Title: HEARTS OF COMPASSION
Author: Eryn Grace
Publisher: Red Rose Press
Mainstream Romance: Contemporary, Inspirational, Holiday (Christmas)
ISBN: 978-1-60435-490-4
Pages: 388
Release Date: December 03, 2009
Price: $5.99
Rating: 4.25
Blurb: Rylee Fitz, lonely daughter of a millionaire, is forced to work at a homeless shelter in up-state New York as a team building exercise for her job.
Ben Colson, the homeless shelter's lawyer who was fired when he has been working for Rylee's father, teaches Rylee that money doesn't get the work done and makes her do manual labor. When he takes the time to actually treat her like a human being and teaches her about the love of Jesus, Rylee finds herself falling for Ben. She just hopes he finds it in his heart to deal with her problems and forgives her family for treating him badly.
Review: This is a wonderful story that is not limited to Holiday reading. It really opens the readers’ eyes to the plight of the homeless. It also points out the difference between being driven to personal success and being successful by helping others in need.
Rylee has chosen to seek success without relying on her family wealth. She works hard in her marketing position at an interior design firm but often her co-workers try to undermine her or take credit for her work. When her team goes to work for a homeless shelter she is surprised at the expectations. However, she puts forth the effort to do her assigned tasks thoroughly. This gains her respect from Ben and others at the shelter but puts her at odds once more with her co-workers.
Ben initially sees Rylee as a spoiled, rich girl. He seems a little rough on her at first but his own compassion and warmth soon seeps through. He gains respect for Rylee’s integrity in her honest efforts. He also sees that she has been reluctant to accept help from others and she hides behind her loneliness and drive to succeed.
The author gently reveals the stories of those who have come to the shelter due to circumstances beyond their control. Rylee learns to begin to reach out and help while allowing them their dignity. Little does Rylee realize that when she returns to New York her own circumstances are going to tumble her out of work, out of her apartment and onto the streets! How did this happen to her and how is she going to manage without seeking help from others?
The plot is full of twists that keep you waiting to see what will happen next. The characters are well developed and “humanly” flawed. Through Rylee’s experiences and with Ben’s gentle leading, she learns to see the need for forgiving “grace” not only to strangers but to her own family. This story is relevant to the hardships of the current economy. Ms. Grace has written an engaging and warm tale that made me think twice about my own attitude towards the homeless. I heartily recommend this book for an inspirational read that is more than just a sweet romance.
xxx
Thank you to author Eryn Grace for providing this eBook to read and review.
This is my Sweet and Sensual Romances group review post today.
This is my Sweet and Sensual Romances group review post today.
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! I truly appreciate it. You've made my day. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads up on the book. We need to be reminded time and time again how each of us are just a twist of luck away from homelessness.
ReplyDeleteGood review,will keep it in mind Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis doesn't sound like my type of book but it actually sounds like an interesting story. Great review!
ReplyDeleteFascinating review...makes me want to take a look at this book. I guess we have to realize that many people are homeless for reasons beyond their control. I can truly feel sorry for these people. But for those who recklessly spend beyond their means and make no effort to live economically, I can't really feel sorry for them.
ReplyDeletemtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com
Thank you all for commenting! I agree with you, Margie...about people who spend beyond their means. And I agree about people who are homeless for reasons beyond their control. I saw both kinds when I lived in the Washington, DC area. It's sad to see, and even sadder when there's an underlying cause that they can't control.
ReplyDeleteBut thank you all!
a very interesting sounding story; a person could learn so much being amongst the homeless and at shelters. I would love to volunteer at a soup kitchen sometime. At Christmas would be especially exciting seeing the faces getting a homecooked meal. What a blessing that could be.
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