The first book in the Seasons of the Heart series is set in Connecticut in 1888, the year of what historians call “The White Hurricane.” The story reveals the power of God’s love to change lives and heal hearts. Summer Dream tells of a young couple’s love for each other and the obstacles that stand in their path of happiness. Until Nathan Reed resolves his anger with God and his family, he has no hopes of courting Rachel Winston, the minister’s daughter.
As the daughter of a small-town minister in Connecticut, Rachel Winston believes the only way she’ll ever have a husband is to visit her aunt in Boston for the social season until Nathan Reed arrives in town. Although attracted to Rachel, Nathan avoids her because he has no desire to become involved with a Christian after experiences with his own family. When a devastating blizzard paralyzes New England, Nathan is caught in it and lies near death in the Winston home. Through the ministrations and tender care of Rachel and her mother, Nathan learns a lesson in love and forgiveness that leads him back to his home in the South. Before he can declare his love for Rachel, he must make amends with his own family. Will he return to Connecticut before Rachel leaves her home to head west as a missionary in Oklahoma Territory?
My Review of Summer Dream:
4 STARS
This is the first book I’ve read by Martha Rogers and I thoroughly enjoyed the Summer Dream. I actually won this book from a blog and then it sat on my shelf for weeks actually because I had no time to get to it. It wasn’t until I was asked to review book 2 that I decided I better read book 1 first.
This book is centered on the late 1800’s and we are instantly introduced to the Winston family and their daughter Rachel. Rachel is the daughter of a preacher and she has a lot of expectations put on her shoulders and one of those includes marrying a man that is a believer. This becomes quite a challenge for her though because the only man in town her age is her best friend’s brother Daniel and she really sees him more of a brother to herself than a beau. Then suddenly mysterious and stunning Nathan enters the story. Nathan is a visiting friend of Daniels and Rachel is instantly attracted to him. There is only one problem; he has turned his back on God and refuses to go to church or have anything to do with a woman who is a preacher’s daughter!
My oh my was this an interesting plot and story line. I loved the whole concept of the preacher’s daughter being attracted to the non-believer. It wasn’t that she was instantly in love with him but she definitely was attracted to him. To me this concept was most believable because it is very common for us (being young men or women) to be attracted to whom we can’t have or who are mysterious! Loved that part of the story!
This was also a story about God’s forgiveness and grace in our lives. We come to learn that Nathan has a huge reason as to why he is angry with God and there is a big part of the story where he has to learn forgiveness for his own sins and seek forgiveness from those he’s hurt. Rachel also struggles with patience and letting go of control so God can lead her life!!
There were a lot of spiritual undertones going on in this book and at times I felt it was a bit too preachy for my style but overall I still enjoyed the story. My only other complaint is…..why-oh-why do we have to wait to the very end of the story, literally last page to have any kissing or romantic scenes?! I just need more kissing in a romance book and more “wooing” if you know what I mean!
Summer Dream is still a great story that is filled with compelling and interesting characters along with a spiritual message that we all could use to hear now and again. I am looking forward to reading book 2, Autumn Song!
About Martha Rogers:
Martha Rogers is a former schoolteacher and English instructor. She served as a newsletter editor for the writer's organization, Inspirational Writers Alive! for six years and is the state president. She is also the director for the annual Texas Christian Writer's Conference and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Her first novel Not on the Menu (May 2007) is a part of Sugar and Grits, a novella collection with DiAnn Mills, Janice Thompson, and Kathleen Y'Barbo. Rogers has a Master's Degree in Education, worked for twenty-eight years as a secondary teacher, and has worked as a supervisory teacher at University of Houston Clear Lake and as an instructor of English Composition at Houston Community College. Martha and her husband live in Houston, Texas and have worked with teenagers at First Baptist Church for twenty-four years.
This sounds like a very interesting book.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your blog! =)