When Love Blooms by Robin Lee Hatcher

Title: When Love Blooms
Author: Robin Lee Hatcher
Type: Novel
Genre: Romance
Series: No
Copyright: 2009
Publisher: Zondervan
Rating:  1 out of 5

Summary:
From the moment Gavin Blake set eyes on Emily Harris he knew she would never make it in the rugged high country where backbreaking work and constant hardship were commonplace. She would wilt there like a rose without water. He'd be sending her back to Boise before the first snows. He'd be willing to bet on it.She could say what she wanted. Emily Harris didn't belong in the hard life of the Blakes. Beautiful and refined, she was accustomed to the best life had to offer. Heaven only knew why she wanted to leave Boise to teach two young girls on a ranch miles from nowhere. He'd wager it had to do with a man. It always did when a beautiful woman was involved. Emily wanted to make some sort of mark on the world before marriage. She wanted to be more than just a society wife. Though she had plenty of opportunities back East, she had come to the Idaho high country looking to make a difference. Gavin's resistance to her presence made her even more determined to prove herself. Perhaps changing the heart of one man might make the greatest difference of all.

Feelings:
I might have felt more kindly about this book if it hadn't been for the religious aspect of it. When I picked it up I just wanted an easy read with romance. This was an easy read and there was romance.

When she drew near, he took the lantern from her. She lifted her eyes to meet his, and the felt his gut tighten. Vulnerable. Sweet. Uncertain. Fearful. There was something about her that made him want to-- (p.103)

Tension is created because of the religious part of the story. Gavin and Emily can't be together because of Dru Gavin's wife in name.

Dru felt a flutter of joy. It was happening. What she'd hoped for from the beginning was happening. They were attracted to each other. Attracted and resisting it -- because of her. Gracious. She hadn't considered that she would be an impediment while she was alive, although she should have. Gavin was a principled man, and Emily was a virtuous you woman. How was she to nurture their growing affection in these days and weeks before the Lord took her home while still preserving their honor? How was she to help them fall in love so that after she was gone . . . (p. 107)

I would have been alright with this story if it hadn't turned religious on me. I don't mind sexual tension in a book but to have the tension be because of religious reasons feels a little bit odd to me. I should note that this would have still be rated a 2-3 even without the religion just because it is a silly romance novel. And I don't want others to think that they shouldn't read it because I didn't like it. I just didn't like the religious part and would have liked to have known it was going to be sure before I read it. That being said if you like religious romance this will be a great book for you, if not I suggest you skip it.