Heart of the Glen - by Jennifer Deibel

No one makes me escape to Ireland like Jennifer Deibel, and The Heart of the Glen is no exception! I can see the emerald fields dotted with sheep and cottages, smell turf fires, hear the ceilidh music, and taste the tea and brown bread. I am truly standing in Ireland when I read a Jennifer Deibel story. Meticulously researched with appropriate artistic license, Jennifer Deibel has depicted the struggles of life in Ireland in 1912. However, this beautiful romance is not too heavy and equally shows the joy and faith of the Irish community is the face of trials. This grumpy hero and his mysterious heroine learn to love each other while leaning on the Lord for His provision of the future. Gospel truth is beautifully woven into this story of forgiveness of others and yourself, but also the forgiveness and love of Christ. Splendidly written, this historical romance is the perfect armchair trip to Ireland! Thank you to the author and publisher for my copy! I loved it!

"I kiss the hurt that brought you to me." This was a beautiful story of love and faith. I was fascinated by the day-to-day lives of the characters living in early 1900s Ireland. Who knew that most weavers were men? That really surprised me! I loved how Jennifer used metaphors of patterns and weaving regarding the tapestry of life. There is a lot of wisdom to be gleaned in the pages of this book! Both Owen and Saoirse had experienced so much tragedy and I loved how they found healing not only in each other but through God. I shed a lot of tears reading this book! There was something poetic about the Irish countryside and the small village they lived in. It was the perfect setting for romance! 4/5 stars Read if you enjoy: Irish History Christian Fiction Slow Burn Romance Stories of Healing Adorable Dog Antics *I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

“Was this her doing? Did she bring her own special brand of bad luck–the deadliest sort–to the McCreadys?” Saoirse asks herself in Jennifer Deibel’s novel, Heart of the Glen. ~ What ~ This three-hundred-and-fifty-two-page paperback targets those interested in a historical romance involving two broken individuals who yearn to overcome their past guilt. With no profanity, topics of abuse, injury, and death may not be appropriate for immature readers. The beginning has a glossary of terms while the ending includes the author’s note, a teaser of another book by the writer, acknowledgments, a biography, and advertisements. In this story set in the rolling hillsides of Donegal, Ireland, in 1912, Saoirse has nowhere to go when she learns her next job no longer exists. When a woman named Aileen unexpectedly invites her to stay out of the rain in the family barn, the broken, insecure woman does all she can to help her new friend and her brother, Owen, who is a weaver, stay afloat to keep their farm. Through repeated tragedies that Saoirse feels she has caused, both she and Owen must forgive themselves and their pasts to find happiness and peace through God. ~ Why ~ I always like reading historical fiction where I learn something, and this tale about finding love while making tweed bolts of cloth has the undertone of the Biblical story of Gideon and how he relied on the Almighty. Enjoyed were explanations of the weaving loom, shuttles, and weft yarn knots as well as sheep tending, pancake flipping contests, and broom dances. I appreciate that the eternal plan of salvation was expressed in the author’s note. ~ Why Not ~ Those who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ may not like this story, but it is core to how the two protagonists trusted the Lord for help and answers. Others may not like the foreign words, but the four-page glossary is helpful if one needs to stop reading to look something up. I found the ending abrupt and there were loose ends regarding bandits and the farm’s livelihood. ~ Wish ~ I am thankful that all pronouns of God were capitalized for reverence, but I wish a map of the area were added for clarification. ~ Want ~ If you like a sweet love story of forgiveness while relying on God’s plan, no matter what the outcome, this one tenderly weaves threads of heartbreak and acceptance into the fabric of life in rural Ireland. Thanks to Revell and Interviews & Reviews for this complimentary book. I am under no obligation to give a positive review.