Customer Reviews

Tender Vow

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

 

 

I genuinely loved this book. The characters were engaging and the romance just quirky enough to keep me turning the pages. The author's knack for establishing the setting drew me in from the first page. I'm anxiously awaiting her next release. Thumbs up!

I loved Sharlene's Daughters of Jacob Kane series and so I was curious about reading more from her. This is a sweet story about love and forgiveness. Sharlene did a great job of capturing the grief that surrounds loss and the exploration of new feelings as people move forward. The Christian elements are strong, with Rachel and Jason both learning how to listen to the voice of God in their lives. The novel is somewhat light and a bit predictable, despite the subject matter, but it is still a sweet story. Perfect for an afternoon escape.

A Christian story of grieve, hope, redemption and mostly love. The story is told from two points of view, switching between the male and female protagonists. For the most part this works well.

Rachel has just lost her husband, John, to a skiing accident. Both families are devastated, including John's brother Jason, who was on the ski trip when the tragedy occurred. Guilt ridden, Jason wants to help Rachel any way he can. Old feelings surface. Jason wants to rekindle old feelings and Rachel does not, but with a 3-year-old precocious daughter and a newborn son, Rachel needs Jason's help.

Reluctantly, feelings surface on both sides. What will the families say? Is this even "right?" Can Rachel and Jason figure out what is the best thing to so: follow their hearts or keep an appropriate distance? This is a page-turner which both those who like Christian books and those that do not will surely enjoy.

"Tender Vows" is a classic love story with interesting twists. A most enjoyable read. You won't want to put the book down and when finished will want a sequel detailing the future of both these families.

I read Tender Vow and was enthralled with the characters and the way it was written. It was interesting how they handled grief and guilt and how they got to understanding and forgiveness. I highly recommend reading this book; you will not be able to put it down.

MacLaren's ninth novel has a positive, upbeat tone in spite of the tragic circumstances surrounding Jason Evans and his sister-in-law Rachel. How does a family deal with the tragic death of their husband and brother? The young widow struggles to raise her two young children; Jason struggles with circumstances surrounding John's untimely death that he might have prevented. What does he do with memories of his love for Rachel long before she and John married, that he thought dissolved when he made Jesus Lord of his life? Does the past ever fade? Can God fix the tangle of strong memories and genuine needs rising from the horrific loss of father, husband, brother?

As usual, MacLaren's strong faith plays out in the lives of her characters for a never-a-dull moment tale that inspires and encourages readers of any age. In other words, she's done it again. You will love this Michigan-based story. [...]


Review by Audrey Hebbert, M.A., author of Green Light Red Light

Shar Maclaren has written some of my favorite historical romance books of all time. She has 2 separate series that were so good I was always on the edge of my seat waiting for the next one to come out (Daughters of Jacob Kane series and Little Hickman Creek series). While her historical books capture the essence of the time periods and places to me, her contemporary romances don't pack the same punch for me. Tender Vow is a nice story with nice characters and some little twists in the plot (nothing too big) but the whole concept of the widow of one man falling in love with her husband's brother just didn't sit quite right with me. It was probably a personal thing and there will be tons of people that love this book. For me, I will continue to be first in line for every historical book Sharlane Maclaren writes, but I won't be in as a big a hurry to get the contemporary books.

Tender Vow definitely captured my emotions! I felt like I was connected to the characters, and I really was interested in their story. This is a sweet, gives-you-happy-feelings kind of book. It has a great plot, with characters that are deep and you really get to find out about them more as people than just characters. Sharlene did a great job. I can't wait to see what she has coming next!!

This was an excellent story written by an excellent author! I love Sharlene MacLaren's work.This is such a different story from the first 3 books I read by her....those were her Daughters of Jacob Kane books. She is super talented and knows how to capture her readers' hearts. She really did a wonderful job with this story. She blended heartache and pain, love and family, friendship and forgiveness, humor and faith all into one incredible story, making this one that is perfect for anyone.

The way Sharlene created Rachel and Jason's characters was phenomenal. They shared a pain so great that I could feel it in my own heart and cried with them. I loved both of these fabulous characters til the very last page and they are still in my heart! I will never forget these amazing people from this book. The love of God shines through them and their families and spills over onto the reader, as you witness the heartache, forgiveness and letting go of the past. And I absolutely can not leave out my most favorite character from this novel....the little sugar plum fairy, Meaggie! SHE WAS ADORABLE! She really added to the tenderness of this story, and that was what topped it off for me, making this an unforgettable story!

So, with a glowing 5 star praise, I most definitely recommend this book to EVERYONE. There is a message of faith, forgiveness and overcoming heartache that will last in your heart for a long time to come when you close the back cover of this book after finishing. And, if you have never read a Sharlene MacLaren book, don't miss out on this one! It's an excellent place to start. If you're already a Shar fan, then this is tender addition to your collection! I can't wait for the next amazing book from this fascinating author!

Tender Vow is a sweet, oftentimes predictable, story of grief and learning to love again. Brothers John and Jason Evans head off for a weekend of skiing. Only Jason returns. Wracked with guilt over not doing more to prevent John's accident, Jason vows to see to the needs of his brother's widow and children. His assistance, however, is viewed as an unwelcome intrusion by a sister-in-law looking to place blame for her husband's death. As Jason and his brother's widow, Rachael, work through their guilt and blame, they rediscover feelings long forgotten.

Tender Vow is not a deep, thought provoking book, but it is an enjoyable story, perfect for an afternoon of light reading at the pool or an evening curled up in front of the fireplace. It is, without a doubt, the characters that make this story! All are wonderfully developed and will have you laughing, admonishing, and crying right along with them.

Tender Vow is a Christian novel, and while the Bible quotes and references seemed to stand out in the first chapter or two, once the reader became acquainted with the characters, and their varying places in their walks with the Lord, the Bible references fit seamlessly into the story.

I received this book from Whitaker House Publishers in exchange for my honest review. The thoughts printed in this review are entirely my own.