The Harvest: All Good Gifts / Loving Grace

by Gail Gaymer Martin, Cynthia Rutledge

The Harvest by Gail Gaymer Martin\Cynthia Rutledge released on Sep 30, 2003 is available now for purchase.

Genres: Love Inspired, Christian Fiction, Christian, Romance

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 2003

About the author

Multi-award-winning novelist, Gail Gaymer Martin writes Christian fiction for Winged Publications with many books published by Love Inspired and Barbour Publishing, where she was honored by Heartsong readers as their Favorite Author of 2008. Gail has 77 published novels or novellas with over four million books in print. She is the author of Writers Digest’s Writing the Christian Romance and a founder of American Christian Fiction Writers, a keynote speaker at churches, libraries and civic organizations and presents workshops at conference across the US. She was named one of the four best novelists in the Detroit area by CBS local news. Gail loves to hear from readers through her website contact and adds the reader's name to her bi-monthly drawing for a free book or two.

Reviews

[Anna Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This review is for 'Loving Grace' *only*... as I've reviewed 'All Good Gifts' on it's own page, when I finished that particular one.

Loving Grace is very much like the Hallmark movie, 'Loving Leah'. Not-entirely-pretty redhead who is sweet and bookish finds herself in a mock relationship with a handsome, rich, confident doctor... and they fall in love. Only these two aren't Jewish, and it revolves around Thanksgiving and creating an illusion of a relationship for her family.

My problem with the story is that if Grace truly has been burned by every guy she's ever been with? She's *NOT* going to allow herself to fall head over heels for the uber-charming (or to her mind, ACTING uber-charming) doctor. She wouldn't melt in his arms, she wouldn't agree to additional dates, she wouldn't allow herself to be manipulated, because she's in self-protection mode.

And neither Nick (nor the author) ever address her self-confidence and past-burned issues. It's just *MELT* and that's it. Which... there are a LOT more issues at play, here. Their social statuses are never addressed. His career (and long hours, conferences, etc) are never addressed. His 'playboy' attitude is never addressed completely. Heck, the sincerity of either of their faiths is never addressed.

Frankly? These two will be divorced in two years, tops. Because she's got unresolved inferiority issues, and he's got unresolved arrogance issues. It's gonna cause a ton of problems, and I don't see them actually admitting to them. He is what he is, she feels what she feels. It's bad news, even at the happily ever after.

I liked the first story, better. It wasn't so unbelievable. Grace? And Nick? Just no. At least not the way it was written - glossing over everything important.

Also, I think this is the sequel to 'Judging Sarah'... except that isn't shared in the book. Which is slightly annoying - it's nice to know if we're coming into a story in the middle.

[Elisa Denk · Rating 2 out of 5]

First story: Beginning doesn't make sense. Author uses words that shouldn't be in this genre AND thinking about it, the words don't make sense.
Some humorous scenarios. A few beautifully written sentences. Plot is trite.

Second story: Started out cute. Certain words were NOT needed. Conversations went downhill. Okay.... author... we got the point.... He is handsome. Too worldly: cursing and bad luck.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly average Christian romance novel. Seemed to be modeled after a Hallmark Channel movie plot. Character development could have been better . I found myself liking the characters but not caring to much about them.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two books in one and both set at Thanksgiving. The first book is by Gail Gaymer Martin and is about a widow wondering if she can ever trust men again and a man who wonders if he will ever find true love. The second book is by Cynthia Rutledge and is about a nurse who wants a man who is real and a doctor who wants the true love of one woman.

This book is recommended for 15 and above and is a Love Inspired book so it is also for Christians who don't want to read graphic details.

[SheLove2Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 story anthology - Inspirational romantic fiction. The first story was just ok. Second story was much more interesting.