When Love Blooms [Paperback]

Robin Lee Hatcher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 20, 2009

From the moment Gavin Blake set eyes on Emily Harris he knew she would never make it in the rugged high country where backbreaking work and constant hardship were commonplace. She would wilt there like a rose without water. He'd be sending her back to Boise before the first snows. He'd be willing to bet on it. She could say what she wanted. Emily Harris didn't belong in the hard life of the Blakes. Beautiful and refined, she was accustomed to the best life had to offer. Heaven only knew why she wanted to leave Boise to teach two young girls on a ranch miles from nowhere. He'd wager it had to do with a man. It always did when a beautiful woman was involved. Emily wanted to make some sort of mark on the world before marriage. She wanted to be more than just a society wife. Though she had plenty of opportunities back East, she had come to the Idaho high country looking to make a difference. Gavin's resistance to her presence made her even more determined to prove herself. Perhaps changing the heart of one man might make the greatest difference of all.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

From the moment Gavin Blake set eyes on Emily Harris he knew she would never make it in the rugged high country where backbreaking work and constant hardship were commonplace. She would wilt there like a rose without water. He'd be sending her back to Boise before the first snows. He'd be willing to bet on it.

She could say what she wanted. Emily Harris didn't belong in the hard life of the Blakes. Beautiful and refined, she was accustomed to the best life had to offer. Heaven only knew why she wanted to leave Boise to teach two young girls on a ranch miles from nowhere. He'd wager it had to do with a man. It always did when a beautiful woman was involved.

Emily wanted to make some sort of mark on the world before marriage. She wanted to be more than just a society wife. Though she had plenty of opportunities back East, she had come to the Idaho high country looking to make a difference. Gavin’s resistance to her presence made her even more determined to prove herself. Perhaps changing the heart of one man might make the greatest difference of all. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Robin Lee Hatcher is the bestselling author of over sixty books. Her well-drawn characters and heartwarming stories of faith, courage, and love have earned her both critical acclaim and the devotion of readers. Her numerous awards include the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, two RITA Awards for Best Inspirational Romance, Romantic Times Career Achievement Awards for Americana Romance and for Inspirational Fiction, and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award. Robin currently resides in Idaho. For more information, visit www.robinleehatcher.com.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 290 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan; First edition. edition (January 20, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310259282
• ISBN-13: 978-0310259282
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,203,449 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm the author of 60+ novels and novellas. My home is in Idaho, where I spend my time writing stories of faith, courage, and love; pondering the things of God; and loving my family and friends. Please note that the list of my books on Amazon includes novels written for the general romance market from 1984 to 1999. My Christian fiction has been published from 1999 to present. I no longer recommend my older fiction. Purchase used books with caution. For more information, please visit my web site at http://robinleehatcher.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Robin Lee Hatcher entrances readers, January 18, 2009

By 

Ane Mulligan "V.P./Sr. Editor, Novel Rocket" (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: When Love Blooms (Paperback)

Penned with the descriptive nibs of all the five senses, Hatcher transports the reader to the magnificent high country of Idaho in a thoroughly engaging tale of love and wounded heroes. When Love Blooms is layered with appealing characters, and I was so at home with the story's cast, I felt like I was like viewing my own family history. I have yet to read a Robin Lee Hatcher novel that didn't entrance me from the first page, and with a unique plot for a romance, When Love Blooms is no exception. I give it a high recommendation.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hope amidst Tragedy, June 1, 2009

By 

Mara Kim (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: When Love Blooms (Paperback)

I loved this story! It is set in the late 1800's in a remote area of Idaho. Robin makes you care about the characters and live vicariously through them.

Dru's main objective is not only to find a suitable governess for her two children but someone her husband, Gavin would fall in love with. Why? Because Dru is dying and their marriage was one of convenience. Dru's previous husband passed away in a tragic accident and Gavin took on the role to take care of Dru and her children.

Due to past experiences, Gavin is none too happy about his wife's decision to hire a governess. After all, he can take care of the two girls on his own. He doesn't need a high and mighty woman who doesn't like to get her hands dirty to take over. Gavin doesn't leave Emily any doubt that she is not wanted at the ranch. Emily and Gavin fight against their attraction toward one another. Emily loves the Lord with all her heart but Gavin keeps his distance with God.

Patrick, a rich landowner falls for Emily. He can give her anything her heart's desire. He lavishes Emily with compliments and makes her feel worthwhile and special.

Emily does fall in love with the children but the question remains, "Does Dru get her wish fulfilled?"

This is a wonderful story of hope of love in the midst of sorrow and pain.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A decent summer read, May 22, 2009

By 

A. Markel - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: When Love Blooms (Paperback)

When Love Blooms by Robin Lee Hatcher is a typical Christian romance novel. Emily Harris, a young woman who is uncertain what she wants to do with her life, takes a job as a governess with the Blake family on their Idaho ranch in the 1800s. What she doesn't realize when she takes the job is that Brina and Pet's mother, Dru, is dying of cancer. At first all Emily knows is that Dru is sick, Dru's husband, Gavin, immediately disapproves of Emily, and Emily takes an instant liking to her new charges.

Emily is also unaware of Dru's plan to find a new woman for Gavin to love after her passing. Even without knowing of Dru's plan, both Emily and Gavin begin fighting an attraction for each other, and the typical misunderstandings follow, including Emily becoming engaged to another man, and her returning home to Boise. But will they discover how they feel about each other before it's too late?

It was a good book, the kind you might take to the pool or beach over the summer. Certainly not a particularly original story--kind of The Sound of Music meets Love Comes Softly--but that characters are likable, the setting is fairly unique, and the Christian themes make it a better alternative to a lot of the books currently available in bookstores.