Love in a time of innocence
359113
The book is a frame narrative, in which four traveling strangers take a sentimental journey into their own pasts, to share their reminiscence of a special love in their past.

Each account wonderfully evokes a time of innocence, sweetness, and youth, in which the focus of one's life was on one's love, and at a time in life in which the traveler was as yet unaffected by the cares of parenthood, heavy duty, or mature responsibility.

This book is a delightful, compelling read.

This book would make a wonderful gift for anyone who will be celebrating a romantic occasion, considering one's own young loves, thinking about the meaning of passion and ardor, or, ultimately, considering the meanings of one's own life and the journeys it has taken.

The book is a must read for any reader, from young adult on.

Moreover, the sweetness of the book marks it as a book that can be read by all.
783726
This is a beautiful story of love and compassion with a reminder that the Lord has all our destinies in His hands.

Ruby Groening was traveling west to be a mail order bride and ends up assisting a group of orphans and their guardian along the way.  But illness strikes and makes a change in plans. James Cardwell, a bachelor, is raising his brothers daughter, Erica after he and his wife die during a measles outbreak. The faith of Erica and her belief that Jesus will deliver a special Christmas present is a reminder that we are to have the faith of a child. The plot kept me captivated and the dialog is heartwarming.
4175872
This is a story of youth. A time when you come of age and discover life, love, and loss.  Teen age senior who has always been a model student goes on an exchange program for two weeks.  Over her trip she learns to live life and love. She learns how to take chances.  This is a great story that will find those emotions we keep tucked away and draw them out as we experience the joys of carefree youth again.  Would recommend reading this one.
4393754
This was a positive imagine of a black romance fiction.  The characters had interest that appeals to the average working or middle class blacks.  My favorite was the scenes that describe Grant and Melody relationship back when they were in college.  You can almost see why Melody crush develop into a love that she could not forget no matter how many lovers cross her path.  You can even understand why Grant did not see Melody as a person of much interest before he tried to recruit her into his firm.  Grant always had an interest in her back in school that even he did not understand.  It was interesting to see how his interest grew into something much more signifigant.  This was a beautiful and touching romance story that makes you smile like an adolescent in love.
4712450
A beautiful story in spite of the horrors and destruction of the war between the states. When a runaway slave girl encounters the orphaned girl of a plantation owner, the struggle to survive binds them together in a friendship that cannot be severed. However, the two girls don't realize how deeply they care for, and need, one another, until one of them decides it is safer to go their separate ways. When another runaway slave is discovered in the barn, and the first runaway slave hears God speaking to her, all three girls agree on a set course for their lives. Sweet innocence and the still small voice of The Lord makes this a wonderful read, and leaves the reader feeling satisfied in knowing that as hard as life can be, "with God all things are possible!".
2639349
This is a story of love without prejudice, innocent and real until the world around them decides differently.  You will love the ending.  Onc eyou start reading it will be hard to put down.
4540706
This book captures a time of innocence. It is a fun read and allows for creative thinking and imaginative adventures for your child.  It is indeed a great read!!!
2338182
I found it amazing at how long love could be in someone heart without acting. However, I enjoyed the story line and the everyday mood, feeling,  interaction and love life of the characters.
1235672
Good story telling.  I love a good romance novel.

I recommend this book to all who have experienced  the innocence and loss of a first love.
2817790
A wonderful story about love ,waiting for the right time to express your feeling taking it slow and enjoying it. Thank you Anntaz2001@aol.com
3263134
Beautiful story about the life of a child growing up in the 1950's, the hardships, innocents, and the beauty of family love and tenderness. As you read, it touches feelings of sorrow, laughter and spirituality. Easy read with short chapters that once you start you cannot put the book down until you finish.&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Shhh/dp/1469162512/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Shhh....!</a>
1128943
There is a certain delicacy in this novel that is often lost in modern day romances. The undying love a the young couple, brought together by fate are put through the trials and tests both in their time and in the past. Faced with emotions and memories not quite their own but just as relevant, they undergo a journey of self discovery to discover the lengths one must go to for the reward of lasting love.

This book was a rewarding read for any lover of historic fiction taking us through the lives and journeys of a plethora of characters as they face their own challenges and obstacles along a historical timeline of Chicago. It explores themes such as love, loyalty, hope, faith and reincarnation. While reincarnation is often a topic of much contention the book covers it with a graceful subtlety that does not impose the belief on its readers.

I believe this book is well worth a read for those who like their history paired with romance.
433896
A beautifully written story about the nature of love. Filled with passion and raw emotion. An enjoyable read about the lifes journey and the web that love weaves and the consequence of being in a particular place at a particular time.
1227518
What exactly is a love story if not a sordid saga of tumult, exultation, and longing? In the saccharine-lite "Voice of Innocence" author Lindsay Detwiler chronicles the oft-rugged terrain of first love.

The story is one of true love and devotion above all else. However, intertwined with the outpouring of one of life's truest emotions is a story that is at once both modern and timeless. Emma and Corbin are the lovestruck couple here, and not without their own set of problems. Corbin is convicted of a murder he didn't commit and finds himself not only in prison, but torn apart from his one true love.

Naturally, with him being locked away and ostracized for society, Emma finds herself having to life a life that is Corbin-free. She misses her betrothed heavily, however, she manages to forge a life for herself that is independent.  Faced with Corbin's release from jail, she and him must question the boundaries of their love, and if it still exists at all.

Don't worry - Detwiler doesn't pile on the schmaltz when dissecting the power of first loves and its inevitable impact on the rest of our lives. It's an interesting take on what defines the state of contentment that we are so conditioned to crave and actively search for.

Like this review? Read more like it at www.readingotherpeople.com
886585
Contains some mild spoilers.

May I say up front that the cover, while very catchy, is no reflection on the book whatsoever. The story is about four people who meet on a train journey and tell (or in one case, think) about a story of love (requited or otherwise). None of the people are in love with each other. While the cover indicates otherwise, there's no hanky-panky goin' on between these characters.

It's hard to describe the book without giving too much away. A woman tells the story of her parents, who fell in love as penpals and lived out most of their marriage in an isolated part of Australia. This is the most quiet, gentle story about the power of love.

Another is involved with a woman who may or may not be the person she claims to be. Should he go forward---or not?

A third is in love with someone who does not return the love. For me, this was the saddest story, and perhaps the most frustrating because he gives up instead of seeking out another true love.

The fourth is a young man in love for the first time. This story feels more about personal growth and maturity than true love.

So there you have it. It's a gentle read for a lazy summer afternoon or a cozy winter day in front of a fire. Enjoy!
2577450
This is a poignant tale of love; love lost, and love found. Sensitively written, with a clever use of emails from the past, the story unfolds like a fan; at the end the story and the picture are finally clear. Love of many types does have the power to heal and to redeem, over time.
4063949
I have found it very difficult to sit down and read a good book in recent years thanks to our digital driven lives. But I managed to put aside a few hours here and there to read The Wrinkle Ranch, and rediscovered the beauty of a well written, thought provoking, short but very sweet piece of literature. It's hard to watch the news these days without thinking the world is on the verge of imploding. So it was with great pleasure that I took the time to read a story about love, pure and simple. Not romantic, not sexy, but the true love shared by a group of friends who's only wish is to live out there days surrounded by beauty, music and laughter. Their Utopian bubble isn't burst by tragic events. One's eventual passing isn't greeted with sorrow so much as the loving memories and the desire to keep that love alive.
Thank you, Mercy for a great "love" story.