By Camille Eide
Ashberry Lane, 2015
Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Christian
Number of pages: 308
Awards/Honors: Genesis Award Winner, RT Book Reviews 4.5 Star Top Pick
Summary
When she finally surrenders her heart, will it be too late?
Susan Quinn, a social worker turned surrogate mom to foster teens, fights to save the group home she’s worked hard to build. But now, she faces a dwindling staff, foreclosure, and old heartaches that won't stay buried. Her only hope lies with the last person she’d ever turn to—a brawny handyman with a guitar, a questionable past, and a God he keeps calling Father.
My thoughts
After turning the last page of Like a Love Song, I just sat and pondered the question, what made this story so very special? Elements that I always look for were present, such as a vivid sense of place – the Juniper Ridge Canyon area of rural Oregon – richly-drawn characters, a well-crafted storyline, and a strong spiritual thread. Relationship dramas often lack the action that some readers crave, yet I was immediately captured by the complexity of the characters and emotional depth of this story.
In a perfect world, every child would know the love of a human family, yet this is a far-from-perfect world. One factor that elevates Like a Love Song is the realism that makes this such an eye-opening story. At its heart is Juniper Ranch, a home for at-risk youth – such as children from terminated adoptions, discarded and unwanted. Children with the foster care background – having lived in a home, yet never quite part of the family. Children always on the outside, completely stripped of self-worth. I will never again look at children in need and those who commit to caring for them in quite the same way.
_________________________
“So-called family had more power to inflict
damage
than anyone else.”
_________________________
But I believe that it is the spiritual element that makes Like a Love Song so special. Camille has used the power of story to entertain, but most importantly, to draw our focus to the One who loves us more than we could ever imagine and is always working things out for us – in His time. We often see fictional characters erect walls around their hearts in an effort to block out all that would cause hurt, but Sue’s self-realization made me reflect on the unintentional effect of this action: “The walls around your heart not only keep people locked out, but they also keep fear and hurt locked in.”
From the children themselves, to a moving redemption scene, to a hope for the future, Like a Love Song is a poignant and compelling story, one that often brought me to tears. This verse of Scripture that Sue found on the home’s old sign beautifully encompasses the overarching theme and will speak to all who read this story . . .
Father to the fatherless, defender of widows – this is
God,
whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families;
He sets the
prisoners free and gives them joy.
- Psalm 68:5-6
Camille Eide is a gifted writer who crafts stories that touch the heart. Highly recommended.
_________________________
Camille Eide writes romantic, inspirational dramas
about love, faith, and family. She lives in Oregon with her husband and is a
mom, grammy, bass guitarist, and a fan of muscle cars, tender romance, oldies
Rock, and Peanut M&Ms.
Find Camille online at:
GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST | INSTAGRAM | BLOG | WEBSITE
Thank you to Singing Librarian Tours for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Your review, your thoughts, and your graphics are incredible. You're so gifted! Thank you so much for squeezing in time to read and review this book, my "middle child." (It was a little neglected when the launch of my 3rd followed so closely on its heels.)
ReplyDeleteIt's so gratifying when a reader "gets" the things we work into the story, by the prompting of the Lord, a story we also want to be engaging and entertaining. I may have to think about adding more action though, I think. :)
Vulnerability is a tricky thing to balance. With it, we can be hurt. Without it, we can't feel and be transparent and open to receive the great joys the Lord has in store for us. I'm glad the "walls" that keep hurt in resonated for you. Sometimes, opening up and being vulnerable is the scariest and yet the best thing we can do, especially if we are inviting the Lord in to heal and restore.
Thank you again, Carole. You are a treasure!
I want to read Camille's books so very much!!! Thanks so much for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com this week!
ReplyDeleteTina