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Emerald Windows
Seven years ago, devastated by an ugly scandal, Brooke Martin fled the small town of Hayden to pursue a career as a stained glass artist. Now Brooke has returned on business to discover that some things never change. Her spotted reputation remains. Tongues still wag. And that makes what should be her dream assignment tough.
Brooke has been hired to design new stained glass windows at Hayden Bible Church. The job is a career windfall. But Nick Marcello is overseeing the project, and some in the church think Nick and Brooke's relationship is not entirely professional—and as before, there is no convincing those people otherwise.
In the face of mounting rumors, the two set out to produce the masterpiece Nick has conceived: a brilliant set of windows displaying God’s covenants in the Bible. For Brooke, it is more than a project—it is a journey toward faith. But opposition is heating up. A vicious battle of words and will is about to tax Brooke's commitment to the limit. Only this time, she is determined not to run.
Brooke has been hired to design new stained glass windows at Hayden Bible Church. The job is a career windfall. But Nick Marcello is overseeing the project, and some in the church think Nick and Brooke's relationship is not entirely professional—and as before, there is no convincing those people otherwise.
In the face of mounting rumors, the two set out to produce the masterpiece Nick has conceived: a brilliant set of windows displaying God’s covenants in the Bible. For Brooke, it is more than a project—it is a journey toward faith. But opposition is heating up. A vicious battle of words and will is about to tax Brooke's commitment to the limit. Only this time, she is determined not to run.
9 pages, Audible Audio
First published October 2, 2001
144 people are currently reading
1211 people want to read
About the author
Terri Blackstock
90 books5,588 followersTerri Blackstock is a New York Times best-seller, with over seven million books sold worldwide.. She has had over thirty years of success as a novelist.
Terri spent the first twelve years of her life traveling in a U.S. Air Force family. She lived in nine states and attended the first four years of school in The Netherlands. Because she was a perpetual “new kid,” her imagination became her closest friend. That, she believes, was the biggest factor in her becoming a novelist. She sold her first novel at the age of twenty-five, and has had a successful career ever since.
In 1994 Terri was writing romance novels under two pseudonyms for publishers such as HarperCollins, Harlequin, Dell and Silhouette, when a spiritual awakening prompted her to switch gears. At the time, she was reading more suspense than romance, and felt drawn to write thrillers about ordinary people in grave danger. Her newly awakened faith wove its way into the tapestry of her suspense novels, offering hope instead of despair. Her goal is to entertain with page-turning plots, while challenging her readers to think and grow. She hopes to remind them that they’re valued by God and that their trials have a purpose.
Terri spent the first twelve years of her life traveling in a U.S. Air Force family. She lived in nine states and attended the first four years of school in The Netherlands. Because she was a perpetual “new kid,” her imagination became her closest friend. That, she believes, was the biggest factor in her becoming a novelist. She sold her first novel at the age of twenty-five, and has had a successful career ever since.
In 1994 Terri was writing romance novels under two pseudonyms for publishers such as HarperCollins, Harlequin, Dell and Silhouette, when a spiritual awakening prompted her to switch gears. At the time, she was reading more suspense than romance, and felt drawn to write thrillers about ordinary people in grave danger. Her newly awakened faith wove its way into the tapestry of her suspense novels, offering hope instead of despair. Her goal is to entertain with page-turning plots, while challenging her readers to think and grow. She hopes to remind them that they’re valued by God and that their trials have a purpose.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
July 29, 2013
I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK. even the story takes a while to pick up... it gets there. it's a beautiful story of healing and redemption, and learning not to run from the the things life throws at you. and if you do run, how to find your way back, and that it's not easy. it also shows the sides to people that you may never want to see, and what money can do to those who abuse it. but mainly i loved this book because it differs so much from everything else she writes. instead of it being a suspense type novel with a love story, it's vice versa. it's a love story with a bit of suspense, but not so much that you can't sleep at night.
big TWO THUMBS up (if i had more, i'd use them)
big TWO THUMBS up (if i had more, i'd use them)
July 4, 2011
A great story about talent, scandal, gossip, and love. An easy read that would be enjoyed by teenaged to adult women.
September 25, 2012
Awesome story! And wonderful setting. Good testimony on how Christ can change lives. Terri Blackstock is a good writer, and you can easily imagine the beautiful windows they are creating, and the beauty God is planting in their hearts.
October 3, 2021
This was the cheesiest book I have read in a very long time. Predictable and banal!
January 25, 2015
I remember reading this book in High School and thinking it was so edgy and so romantic. And it still has some of my favorite romance tropes in it--I'm quite fond of "our relationship ended badly but now we're forced to work together and suppress our feelings of still being in love," and of student/teacher relationships, though I generally like those set in college, not high school. I also enjoy the "everyone thinks we're dating/screwing" trope. However, this book was a mess.
The prose itself was not horrible, but Blackstock appears to fundamentally misunderstand what a healthy relationship looks like, or even that Nick Marcello is a creepazoid deluxe. So let me enlighten you. Full disclosure, I only got to chapter 13 before I had to stop before I gave myself some kind of stroke or brain damage.
Let's talk first about how Nick coaxes Brooke into accepting the job creating stained glass windows for St. Mark's church under false pretenses. He literally has someone else call and offer her the job because he knows if he calls, she'll say no. Why will she say no? Because the entire town believes (falsely, but still believes) that Nick and Brooke had an illicit affair while she was a minor and he was her art teacher. This ruined Brooke's reputation and her relationship with her family, and she left town as soon as she could and never looked back, until she was offered the St. Mark's windows. When she finds out Nick is going to be working with her (and is technically her superior and employer) she understandably does not appreciate being lied to. She decides to take a day to think about what she wants to do, and eventually decides to stay and see what happens. When what happens is that her family continues to disbelieve her when she tells them that she didn't have an affair with Nick, her sister reveals she hates her for leaving and forcing the family to deal with the fallout on their own, and the rest of the town pretty much tells her they don't want her there, she tells Nick she's not going to accept the offer after all.
Nick then proceeds to try and use guilt to get her to stay--although why she's supposed to feel guilty for leaving town when it was the most healthy thing she could have done is beyond me. When that doesn't work, he tells her that staying will show the town (and Abby Hemphill in particular) that she doesn't care what they think. You know what would also do that? Fucking leaving and not coming back, that's what. Anyway, this last foray on Nick's part works, and Brooke storms into city hall and confronts Abby about her attitude before announcing she's going to do the windows whether they like it or not.
When Nick and Brooke find it difficult to get any work done on their designs with the other people who are helping clear out the church around, Nick decides without asking they should go to his private residence to work. Brooke tells him no and that she's uncomfortable being alone in private with him due to the rumors. Nick responds to this by deciding they should shut themselves into the back office at the church. This naturally gets the gossips going, but Nick shows no concern about this.
Brooke calls him later that night, and with no context other than that he thinks she sounds like she's been crying, he tells her he's coming to her motel (it's the only one in town) to comfort her. She tells him no, refuses to give him her room number, and tells him she wants to get a good night's rest and she'll see him in the morning. She also reassures him she's not going to leave town in the middle of the night. A few hours later, despite knowing that Brooke will be asleep by now and didn't want to be disturbed he calls her motel room. She's doesn't answer (she went back to her parents' house and checked out of the motel), and Nick calls the motel front desk where he's told she checked out, then calls Brooke's home phone and leaves an angry, whiny message about how if she leaves now, she's a quitter and letting them win and betraying his trust.
He then takes a few paragraphs to think about how his heart aches when he thinks about Brooke, and he feels like he's in love with her, but he can't be because God wouldn't make him fall in love with a non-Christian. I feel like I need to explain here--a lot of what makes up real love is trust and choice. When you love someone you choose to believe them. When you love someone, you trust them. When you love someone, but you know it's going to be emotionally or spiritually damaging for them or you to act on that love, you choose not to act on it. Maybe that breaks your heart, but blaming God for making you fall in love with someone is bullshit.
So, the next day, she comes into the church to work, and he makes a big deal about how he called her room and she wasn't there and he thought she'd left and I don't know about you, but I'd have been going "Um, didn't you trust me? I said I'd be here more than once yesterday, if you recall." Brooke doesn't question it though, just affirms that she didn't leave town, she'd just gone to her parents house. Nick then decides since they can't get any work done on their designs due to the Historical Society and some carpentry work that's being done, they should go to St. Louis and order materials. For the designs that they haven't completed yet. Brooke begs off, but he tells her she knows more about stained glass work than he does, so she has to come or he'll get the wrong stuff.
Instead of actually going to order materials, though, he takes her to an art gallery where his own work hangs, and tells her he wants her to see him differently so he brought her to see his art. He then manipulates her and the gallery owner into complimenting his art works. He also tells the gallery owner (or implies, is maybe a better word) that Brooke is the student he supposedly had an affair with. When Brooke complains that she doesn't like it that he'd tell someone about their alleged affair without considering how she feels about it, he brushes it off and tells her she's making a big deal over nothing. The rest of their conversation swings between Nick scolding and shaming Brooke for not liking the town, not liking the people who gossiped about her and spread rumors and ruined her reputation, and for "running away from her problems," and Nick dissing the same people he's been telling her to forgive.
The breaking point for me was the point where Nick uses his Christianity as an excuse to say whatever he wants about the rumors, and implies that Brooke is a coward who just needs Jesus to make her brave.
This is literally the most disappointing reread of a book I've ever done, and I hope I never have another experience this horrible again. Just stay away from this book, guys. This isn't a good representation of any kind of relationship--business, friendship, or romance. This is abusive and manipulative, and I frankly expected better from Ms. Blackstock.
The prose itself was not horrible, but Blackstock appears to fundamentally misunderstand what a healthy relationship looks like, or even that Nick Marcello is a creepazoid deluxe. So let me enlighten you. Full disclosure, I only got to chapter 13 before I had to stop before I gave myself some kind of stroke or brain damage.
Let's talk first about how Nick coaxes Brooke into accepting the job creating stained glass windows for St. Mark's church under false pretenses. He literally has someone else call and offer her the job because he knows if he calls, she'll say no. Why will she say no? Because the entire town believes (falsely, but still believes) that Nick and Brooke had an illicit affair while she was a minor and he was her art teacher. This ruined Brooke's reputation and her relationship with her family, and she left town as soon as she could and never looked back, until she was offered the St. Mark's windows. When she finds out Nick is going to be working with her (and is technically her superior and employer) she understandably does not appreciate being lied to. She decides to take a day to think about what she wants to do, and eventually decides to stay and see what happens. When what happens is that her family continues to disbelieve her when she tells them that she didn't have an affair with Nick, her sister reveals she hates her for leaving and forcing the family to deal with the fallout on their own, and the rest of the town pretty much tells her they don't want her there, she tells Nick she's not going to accept the offer after all.
Nick then proceeds to try and use guilt to get her to stay--although why she's supposed to feel guilty for leaving town when it was the most healthy thing she could have done is beyond me. When that doesn't work, he tells her that staying will show the town (and Abby Hemphill in particular) that she doesn't care what they think. You know what would also do that? Fucking leaving and not coming back, that's what. Anyway, this last foray on Nick's part works, and Brooke storms into city hall and confronts Abby about her attitude before announcing she's going to do the windows whether they like it or not.
When Nick and Brooke find it difficult to get any work done on their designs with the other people who are helping clear out the church around, Nick decides without asking they should go to his private residence to work. Brooke tells him no and that she's uncomfortable being alone in private with him due to the rumors. Nick responds to this by deciding they should shut themselves into the back office at the church. This naturally gets the gossips going, but Nick shows no concern about this.
Brooke calls him later that night, and with no context other than that he thinks she sounds like she's been crying, he tells her he's coming to her motel (it's the only one in town) to comfort her. She tells him no, refuses to give him her room number, and tells him she wants to get a good night's rest and she'll see him in the morning. She also reassures him she's not going to leave town in the middle of the night. A few hours later, despite knowing that Brooke will be asleep by now and didn't want to be disturbed he calls her motel room. She's doesn't answer (she went back to her parents' house and checked out of the motel), and Nick calls the motel front desk where he's told she checked out, then calls Brooke's home phone and leaves an angry, whiny message about how if she leaves now, she's a quitter and letting them win and betraying his trust.
He then takes a few paragraphs to think about how his heart aches when he thinks about Brooke, and he feels like he's in love with her, but he can't be because God wouldn't make him fall in love with a non-Christian. I feel like I need to explain here--a lot of what makes up real love is trust and choice. When you love someone you choose to believe them. When you love someone, you trust them. When you love someone, but you know it's going to be emotionally or spiritually damaging for them or you to act on that love, you choose not to act on it. Maybe that breaks your heart, but blaming God for making you fall in love with someone is bullshit.
So, the next day, she comes into the church to work, and he makes a big deal about how he called her room and she wasn't there and he thought she'd left and I don't know about you, but I'd have been going "Um, didn't you trust me? I said I'd be here more than once yesterday, if you recall." Brooke doesn't question it though, just affirms that she didn't leave town, she'd just gone to her parents house. Nick then decides since they can't get any work done on their designs due to the Historical Society and some carpentry work that's being done, they should go to St. Louis and order materials. For the designs that they haven't completed yet. Brooke begs off, but he tells her she knows more about stained glass work than he does, so she has to come or he'll get the wrong stuff.
Instead of actually going to order materials, though, he takes her to an art gallery where his own work hangs, and tells her he wants her to see him differently so he brought her to see his art. He then manipulates her and the gallery owner into complimenting his art works. He also tells the gallery owner (or implies, is maybe a better word) that Brooke is the student he supposedly had an affair with. When Brooke complains that she doesn't like it that he'd tell someone about their alleged affair without considering how she feels about it, he brushes it off and tells her she's making a big deal over nothing. The rest of their conversation swings between Nick scolding and shaming Brooke for not liking the town, not liking the people who gossiped about her and spread rumors and ruined her reputation, and for "running away from her problems," and Nick dissing the same people he's been telling her to forgive.
The breaking point for me was the point where Nick uses his Christianity as an excuse to say whatever he wants about the rumors, and implies that Brooke is a coward who just needs Jesus to make her brave.
This is literally the most disappointing reread of a book I've ever done, and I hope I never have another experience this horrible again. Just stay away from this book, guys. This isn't a good representation of any kind of relationship--business, friendship, or romance. This is abusive and manipulative, and I frankly expected better from Ms. Blackstock.
July 6, 2024
I'm used to reading suspense by Terri Blackstock but this book, although had a small bit of suspense in it, was no disappointment. In fact, I loved it so much.
One thing that I absolutely love about Terri Blackstock is that her characters are so real. She breathes life into each one of them through backstory that makes sense, heritage, dialogue and reality. Take Brooke for example. A very real, down-to-earth girl and Nick, (love the guy) who is a Christian but not one of those ones you read about in modern Christian novels who just can do no wrong. I love how her characters have real problems, they deal with real sins and you can almost touch them. One thing that I really loved is that when Nick put Abby Hemphill in her place at one of the church meetings, he felt bad about it afterwards because of the example of Christ he'd just shown to Brooke, to Abby and everyone present. Brooke didn't think it was a big deal but he did and it inspired me to watch my words because I can be a bit sarcastic and let things just fly out of my mouth without considering how my words may reflect my faith.
I hated Abby Hemphill so much! I did feel a little sorry for her because she was clearly in a neglectful marriage but still...she was so well written that she was one of my least favorite characters in the world.
The story was so sweet...so heartwarming and I loved the faith element about God's covenant. I enjoyed this little book so much, I highly recommend.
One thing that I absolutely love about Terri Blackstock is that her characters are so real. She breathes life into each one of them through backstory that makes sense, heritage, dialogue and reality. Take Brooke for example. A very real, down-to-earth girl and Nick, (love the guy) who is a Christian but not one of those ones you read about in modern Christian novels who just can do no wrong. I love how her characters have real problems, they deal with real sins and you can almost touch them. One thing that I really loved is that when Nick put Abby Hemphill in her place at one of the church meetings, he felt bad about it afterwards because of the example of Christ he'd just shown to Brooke, to Abby and everyone present. Brooke didn't think it was a big deal but he did and it inspired me to watch my words because I can be a bit sarcastic and let things just fly out of my mouth without considering how my words may reflect my faith.
I hated Abby Hemphill so much! I did feel a little sorry for her because she was clearly in a neglectful marriage but still...she was so well written that she was one of my least favorite characters in the world.
The story was so sweet...so heartwarming and I loved the faith element about God's covenant. I enjoyed this little book so much, I highly recommend.
October 19, 2019
I like the way Terri Blackstock is able to write Christian literature without coming off too preachy and is able to pull me into the story and fall in love with the characters. Definitely a lot of religious references but I can handle that regardless if it exactly what I believe or not. I still enjoyed it overall as I have with most of the other books I have read by this author.
Good Read!
Good Read!
July 12, 2025
This book is about how bad gossip can be. It's about a former Art student Brooke and her former teacher who were falsely accused of an affair. Now they are both working on stained glass windows for a local church. There was a redemption in this book.
November 30, 2025
This book is a little different than most of the ones I’ve read by Terri, but still very enjoyable. I only rated it 4 stars because it was a little slow to get going but once it picked up, it was very interesting. I would definitely recommend it.
April 5, 2019
I enjoyed this book...a quick read for me...
April 30, 2024
3.5 🌟🌟🌟💫
June 14, 2025
Loved the different storyline
August 13, 2023
This was an interesting story about a young art teacher who developed a mentor relationship with a female student, who ended up being accused of having an inappropriate relationship with her. The accusations do a lot of damage and cause shame to both the teacher and student. Years later, they have the chance to reconnect on a project, and the same people to leveled the false allegations before, come running at the chance to rile gossip again.
I appreciated that the characters in this book were well developed and the story line was consistent throughout the book. I also appreciated the faith based element that was worked into the story in a very natural way. It did present some ethical questions, and for the first 75% of the book, I just wasn't sure I liked the storyline. There was a revelation about mid book that also made me sit back and really think about how that undid all of my previously held beliefs about the story, and made me question the moral rightness of the story that much more.
Giving this one 3.5 stars. As with every Terri Blackstock book I've listened to on audio book, the narration was excellent.
I appreciated that the characters in this book were well developed and the story line was consistent throughout the book. I also appreciated the faith based element that was worked into the story in a very natural way. It did present some ethical questions, and for the first 75% of the book, I just wasn't sure I liked the storyline. There was a revelation about mid book that also made me sit back and really think about how that undid all of my previously held beliefs about the story, and made me question the moral rightness of the story that much more.
Giving this one 3.5 stars. As with every Terri Blackstock book I've listened to on audio book, the narration was excellent.
August 11, 2020
I appreciated the redemption story in this book and the motivation for readers to explore Bible stories that discuss God's covenant with us. But basically, this book is a romance novel with lots of emotions, some manipulation, lack of boundaries, and an inappropriate teacher/student relationship in the past that informs the background of the current relationship between stained glass artists Brooke and Nick.
February 21, 2025
Sorry, I’m not a fan of this book. I am a believer in Christ and His Atonement and agree with the message of hope and love that seems intended in this novel. Unfortunately, the heavy handed approach at the message did not resonate with me. The central problem the characters faced in this book is itself problematic. The messages about women and men were troubling to me. I don’t recommend this book.
April 17, 2015
I've read this book many times and I still enjoy the story. It's a stand alone that's a pretty quick read, so it's nice when I don't want to end up reading through a whole series. While Blackstock's books are usually suspenseful, this story is just a sweet romance.
March 9, 2018
A review from five years ago said it was “a great story about talent, scandal, gossip, and love. An easy read that would be enjoyed by teenaged to adult women.” I agree with this review- it’s spot on and I don’t know any other way to say it!
November 22, 2008
Good read. Quite sad how a person's reputation can be marred by rumours.
November 7, 2017
Excellent - brings the spirit of God to the reader. What a blessing!
November 29, 2017
I did enjoy this story and wanted to finish to satisfy my curiosity about how it would turn out...which turned out to be pretty much as expected. The problems: 1. I thought the set up for the plot a little unplausible...an 18 year old who goes off to college and never sets foot in her parents home or the town in which she grew up, for Seven Years?! Wow. I suppose that could happen. 2. Neither her family nor his believe they are telling the truth about what happened between them? Wait, really? They never get on board and continue to think these two have been lying and denying all this time just because the story was in the paper? I don't buy that. Unless you have a very dysfunctional family, wouldn't they know you well enough to know your character and your non-history of deviousness up to this point? Sure, if you've been a weasel in the past they might not believe in your innocence but neither one of these people have that type of history! 3. This story seems like the fantasy daydream of looking back at that young, fresh-from-college, good-looking teacher you had in _____ class (here he is an art teacher) whom every girl had a crush on (or at least a semi-crush, because, hey, he was so cute!) and thinking, oh, wouldn't it have been Wonderful to discover he had a crush on me, too, all those years ago...and now we know we were meant to be together?! Yeah, I guess that Could Happen, too. But... 4. The little sister plot was a bit over the top, and the whole antagonist's family were the characterizations of evil, power-hungry people, except the ill-treated sister. And I kept waiting for it to be revealed that the long ago love, which the evil woman antagonist did not marry was Brooke's father...dun, dun,duh...but the author didn't go there. I still felt it was implied, though. 5. It was all a little too "Peyton Place/Days of Our Lives" for me. All in all, not my favorite Terry Blackstock book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2018
In Terri Blackstock's Emerald Windows, this inspirational thriller will make you believe in God and to make you believe in yourself. Brooke Martin was a high school student and talented artist. At the night of the graduation, an innocent hug turned scandalous between her and her art teacher, Nick Marcello. Then she left Hayden to work in St. Louis. Seven years later, she's been offered a chance of a lifetime to come home to Hayden and help work on her church's stained glass windows. But it would bring old feelings for her and to work with Nick, while everyone like Abby Hemphill would see to it to ruin them. People doubted and questioned something so innocent in the wrong way. Though while she worked on the stained glass restoration project, she tried to get to know her younger sister Roxy, who's been withdrawn and having issues of her own at age 17. No matter how hard Abby Hemphill tried to ruin them, they managed to finish the project anyway and came close together with God and to fall in love, when an ugly scandal would rear its ugly head for the Hemphills since turnabout is fair play in the end.
April 24, 2019
I know I can count on [author; Terri Blackstock] (novel #15 for me) for a nice wholesome read. Ture there are nasty people messing with our adorable protagonists.
This is a bit different than the usually mysteries ~more character based but still a good read.
Novel was released in 2010 so I guess no follow up to nasty Abby Hemphill
Although predictable, I totally https://www.shmoop.com/gift-of-the-ma...
This is a bit different than the usually mysteries ~more character based but still a good read.
Novel was released in 2010 so I guess no follow up to nasty Abby Hemphill
Although predictable, I totally https://www.shmoop.com/gift-of-the-ma...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2020
It was a good story, but I struggled with it as a Christian due to the fact that the male character put himself in a place of "appearance of evil" (I Thes 5:22). Nick did just the opposite when he encouraged Brooke to come back to work with him. As a Christian, this would not be an appropriate action. On an up note, I like that the author brought out that it is wrong for believers to be marry non-believers. I do understand that this is a work of fiction and people's understanding of God and the life He calls us to live should be found in the Bible. However, not all Christians read the Bible as they should. I do not fault Terri Blackstock. I understand this book was written early on in her Christian book writing. I am a fan and appreciate that she writes from a Christian perspective and that she is witnessing through her books to many who do not read from the Bible. We are all works of progress in our lives and in our crafts. It really was a good read. Thank you for sharing your gift of imagination as well as your witness Terri!
April 27, 2025
I really wanted to like this book since it's exactly my genre: sweet, inspirational Christian romance. But something was missing. The concept was nice, and I liked the stained-glass windows project, but the story lacked depth, realism, and emotion. It felt more told than shown, like I was being told the story rather than experiencing it.
It had a lot of potential to be a four or five star read, which is why it disappointed me. The "scandal" at the heart of the story felt too flimsy to be a major issue still seven years later, and it was hard to believe everyone was so deeply affected by it. The villains were very two-dimensional, though I see what Blackstock was trying to do. She wanted to give them depth and motivations, but it didn’t quite land. The FMC is described as "different than the other girls," but we never really learn why.
Overall, it felt formulaic, like it was trying to be deep but didn’t quite get there. It was an okay and super fast read. I’ll definitely check out more recent books from Terri Blackstock before forming a final opinion on her work.
It had a lot of potential to be a four or five star read, which is why it disappointed me. The "scandal" at the heart of the story felt too flimsy to be a major issue still seven years later, and it was hard to believe everyone was so deeply affected by it. The villains were very two-dimensional, though I see what Blackstock was trying to do. She wanted to give them depth and motivations, but it didn’t quite land. The FMC is described as "different than the other girls," but we never really learn why.
Overall, it felt formulaic, like it was trying to be deep but didn’t quite get there. It was an okay and super fast read. I’ll definitely check out more recent books from Terri Blackstock before forming a final opinion on her work.
January 24, 2018
Soooo..... this was not an action/suspense novel as I was expecting.
The whole premise it a little weighty too, and both of those things knock it down a star. But it was a good story with a great message about misjudgments and prejudices; forgiveness and new beginnings.
I totally called . Saw it coming a mile away.
Oh, another thing that knocked off a star is the fact that people kept making bad decisions. Like, if you are accused of a scandal, then you shouldn't be at his house or in an office with the door shut, or anywhere just the two of you. Actually, you shouldn't be regardless, but it was maddening that they kept doing stuff that was obviously a bad idea, even if they'd never done anything wrong, it's too much temptation. So I was very annoyed with Nick and Brooke for that.
Despite all that, I really did like the story overall.
The whole premise it a little weighty too, and both of those things knock it down a star. But it was a good story with a great message about misjudgments and prejudices; forgiveness and new beginnings.
I totally called . Saw it coming a mile away.
Oh, another thing that knocked off a star is the fact that people kept making bad decisions. Like, if you are accused of a scandal, then you shouldn't be at his house or in an office with the door shut, or anywhere just the two of you. Actually, you shouldn't be regardless, but it was maddening that they kept doing stuff that was obviously a bad idea, even if they'd never done anything wrong, it's too much temptation. So I was very annoyed with Nick and Brooke for that.
Despite all that, I really did like the story overall.
March 1, 2021
This was a decent Christian fiction romance. Seven years ago, Nick and Brooke were art teacher and student He was a big mentor in her awarding winning sculpture but an influential town member starts rumors there is more and he loses his job and Brooke leaves for college. Now a local church has a stained glass window project and that is Brooke's art niche. Rumors are still around when she returns for a professional opportunity and the gossip jeopardizes the project. Now Brooke's sister is involved with a married man with ties to the family that caused Brooke Martin and her family pain. Predictable small town tongue wagging, power hierarchy and a couple trying to hide romantic feelings. In this case each sacrificed something dear to them to benefit the church and message the windows would bring to the community.
February 27, 2025
Brooke has an opportunity to do a great stained glass project, but it means working with Nick, her former teacher, and with whom she was unjustly accused of having an affair seven years ago. Working with him on this project, restoring a church and crafting stained glass panels, will mean revisiting the unwarranted shame brought on her by her hometown, and will get people talking again. But after deciding it is something she should do, despite the naysayers, she develops a passion for the project, and comes to respect, and even love Nick in the process. It's time to set things straight in the community, and Brooke has an opportunity to help her sister gain a sense of safety and direction, as well.
March 1, 2025
Not what I was expecting. I listened to the audible version and there were times I knew if it had been a physical book, I would have simply scanned the pages. There is a lot of preaching in this one. All of it aligned with the Bible as far as I understand it. It was just more preaching than story.
It is a very sweet tale of forbidden love and passion towards art and God. I enjoyed the book for the most part. There were some eye rolls and impatient waiting for the story to continue. That’s why I didn’t give more than the 3 stars. The author has a beautiful way of expressing herself. I wonder if she ever teaches the Bible in services. I think she would do well with it. She is a very gifted story teller. I look forward to discovering more of her stories.
It is a very sweet tale of forbidden love and passion towards art and God. I enjoyed the book for the most part. There were some eye rolls and impatient waiting for the story to continue. That’s why I didn’t give more than the 3 stars. The author has a beautiful way of expressing herself. I wonder if she ever teaches the Bible in services. I think she would do well with it. She is a very gifted story teller. I look forward to discovering more of her stories.
June 29, 2023
Made me think
I typically prefer mysteries. But, I have read and enjoyed a few different series by Terri Blackstock and thought I would try it. I am glad that I did. I had a hard time putting it down. One thing I notice in books like this, is the lack of communication between the characters. Things could have been resolved 7 years ago if they had been open and honest with their families at the time. It makes me think about how often little specks of sand grow into huge mountains when communication fails.
I was a little disappointed at how quickly the book wrapped up toward the end. It left me wanting so much more. I enthusiastically recommend this captivating story.
I typically prefer mysteries. But, I have read and enjoyed a few different series by Terri Blackstock and thought I would try it. I am glad that I did. I had a hard time putting it down. One thing I notice in books like this, is the lack of communication between the characters. Things could have been resolved 7 years ago if they had been open and honest with their families at the time. It makes me think about how often little specks of sand grow into huge mountains when communication fails.
I was a little disappointed at how quickly the book wrapped up toward the end. It left me wanting so much more. I enthusiastically recommend this captivating story.
November 26, 2025
I really enjoyed this story and was mostly interested in how Terri was going to resolve the attraction between this teacher and his former student and the way the people in town gossiped about them.
The characters were very well developed and I liked the messages of God's covenants that were sprinkled through the story.
I felt that some of the ways the plot resolved were a little too heavy handed and I didn't agree that the entire town would turn against these two innocent people. If Terri wanted us to be reminded of the ways churches hurt people (which I know that wasn't her goal) then this would certainly be a place to start. Goodness
The characters were very well developed and I liked the messages of God's covenants that were sprinkled through the story.
I felt that some of the ways the plot resolved were a little too heavy handed and I didn't agree that the entire town would turn against these two innocent people. If Terri wanted us to be reminded of the ways churches hurt people (which I know that wasn't her goal) then this would certainly be a place to start. Goodness
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