Before the Season Ends

Regency-era romance is one of my favorite genres to read. I have wanted to read Before the Season Ends by Linore Burkard for quite awhile and finally the copy I had on hold at the library came in. It came in on a Friday, but I decided not to pick it up because we were going to be busy the next day and I didn't want to be tempted to read. When Monday arrived, I was sick and I remained so for most of the week. Alas, I didn't get to pick up the book until Friday when I went back to work (at the library).

Why didn't I just buy the book when it came out instead of waiting so long for the library to FINALLY acquire it? First, I had not read any books by Linore Burkard before, and I didn't know if I would like her writing style. Being on a limited budget, I can't be buying books on a whim only to discover that the writing is not to my taste.

Now that I have read the book, I can say that I did enjoy it. Even though it is set in 1813, there are still topics brought up that we need to address also. What is a Christian? This book states that one is not born a Christian, which is true. A decision needs to be made for that to occur. Also brought up in the book is immoral behavior in one's past. Do we reject a relationship with someone because of something in his/her past or do we extend grace?

I'm looking forward to the next book in this series, The House in Grosvenor Square. Now that I have read a Linore Burkard book, I might just buy it for myself.

Tender Grace

My good friend at the library where I work loaned me a book recently, Tender Grace by Jackina Stark. I have been involved in a reading challenge, so I put the book aside until that was completed. A couple of days ago I was finally ready to read it.

Audrey Eaton, the main character, is in her mid-fifties. Her husband died about 15 months ago, and she is still finding it hard to live life without him. The book details in diary form her journey to return to an abundant life.

I have not lost many loved ones through death, but I have experienced times of "hibernation" in my life. One of the great things about reading is that it can pull us out of our life and allow us to experience life in someone else's shoes for a season. Tender Grace is a good book and I would recommend it highly. It is entertaining, but it also has some important truths to impart.