Deborah Vogts' Snow Melts in Spring Review and Giveaway!

I picked up Deborah Vogts' debut novel last September at the American Christian Fiction Writer's conference in Denver. This past Sunday, I read it...from start to finish. Sigh. Talk about strong heroes and heroines!

Here's a blurb from Deborah's website:

When an aged horse is severely injured on a gravel road in the Flint Hills of Kansas, country veterinarian Mattie Evans accepts the challenge to save him. But she finds herself in the middle of a longstanding feud between the horse’s owner, pro quarterback Gil McCray, and his ailing father—who is also her dear friend.

As the snow melts in spring, Gil’s return to his estranged father’s ranch brings a chance for new beginnings and reconciliation, but when he falls in love with Mattie, he must face the truths that haunt him or run from his past. Meanwhile, Mattie encourages Gil to return permanently to Kansas rather than retire in California. Their love collides when Mattie’s sister arrives on Gil’s doorstep, causing Gil to come to terms with the jealous acts leading up to his brother’s death and seek forgiveness from those he loves most. Can he accept God’s forgiveness, and will that be enough to make him stop running from his memories of home? In turn, if Mattie forgives, she’ll be forced to choose between the man of her dreams and the land she dearly loves.

Mattie Evans' love for the Flint Hills is such that Mattie is an extension of the land. She loves it, how it makes her feel, and the life it allows her to live. But with that devotion comes a difficult decision regarding her new-found love, and that's the stuff fiction is made out of!

My therapist cap sure did tingle atop my head as I delved deeper and deeper into Gil's dark secrets. And like any well-written book, the secrets become increasingly apparent to the reader. No backstory dumps here, folks. Gil's behavior is psychologically justified, as well, which is always satisfying. (I like it when things just make sense.)

The importance of family demands attention in Deborah's book. Connection--both past and present--approval, blessings, disappointed expectations and pride are all aspects addressed in this book that make it very relatable to readers everywhere. Every client I've seen who was estranged from their family didn't want things to be that way. It's ingrained on the inside to have that connection. We all want it, and Mattie and Gil are no exceptions.

Reading this book invoked thoughts of my own expectations growing up, namely of the type of guy I would marry. After reading and relating to Mattie's dilemma involving her beloved Flint Hills and possibly forging a life in the equally beautiful but very different California, I think the Lord gets a great many laughs at us telling him what we want or what we're going to do. Sometimes his plan is different, and letting go of our expectations--even our hopes--can cause us heartache. As Mattie and Gil learn, though, being in the center of God's will can overcome all of this pain.

I haven't had the pleasure of reading Seeds of Summer, Deborah's second book in the Seasons of the Tall Grass series which released this month. However, you can have a chance to read Book #1 in the series because I'm doing a giveaway!

Rules for entering:

1) Leave a comment with your name and email address (don't assume I have it) and if you are already a follower, let me know (+2)
2) Become a follower (by clicking on the "Follow" button on the left-hand side--I want to see your smiling picture in the box!) (+3)
3) Refer a new follower (and let me know!) (+2)
4) Tweet about this giveaway (by clicking on the Re-tweet button above) (+4)
5) Blog about it (leave me the link) (+5)

Good luck to everyone! I'll post the winner on Friday. :)

(p.s. If you have a kindle, you can get the book free by clicking here!)