Customer Reviews

Love's Haven (Steeple Hill Women's Fiction #21)

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

 

 

I really enjoyed this book. The book opens with Brock telling Mara that he is going to marry her. Mara doesn't want to marry Brock. The problem...Mara was married to Brock's best friend, Todd. Todd was killed in a climbing accident and Mara blames Brock because he asked him to go. Brock and Todd have been best friends since grade school. When Todd died, he left Mara (who is pregnant) and a company with lots of debt. Brock has lots of money and wants to offer Mara and her baby a future. In desperation Mara does marry Brock but it is a name only marriage to provide medical, food, a car and a home to them. But will it stay that way? They have many issues to work out and will "good timin" Brock settle down? This story is their journey. I thought Catherine did a wonderful job in creating these characters. It's one that will be a keeper on my shelf.

Catherine Palmer's great skill as a writer shines through in this wonderful book. The attraction between Mara and Brock is palpable but their past hurts and fears keep them apart. Can Mara and Brock let go of their bitterness and anger and let God work in their lives? I couldn't put this book down! If you liked The Kiss of Adventure series, you'll love this book as well.

Honestly, I loved the story. It was everything one could ask for in an Inspirational romance novel. There were, however, a few points with which I continue to struggle reconciling with reality. If one is able to set aside these few issues, the book is well worth reading.

First, I continue to be irked with the novel's premise that Mara & Brock had to be married for Brock to provide the assistance he promised to Mara. They wed so the wealthy Brock can provide financially for her & her unborn child, who have been left husbandless, fatherless, & penniless since the tragic death of Mara's husband, the best friend of Brock. Set in the 1800's, this premise would be more than logical. However, set in present-day, it rubs me as nothing more than a means to a beautiful love story.

Second, I have not been able to shake my husband's comment regarding the premise. He commented that it was a great, guilt-free way to get together with one's husband's best friend. Yes, I chided & corrected him, explaining the story, but the disconcerting thought has remained tucked in my mind. And my husband doesn't even have a best friend. So I'm not sure how men would take this book (or any romance novel, for that matter, I suppose).

Despite these personal issues with the story, I still remained completely enthralled from beginning to end. The characters are nicely developed, & the passion & intensity between the couple could possibly leave one breathless. Mara's struggle with accepting her husband's death & learning to love her new husband seem appropriate & well drawn out. The story is peppered with humor & insight, as well as some heart-wrenching moments. (Personally, I loved the amusing opening scene, imagining the two in the bathroom already fighting.)

Oh, how I wanted to give this 5 stars! If only I could reconcile my innate romanticism with my view of reality. Even still, I'd read it again whilst suspending disbelief.

This was my first Catherine Palmer book and I will probably think twice before buying another one. It is a good book if you want a bit of fluffy, light reading. It would well belong to the seventies Harlequin romance books. It is shelved with Christian fiction, though not overly Christian and it is a little contrived. The hero would definitely not have to marry Mara to provide for her and her unborn child. No man in his right mind would saddle himself with a woman he didn't love and a child simply to provide for them. It is not completely believable.

This was a light enjoyable read. The characters were decent and the message was good. Its not a book that you'd need to reread, but a great one to enjoy for the moment.

I enjoyed the book. It was moving and thoughtful. It's a tender story of love and security.

This book seems like an excuse for the author to write an average romance in an unrealistic setting. Basics: husband of pregnant woman dies and she blames the best friend, who is now offering her marriage out of guilt to cover her husbands debt build-up and health care and security for her unborn child. The two main characters hate each other, yet she marries him anyway. That is the setup for these two to "fall in love." The romance, the friends, even the so-called forgiveness all seemed so forced; it often made me cringe. The only reason I finished the book is because I was bored, and I breathed a sigh of relief when I closed the book. I turned right around and returned it for my money back. I was highly disappointed with Palmer and this book, because she's written some amazing books, some worth five stars. But this isn't one of them.