A choice, a tragedy, and life-altering consequences... When Rena Dunigan flees New York City and her dream of becoming a Broadway performer, she returns to her hometown harboring a life-altering secret and the shame of a shattered past. When her friend talks her into helping build a house through the local Shelter the Homeless program, Rena meets Cody and his mischievous Saint Bernard. Cody is dealing with a devastating loss of his own, yet his gentleness and patience melt Rena's resolve never to trust-or to love-again. But what will Cody think when he learns the consequences of Rena's past? Will he reject her, or can she trust that love will heal hurting hearts and forever bind them together?
About the Author:
Mary Manners is an award-winning romance writer who lives in the beautiful foothills of East Tennessee with her husband Tim and the cherished cats they've rescued from local animal shelters...Lucky and Gus.
Mary's debut novel, Mended Heart, was nominated Best Inspirational Romance 2010, and was finalist for the Bookseller's Best Award and her follow-up, Tender Mercies, was awarded an outstanding 4 ½ star rating from The Romantic Times Book Reviews and was also a finalist for the Inspirational Readers Choice Award. Buried Treasures, her third novel, was named Book of the Year by The Wordsmith Journal. Light the Fire, her fourth novel, took top honors for the 2012 Inspirational Readers Choice Award. Mary was named Author of the Year by Book and Trailer Showcase. She writes romances of all lengths, from short stories to novels--something for everyone. (http://www.marymannersromance.com/)
MY THOUGHTS- I honestly wasn't sure what to expect when I received two book in the mail to review from Mary Manners. I had never read any of her books and sometimes you tend to be a little wary of opening a new one. You might fall in love with the book or you might just end up disliking it. Boy am I glad I took a chance on this one!! I found not only a delightful book but a new author I will be looking for in the future:)
Light the Fire is about Rena, a woman who has been abused in the past and has a distrust of men. So it is kinda funny when she is bowled over by this huge St. Bernard, owned by a man who would like to be friends. Rena is the daughter of a builder and knows her way around tools. Thus she goes to help build for a family when their house burns down. This is where she meets Cody and his dog. Cody is really sweet and though he is tempted to give up on her when she keeps rebuffing him, he sticks in there. Many times just to be there for her. When he sits outside the door one night, I was close to tears. He is so sweet. You don't meet many guys like him at all. His patience is very telling of the God he serves.
This is a short book(I wish it was much longer) but a lot in it. Great detail is shown to the characters and developing them in that short amount of time. The secondary characters are well done too. This is a book I would urge everyone to pick up, not just people struggling with abuse. I really felt a close kinship with Rena and the way she fights to be strong but is so wary. Wonderful book from Mary Manners! My review of Buried Treasures will be up later this week as well.
**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**
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