Spring Rain

Seaside Seasons #1

by Gayle Roper

In this first book of the Seaside Seasons series, Leigh Spenser, a young teacher and the single mother of ten-year-old Billy, is thrown into conflict. Clay Wharton, the boy's estranged father, comes home to Seaside, New Jersey, to await his twin brother's death from AIDS. Threats against Billy's life ratchet the tension tighter, as Leigh wrestles with both tough and tender feelings for her old flame. Clay's own conflict, as he seeks to come to grips with his brother's lifestyle choices and the needs of the boy he fathered, underline the issue of God's forgiveness in the hearts -- and lives -- of this modern-day family. An emotionally gripping read!

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Contemporary, Mystery, Contemporary Romance, Inspirational

352 pages, Paperback

First published May 3, 2001

About the author

Gayle Roper rejoices every day that she gets to be a writer because she's in love with story. Even on the days that words rebel and have to be coerced onto the paper, there is nothing else she'd rather do. When readers like her work, it's like God says, "See? I knew what you were wired to do." When her books win awards like the Carol Award (Caught Redhanded) or the RITA Award (Autumn Dreams), the Holt Medallion (The Decision, Caught in a Bind, Autumn Dreams) or the Reviewer's Choice (The Decision), it's icing on the cake. And she gets to teach others how to write at conferences too. She spends a lot of time smiling. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America and is the best-selling author of Hide & Seek and more than forty other books.

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book 19 years ago, and was especially intrigued by it since I was still struggling majorly with being gay and majorly in the closet. It helped normalize my feelings some - not in a bad way, but in a way that made me realize I wasn't a freak or oddity, and others have this same struggle.

Reading it again this evening was an enjoyable experience. The plot and suspense are well done, and the whole saga of the gay twin dying from AIDs and at odds with his twin after all these years because of his lifestyle was again a moving story that brought me to tears more than once.

[Susan Medsker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Acceptable storyline. The characters were not my cup of tea. The hero, Clay, was judgmental and pompous. The heroine was too insipid for my taste. I didn't like how they all treated the gay brother. And I really didn't like how the gay brother came to the conclusion that being gay was so sinful that he had to be forgiven for his actions. A pretty sanctimonious story.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great read, didn't want to put it down.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predictable but refreshing story of young love and misplaced love. Leigh meets brothers Clay and Ted in high school. She is attracted to Clay but feels almost sibling love for Ted. Ted embraces a homosexual lifestyle and ends up with Aids. Clay and Leigh have one night of romantic passion in HS and then he leaves for the service. When Clay returns to spend time with his dying brother, what will happen with those years old emotions and the result of them so many years ago.

[Terry Yaceyko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. It had quite an unexpected story plot. Upset some Christian apple carts for me. Made me think a lot about family relationships and judgement. God, change my heart.

[Juliette Tuttle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED LEIGH AND CLAY. they are the cutest ever. As much as I loved the romance aspect of this book. I loved the twist with suspense in it as well. This is tops one of my favorite books I have ever read. It was so so good. I loved this book. I recommend it to anyone who loves a good scare and love story. I can't wait to read the sequel, I'm disappointed it is different characters though :(

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is heavy on melodrama and angst, but light on plot development and likable characters. The book takes place in the small town of Seaside, New Jersey, where Clay Wharton's family lives. Clay is returning home to see his estranged twin brother, Ted, who is dying of AIDS. Clay also develops romantic ties with Leigh Spenser, a single mother who's Ted' best friend. Ted reveals a secret to Clay that involves Leigh and her son. There's also a nonsensical subplot about a small-time criminal who worked with Leigh's father who now stalks her, thinking she has access to some sort of treasure. Any chapters involving this go absolutely nowhere.

The author handles the touchy subject of HIV/AIDS and the Christian response to this disease and the people who live with it fairly well. However, the characters are fairly bland and unmemorable. Towards the climax of the book, everyone having made peace with everyone else, the author (for some reason) throws in a deus ex machina that leaves single mother Leigh wealthy; this strikes me as ridiculous and unrealistic, and it's a shame, since much of the dialogue between the characters was realistic and good.

Not a good book by any means, and I probably won't seek out the other seasonally based books this author has written, but if you're bored, it's worth an hour or so of reading.

[Maurice Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twin brothers Clay and Ted Wharton are about as opposite as twins can be. While both were raised in the same Christian household, both fell short of God's standards in different ways and the cost is coming due now. Having been promiscuous for years, Ted is now dying of AIDS related complications. Clay's one sexual indiscretion left Leigh Spenser heartbroken- and pregnant.

Leigh never told Clay or his family about Billy being his son, but they took her under their wings anyway and helped her navigate the life of a young single mother. Ted's impending death brings Clay home from the Navy to be with him and their mother. Now they all have to deal with undealt with feelings. Clay's lived for years resenting Ted for being gay and putting their parents through emotional distress and Leigh has lived for years resenting Clay for not being there and leaving her to raise Billy alone.

Along with all the emotional distress, a mysterious caller demands that Leigh surrender "the treasure" or else. As his threats escalate, the family must pull together to solve the mystery before there's trouble they can't handle.

I enjoyed this story- multilayered, compelling and hard to put down.

[Teri-K · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book felt dated with a 29 year old well-to-do American dying of Aids, but when I started to think of it as historical fiction that helped. The themes are timeless and one the church still needs to absorb. It's a well done look at sin, forgiveness, pride and love among Christians.

Though there was much to like about this novel, the reading experience is difficult because the scene transitions are awkward. Sometimes I had to page back and forth to figure out if the scene had actually changed, where and when the conversation was taking place and who was speaking to whom.

The other problem was that Billy was totally unbelievable as a 10-year-old boy. He didn't talk or act like one at all, and since he was big part of the story it distracted.

Still I thought the ideas expressed and the setting were well drawn, so it gets 3 stars.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's been a few years since i read this book, but i remember that God used it to both comfort and change my heart. it was an amazing book that taught me so much about what real love and real friendship is. i cried through much of this book, but it was a good cry.

i need to read it again.

i went on to read the whole Seaside series (different main characters in each book though), and was continuously amazed at how gayle roper used biblical truths in her writings about everyday situations. i related to several of her characters easily.

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leigh Spenser pretty much raises herself. Her one good friend is Ted, the gay son of the local doctor. When his twin, Clay has a one night stand with her, she becomes pregnant, but no one else knows who the father is - including him. Ten years later Clay is coming home because Ted is dying. All of them must come to terms with their past issues and religious convictions about homosexuality. Interesting Christian story without being too preachy, even when they're dealing with AIDS and the reason Ted has it. Great lesson on the power of forgiveness. Clean

[Elaine · Rating 1 out of 5]

a. Pa – lease! Another feel good book. This one is about male twins, one of whom had gay lovers and is dying of AIDS. Dying, he goes home and is taken care of by his mom. His brother had a fling – a one-night-stand with the main character. She ends up pregnant but he didn’t know he had a son. She and her son end up living on the property of the parents of the guy who impregnated her – by their invitation. The guy finds out later that he is the boy’s father. It’s a happy-ever-after tale. 1 STAR

[Anna Babcock]

I Loved this book! I read it in one sitting. Gayle does such a good job with the issues and how she makes sure that the Christian view is in there! I love Leigh and Clay their love for each other is Amazing but more than that their love for God!! FORGIVNESS I feel like without forgiveness this book would not have a happy ending! She shows that we all need forgiveness/ to forgive. I still can't get over that this is only one week in their lives! she did so well writing and I never got bored!

Thank You Gayle
This book was Amazing, and I would totally read it again!!!!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book & it's fantastic. FANTASTIC. It shows true struggle & triumph in the Lord. It's a great journey & I'll definitely be reading it again. I laughed, I cried & I believed. I believe in the characters, in their faith & in Him. It's a truly amazing story of love, life & family & in loving each other despite some very trying differences.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as a research tool for a workshop I taught at the ACFW conference on how to make a point without being preachy. I really enjoyed it! Gayle Roper did a terrific job with a very sensitive topic - homosexuality, and the response of a loving family.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a refreshing look at the mental struggles Christians have with loving AIDS victims and out-of-wedlock children well. It tackled difficult situations with grace and yet openly reflected the tension and struggle in the midst of them.

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leigh falls in love with Ted (whose brother is dying of AIDS)

[Valerie Teeling · Rating 2 out of 5]

easy read....relevant topics on homosexuality, judgement and forgiveness

[Leedra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. I have already started the next book in the series, and liking it too.

[Violet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay, but I could do with less of the references to the lord.

[Teresa Wilder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just an OK read. I thought the boy was an unrealistic portrayal of any young boy I know.

[Stella Potts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this and the whole series quite a while ago. Loved it.

[ANNETTE · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very powerful story surrounding God's forgiveness and love. A good story with some twists and turns of suspense and romance .