Before the Dawn begins just one week after the funeral of Charlotte's daughter, Denise. Denise's three children barely have time to process the death of their mother before they must move to the Heather Creek Farm they have never visited with grandparents they barely know. At age 16, Sam is fiercely protective of his younger siblings. Emily is 14 and desperately misses her friends. Young Christopher is only 8 and just wants to fit in. While Charlotte tries to help her grandchildren adjust to their new life, she also wrestles with her own grief and the enormous task of bringing her family together. Bob believes the fastest path to adjustment is a firm routine, with structure and chores, the same way they raised their own kids. However, that route led to Denise running away from home as a teenager and an estranged relationship with her family. Charlotte is worried about making the same mistakes she made with Denise. Is this her chance to make things right?
It is spring when the children arrive, and as Charlotte looks around the farm, she hopes the new life around them will signify hope and healing. The miracle of new life, along with God's healing touch, reminds all of them that it's always darkest just before the dawn.
MY REVIEW:
This book touched my heart so much. It begins with Charlotte bringing home her three grandchildren who have recently lost their mother - her daughter. My heart ached for Charlotte, her husband Bob, and their three grandchildren, Sam, Emily and Christopher. Sam and Emily are teenagers so we are brought into the drama of Charlotte trying to reach them when they are going through so much. Their age brings the drama to more of a height than it does with Christopher who is only 8. Charlotte and Bob really don't know their grandchildren because their mother, Denise, ran away from home when she was 18 and pregnant.
There is a huge change for these children, too, in that they grew up in the big city of San Diego and are now plunked down on a farm in Nebraska. Suddenly the mall isn't down the road and there are chores to be done.
I really liked this book because it was very realistic in how things wouldn't be perfect. I also loved Charlotte's and Bob's son, Pete, who lives in an apartment on the farm. He brings a whole different perspective to the children's lives and it's fun to see them all interacting.
Bob and Pete's relationship is also so realistic in that they don't see eye to eye about most things. There is the tension of doing things the old way (Bob's) and the new way (Pete's).
I feel in love with this family and was so happy that I could then continue the story by reading...
Sweet September picks up at harvest time, as the children are settling into a new school year. While the harvest should be an exciting time, the children don't seem to be getting into the spirit. Emily is struggling with farm life, Christopher spends most of his time alone, and Sam is failing school. Trying to learn from what did and didn't work with her own kids, Charlotte is determined to get her grandchildren back on track.
As tenuous family bonds threaten to break apart, a mystery on the farm might be the one thing that can bond the family together. Charlotte sets out to uncover the truth, and as the kids unite to find answers, this cobbled-together family learns more about one another and the love that binds them together.
The lives of the Stevensons and their grandchildren unfold in this captivating story of the remarkable change that comes from the love of family, the kindness of others, sheer persistence and unshakable faith. As readers follow the Stevensons' inspiring stories, it's almost impossible not feel a part of this friendly, loving community, where God's grace can be seen in every circumstance.
MY REVIEW:
This book takes up where Before the Dawn leaves off. We are at the end of Summer and we see how much things have settled down and yet are still in turmoil at the same time.
Charlotte is still feeling over-whelmed with the responsibility of raising her grandchildren and yet still doing the things that Bob, her husband, expects her to do. She still hasn't figured out how to do it all. I do love that she has figured out to let certain things go where she didn't with her own children. She struggles with allowing the grandchildren fail or face consequences. I could really relate with this - moms and grandmas always want to rush in and fix things for our little chicks.
There is the mystery of things missing from their garden and their chicken house. Then Pete's old flame returns to town and he is going back to church, which blesses Charlotte's heart.
One thing I love about both these books is how Bob reads out of the Bible after the meal. He is a little set in his ways, but we see him making changes for the better. I love how God is at the center of what Bob and Charlotte do and they try to convey that to their sons and their grandchildren.
I really liked this series. I can't wait to see what happens next (hoping there will be more to this series!) as I came to care about each and every one of these people. I liked seeing the changes for the better and how they learn to care for one another.
This is a great series and I highly recommend it! It's a really sweet story that will bless your heart!
*These books were provided to me for my honest review LitFuse Publicity Group
You can read more reviews of these books HERE
Blessings - Julie
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