Unfulfilled dreams have left Grace Thomas vowing not to let her imagination roam wild again. Resigning herself to the goal of owning a dress shop, she accepts a position as a housekeeper at Monaghan Lumber Camp in order to earn funds. The plan is simple, easy, and safe. But Torin Monaghan is not. The reclusive brother who seems indifferent to her presence is ironically the one stirring up her … imagination.
Torin Monaghan will not be deterred from his passion to preserve the beauty of nature. Even if it appears as if he’s going against his family. Even if the quirky and wistful seamstress invading his space is proving a distraction. To his frustration, Grace Thomas is not easily dismissed, and neither are the ways she’s opening his eyes to a different sort of beauty.
When past threats bring new trouble to Pine Creek, Torin and Grace must become vulnerable—to each other and their community—and through risk, discover that reality is more fulfilling than their dreams.
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Four Dreams of You, by Sondra Kraak, is the fourth book in the Love that Counts series. Though it includes a few characters who were introduced in the previous books in the series, Four Dreams of You can easily be read as a stand-alone novel. It is beautifully detailed, very well-written, and utterly entertaining. With engaging characters, a stunning setting, and unique plot details, this book was a pleasure to read from beginning to end.
With a stunning gift for storytelling, Ms. Kraak has fashioned a novel that moved me with its prominent themes of purpose, calling, faith, and family. Throughout this novel, the characters endeavor to pursue their goals even as they grapple with doubts, insecurities, dangers, and set-backs. They persevere through uncertainty as their hopes and dreams conflict with their families’ needs and expectations, and their faith is strengthened as they open their hearts to unexpected possibilities and God-inspired plans.
Four Dreams of You is a wonderful piece of historical fiction. Full of charm, humor, romance, and a bit of mystery, it is truly a remarkably memorable novel. It is rich with relevant themes and thought-provoking ideas. It is emotionally stirring, faith-filled, and ultimately uplifting. I recommend it wholeheartedly.
This book has “all the feels”! I’m not even sure how to put my feelings into words. I loved the drama, the missing sister, the families, the brothers, Pine Creek (with the exception of the mayor, I don’t like him at all), and the forest. The author transported me through time with such beautiful imagery, I could almost smell the night air.
I loved Torin and Grace. Their romance is a hard-fought journey. I loved all of it! I will let the authors’ words describe romance for she wrote it best.
“Romance isn’t the magic of words of feelings. It isn’t the luring of another’s affection with gifts and flattery. …It’s fierce in commitment and unyielding in seeking another’s good.”
I left out part of that description so you can read it yourself. It is a powerful scene.
This is a keep forever, and revisit it often book for me.
“Romance is the untamed pursuit of another. It’s fierce in commitment and unyielding in seeking another’s good.”
Right away the stage has been set for a broody lumberman to literally knock a beautiful seamstress off her feet. (technically, it was her saddle, but does that really matter?) Suffering from a mild concussion and a hefty dose of humiliation, Grace Thomas recovers slowly enough to realize that one of the three Monaghan brothers was the source of her distraction. Despite the relentless attention from two of them, it’s the more reserved Torin that makes Grace’s heart beat just a little faster.
For Grace, notions of romance have always been clouded with a sense of failure and abandonment; watching her brothers and friends pair off has left her wondering if the only dream worth following is proprietorship; owning her own dress shop in her small town of Pine Creek. She never expected her spontaneous love of colors and unfinished sentences to draw the unfettered attention of a man like Torin, whose own dreams and goals as a nationally recognized conservationist will take him miles away from Grace’s imagination. Or is it Grace’s imagination that will keep her miles away from Torin? Only God knows.
“One doesn’t seek romance in a book. ” . . . “Then where?” she whispered. “I’ll let you know when I find it.”
What an sensory overload of emotions invade the pages of this witty, lovely, inspiring story; showcasing the author’s incredible spiritual depth and her surprising, refreshing sense of humor.