The story in itself was great, much deserving of three stars. Sam had a horrible secret (don't they all?), yet she found herself falling for the preacher who married Laura and Nick. She wanted to marry but was afraid nobody would accept the truth. Brad, on the other hand, had been widowed for six (I think) years and was finally, for the first time, ready to move on. I must say that one of my favorite parts of the story was the cooking fiasco. That's sounds like me! And the bee's nest was a nice touch as well.

After reading "Home For the Holidays," and realizing book 2 was about a preacher, I was afraid the author would again go secular and write inappropriate things. Well, the preacher did it...He stopped short of undressing his girlfriend, which DID happen in Book 1!

I'm not trying to be critical here, but I wonder if Irene Hannon is really a Christian. Her writing is very offensive at times. This is a PREACHER, for crying out loud, and he should have been concerned about Sam's salvation before he even THOUGHT about dating her! The only thing he questioned her about was how strong her faith was. I'm sorry, but "Tell me about your salvation experience" would have been a much more appropriate way of handling this! And a preacher should NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER even CONSIDER going with a woman who is not involved in church!!! "Don't be unequally yoked" is much more than "Don't marry a non-Christian." He must set an example for his church. Throughout the entire book, Sam never darkened the doors of the church as far as Brad knew!!! I had a BIG problem with this!

And after Sam was stung by the bees, why in the name of common sense did he take her home and stay all night?????? Why does Irene Hannon insist on the hero of her stories ALWAYS spend the night 'innocently?' I mean, for Pete's sake...Laura, her best friend, was right there! There is no logical reason for Brad to have stayed with Sam. LAURA should have stayed with her or taken Sam to her house to spend the night. This scene totally disgusted me! A preacher should NEVER put himself in a position like this!!!

And what was with the wine???????? Sam was getting tipsy at one point...Oh, I wanted to throw up at that!!!

You cannot convince me that Brad was a preacher...I certainly don't want to go to his church...

Again, let me restate that the story was a GREAT story, but this is a marriage that NEVER SHOULD have happened unless Sam became a COMMITTED Christian!!! ( )