Rating: 
Summary: Another Dud!
Review: I didn't think anything could be as bad as HOME SONG, but I was wrong. This one is just as bad, is just as boring, and simply doesn't ring true.
A complete waste of this author's time and talent.
Rating: 
Summary: Then Came Heaven
Review: Not one of her best, but if you love the author, you will like the book.
Rating:
Summary: A Touching Story
Review: This was truly a heartwarming and beautiful story. I've noticed in other Lavyrle Spencer books I've read that she does an incredible job of painting the picture of a grieving person. This book was no exception. I felt so much pain for Eddie and his daughters. And I could always feel the other characters' pain as well, especially Regina's.
Another thing I enjoyed about this book was the setting. The town she wrote about could have been the hometown I grew up in, except everyone was Dutch and Christian instead of Polish and Catholic. But the way of life was the same.
The only reason I gave this book only four stars instead of five is because there was a lot of focus on Catholisism, and since I'm not Catholic, I didn't find some of it interesting. Maybe because I don't understand a lot of it. I was amazed, however, at how much the nuns were isolated from everyone. I always had the misconception that they were out in the world helping people, but these nuns weren't allowed much at all. That aspect was very interesting. I also agree with some of the other reviewers that this wasn't Spencer's best, and it is a little disappointing that she retired on this note. Even though I liked this story, it just didn't have that "can't put it down" experience like I usually get from Spencer's books. But I do recommend this book if you like a sweet love story with a happy ending.
Rating: 
Summary: Sweet Love Story
Review: I absolutely loved reading this book! I couldn't put it down! The anguish that falls on Eddie after the death of his beloved Krystina is heartbreaking. You really feel for him and for his little girls, but mostly for Eddie's and Sister Regina's constant struggle to behave accordingly. Its a beautiful love story and I truly recommend it!
I have to say that I found the story fascinating also because the reader gets a glimpse into the life of a 1950's Benedictine nun. I can't believe all the absurd and highly repressive rituals that Sister Regina and the other nuns have to endure. Not being able to show concern for another's grief nor demonstrate affection of any kind. Sad. I mean they only got permission to visit their real families once every five years! The constant struggle to obey unquestioningly without being able to do what she believes is right, not to mention the pains of keeping the unwavering "Holy Rule" are among some of the things Sister Regina begins to question with each passing day. She suffers through inner turmoil when reconsidering her chosen path and the world outside the repressing convent. You really feel her longing for family. So terribly sad.
I'm Catholic and attended parochial school in the 80's -so I'm outraged at what nuns had to go through in the 1950's. I'm sure a lot of things changed between the 50's and 80's, and its not as repressive but I can't help but wonder about what life is like for nuns today. Hmmm....
Rating:
Summary: Delightfully different romance
Review: "Then Came Heaven" is a totally unique romance novel. Set in a midwest Polish Catholic community in the 1950s, it is a beautifully crafted glimpse of a time when the world was simpler and more innocent. The primary characters are a grieving widower and a nun who is struggling with her vocation. Spencer always does a wonderful job of drawing the reader into the emotional lives of her characters, and these two are particularly sympathetic. The majority of the book focuses on their individual struggles before turning to the romance that springs from their mutual respect and support. The love story is very sweet and handled with great sensitivity. I also enjoyed the glimpse into the inner life of the nuns.
Rating:
Summary: Unbelievable but touching
Review: I don't normally read novels but this was standing on a display when I walked by it at the library. The preface where the author explained she was using some facts about her own hometown caught my attention.As someone who attended Catholic school in the 1950s and well recall scary nuns like the embittered one in the book who hit unruly students, I found this novel overall to be unbelievable but still oddly touching. What woman wouldn't want to be loved with such deep devotion and respect as Eddie showed? I cannot believe that any area - especially the close-knit small town described in the book - could so easily embrace a former nun returning to their town (after a 2 month absence) in the entirely different role of wife and step-mother. It just doesn't ring true to me. I think even today's society would have some difficulty adjusting to that sea change without taking a few deep breaths. That said, I still found the novel fascinating to read; maybe I'll even look up some other books by the same author!
Rating:
Summary: pleasantly surprised
Review: Honestly, I do not generally read romance novels. But I work at small bookstore and decided to pick up an easy read on a day when there were very few customers in the store. I ended up getting hooked on this story and was annoyed when customers came in, because I had to stop reading. It is a charming, fun book that I thorougly enjoyed--to my own surpise.
Rating:
Summary: A story of heaven vs. the human heart.
Review: This was a touching and moving story about a man thrust into the position of being a single father after the tragic death of his young wife. Eddie Olczak comes off as a simple man, a church janitor and bell ringer by trade, his wife, Krystna, a charitable and sweet woman whose tragic death leaves him and the entire community in complete and utter shock. The two little girls she leaves behind are heartbreaking, and their experiences in the little parochial school they attend are real and wrenching. At first, Krystna's spinster sister tries to take over in the hopes of eventually realizing her dream of loving and being Eddie's wife and mother, but this character is underdeveloped and fades into the background fairly quickly. Eddie is lonesome but hanging in there when he finds new love in the strangest place. The author really does a fine job of soul searching, and the story is a good one. The only drawback is it's lack of a punch line, lack of oomph, if you will. Still, it is a good read on a rainy day.
Rating: 
Summary: Nun relationship ruins Spencer's last book
Review: Sister Regina has begun to doubt her life in the convent when the mother of two of her students is suddenly killed. The love she feels for the two motherless girls, and, gradually, for their father, causes both the nun and the father to consider painful decisions about their futures. Sadly, this is Spencer's last book. I find it sad for two reasons. First, Spencer has put out over 20 quality romance novels with well rounded, living characters. She will be missed. Secondly, her retirement is sad because this book falls flatter than the others and leaves this wonderful author with a poor last work. As usual, I loved our heroine. She is strong and we empathize with her for the difficult decision whether or not to renounce her vows. Our hero, however, is quite flawed and his actions do not speak for his professed tragic loss of a beloved wife or his firm Catholic beliefs about the treatment of nuns. Add this book to your collection only if you are a long time Spencer fan and want to complete your list of her titles
Rating:
Summary: Then Came Heaven
Review: I read the book,"Then Came Heaven," by Lavyrle Spencer. I liked this book because I could relate to the story line. Every one has lost a loved one, and this book showed the emotions of that loss. Eddie and Krystyan fell in love in high school, and later got married. They had two children, and were married for about two years. One summer day, Krystyan was in a hurry and sped through a stop light. She crossed train tracks, and was hit from the side.She died instantly. The story then goes on to show Eddies depression. He slowly learned how to live without her, and how to raise their children. Years went by, and he met a woman named Jean. He became close to her,and they fell in love. She taught him how to move on. This book is good for young adults, and older adults. I wouldn't recommend this book for young readers. I enjoyed the happy,sad, and terrible moments of the book. It was well written, and was told from an outsiders point of view. I think women would like this book better than men would. If you want to read a good story about love and tragedy, I recommend this book for you. It is a book for mature readers and ones who would appreciate the full story. Through its sad,and sometimes slow parts, I truly enjoyed "Then Came Heaven."
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