A Very Special Delivery (Love Inspired #349)

This was a freebie for the Kindle, by an author I'd never heard of. The story opens in the middle of a terrible snowstorm. Molly, who lives alone is interrupted by a delivery man called Ethan who needs to take some urgent medication further up the mountain - and leaves his infant daughter Laney to her care. Molly is terrified, for reasons which later become clear, but cannot refuse...

This highly unlikely scenario sets the scene for a story that is quite moving in places, as the main characters grow closer to each other, and unwrap their past guilt and unhappiness over various circumstances. It's overtly Christian, which is fine; I didn't feel that the references to God were over-done, and the book wasn't too preachy; indeed, some of the show more Christian characters were shown in rather a bad, unforgiving light.

Unfortunately, a lot of the writing was rather introspective, switching at will between different viewpoints, and with far too many lengthy inner viewpoints, often repeated, with little action. I did like Molly's aunt Patsy, a redoubtable elderly Christian lady of integrity, but then wondered why on earth Laney hadn't been left with her in the opening part of the book. Most of the other characters were rather flat, however.

The ending is good, after a thrilling - and oddly moving - climax which then leads to a lot of rather rapid tying of up ends, and happy (if not quite believable) reconciliation. But I doubt if I'll read this again.

It's not a bad book, but I felt could have done with some significant editing. show less

Due to unusual circumstances, Molly McCreight, finds herself caring for a baby during an ice storm while its father makes a special delivery of life saving medicine to an isolated old man. She can't believe the father, Ethan Hunter, would trust a stranger, especially her. Molly suffers from panic attacks and guilt around babies, due to a tragedy involving her nephew. Ethan returns for the baby, Laney, only to be snowed in with Molly for the next 5 days. Ethan also suffers from guilt for the reason that Laney is motherless. As these two are drawn together they must work through their problems. This is an inspirational romance so their faith plays a big role but is not preachy. Satisfying story.

I just absolutely loved this story. From start to finish, with many a heartfelt moment, I truly did not set the story aside. I'm often skeptical about reading books with a religious tone to them, often feeling that things are just stuck in there rather than blending it in naturally. I don't doubt that I'm a hard critic/difficult to please on that end of things but that doesn't change how I feel when reading. Not once while reading this story did I feel like skimming or shaking my head with a sigh of resignation because things felt 'off' to me. I totally loved this story and can't wait to read some more books by this author.

Possibly the most 'chaste' romance I've read in a long time. Molly lives out in the country, and a blizzard starts. As the snow makes traveling impossible, a delivery truck pulls up outside her front door. The man getting out is cradling a bundle in front of him, as he knocks on her door. His name is Ethan, and he asks if he can leave his baby daughter with Molly while he delivers some life-saving medication to an old couple who live up the mountain. The sight of a baby upsets Molly to no end, but she has no choice but to agree. We learn that Molly has been traumatised when her sister's baby died while in her care. Neither Molly nor her sister have been able to get past it. When Ethan returns several hours later, it is evident that he show more won't be able to go anywhere in the blizzard. He and the baby are forced to spend several days at Molly's house, with Ethan and the baby sleeping in a propane-heated camper to protect Molly's reputation. Once the storm is over, Ethan continues to pursue Molly, while Molly tries to get over her anxiety attacks that strike when she is in the presence of a baby. There is a heavy Christian theme to the book. show less

I just absolutely loved this story. From start to finish, with many a heartfelt moment, I truly did not set the story aside. I'm often skeptical about reading books with a religious tone to them, often feeling that things are just stuck in there rather than blending it in naturally. I don't doubt that I'm a hard critic/difficult to please on that end of things but that doesn't change how I feel when reading. Not once while reading this story did I feel like skimming or shaking my head with a sigh of resignation because things felt 'off' to me. I totally loved this story and can't wait to read some more books by this author.

Sweet, Romantic Struggle

A few years ago, Molly was caring for her sister’s baby when he died from SIDS, and both Molly and her sister are still blaming Molly for his death. On the eve of a super storm, Ethan Hunter drops by asking if he can leave his infant daughter with Molly while he makes a life saving delivery. Ethan’s suggestion makes Molly scared out of her wits, setting up the love story.

Every Love Inspired story always gives me a few diverting hours of clean heart felt fun. First, the difficult situation makes the story interesting, but I always hurt for women who want children but for whatever reason, cannot have them. In this book, Ethan is also hurting because of his prior choices and because the mother of his baby did show more not want him or his child. Choices cause reactions, but God has a plan. I recommend it for lovers of more simple romances with a sweet twist. show less

Two years ago, Molly's 6-month old nephew died of SIDS while she was babysitting him. Now, overcome with guilt, Molly has become a sort of recluse. Because her sister is angry and bitter and refuses to forgive her (even though it wasn't Molly's fault), Molly has chosen to move into a farmhouse in the country. She no longer attends church with her sister and stays away from public places, except the senior center where she works. She believes she cannot be trusted around babies and has given up her dream of becoming a wife and mother.

Ethan lived a wild life until he became a Christian several months ago, while his girlfriend was pregnant with his baby. Now a single dad to an infant daughter, Ethan struggles to overcome the stigma of show more being an unmarried parent. He believes he does not deserve a good, decent woman because of his sinful past. One winter night, he and his daughter are caught in a dangerous winter storm, causing them to seek shelter from the nearest house, which belongs to Molly. She opens the door to Ethan and Laney...but they both end up opening their hearts to one another.

This is a short read, and it is a very sweet, gentle romance. There are instant sparks between Molly and Ethan, but as this is a Christian romance, it is very chaste. (There are kisses, but nothing more.) I enjoyed this story idea, and it held my interest. However, it could have been much better. The characters are so...good. Even though Ethan is ashamed of his past, he seems to make up for it by being the perfect, charming neighbor. He becomes a fix-it guy for all the seniors' problems, and there seems to be nothing he can't do. He's a paramedic, a pilot, a handyman, a ball player, and an actor in the church's Easter pageant. Molly, too, is a bit too good to be believable. She is very self-deprecating, crafty, meek, and gentle. She even buys toys for kids in need. There is a great message for Christian readers...that of forgiveness, leaving regrets in the past and moving forward. However, I think it's more interesting and realistic to have characters that are a bit more realistic and multi-dimensional that readers can relate to. Another problem is the lack of conflict. It's very predictable, and the couple never really faces a true conflict.

In short, as a free story, it is worth reading if you appreciate a Christian outlook and want something very light and uplifting. If you're looking for a complex story, this is not for you. show less