Is this really May?

It’s hard to believe that we are halfway into spring at the same time we are halfway into this quarantine.

But here we are. So what have I been doing, besides getting used to going out less and doing more virtual meetings on Zoom? Outside of watching music videos and movies on line?

What I’ve always been doing, besides my writing? Reading a lot. So I am going to blog today about a fantastic book I just finished reading: Lean on Me, by Pat Simmons, a well known writer of contemporary inspirational romances. The book is described as fitting within romantic women’s fiction.

I posted a review on Goodreads:

I am always on the look out for books by other inspirational romance writers. When I saw this one, I was interested because of the story’s emphasis on eldercare ministry.

I thoroughly enjoyed this contemporary romance: the characters’ arc of growth and their journey through their happily ever after.

The books in this series focus upon the stories of three sisters who undertake the daunting task of taking care of their elderly Aunt Tweet, a lady with dementia. The agreement was that each would be caretaker for six months at a time. Aunt Tweet’s deterioration over time will likely be the sobering sub plot that will unite the three sisters through their own happily ever after.

Tabitha never realized what being a caretaker would really mean, and Marcus didn’t have a clue, believing Tabitha was just neglectful in failing to keep the elderly lady off his property.

The characters grew on each other and on us at the same time, and as they grew in their faith.

It took a lot of faith for Tabitha to gain the strength and patience she needed. As Marcus grew in his affection for Tabitha and Aunt Tweet, he grew in strength, patience and faith in being supportive of Tabitha.

The sermons of the preacher they heard on Sunday mornings provided excellent context for their faith journeys. In addition, the challenges Marcus had as a business owner helped in clearing his path towards growth.

Ms. Simmons did an excellent job in presenting Aunt Tweet as a dementia patient–it was poignant yet heart-rending–so I wasn’t surprised that her character was based upon Ms. Simmons’ own grandmother who had dementia. Her understanding of the pastoral care needs of patients and their families was clear.

Copyright Barbara James. All rights reserved.