"When Love Blooms" - a Zondervan review

I have lost count of the number of books I have read since my daughter's diagnosis of autism eight years ago. I don't know if I could even list the all, there are so many! And they've pretty much *all* been autism related. I simply don't spend my spare time reading for enjoyment these days. I used to, in my life before autism. But not now.

I have noticed that in waiting rooms (occupational therapy, etc) that although I bring my autism-related reading with me, I tend to be attracted to the mindless stuff of waiting rooms: celebrity gossip magazines. My mind needs to take a break from autism. But not necessarily for the trash that is celebrity gossip! Zondervan sent me something more appropriate than celebrity gossip that I can take with me when I must wait:

"When Love Blooms," by Robin Lee Hatcher, is one of the only non-autism related books of fiction that I have read in too many years! I am reminded of how much I enjoy reading for pleasure! (I had forgotten that about myself.)

Hatcher uses Christian historical fiction as a backdrop to a love story set in the Western movement. 'When Love Blooms' is set in 1883 and tells the story of Miss Emily Harris and how she found love in an unusual circumstance. Miss Harris accepts the job of governess to a family with two sweet little girls, not knowing that the mother of the girls is dying and is hoping to find a mother for her daughters and a loving wife and relationship for her second husband (and adopted father of her girls), Gavin, after she is gone. Gavin has his own issues, with himself and with Miss Harris.

Hatcher paints beautiful scenery with her words and I can imagine the rugged roads, green hills and the snow as I read the book. She took me on an escape to a beautiful land and challenging time, and when I had to put the book down, I looked forward to picking it up again. Hatcher' story reminded me to take time away from autism, for myself, and that I can take a trip without leaving home simply by picking up the right story.

"When Love Blooms," by Robin Lee Hatcher
Zondervan
ISBN 978-0-310-25828-2
Publication Date: March 2009
352 pages, softcover