1: 2/3 Blessed
When I picked up this book I figured it would be three heartwarming easy to read though probably predictable stories. I was not disappointed in that regard. However, I was disappointed in the first of the three stories, Debbie Macomber's "Thanksgiving Prayer". While Macomber now writes general market romance and women's fiction, this story is Christian Fiction but almost seems like general market romance with a heavy overlay of Christianity. For all the God talk in the story, faith doesn't seem to play a major part in the character's lives. It is like it is there just to make it meet some checklist of things to include in a Christian novel. The other two stories are mildly Christian--they mention churchgoing and prayer, but they are clearly love stories and not stories about faith.
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2: Two wonderful surprises and a slight disappointment
I was very happy to find two authors, new to me, who write sensitive, inspiring and warm stories. I am referring to the "et al" here - Irene Hannon and Jane Peart. I chose this book because of Debbie Maccomber and I'm glad I did. Her story was a bit disappointing because the hero was frankly immature and not particularly loving. His flaws went beyond the "impatience" that he admitted to. I think the heroine would have done well to build up her own confidence and figure out that she deserved someone better. I have enjoyed Maccomber's later works (this story was written early in her career) very much and have found her characters sensitive and likeable. I certainly plan to read more of her books. The other two stories were enjoyable, inspiring, warm and interesting. They were of people healing and growing and helping each other. My kind of stories! It's always good to find new authors one enjoys.
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