Customer Reviews

Summer Dream (Seasons of the Heart)

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

 

 

This is the first book I've read by Martha Rogers and I thoroughly enjoyed the Summer Dream. I actually won this book from a blog and then it sat on my shelf for weeks actually because I had no time to get to it. It wasn't until I was asked to review book 2 that I decided I better read book 1 first.

This book is centered on the late 1800's and we are instantly introduced to the Winston family and their daughter Rachel. Rachel is the daughter of a preacher and she has a lot of expectations put on her shoulders and one of those includes marrying a man that is a believer. This becomes quite a challenge for her though because the only man in town her age is her best friend's brother Daniel and she really sees him more of a brother to herself than a beau. Then suddenly mysterious and stunning Nathan enters the story. Nathan is a visiting friend of Daniels and Rachel is instantly attracted to him. There is only one problem; he has turned his back on God and refuses to go to church or have anything to do with a woman who is a preacher's daughter!

My oh my was this an interesting plot and story line. I loved the whole concept of the preacher's daughter being attracted to the non-believer. It wasn't that she was instantly in love with him but she definitely was attracted to him. To me this concept was most believable because it is very common for us (being young men or women) to be attracted to whom we can't have or who are mysterious! Loved that part of the story!

This was also a story about God's forgiveness and grace in our lives. We come to learn that Nathan has a huge reason as to why he is angry with God and there is a big part of the story where he has to learn forgiveness for his own sins and seek forgiveness from those he's hurt. Rachel also struggles with patience and letting go of control so God can lead her life!!

There were a lot of spiritual undertones going on in this book and at times I felt it was a bit too preachy for my style but overall I still enjoyed the story. My only other complaint is.....why-oh-why do we have to wait to the very end of the story, literally last page to have any kissing or romantic scenes?! I just need more kissing in a romance book and more "wooing" if you know what I mean!

Summer Dream is still a great story that is filled with compelling and interesting characters along with a spiritual message that we all could use to hear now and again. I am looking forward to reading book 2, Autumn Song!

Summer Dream is the first book by Martha Rogers that I've read and I can say it won't be the last! This is one of the sweetest and gentlest love stories, full of wonderful characters and delightful friendships.

Rachel Winston is a young woman to be admired and to aspire to be like. She has a deep love for her family and faith, as well as a maturity beyond her years. I imagine that was not unusual during the 1800's as responsibilities on children were greater than today. In Rachel we see a determination to do what is right based on deep-seated convictions. She knows in her heart she should not be attracted to Nathan, but we see God work, and we see her praying diligently for his spiritual well being.

With Nathan, the prodigal son was brought to mind. Martha shows how God works to bring someone back into the fold and restore them to right relationship not only with God but with their family, as well. I liked Nathan and shed a few tears near the end when he goes to see his mother.

Martha did an excellent job with characterization. I felt as if I had gained some new friends and I was reminded NOT to give up on someone but to continue in prayer for them because I never know how God is working, whom He is using, or when I will see fruit. I hope we get to see some of the minor characters starring in their own stories!

***Special thanks to Anna Coelho Silva | Publicity Coordinator, Charisma House | Charisma Media for sending me a review copy.***

In summer Dream, Rachel Winston is a minister's daughter living in a small town of Briar Ridge. Beautiful and capable of taking care the house, she is ready to become a wife. But she finds herself attracted to the one man that seems impossible to become her match. Nathan Reed is a rising young lawyer. When he comes to Briar Ridge to help a client and meets Rachel his heart stirs, although he has vowed not to court a Christian after what happened in his family. But God use what seems to be a tragedy to call you back to Him. Nathan has to surrender all his hurt and anger, and make peace with his family, before he can reveal his true feeling to Rachel. Overall it is a beautiful and sweet story. I really enjoy the Winston family, how they love each other and have a very close relationship in the family. Sometimes though I feel like they are too perfect and proper. I also like how Rachel asks the Lord for her life direction instead of making decisions based on her own feeling. The book has a good message and I will recommend it to anyone who loves historical romance. I receive this book from Charisma House to review, but I received no compensation for this review and I am not under any obligation to provide a positive review.

Although Martha has published many books, Summer Dream is the first book of hers that I've read. I really enjoyed it. I found the characters likable and the plot believable. It was a bit slow in some places for me, but I think that was because I was reading it in the middle of my daughter's birthday preparations (ie: cleaning the house for grandparent company)! :-)

Rachel and her friend Abigail were portrayed as sweet young ladies on the verge of finding the right husband. No overt flirting, no games, just nice girls. Of course Rachel, a minister's daughter, has to fall for the one man who appears out of reach.

Although the author doesn't share the reason for supposedly unsuitable Nathan's bitterness until nearer the end of the book, I never disliked him or felt like he was a 'bad boy,' having done something terrible. As I read, I just hoped he could resolve the issues with his family, whatever they were, and have a chance at courting Rachel.

I also enjoyed the friendly family scenes at the apple orchard and the girls' trip to Boston. I'm looking forward to book 2, Seasons of the Heart, which is coming out in October. By the end of Summer Dream, I had an idea that Martha might continue the story of Daniel, Rachel's brother, as he heads west to Texas. Looks like I'm right! I'll be looking for its release and checking out Martha's previous books!

*I was sent a free review copy through FIRST blog tours. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine.*

Martha Rogers has a way of writing that puts me at ease each and every time I read them. She has a most wonderful way of writing that I find completely relaxing and enjoyable.

I read her entire series, Winds Across the Prairie, and became an instant fan of Martha's writing. I was so excited to see her coming out with a new series. It didn't take more than just a couple pages of reading Summer Dream before I fell into the story and found that familiar feeling I have come to love from Martha Rogers. Once again, I was completely delighted by her writing and found another relaxing and delightful reading experience.

This story is different from Martha's Winds Across the Prairie series, which I liked because I like to see a writer who can expand his or her horizons and create different characters in a new setting, but still retain that beautiful writing that I have come to love. I highly recommend Summer Dream if you are looking for a relaxing, romantic and charming story that will warm your heart and leave you wanting to read more from Martha Rogers.

A small town minister's daughter Rachel Winston is so afraid that she will never find a husband but she does have a very good friend Daniel Monroe who is the brother of her best friend and she grew up with. She really cared for Daniel but not as a future husband but as a friend. He had gone to college and had come home to be a lawyer and his room mate at school had come to visit, Nathan Reed was not a Christian but would not tell why he didn't believe. He grew up in the North Carolina but didn't want to tell anyone why he didn't want to go back home.

Rachel's aunt wanted her to come visit her in Boston but it was winter and very cold. She did go in the spring months and carried her best friend Abigale with her. So they went but she could not forget Nathan, but he had some issues he had to fix with his family and he may never come back to visit his friend Daniel.

Will Rachel find a love in Boston or will she come back home to see how things go with Daniel or will she wait and see if Nathan makes peach with God and his family?

This book was sent to be by Charisma Media for me to read and review