A Rose by the Door [Hardcover]

Deborah Bedford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2001

A lonely woman prays and yearns for reconciliation with the son who left her many years ago. Her trust in God is shattered when she learns that this beloved son has been killed in a tragic accident. A knock on the door produces a daughter-in-law and a granddaughter she never knew she had, leading to a restoration of her faith in God but opening old wounds as they discover a dark family secret. Conflict builds to the breaking point until only God can bring grace and healing.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

For years, visitors to Ash Hollow, NE, have knocked on Bea Bartling's door and asked to see her famous pioneer roses, which once marked the wagon train trails. Each time, Bea hopes to see her estranged son, Nathan, but he never appears. After learning that he has been killed in an accident, Bea loses her faith in God and hardens her heart to the woman and child who appear on her doorstep weeks later. Gemma Bartling was an unwed mother with a young daughter, Paisley, when she met Nathan, and his love helped her find security again. Now he's gone, and she has pinned her last hopes on his mother. It takes a mysterious gardener, a pastor who never gives up, and the open heart of a small girl to break through the shells surrounding both Bea and Gemma and lead them back to God. Both heartwarming and melancholy, Bedford's (Harvest Dance) poignant tale will find a home in all collections.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Bedford's A Rose by the Door is a weepy tale set in a small Nebraska town. Gemma, a young woman so desperate that her plight borders on the comic, and her infallibly cute daughter arrive on the doorstep of Bea Bartling days after Bea has learned of the death of her estranged son, Nathan. Gemma claims she was Nathan's wife. Bea has never heard of her and is so full of grief over Nathan's loss that at first she can't accept Gemma and the cute kid. When she does, blessings arrive like roses. John Mort
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: San Val (November 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1417713577
• ISBN-13: 978-1417713578
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,002,109 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Page-turner!, June 21, 2002

By 

"mikemelissa77" (Des Moines, IA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Rose by the Door (Paperback)

Thank you, Deborah Bedford for writing a book that is wholesome and interesting. I am a stay at home mom, and even though I was interrupted regularly while reading this book, I was always eager to pick it up again and find out what was going to happen next. It kept my interest and was never hard to get back into once I had put it down. The story of the roses is fascinating. This is ultimately a book about a woman's faith in God and how her relationship with God was tested during a difficult time in her life. The book does a good job of tying everything together. I would highly recommend it!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful story for all ages!, December 20, 2001

By 

Maudeen Wachsmith "BeachReader" (Port Townsend, WA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Rose by the Door (Paperback)

Bea Bartling's faith has been sorely tested. Her son Nathan left under mysterious circumstances five years previously for reasons known only to Bea and she's not sharing. She has prayed fervently every day for his return. What she doesn't count on is his return in a casket.

After Nathan's death any joy left in Bea's life is gone. She is unable to even tend to her famous roses. Roses first brought to Nebraska by travelers over the Oregon Trail. They are so popular that the local museum even gives out pamphlets for self-guided tours.

When a young woman with four-year-old child arrive on her doorstep a few weeks after Nathan's death, Bea is in the throes of self-pity and doesn't want to acknowledge that the woman, Gemma is actually Nathan's widow. Even with the knowledge that Gemma and her daughter Paisley have no place to go, Bea doesn't offer them refuge. Instead, while visiting the local museum, they are locked in overnight and the woman who finds them has Gemma arrested on suspicion of burglary.

Gemma's arrest is a blessing in disguise as Jay Triplett, the friendly arresting officer, calls the local minister, George Sissel and he and his family take Gemma and Paisley in. Gemma eventually gets a job at a local restaurant and slowly Bea's defenses are taken down. Although she eventually invites them to stay in her home, she is never able to give herself fully to Gemma although young Paisley is a little bit better at endearing herself to Bea. When Bea finds Gemma has been in Nathan's room despite Bea asking her not to, accidentally breaking some treasured athletic trophies Nathan had won, her precarious trust of Gemma is broken and Gemma and Paisley return to the Sissel home.

As long-kept secrets are slowly revealed, Gemma puts the puzzle together but it takes a near tragedy for Bea to realize how much Gemma and Paisley really mean to her. Gemma even begins to heal herself with a special friendship and perhaps budding romance.

A ROSE BY THE DOOR is an endearing and heartwarming story that will appeal to readers of all ages. Little Paisley nearly steals the show with her innocence. Both Bea and Gemma are troubled women but through their common bond they eventually help each other heal.

I've long been a fan of Deborah Bedford's stories including the wonderful HARVEST DANCE and welcome her move to the inspirational romance subgenre. With well-drawn characters and a story that will keep readers turning pages, A ROSE BY THE DOOR is a clear winner.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Uplifting inspirational story, October 25, 2001

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Rose by the Door (Paperback)

Not quite eighteen, Nathan left home three weeks before he graduated from college. His mother Bea Bartling of Ash Hollow, Nebraska has constantly; prayed over the next five years that her son will return home so they can reconcile. Her dream ends when the police inform her that Nathan died in an automobile accident.

Bea becomes angry with God for betraying her trust in the All Mighty. She also does not know what to do when Nathan's widow Gemma accompanied by her granddaughter Paisley arrives broke and hungry. Bea reluctantly allows them to temporarily stay with her. As time passes, the three generations of females become close even though Bea still refuses to fully open up her heart to her guests. Unless Bea finds a way to tear down her walls, she will lose Gemma and Paisley too.

A ROSE BY THE DOOR is an uplifting inspirational story that shows those individuals with faith in their hearts can surmount any emotional mountain. The poignant story line moves the audience especially when the reader needs a lift. Deborah Bedford displays her talent with this sententious novel that never preaches but clearly inspires.

Harriet Klausner