Spring's Renewal

Nothing bad to say about book. In fact I would recommend reading it.

The book was great and the person I bought it from was prompt and the price was fair

It was so good to read a story about a disabled abled Amish person. Clara does not feel sorry for herself but she doesn't see her beauty either. I kept reading because I was waiting for her to truly see herself not only through another's eyes but through her own. I truly enjoyed reading this story.

I know I have said this before but I really am a fan of Amish fiction by Shelley Shepard Gray. Unlike other Amish books, her stories do not involve conflict between the Amish world and the outside world. There are no main stories about Amish teens struggling between their world and the new things they discover during their Rumspringa or drama about the church and ways of belief. Instead her books just embrace the culture and just let the characters do their own thing and just be Amish. They are always good reads and just very comforting. In this story, we meet up with schoolteacher Clara who has the unfortunate fate of being scarred from an accident when she was young. She lives with her mother who seems to overly depend on Clara almost to the point of suffocation. There seems to be no hope for a better life and as the years go by and she gets older, Clara resigns herself to this life. Then Tim, a young man trying to find himself, arrives in their town and everything begins to change. While I found myself liking Clara immediately from the beginning, it really took me a while to bond with Tim. He just got on my nerves at first, I think it might be due to maybe the community he was from being a bit stricter. As it stood, I felt that Clara had a lot more daring in her and was more outspoken. Which is more than I could say about Tim's annoying girlfriend Ruby. Woo, what a...well let's just say there are choice words I could have said about her that aren't very nice. The story focuses on Clara and Tim's relationship as well as their own personal lives. There's a bit of a drama scene at the end but it ties things together nicely. Also part of the story and returning from the first book in the series is pregnant teen Lilly. I was a tad disappointed at the way her story started off in this book. I just felt that after all the buildup from the first book, it felt like this book was such a downer. Still though, I do like Lilly and I am looking forward to reading more about her in the series. Reading about the Amish culture was lots of fun as well. There's lots of talk about food which I like very much and I would love to go visit the restaurant where Lilly works. I really enjoy Gray's books and I am eager for the final book in the series. If you like Amish fiction and are in the mood for a sweet read, this is a great series.

As always, I LOVE an Amish book! And, like Winter's Awakening, book 1 in the Seasons of Sugarcreek series, book 2- Spring's Renewal, did NOT disappoint! This story captured me, I feel, even more than Josh and Gretta's story in Winter's Awakening. In this book, through Clara and Tim's story, a message of God's love for us-even with imperfections-is POWERFUL! He really spoke to me through this book. Not only does Shelley Shepard Gray's story speak of this message, she adds humor, love and heartache to the story so the reader stays focused and completely captured through out the book. I loved reading about Clara, whom we saw a glimpse of in the end of Winter's Awakening, and about Tim who is a whole new character in this book. I don't know which character pulled at my heart more...Clara or Tim. Both went through struggles and both had some imperfections that they had to come to an understanding that God's love is powerful enough to over look the imperfections and love you for who you are. I could relate to both characters in some way or another. That is another bonus for me. Being able to relate to the characters in someway always makes me love a story more! So, the conclusion of my review is this: a HIGHLY recommended book, though I think you should read book 1, Winter's Awakening, as well! Both books are FIVE star worthy and two thumbs! They have earned a permenant placing on my book shelf and I am saving a spot for the next book in the series, Autumn's Promise(due out in the fall of 2010)!

Tim Graber isn't all that anxious to come to Sugarcreek. After all, he has a sweetheart at home. Tim loves his aunt and uncle, however, so he plans to help them through the season and then go home to the life he planned. When he meets Clara, a teacher at the local school, Tim finds himself drawn to her. Clara Slabaugh loves her job teaching young children. With the children, Clara's self-consciousness about her appearance disappears as does the barrier between herself and others. An accident left Clara with burns on her face and arms. Clara has resigned herself to the fact that love and family will never be hers but when she meets Tim, he opens her heart in new ways. He even makes her feel pretty. Does she dare hope for the life of her dreams? Both Tim and Clara have definite plans for their lives, plans that make their futures separate. When a terrifying event comes to Sugarcreek, will their prayers open their hearts in new ways? Does God have a way of renewing their hearts so that new pathways and possibilities open to them? SPRING'S RENEWAL, the second Amish inspirational romance in the Sugarcreek series after WINTER'S AWAKENING, has characters that will steal your heart, an exciting story with several intriguing twists, and a romance that renews one's faith. SPRING'S RENEWAL is my absolute favorite romance by this author. Clara is a superb romance heroine! A reader just wants to know her and roots for her. Clara is bright and independent but she has a sensitive heart as well. She is a wounded soul yet a woman strong in her faith. Tim is the perfect man for Clara, a man who sees her beauty inside and out. Although he makes youthful mistakes, he also has a steadiness and honesty with himself deep down. When push comes to shove, he knows when to stand up for love. In a brief romantic moment, Tim knows exactly how to reach Clara's heart. Without explicit details that are inappropriate for younger readers or those older readers wanting less graphic details but more romance, Shelley Shepard Gray creates the most memorable, heartwarming moments that stick with a reader long after the last page. SPRING'S RENEWAL creates multi-dimensional characters and relationships. Shelley Shepard Gray does an excellent job in the portrayal of Clara's relationship with her mother. She does not gloss over the difficulties of this relationship, but rather creates emotional depth in their characters. She brings unique insights into her male characters as well. The ending of this romance is all the more powerful and satisfying because of the obstacles the young couple faces. Shelley Shepard Gray does an excellent job in her portrayal with the emotions and thoughts of youthful first love. For young readers, her vision instills hope, courage and comfort. For older readers, the generosity of spirit gives a new and hopeful perspective on one's own past. For readers who have been following the series, one feels a special delight in revisitin