Gayle Roper
Gayle Roper is an American author of Christian, fiction, literature, mystery, and thrillers books with over 50 published works to her name. Roper admits to spending countless hours coercing words into the paper because there is nothing else, she would instead do with her time. The author has received several awards for her stories starting with Holt Medallion for The Decision and Autumn Dreams and Carol Award for Caught Red-handed. When she is not writing, Roper spends time speaking in writers’ conferences and women’s events across the country. She also enjoys engaging with other writers on different platforms. Roper currently lives with her husband and children in Pennsylvania.
A Stranger’s Wish
A stranger’s Wish tells the story of Kristie Matthews, an aspiring artist who gets the rare opportunity of staying with an Amish family. Kristie is Englischer, so this is going to be one exciting journey for her. Having been born in a family of lawyers, Kristie’s family expects her to join the family profession. Unfortunately, as she grows, it becomes clear that this is not the path she wants to follow. Kristie enjoys painting with watercolors, something her family looks down upon. Her lawyer-boyfriend doesn’t make things any easier. He doesn’t hide the fact that he thinks that her colorful clothes are childish. A teaching job in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, seems like the perfect opportunity for Kristie to get away from the negativity in her life.
Kristie will be proven wrong immediately; she sets foot in Lancaster. First, her host’s farm dog bites her, and this warrants a visit to the ER. At the hospital, Kristie encounters a dying older man who hands a key to her. The instructions are not to tell anyone about the key, and while this is easy, Kristie cannot help but think that it has something to do with an event that follows soon after. With her life now in danger, Kristie has to find the mystery behind the key. She is also always thinking about her relationship with Todd. Her lawyer’s boyfriend is a good Christian man, but it is hard to ignore the fact that he wants to change her.
Join Kristie on a journey characterized by mystery, intrigue, and romance. At the center of this story is an Amish family. Unlike most Amish novels, this one is in the first person, and from an Englischer’s perspective. Through Kristie, the author does a perfect job of explaining the Amish culture and way of life. Her character is well developed as well as all the other characters in this book. The suspense element gives the story quite an edge, and the romance comes in just the right dosage. Will Kristie’s choices affect her host’s family? How about her relationship with Todd? Will time apart do them any good?
If you enjoy Amish fiction, you are going to love A stranger’s Wish. Through Kristie, you will get to learn how it feels to live among people with a great community spirit. The Amish literature is light making this book ideal for a new reader in this field. This book tells the story of contrasting lives, choices, and faith. The plot is relatively straightforward, and the narration is flawless, so it is easy to follow the story from start to finish. Where does the stranger’s key lead, Kristie? Find out this and much more in this intriguing story.
Spring Rain
Spring Rain is the first book in the Seaside Seasons series. The book features Leigh Spenser, a young teacher raising a ten-year-old boy named Billy. Growing up, Leigh was practically alone, with only Ted as his friend. Ted was the local doctor’s gay son. A one-night stand with Ted’s twin Clay leaves Leigh pregnant, and even though she didn’t tell anyone about her child’s father, Leigh’s parent took her in and treated her son as part of the family. Ted grew to become a promiscuous man in the world of homosexuality while his twin went on to join the navy without knowing that he has a son.
Ted and Clay are as different as twins can be. While their parents raised them in a Christian way, they both fall short and commit sins that come with far-reaching consequences. It has been ten years now, and Clay is about to go home. Ted has AIDS, and it is no secret that he is on his death bed. Clay wants to be beside his brother during this difficult time, and the family has to deal with past issues before it is too late. Now Leigh has to meet Clay again, and her bitterness towards him can no longer be hidden. Clay also has to deal with his conflicts. For years, he has hated his brother because of his lifestyle choices. Unending threats against Billy don’t make things in the Spenser household any easier.
This book teaches the great lesson of forgiveness. It is only through forgiveness that this family can be united again and benefit from the bond they have been missing out on. In the end, Clay has to deal with his resentment for Ted, and Leigh has to accept that he has hated Clay for leaving her to raise their son together. The issue of God’s forgiveness also comes up. Amidst all the unresolved issues, the family works together to solve the mystery behind the strange calls before more damage is done. It is incredible what change forgives brings to people’s lives. Clay and Leigh make such a beautiful couple, and Billy would be better off growing up under the care of his father. The couple’s love for God is also admirable.
Spring Rain is an emotionally gripping Christian story that highlights homosexuality, promiscuity, and sex without being preachy. While the story is multi-layered, the narration is flawless, and everything comes together beautifully in the end. The author draws you in from the first page, and the tension doesn’t ease up until you get to the end. If you are looking for a compelling read with a lesson on forgiveness, this book is a perfect choice.
Well I just finish reading one of your books, His Plain Truth, I’ve read a lot of books relating to the Amish and this one was the best of all that I have read, God Bless You, You are a excellent writer. Leonard Dean
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Well I just finish reading one of your books, His Plain Truth, I’ve read a lot of books relating to the Amish and this one was the best of all that I have read, God Bless You, You are a excellent writer. Leonard Dean