Reviewer: Danielle Mason
Title: Spring's Renewal - 2nd in the Seasons of Sugarcreek series
Author: Shelley Shephard Gray
Publisher: Avon Inspire
ISBN-13: 978-0-06-185236-7
Release Date: April 2010
Genre/Sub-genre: Inspirational Romance
Year/Setting: Present day, Sugarcreek, Ohio
Overall Rating: 5.0
Sexual Content Rating: None
Language (Profanity/Slang) Content Rating: None
Violent Content Rating: None
Shelley's Website: www.shelleyshepardgray.com
First off I would like to say I loved this book and how it was written. I didn't get to read the first one in this series but if this one was any indication then this series is going to be a great one. Especially if you like the really low key romances and books about a particular life style not a lot is known about; the Amish.
In the first book Winter's Awakening you meet Joshua Graber and his sweetheart Gretta. Now in Spring Renewal you meet Joshua's cousin Timothy who has come from his home in Indiana to help his Aunt, Uncle and cousins on their farm for the Spring and Summer seasons. Tim does have a sweetheart in Indiana but his feelings start to change when he meets Clara, the local school teacher. What makes Clara special is the fact she is scarred from a horrible childhood accident. Her mother has let her grow up believing no man would ever want her with how she looks. Then Tim comes along and she starts to believe that dreams do indeed come true.
Clara doesn't know about Ruby who is Tim's sweetheart back home until her dinner one night at the Graber's home and he mother confirms it. This is when Clara starts to not trust Tim.Finally though Tim decides it is time to invite Ruby down to Ohio for a visit and to see what his true feelings for her are. Not long into the visit he realizes that Ruby is not for him and sends her home so he can figure things out about Clara. A near tragedy in the family is what seals the deal for certain with Tim and his feelings for Clara. Now all he has to do is make her believe that he loves her just the way that she is scars, baggage and all.
Clara by far is my favorite character in this story. The way she has overcome her scars makes her someone you can look up to. While you may not be able to completely relate to her you can still find a way to find yourself in what she is going through.
For the Amish aspect of the book its really easy to relate to in my opinion. Two of the women work in a local hotel/cafe and so they mingle with the English on a regular basis. It's not like they are completely isolated and that is a great thing the author did. While they still have their ways they are not intolerable to the English ways. The Graber's even have an English family as neighbors, The Allen's with whom they interact with on a daily basis.
All in all this book is one I would highly recommend to anyone who would like to learn about a culture not many people know about while getting a bit of romance thrown in!!
Danielle
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