Waiting Out the Storm

HERNE, RUTH LOGAN

WAITING OUT THE STORM

When family tragedy strikes, Sarah Slocum steps in as guardian to her two nieces and nephew. But raising children isn't like raising sheep, and the beautiful shepherd soon finds herself in over her head. Who'd have guessed that new neighbour Craig Macklin would jump in to lend a hand? Craig's always held a grudge against Slocums -- Sarah included. Now the handsome local vet is helping with her livestock, giving her young nephew a job and smiling at her every chance he gets. Sarah must decide whether she can trust Craig -- and God's plan -- and allow him into her family.

WAITING OUT THE STORM LIVES UP TO IT'S LOVE INSPIRED PROMISE: HEARTWARMING INSPIRATIONAL ROMANCE...THOUGH YOU'D HAVE TO THROW IN A GOOD DOSE OF ANGST IN ORDER TO BE COMPLETELY TRUTHFUL.

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT STRUCK ME THE MOST IS THE AUTHOR'S ABILITY TO BREATHE LIFE INTO NOT ONLY HER CHARACTERS BUT THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH THEY LIVE. IN FACT SHE SO INTRIGUED ME WITH HER DESCRIPTIONS. THAT I HAD TO GOOGLE THE POTSDAM AREA IN NEW YORK JUST TO GET SOME REAL LIFE IMAGES IN MY MIND. SUDDENLY UPPER NEW YORK STATE FEELS LIKE HOME.

THIS BOOK COULD HAVE BEEN WRITTEN JUST FOR ME . I LOVE DOGS, HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO LIVE ON A SHEEP FARM (YES, I KNOW THAT SOUNDS STRANGE BUT WHEN YOU LIVE WITH A SHELTIE WHOSE HERDING SKILLS ARE LOST ON THE SQUIRREL POPULATION YOU FIND YOURSELF DREAMING BIG). MY IDEAL MAN WOULD BE A VET (HELLO CRAIG!!!!) AND A MAN WHO DEFINITELY LOVES ANIMALS AND CHILDREN...NOT TO MENTION INCREDIBLY SENSITIVE AND RATHER GOOD LOOKING.

I LOVE HOW WE ARE GRADUALLY INTRODUCED TO SARAH SLOCUM. THOUGH WE MEET HER ON THE VERY FIRST PAGE, SHE REMAINS A MYSTERY THAT RUTH LOGAN HERNE SLOWLY REVEALS AS WE CONTINUE TO READ. VERY FITTING SINCE SARAH STRIVES TO HIDE HER TRUE FEELINGS FROM THOSE AROUND HER AND IS, IN FACT, HARD TO GET TO KNOW.

BY CONTRAST, CRAIG MACKLIN LEAPS OFF THE PAGE -- A TANGLE OF EMOTIONS AND CONTRADICTIONS ALL OF WHICH WE SEE RIGHT FROM THE START. AND WE'RE RIGHT THERE WITH HIM AS HE WRESTLES WITH GOD OVER REGRETS THAT CAN NEVER BE UNDONE.

SARAH AND CRAIG'S JOURNEY THROUGH ALL THE OBSTACLES THROWN IN THEIR PATH -- MANY OF THEIR OWN MAKING -- CREATE MEMORABLE MOMENTS OF BOTH HEARTACHE AND LAUGHTER...EXACTLY THE KIND OF COMBINATION WE FIND IN REAL LIFE. THEIR STORY IS PEPPERED WITH GENTLE, TOE-CURLING ROMANTIC SCENES AND ENOUGH ANGST TO KEEP THE PAGES TURNING.

THE THOUGHT-PROVOKING INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE GIVES THEIR LOVE STORY DEPTH. JUDGEMENT, FORGIVENESS, AND HOW OUR ACTIONS AND WORDS CAN MOLD ANOTHER -- FOR BETTER OR WORSE -- LEFT ME PONDERING SIMILARITIES IN MY OWN LIFE. IT WOULD MAKE A GREAT STARTING POINT FOR DISCUSSION IN A BOOK CLUB.

WAITING OUT THE STORM IS A WORTHWHILE AND VERY SATISFYING READ -- A STORY THAT WILL STAY IN YOUR HEART LONG AFTER YOU CLOSE THE BOOK.