To Love Again


by Bonnie K. Winn

Modern Reflections on the Biblical Ruth

Bonnie K. Winn's To Love Again is a heartwarming inspirational romance with a contemporary reflection on the biblical character of Ruth in the life of a widow and mother whose dead husband was abusive and whose mother-in-law continues to try to control her life today. The Steeple Hill Love Inspired books are advertised as "Contemporary inspirational romances with Christian characters facing the challenges of life and love in today's world." To Love Again is true to its advertising slogan and a step above most inspirational books I have seen from other publishers.

Plot
Laura Manning's abusive husband Jerry has died. She has been left with little financial support and what she does have is controlled by others by the terms of her husband's will. In order to support her children, she must find her independence, a job and most of all courage. When she moves her family from the Houston to the small town of Rosewood, Texas, Laura is faced with new challenges. She must rebuild her life in a new town and deal with her husband's best friend and his parents who thought Jerry was a saint.

More details:
I have read a lot of Christian literature but this is my first Steeple Hill published book. Previously, I have never been particularly drawn to inspirational literature because a lot of it is poorly written, too cute or too simplistic, and more geared to the newly converted which I am not. In an effort to sample a large variety of the romance genre this year, I chose this particular book out of many because the back cover blurb hinted at complex conflicts so I hoped it would break the stereotype of inspirational fiction. It did.

Bonnie K. Winn's To Love Again is well-written, heartwarming instead of too cute, and would appeal to the newly converted as well as many shades of faith maturity. It is not too simplistic but rather has well developed conflicts that are also well-written from a faith and literary viewpoint.

As a romance To Love Again is a nice heartwarming read without any graphic sexual or violent scenes. The spousal abuse as written here is psychological, emotional and spiritual. Personally, I prefer a little more cutting edge in my Christian reading but the absence of graphic details makes this book a good choice for a wide ranged age group. In addition, the book includes a short list of 10 questions to guide reading for individual readers, book clubs and church groups.

Why this book shined above others:

1. Spousal abuse as a theme in Christian literature (and in women's literature too) is often avoided so its appearance here was refreshing. In this inspirational romance, the theme is well-written as part of a character's past and present throughout the novel. Even better, the romance and the heroine's potential is not limited to a label from that experience --- which can be the other tendency once the very topic comes up. To Love Again is a romance, not a psychological treatise, and Bonnie K. Winn uses the theme and develops it without getting weighed down so as to lose the romance.

2. Unlike some Christian literature, Bonnie K. Winn does not create stiff one dimensional black and white characters. One church member is judgemental and must grow and see through his failings. By including shades of grey, Winn increases the inspirational aspect of this romance in portraying a more realistic and thus more heartwarming image of everyday life of a person of faith in a small town.

3. Who would not love Winn's reflection on the biblical character of Ruth, in a completely different and modern context! Winn's literary reflection creates some very nice twists and developments on this biblical theme throughout the book. In my opinion, this is the best aspect of her romance as inspiration.

Side Notes
If you purchase this book, do not miss her letter to the reader or her biography in the front and back which include comments about new starts. Very touching and inspirational notes!

I would have liked this book more if I had read other Rosewood, Texas novels. Out of context of the others some side characters and their faith seem a bit flat. In the earlier romances, their stories and faith journeys are told. My 4 star rating as opposed to a 5 star rating is based on a this secondary character flatness in a stand alone romance without having read her previous Rosewood, Texas books. Even as a single romance, however, To Love Again is definitely above the average inspirational romance.

Some other Rosewood, Texas novels:
Child Of Mine (May 2006)
Protected Hearts (May 2005)
Promise of Grace (2003)

Family Ties (2002)
A Family All Her Own (2001)