Thursday, February 19, 2015

The Wishing Season by Denise Hunter

This novel is another great Christian romance from Hunter. I am always interested in how a plot could be developed that hasn't been used before, and Hunter has done just that.

A wealthy Chapel Springs resident is leaving the town to live by her children and grandchildren. Rather than sell her large home, she has decided to give it to the person who can propose the best use for it. Two people compete. PJ McKinley has had as her dream opening her own restaurant. The large home has a second level so she could even make it into a B&B. Cole Evans had seen the offer and comes into town to propose a home for older foster teens, teens in transition. Having been in the foster system himself, he knows how hard it is for teens to find their way when they turn eighteen and are taken out of the system but are yet not ready for college.

This is a great story line. PJ's dream is a worthy one. Her combined restaurant and B&B would be a great addition to the town and would provide employment. But Cole's plan is great too. Unable to decide between the two, the elderly woman mandates that the two must each work on their dream for a year. PJ can open her restaurant on the first floor while Cole houses his teens on the second floor.

As you can imagine, that arrangement makes for a great story. PJ and Cole bicker yet there is an attraction that develops between the two. Cole has some serious issues from the past that he needs to work out before he is ready for a romantic relationship. PJ also must deal with her own sense of inadequacy and poor judgment. Add to the mix an old boyfriend of PJ's who barges in on the scene and you have the makings of a good romance.

The gospel is clearly presented in the novel. Both PJ and Cole need the redemption Christ offers so that they can move into the future. A rewarding novel to read and I recommend it.

Denise Hunter is the bestselling author of many novels. She lives in Indiana with her husband and sons. You can find out more at DeniseHunterBooks.com.


Thomas Nelson, 322 pages.

No comments: