Leaves of Hope (Steeple Hill Women's Fiction #36) [Paperback]

Catherine Palmer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2006

An adventurous spirit has always set Beth Lowell apart in her family, creating tension with her mother, Jan, who cherishes stability. Beth, a risk taker who traverses the globe for her job, wonders how Jan, now widowed, can endure her staid, predictable life. Then a note hidden inside an antique tea set reveals that Jan has kept a shocking secret from Beth.

Beth's search for the birth father she has never known takes her to an enchanting tea estate in the Himalayan foothills, accompanied by a handsome British businessman. And the revelation of a long-hidden past forces Jan to embark on her own journey -- toward reconciliation with her daughter and the courage to love again.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Prolific Christy award-winning romance novelist Palmer (A Touch of Betrayal) brews a lukewarm mother/daughter love and faith story that manages some enjoyable moments. Bethany "Beth" Lowell is a brash protagonist who travels the world assisting corporate employees with international transitions. Her stick-in-the-mud widowed mother Jan plans a comfortable and secure life in Texas painting roses and baking cobblers. When the secret of Beth's birth comes to light (a stock in trade of faith fiction plots), Beth crosses the globe with dashing British tea plantation owner Miles Wilson to find her biological father. Jan must decide if she will risk her secure way of life to make peace with her past missteps. A preachiness that feels didactic even for the faith fiction genre overpowers the storyline; the plot revolves around the conversion or recommitment of two characters (although one is charmingly portrayed). Most disappointing is the untapped potential of the setting of a tea plantation in the Himalayas and other exotic locations, most of which are described in an encyclopedic way. The romance never steams up, and Miles's disappearance at a crucial moment is confusing. However, faith fiction fans who like squeaky-clean romance will find this novel just their cup of tea.
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Review

"Catherine Palmer's writing shines with romance and inner struggles of the heart." -- Francine Rivers, bestselling author of Redeeming Love

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Product Details

• Paperback: 281 pages
• Publisher: Steeple Hill (May 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373785607
• ISBN-13: 978-0373785605
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,697,241 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Catherine Palmer lives in Atlanta with her husband, Tim, where they serve as missionaries in a refugee community. They have two grown sons. Cathy is a graduate of Southwest Baptist University and holds a master's degree in English from Baylor University. Her first book was published in 1988. Since then she has published over 50 novels, many of them national best sellers. Catherine has won numerous awards for her writing, including the Christy Award, the highest honor in Christian fiction. In 2004, she was given the Career Achievement Award for Inspirational Romance by "Romantic Times BOOKreviews" magazine. More than 2 million copies of Catherine's novels are currently in print.

With her compelling characters and strong message of Christian faith, Catherine is known for writing fiction that "touches the hearts and souls of readers." Her many collections include A Town Called Hope, Treasures of the Heart, Finders Keepers, English Ivy, and the Miss Pickworth series. Catherine also recently coauthored the Four Seasons fiction series with Gary Chapman, the "New York Times" best-selling author of "The Five Love Languages."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Emotional tale, April 6, 2008

By 

Deborah Wiley (Winter Haven, FL) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Leaves of Hope (Steeple Hill Women's Fiction #36) (Paperback)

Beth Lowell has always been a bit different from the rest of her family. She enjoys traveling, which is an asset in her job helping others settle into their lives in places such as Africa and India. Her mom, Jan Lowell, is a total homebody and doesn't understand Beth one bit. Didn't she raise her to be more settled, less globetrotting? But now Beth has learned Jan's darkest secret, and it will change everything. You see, Beth's now deceased father wasn't her biological father; her biological father was a man named Thomas Wood. Will Beth's faith in Christ help her as she copes with learning that her whole life was based on a lie? And will Jan rediscover her own faith in the process?

Catherine Palmer is a master at weaving faith into real life problems. She tackles the hard issues, the sensitive issues, and does so with a delicate but firm touch. In LEAVES OF HOPE, Beth discovers she had a biological father she never knew about while Jan has to deal with the consequences of the past. Their relationship has always been a bit rocky as Beth is so much like Thomas. The interactions between mother and daughter are sometimes tough, but they are true to life as each struggles with the changes in their lives.

The lessons and growth are all in the struggles. Jan and Beth have a bumpy road ahead of them in LEAVES OF HOPE; its not easy looking closely at yourself and recognizing where change is needed, but Jan and Beth will learn that all things are possible through God. Growth is never easy, but it can be a beautiful experience. Watching both Beth and Jan blossom is one of those beautiful experiences.

The story changes location as Beth travels from Tyler, Texas, to New York, and even to India and London. Catherine Palmer brings each place to life, as one can envision each setting. The homes of each of the characters, including Miles, add a bit more about their personalities as their homes reflect who they are.

Catherine Palmer knows how to write an emotional tale! LEAVES OF HOPE has some tearjerker moments as Jan and Beth will learn a great deal about love, God, and relationships. LEAVES OF HOPE is easily recommended.

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful read!, February 21, 2010

By 

Tammy's Book Parlor "Tammy" (east texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leaves of Hope (Steeple Hill Women's Fiction #36) (Paperback)

Catherine Palmer is one of my favorite authors. I have read her books for several years now. I enjoy the action, adventure and animations she presents in her books. Leaves of Hope is another great adventure about a young adult woman, Beth Lowell. Beth was raised in Tyler, Texas (off to a great start already:). The book has a lot of East Texas in it including the Tyler Rose Gardens and Tyler Junior College. But off to adventure...so reading on, Beth finds a secret in her mother's closet and goes on an adventure seeking truth from the past. There is also a lot of scripture incorporated in this story....great thinking material. This story is mainly about mistakes, redemption and finding God's truth. A wonderful read!

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!!!, April 23, 2008

By 

Claudia (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leaves of Hope (Steeple Hill Women's Fiction #36) (Paperback)

Catherine Palmer did it again!! Leaves of Hope is a great story. I couldn't put it down.