A Season of Grace

Colleen Payton is delighted when her brother, Stephen MacLaughlin, shows up out of the blue for their mother's birthday. Her twin has been estranged from his family for years over his alternative lifestyle, and after a disagreement at the party, he storms out. Colleen, determined not to lose him again, drives from her small town in Oregon to his Seattle home --- and finds out a truth she wasn't prepared for: Stephen is very ill with the AIDS virus. After dealing with the emergency at hand (Bette Nordberg is a former registered nurse and therapist --- not only are her scenes of caregiving accurate, they're also fast-paced and interesting), Colleen decides to bring Stephen back to her own home. But there are so many problems: Colleen doesn't consult her husband Kevin, nor does she talk to their two teenaged children. She also ignores the fact that her brother neither shares her Christian faith nor wants to do so. Most of all, Colleen has spent a lifetime pushing away her family members --- and a personal secret that is tearing her up inside. Few authors, Christian or not, are willing to confront terminal illness honestly and lovingly. Yes, lovingly: for although Colleen faces all manner of criticism, from her husband to her son to her fellow parishioners, her care for Stephen takes over every aspect of her being. Whether she is waiting patiently in a doctor's office for him or trying to decide what he'll want for lunch, Colleen is the very model of a modern caregiver. Nordberg does not let this dwindle into a heartwarming tale of footrubs and hospital vigils. There's a much bigger issue at stake. For some authors, that issue would be Stephen's sexual preference. Nordberg does deal with this, deftly weaving in details from Stephen's life (his companion's earlier death from the same illness, his childhood feelings about being different, etc.) along with reminders that modern Christians have fundamental disagreements with homosexuality. There is never a question in the novel that Colleen or anyone in her community believes Stephen's lifestyle is the best choice. However, Nordberg is also too sensitive a storyteller not to realize that the biggest issue --- of faith --- needs to be tackled, and Colleen would never have to confront her own demons if she were simply allowed to change bedding and shed tears. Her controversial decision to bring Stephen to her home forces her to own up to why having him there is so important to her. The truth, once revealed, frees up her energies to remember that God is present even in the midst of this grief and pain. And if He is present, what does that mean? What does it offer? Surprise, surprise: there are no easy answers. But there are easier and more meaningful communications once Colleen, Kevin, and their family have come to recognize that faith lived out in the smallest ways can have an impact. All too often, stories of conversion and of fatal illness can be tedious. This book is neither; it's engaging, intelli

This is a great book telling about the trials and heartaches associated with AIDS. The book is written in first person by the twin sister of a gay man with AIDS. While this is a touchy subject, the author tells the story so well no one should be able to find offense with it, other than possibly the gay community. It does have a Christian slant in that it speaks of homosexuality as being wrong and the AIDS victim becomes saved in the end. A very moving account of one (fictious) family's struggle with AIDS.

Bette Nordberg does a exemplary job accurately portraying all the push/pulls between loved ones whose lives have taken a very different course than our own. With skillful phrasing and geniune heartfelt passion, Bette finds the balance between compassion and truth. I closed the last page of this book with a grateful sigh that Bette tackled such a difficult subject with so much care and grace.

Bette Nordberg has done it again!! Of the four books I've read written by Bette, Season of Grace is my favorite. There's no doubt that she spent many hours not only researching but also putting her heart and soul into writing this novel about an extremely sensivite topic. The main character, Colleen Payton, taught me a great deal about love, compassion, perseverance and hope. When she finds that her twin brother, Stephen, has been stricken with AIDS, not once does she turn her back on him. The guidance and inner strength that she receives through her faith in God is a marvelous example for me.I highly recommend Season of Grace. This page turner novel can't help but impact your life as it did mine.

I stayed up until midnight to finish this book. I cried and felt with the characters from beginning to end. Although this is a fictional story - it seemed real to me with the knowledge of the increasing occurence of AIDS in our society.Colleen, the main character, showed me what real love is all about. As she became stronger through trials, I grew in my understanding of Grace. The Christian perspective was wonderful! This book will touch many lives! The characters were so real that I feel that I have actually lived through this with them.To watch all of the family members react to AIDS in their family was a study of our society today. This is a good book for all family members to read - old and young. I challenge everyone to read this informative book! Kudos to the author! and Thanks!