break down the walls her son is hiding behind. Will Peter be able to do the same for Laura?

Heat level: Affectionate

My Rating: Great - 4 stars (a keeper)

Fostered by Love:

1 - Once Upon a Family - Apr 07 - Peter Stone and Laura Williams
2 - Heart of the Family - Dec 07 - Dr. Jacob Hartman and Hannah Smith
3 - Family Ever After - May 08 - Noah Maxwell and Cara Winters

Normally, I shy away from romance novels--especially the kind you read in monthly paperbacks. "Chick porn," I call it, since these novels typically induce women to long for what they don't have--much like girlie magazines and X-rated movies do for a man.

However, Margaret Daley is not that kind of writer. This book is a good example of why.

When a newly widowed woman and a divorced man meet regarding her son's behavior at school, neither Laura Williams nor Peter Stone imagine they could ever be more than reluctant acquaintances. But their concern for others and a love of animals forges a bond that deepens, even as old wounds are re-opened. Each learns to trust God, trust each other and forgive those who hurt them in the past. A family is healed and a new one is formed, as life-long dreams are realized.

Margaret deals with the issues of abuse, foster care, marital infidelity, childlessness and suicide--all in the same small volume. An easy read, but with surprising depth. Keep a tissue box handy!