Customer Reviews

Snow Melts in Spring (Seasons of the Tallgrass, Book 1)

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Mattie Evans is a vet in the Flint Hills of Kansas. Though her family lost their land she still calls it home. Nothing can make her leave the Flint Hills or can it? Gill McCray grew up in the Flint Hills but difficult memories caused him to leave and become a quarterback for the 49ers. Nothing will make him return to Flint Hill, or is there? When Gil's horse, Dusty, is hit by a drunk driver, Mattie is called to help. She recommends the horse be put down but John McCray (Gil's estranged father) encourages Mattie to do everything she can to save the horse. When Gil returns home for a weekend visit to check on the horse he meets Mattie and sparks fly.

I loved this story and not because I'm a fellow Kansan. But because the story was filled will real people that could easily be living in the Flint Hills right now. Deborah's writing style makes you want to keep turning pages. The story is packed with lots of character interaction which I love. She also allows you to see inside each character's thoughts which is always intriguing to me. This is Deborah's debut novel but it reads like a seasoned author. This comes highly recommended. Can't wait for "Seeds of Summer". Great job Deborah!!!

I hate to be the first person to write an under a three star review, but I really did not like this book. I usually zoom through a book but this one was hard for me to get into. My first problem with it, was that I didn't really like any of the characters. I didn't hate them, but I didn't like them either. I didn't feel like they were very realistic. Gil was not at all believable as an ex-NFL player. For instance, there is no way that a recently retired NFL player is going to throw around a football and explain football rules to a girl that he likes during the SUPERBOWL! No way. Throughout the book, he didn't seem that interested in football and what was going on with it. To me, Mattie and Gil were bland characters with no personalities to call their own.

The storyline was all right and I felt that the book moved at a pretty good pace, although I was bored at times. I thought that Gil's story was interesting and I was curious to see how he coped with his guilt. Religion was pretty scarce in the book until the very end. Then it felt like the author suddenly remembered that she was writing a Christian fiction book and tacked on a cheesy and unrealistic ending. I left the book feeling dissatisfied and like I wasted my time.

When I heard about this book, I was quite excited. A horseman, (been one all my life) a veterinarian (I worked for my brother, a vet) and in Kansas (we hunt there). It sounded like something I could really like.

While it wasn't a bad book, it wasn't nearly as good as I had hoped. The characters weren't people I could really like or hate. They were neutral in personality. For all the trouble Mattie had as a vet, the author didn't do enough with her work, and what there was wasn't very realistic. All we read about were mainly strays she took in--that may be good, but who pays the bills--and the horse that got hit by the car. Again, not realistic. No one (except a wealthy ex-pro ball player) could afford to leave their horse with the vet for months on end. He was dealthly sick, not eating, doing poorly, and then, presto, an added diagnosis and he was better. From experience with these injuries and illnesses, I thought his medical care could have been explained better. There also wasn't enough about Mattie's other workload.

The conversations between characters were very stilited. In real life, people generally don't talk that way. I realize the author was trying to be correct in grammar, etc., but the formal wording took away from the character's developement.
Also I found their emotions were back and forth and could have been decribed better.

Over all, the story line is fine, but for my reading it needs more character development and realism.

How refreshing to read a Christian Romance novel with an accurate horse setting! Deborah Vogts has written a memorable story about a female veterinarian and a rancher's son in Snow Melts in Spring.

Mattie Evans loves the Flint Hills of Kansas and attempts to build a practice there. A local rancher, John McCray, asks her to save a severely injured horse that is owned by his son and was hit by a car. Gil is estranged from his father and plays on a national football team. But he plans to retire and start a horse ranch in California. His goals change when he arrives home and meets Mattie.

They both have to overcome personal obstacles, both physical and emotional, before they can accept their strong feelings for each other.

Deborah Vogts brings a fresh new look at rural ranch life in Snow Melts In Spring.
The main character, Mattie Evans struggles with insecurity because she is a young veterinarian trying to prove to the locals that she can and will make a go of this career she loves. Mattie also struggles to prove self worth because her parents lost their ranch in an unscrupulous business deal. Mattie's feelings of inadequacy are clearly portrayed and makes her seem so real.
Then one evening Mattie comes upon a horrible accident where a horse has been severely injured. She wants to leave and not get involved but she finds out that the horse belongs to an older man, John McCray, who is one of Mattie's best friends and supporters. She decides she will save his horse!
Gil McCray, John's son, is having some issues of his own as a famous quarterback. Gil is sent home with an injury and meets Mattie. Not really wanting to enter into the "dark recesses" of his memories....Gil has secrets (but has good reasons for not sharing this info).
Mattie wants Gil and his father, John, to reconcile....to let go of the past and forge a bridge of peace.
This is a fresh new author for me. A delightful, fast, fun read! I truly enjoyed reading about Mattie, Gil and John. My love of horses was ignited by Deborah's vast knowledge.
Faith is not just a sideline but part of the "big picture" for these characters. A truly wonderful, well written read!
*This book was provided for review by Zondervan*

This was a very good debut novel. I always love a good romance, especially one that involves horses! I loved the fact that this one didn't get too detailed with the romance parts and I can feel good about my Mom, my daughter or any other young people picking it up off the shelf. There were some inspirational Christian messages and values in there which was refreshing. I loved the characters and the details. I found myself smiling or chuckling many times because I could relate to some of the characters and picture just what was going on.

I highly recommend this book and I look forward to picking up the next one - Seeds of Summer.

After having completed this book, I feel it was an inspiration to anyone who has faced adversity and truly not known which way to go. It takes a lot of Soul searching on the part of both of the main characters, Gil and Mattie, but the results Deborah achieved were really worth the trip. I can't wait to read "Seeds of Summer".

Deborah's artistic way with words is wonderful, truly capturing every scene. I felt I was right in the middle of it, with all my senses in tune. The circumstances that Mattie faced with wanting to hold on to her homeland, yet facing the decision of having to give it up for the man she loves, is somewhat similar to situations I find myself in today. I felt a personal connection with Mattie and was quite emotionally caught up with her predicament. The ending spoke volumes about Mattie's trust in the Lord. I was very emotionally invested in the characters, to the point that my heart ached at the thought of how each character would cope with the prospect of drastic changes and the possibility of losing so much of what defined him.

It was a "hallelujah moment" when Gil was able to face his demons after speaking with Dillon. Gil learned that all-important lesson about God's forgiveness and how to embrace His freedom by putting the past behind him. In so doing, he was able to see the bounty of God's provisions that lay right before his eyes.

I also really enjoyed the use of scripture and biblical application in the story. It never came across as preachy, just as a natural part of the person. I also appreciated the faults of the characters, making them more real and relatable.

I absolutely loved this book! I'm eager to read her next novel, "Seeds of Summer"! Keep up the great work, Deborah!

This was a great read - the author did a super job of developing both the characters and the plot. The fact that I got this free from Amazon for my Kindle was a real plus.

My synopsis:
Gil McCray left home for 20 years in order to escape the guilt he felt for having betrayed his older brother, Frank, the night Frank was killed by a drunk driver. Gil went on to become a famous quarterback for the NFL San Francisco 49ers. Then his horse Dusty was injured badly in an accident caused by a drunken driver, bringing Gil back home to Kansas where he met the female veterinarian Mattie Evans, who'd be in charge of trying to heal Dusty. Mattie's sister Jenna was the girl with whom Gil had betrayed his brother 20 years ago, but they (Mattie and Jenna) were nowhere alike. On his second trip home, Gil stayed a longer time, got to know Mattie and found he more than liked her; but she didn't like his lifestyle nor the fact that he was unwilling to live in his old home town, which Mattie loved. It took meeting Jenna again, learning why he had so many issues with his dad and facing his feelings about that night twenty years ago before Gil could really know what he wanted to do with his life.

Gil McCray left home for 20 years in order to escape the guilt he felt for having betrayed his older brother, Frank, the night Frank was killed by a drunk driver. Gil went on to become a famous quarterback for the NFL San Francisco 49ers. Then his horse Dusty was injured badly in an accident caused by a drunken driver, bringing Gil back home to Kansas where he met the female veterinarian Mattie Evans, who'd be in charge of trying to heal Dusty. Mattie's sister Jenna was the girl with whom Gil had betrayed his brother 20 years ago, but they (Mattie and Jenna) were nowhere alike. On his second trip home, Gil stayed a longer time, got to know Mattie and found he more than liked her; but she didn't like his lifestyle nor the fact that he was unwilling to live in his old home town, which Mattie loved. It took meeting Jenna again, learning why he had so many issues with his dad and facing his feelings about that night twenty years ago before Gil could really know what he wanted to do with his life.

I really don't appreciate "preaching" - but it wasn't as bad as it could have been.

Deborah Vogts is a wonderful author and Snow Melts in Spring was her debut novel. I am truly thankful that Deborah allowed me to review this book before I read her second Seasons of the Tallgrass book, Seeds of Summer.

In Snow Melts in Spring, Mattie is vet hired to take care of Dusty, her long time friend's son's horse who was hit by a drunk driver. She is struggling with not allowing her self to become attached to this horse, but then the owner, shows up and she's struggling even more with emotions and feelings! And then there's Gil. The son of her long time friend shows up after being gone for 2 years. He's an ex-NFL player and struggles with so many things! My heart went out to both of them, especially Gil. He wasn't sure what do, but when he learned to fully rely on God and put his heartache and trust in Him, he was so much better! I LOVED the feeling of belonging right along side both of these beautiful characters!

I highly recommend you read this heart capturing book. It was extremely hard to put down and I had it read in 2 days! It is a wonderful 5 star story about forgiveness, belonging and trusting in God's will for your life. I loved this book and the characters that added depth, and I am anxious to start on Seeds of Summer! This is a series written by a wonderfully talented, highly recommended author!