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His Fiancée Was the One Woman He’d Loved.
Her Children Are All He Has Left.
Starr Parnell has found true love, at last. An abusive husband, whom she feared would eventually turn on their three heaven sent children, is no longer in contact with them, and Starr has let her heart love again. Wade Sullivan is the recipient of that love.
Wade Sullivan almost can’t believe he is in love with magical Starr. Like her name implies she seems to twinkle with life and love for her three children. Who wouldn’t love those kids? Wade finds taking the role of their father is no chore at all, and in fact, he looks forward to the times they spend as a family. Wade is eager to marry Starr and move them to his family farmhouse they are so painstakingly remodeling. Just when life seems perfect, and that God couldn’t possibly bless them anymore – life throws a right hook to Wade’s heart. Suddenly, his role in the children’s life takes on a whole new meaning. With no time to work through his own feelings, Wade must bear the burden of helping the kids understand and move on.
Bad news doesn’t stay away for long. Soon, the children’s biological father, who hasn’t seen them for years, shows up. He wants the kids. Wade truly feels like their father. He is the man who has cared for them, loved them, nurtured them, but he’s not even their step-dad. How can he possibly compete with the slick, charming Mr. Parnell?
Deborah Raney never ever fails to make a lasting impression in my heart through her writing. My favorite book is still Beneath a Southern Sky, and now Nest of Sparrows is tied for first place. The plot is moving, but better still are the characters – I was drawn to the family from the very opening scene. Sweet, tender, caring, laughing – the way family is supposed to be. And, the strong message of love and God’s providence along with God’s timing is delicately laced through the story, so we get it, but we aren’t beat over the head with it. The ending is sweet, and had me sighing a big yes – as I closed the book.
A Nest of Sparrows – a story that makes our hearts remember what life sometimes makes us forget: home and family, God’s design the way it’s supposed to be.
Reviewed by Linda Mae Baldwin
for The Road to Romance
May 31, 2004
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