Rating: 
Summary: Better than a 10!
Review: It's saddens me to know that this is her last novel. I can't begin to describe the emotions I felt while reading this book. It was so vivid and descriptive, I actually felt like I was in town with the Olzack's. The author knew exactly how to word each sentence where the full effect of the scenario will be received. To say that I enjoyed this would be a gross understatement on my part because this book was truly one of the best I've ever read! Mrs. Spencer is truly a gifted writer and I wish to read more of her work soon!
Rating:
Summary: A beautiful and moving story.
Review: No one can describe a town and it's people the way Ms. Spencer does. All the characters are so well drawn, it's almost like having a movie going through your head, you can picture the people so well. Ms. Spencer is also the master of writing the kind of love story that gives the sweetest ache to your heart. This book gives you tears but at the end leaves you feeling so good. I thank goodness that I have all of Lavryle Spencers books to re-read since this is her last. She will be sorely missed.
Ree-views
Rating:
Summary: It Was Just Great!
Review: I just loved this book. It was probably one of the best that I have read from LaVyrle Spencer. I've enjoyed reading all of her books, and I must say that I was quite shocked to read that this would be her last. I'm always so happy when I see her new books in the bookstores. In this book, I loved all the characters, Jean, Eddie and even Krystyna, even though we never met her. Just like with all of LaVyrle's books, I never wanted this one to end.
Rating:
Summary: IT IS HER BEST BOOK EVER!!!!!!!
Review: to start a book out with such an awful scene, I was skeptical. I cried thru the first 45 pages and have only been reading a couple of hours! It's surburb how she brings the characters to life, like I know them and have met them. It is also nice to see the other side of the cathoilic religion! I was rasied to appreciate all religions but never fully comprehended what they believe or why. This clears all that up, the sacrifice of a nuns life is pheomainal!! LaVryle I will miss you dearly! your the fist writer in 20 years I found that I enjoy as much as you. I feel I've know you through each one of your characcters! Thank you for the last 3 yrs of reading pleasure! I am going to collect every book I can get my hands on, hard cover or paperback, now that you are retiring!! Have fun and enjoy life to it's fullest. Your newest fan for life . CJ Patterson
Rating: 
Summary: Never thought I'd dislike a Spencer novel
Review: It wasn't bad---but it wasn't great. Her finale left me empty and finding that I was just trying to get to the last page. IMO, a great romance novel bears a strong conflict that the h/h must surpass. Spencer is the queen of conflict and romantic tension. This book started with a conflict....i.e. a nun and a widower, but it ended the moment she left the convent which occurs very early on in the story. OK, now we're left with a man and a woman. A free man and a woman. Conflict? Emotional. Should she become involved? Well, why not. There's your story...or lack of one I should say.
Never the less, LaVyrle Spencer is the best romance writer I've ever read. I'm so sorry that her career has ended and hopefully await the day when she will return.
Rating: 
Summary: Didn't really cut it
Review: This is the only LaVyrle Spencer book that I was ever unable to finish! I tried several times to become engaged in the story (a nun falling in love with a father, etc., seems like it would be engaging enough!!), but always found myself putting the book down and forgetting about it. I think a Spencer fan should attempt this book, as others seem to like it, but should probably already enjoy the author before they try it. The only reason I did not give it 1 Star is because I respect the author and her attempt too much for that.
Rating:
Summary: Just didn't hit the right note!
Review: While I've enjoyed every Lavryle Spencer book that I've read, I did not enjoy Then Came Heaven nearly as much! The book is about Eddie who has lost his wife and is trying to get on with his life and raise his two girls who are 8 & 9 years old. Eddie is the local Catholic school's janitor and he becomes quick friends with the girls teacher, Sister Jean. While Sister Jean adores Eddies girls, Anne and Lucy, she is not allowed even to touch them to comfort them in their mothers death. Slowly, we start to see Sister Jean become unhappy with her life as a nun and question her decision to ever become one. While the description for this book had me very excited to read it, it just didn't live up to my expectations or Spencer's other books I've read (such as Seperate Beds, Small Town Girl and Twice Loved). I think it was an interesting premise, but it just fell short. I had a very hard time liking the characters. They just didn't seem "real" to me. And I had an even harder time getting into the relationship between Eddie and Sister Jean. I just didn't feel the chemistry. There were even parts in the book I was feeling a bit bored with the story. Overall, this was not Spencer's best book, nor was it worthy for her very last writing effort. I'd recommend another of her books before this one, That Camden Summer, Seperate Beds, Small Town Girl or Twice Loved- those were all excellent!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful finish to a spectacular writing career!!
Review: Eddie Olczak and Sister Regina, develop a relationship after Eddie's wife dies. This relationship becomes love and is forbidden by their faith. In the l950's their struggle to create new lives for themselves is looked upon with disfavor and they must endure through it all. Excellent, believable story that occurs more often than not in our modern times. Heart-wrenching read, presented with senstivity and understanding by my favorite romance author.
Evelyn Horan - teacher/counselor/author Jeannie, A Texas Frontier Girl, Books One - Three
|
