THE HOUSE LOVE BUILT

 Tracey Victoria Bateman, Susan Downs, Gail Sattler, and Susan May Warren

 Barbour Publishing 

ISBN: 1-58660-799-5 

June 2003 

Inspirational Romance Anthology



THE HOUSE LOVE BUILT is four stories centered around one house and it's occupants. All four do well on their own but when read as one, they are even better.

FOUNDATION OF LOVE by Gail Sattler
The first of the stories is about a young lady, Carla Wainwright and her dream to build a house of her own. Carla is determined to have this home built while she is out for the summer and at as low a cost as possible. Her friend, Ellen, suggests carpenter, Jack Dugan. When Carla and Jack meet they both feel things they are unsure of, but with a house to build and a faith that is strong they soon find that they may be building more than just a foundation to a house. While Carla is open to Jack as a friend her past may come back to haunt them both. Can Jack help Carla to trust after her past?

LOVE'S OPEN DOOR by Susan May Warren
The second offering in this anthology follows the story of Paul Stoneman a missionary and Ellen White an interior decorator. Paul is on a vacation of sorts from his missionary work in a Siberian village. While he's home he hopes to find a woman who can be his wife as well as his companion. Paul is sure he's found that in Ellen if she'll only open her heart to it, and if she's willing to follow through. Ellen is afraid to do what she's always wanted to do. She's sure her place is right where she's at, but can she live without Paul in her life? Will Paul and Ellen find the courage to follow God's plan for them?

ONCE UPON AN ATTIC by Tracey Victoria Bateman
Professor Kendall Tyler is mistaken for an exterminator in the third story, as Professor Angela Cooper needs help to get rid of some squirrels who have made her attic their home. Kendall tries to help repeatedly and finds himself falling for his fellow professor. Angela has decided that all the good men are taken, but is shocked to find that she's falling for Kendall, if only they both didn't have a habit of finding disaster. Can Angela and Kendall find the love they've been looking for with a little help from God and some squirrels?

MENDING FENCES by Susan Downs
The final story in this anthology is about widow Winnie Wainwright, Carla's mother. When a storm knocks a tree into the house Winnie has moved into, the one built by Carla, she calls on handyman Dan Parker to help her out. Can Dan fix the house as well as Winnie's broken heart or will a misheard word keep them from finding happiness?

All four of these stories take place at one house that we see being built in the first story. I found that to be very interestingly done. Not only did it make me think of the homes I had lived in and those that came before and after, it made me see that God does work in mysterious ways. All of these stories are very well written and I'd be hard pressed to say which is my favorite. There is romance, as well as faith found in all four. If you want a quick read that will lift your spirits then this is the one for you.

 

Reviewed by Wendy Keel

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