Book Review and Give-Away: SEEDS OF SUMMER by Deborah Vogts

Seeds of Summer

by Deborah Vogts

Publisher: Zondervan

ISBN: 978-0-310-29276-0 (pbk.)

Copyright: 2010

Check out your local bookstore or go online at:

Christian Book

Amazon

It seems that none of Natalie Adams’s hopes and dreams are working out for her these days. Just when she seems to have adjusted to her disappointment and sets new goals with a return to college, her father dies unexpectedly. Not only is she devastated, she has the sole responsibility of raising her half-brother and half-sister. She’s had to abandon yet another dream to make a go of her father’s ranch. Just when she thinks the burden of running a ranch can’t get any heavier, her step-mother, long believed to be dead, shows up suddenly wanting a relationship with her brother and sister. Is her step-mother sincere? Will Natalie be able to handle this burden on top of everything else with the ranch? She is a strong-willed and independent young woman and finds it difficult to lean on anyone else for help, including God. When the new pastor in town seems to have made her family his latest mission project, will she be able to accept the help from a man of God – the very same God that, in her eyes, abandoned her years ago?

Pastor Jared Logan, the newly ordained minister with a heart for God and serving others, comes to town and finds himself wanting to help Natalie and her family. While he struggles with his congregation’s resistance to change, he finds himself entrenched in the Adams family’s struggles. Despite being a city boy, he pitches in valiantly as he draws on the memories and skills taught him by his grandfather during summers spent with him on his farm. Jared has struggles of his own as he finds himself having feelings for Natalie. Can he protect his heart from a woman who has no room in her life for God? He has decisions to make. Has God really called him to the ministry?

Many times in our lives, circumstances seem unfair and our burdens too heavy to carry. But God never gives us more than we can handle as we lean on Him for guidance and strength. This poignant story portrays the lives of those who grieve, struggle, and question the circumstances of their lives. Deborah has shared with us a wonderful story of love, forgiveness, redemption, and faith. I enjoyed this book and found myself not wanting it to end. I’ll be marking my calendar, and I hope you will as well for the release of her third book in the Seasons of the Tallgrass series, Blades of Autumn, to be released in the summer of 2011. And be sure and check out her first book in the series, Snow Melts in Spring, if you haven’t read that yet. You can find out more about Deborah at her website here or at her Country at Heart blog here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Deborah Vogts and her husband have three daughters and make their home in southeast Kansas where they raise and train American Quarter Horses. As a student at Emporia State University studying English and journalism, Deborah developed a love for the Flint Hills that has never faded.

Please feel free to stop and chat with Deborah -- via comments -- as she'll be stopping by a few times this week to check in and answer any questions you might have about her book and writing.

BOOK GIVE-AWAY:

By leaving a comment, you'll be automatically entered to win a copy of SEEDS OF SUMMER, compliments of Deborah. If you're a follower, your comment will get you two entries for a chance to win. Don't forget to leave your e-mail so I can contact the winner. Example: janedoe (at) wherever (dot) com . Drawing to be held on Monday, 26th!

Happy reading, everyone .... and let's chat!

Disclaimer: The winner's prize will be shipped by the author. Give-aways are void where prohibited and are open to US residents only. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” You may also find more details on FTC compliance here on my blog http://susanhollaway.blogspot.com/p/misc-information.html .