Wisdom Tree by Mary Manners - REVIEWED

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Wisdom Tree White Rose Publishing (September 19, 2012) by Mary Manners

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word from the Author:
I live in the beautiful foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee with my husband, Tim, and our teen-aged daughter, Danni. Also with us are Lucky and Gus - the two cherished cats we rescued from local animal shelters.

I'm a member of the Romance Writers of America and Smoky Mountain Romance Writers. During the school year, I teach middle-schoolers reading and Algebra. When I have free time, I love to garden, take long walks with my husband, and read romance novels in a hammock beneath century-old shade trees.

I write romance novels for White Rose Publishing. If you'd like to visit, I have an author page there, as well. That's where you'll find everything there is to know about my books.

I also have author pages at the following locations. Do come by and spend some time with me there!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Sometimes the last thing we think we need is exactly what God has planned
After the death of his parents, Jake Samuels has enough on his plate—including a fledgling church to lead and a mischievous younger brother to raise. The last thing he needs is a rambunctious woman to contend with.

Carin O'Malley is dealing with the death of her brother and a new job as an English teacher at East Ridge Middle School where Corey Samuels reigns as King of Chaos. The last thing she needs is to fall in love...especially with a handsome and complicated preacher like Corey’s brother Jake.

But when Corey's antics toss Carin and Jake together, the two must draw from God’s wisdom to find refuge in His perfect plan.

------------------------------------------------ Discover your own wisdom tree with the included one-month devotional.

My Thoughts:

“I think sometimes God pulls you to the very depths of the ocean before he helps you make that climb to the summit.”  (p.137)

Pastor Jake Samuels and Carin O’Malley have experienced more tragedy than most.  Between the two of their lives, the losses are rather great.  When Carin moves to East Ridge to take a teaching position at East Ridge Middle School, they meet under yet another trial.  Jake’s younger brother Corey is struggling to recover from tragedy too, and between the three of them, they have to figure out a way to move forward.

I like the honesty of this book.  I like the way Jake remains vulnerable with both Carin and Corey about his own pain.  The role of pastor isn’t a magic cloak of protection against the pain of life’s circumstances.  Carin seems to be the most guarded of all the characters in the story, and even that proves to be a very honest look into the human heart.  Corey’s  needs may be the initial encounter between Jake and Corin, but the relationship that Manners builds between them is realistic, and the way she uses Corey’s progress to mirror the healing in Jake and Carin’s lives is my favorite part of the story.

I don’t know what it is, but lately I’ve had to really look beyond the cover art of the books I’m reading. The cover of Wisdom Tree indicates a sappy romance, and it is so much more!  Romance?  Yes, but not in a typical, predictable path.  I am happy to recommend this novel!  The bonus that I REALLY love? The devotional at the back of the book!  BRAVO!! 

If you would like to read the first chapter of Wisdom Tree, go HERE.