Reviewer: Trudy Smith
Title: Loving Feelings
Author: Gail Gaymer Martin
Publisher: Steeple Hill Love Inspired
ISBN: 0-373-87313-1
Release Date: June 2005
Genre/Sub-genre: Inspirational Romance
Year/Setting: Present / Loving, Michigan, near Lake Michigan
Overall rating: 4.0
Sexual content rating: None
Gail's Website:
www.gailmartin.com
Gail Martin writes another romance that will make you think of trust, love and forgiveness.
As God loves and forgives us, we should trust that His love and forgiveness will help us
overcome anything, if we just ask.
Jenni Anderson is a single mom, raising her nephew after her sister’s tragic and fatal accident. Around the time of her sister’s passing, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and went through extensive surgery and treatment. After losing their mother years earlier, to breast cancer, their father was so grieved that he turned to alcohol. Feeling betrayed and alone, Jenni became very resentful and bitter toward her father. Jenni carried around all of these "losses" for years, as well as the mistaken presumption that because of her surgery she would never be able to have a serious romantic relationship.
Due to some shenanigans her nephew, Cory, pulls, Jenni meets Todd Bronski. Todd also has a painful past and is looking for a new start. From a friend’s recommendation he moves to Loving and begins searching for a job. Todd is also looking to invest in a new venture. Jenni just happens to own a chocolate candy business and needs to expand. Circumstances and the candy business bring Todd, Jenni and Cory together.
This trio comes through some very trying times together and as Todd begins to really care for Cory, he realizes that his friendship/business relationship with Jenni is also growing into something he didn’t expect.
The Lord works on Todd through Jenni and Cory and as Todd begins to remember his childhood teachings; he begins to look to God for guidance and direction in his relationships with Jenni and Cory. Likewise, the Lord works on Jenni and Cory through Todd and slowly Jenni’s barriers begin to crumble and she seeks the forgiveness and faith to heal her soul.
Gail paints Jenni and Todd’s story in such a way that it touches the heart. While reading their story, I would say to myself, "Oh, Jenni", hoping she would come to realize her surgery makes her no less of a person and the Lord can work in mysterious ways.
One particular scene jumped out at me that seemed to wrap up Jenni’s struggles; "She realized she had to strengthen her faith. God could make anything work. The Lord could solve problems, and all she needed to do was ask for God’s guidance and intervention. She had to trust, to know with assurance that God would not let her down this time. All things happened for a purpose she’d told herself over and over." This is something that I can relate to. I’m sure I could reduce my struggles with my faith if I worked Jenni’s realization into my life.
Though my theological understanding differs with Gail’s in a couple of areas I found that she gives the reader scripture and food-for-thought throughout her story as she describes the struggles her characters have. I would hope that throughout life’s struggles I would find the faith and trust, as well as forgiveness that Jenni and Todd found.
I was also touched by the last chapter, which was sort of an epilogue. Gail brought closure for me as the reader and for Jenni and Todd’s relationship. She described their wedding and a piece of their wedding night, showing the true love Todd had for Jenni and through Jenni’s trust and love gave her that peace that only the Lord can give.
Thank you, Gail, for the story of Jenni and Todd. It reminds me that I can trust the Lord through our trials. Through our faith He can make us strong and work all things for good. I’m sure all romance readers will find Jenni and Todd’s romance touches the soul.
Trudy
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