The Rainbow Season

Have you ever read a book that captured your attention from the very first sentence, captivated you and took you to another place and time, and became more important to you than food or sleep? THIS is one of those kind of books. I read both this story and it's sequel Rainbow Promise back to back nights. While I am exhausted while writing this review, I have a grin on my face I as I recount this amazing love story.....(one that is CEMENTED on my keeper shelf!) Luke "Digger" Turner has returned to his home town after serving a prison sentence for a rape that he did NOT commit. He was raised by an abusive alcoholic father and a grandmother that blamed him for his mother's death. He was raised in absolute poverty. He was raised without love or kindness. He is one of the most "tortured" heroes that I've ever read. Sadly, he spent much of his adolescence fighting, drinking, and sleeping with "loose women" as a way to cope with his reality. Sarah McGowen has always lived in her sister's shadow..... not quite as pretty, not quite as smart, and not quite as charming. She considers herself an old maid at 25 years of age and spends her time helping her sister care for her children and pining over her brother-in-law. As much as she is jealous of her sister's personality and looks, nothing is as hard as watching her sister's marriage to the man she loves...and can never have. When Luke gets out of prison he desperately needs a "break". He needs to earn money so that he can get to a place where he can sharecrop and carve out a life for himself. Luke's reputation is so damaged that no one will even look at him. He goes to Mr McGowen, Sarah's father for a job, and surprisingly is offered one on the spot. I think one of the saddest parts of this story is seeing Luke's shame. He feels like a "nobody" and does not feel worthy of "anything" that resembles kindness. It is heartbreaking to see. Sarah is EVERYTHING he's ever wanted. She is "good" and "kind" and "pure". Traits that he longs for but again....feels unworthy of. An attraction between the two starts very early, but hold on for the ride, because these two have much to overcome before they can ever be together. Their HEA comes late in the story, but the friendship that develops between them is the strength of this book. Sarah slowly and surely begins to chip away at the "hardness" of Luke, and Luke slowly shows Sarah what a treasure she is and leads her out of her sister's shadow. Remarkable transformations. Please trust me and purchase this book. You won't be sorry! Also do yourself a favor and purchase The Rainbow Promise which is it's sequel. It is in essense continuing story of Sarah and Luke which is good.......(because I will guarantee you, you won't be ready to say goodbye!)

I have worn out more than one copy of this book. The author creates characters so steeped in the late 1800, mid-western culture. Maybe it just appeals to my mid-western roots, but I found this simple tale so romantic, heartfelt, touching and hopeful. Sarah works and lives on the farm with her parents. Content with things, secretly a wild romantic, and tragically in love with her sister's husband. Or so she thinks. Digger Turner is the misunderstood man, seen as trashy and bad. With an ingrown sense of fairness, both Sarah and her father see something different in Luke "Digger" and offer him something he has never had before. A chance. Through unexpected tragedy, Sarah finds herself needing Luke. His honor keeps him by her side. Her circumstances offer him his dream. Together they find love. It is the most romantic, loving story I've read. Honor, redemption, love and committment in the truest sense of those words.

I read this book 15 years ago and remember it clearly today. The emotions the characters Luke and Sarah shared seemed to pull me into the story of their lives. This to me is a mark of a good writer. One who makes you feel as if you are there and experiencing the lives of the characters. I read this on a loan basis and the friend who had the book no longer has it in her collection. I wish I could locate a copy for my collection of favorites. If not just to read it again would be a tremendous treat. If anyone out there has it I would love to buy it or read it, please contact me.

this book has never left my soul...I read it almost 10 years ago, and I have never forgotten it. The tenderness in the words are as vivid in my mind today as they were when I first read the book. I would love to find a copy.

I had read this book at the age of 21 and it really touched my heart. The characters Luke and Sarah were unique in their own respect. Luke practically an outcast, who was blamed for his mother's death by his father. He was on a self-distructive path. Sarah a "good girl" deeply infatuated with her sister's husband. She was resigned to the fact that she would carry this love to the grave, knowing that the only happiness coming from this was her sisters unhappiness. She didn't want that. Sarah and Luke found each other and saw what everyone else was so blind to see in each other. Two people that seemed so different yet are the same.