When Love Collides

by Michelle Sutton

Ten years ago, Raquel dumped Scott for an abusive man. Too bad she didn't understand that Scott loved her enough to marry her. She thought they were just good friends because Scott never made his feelings known and interpreted his lack of physical affection as a lack of romantic interest.

Now they meet again because of Raquel's troubling physical symptoms that come and go. When she finally sought medical attention, Scott was the last person she expected to see walk into her exam room. This time Raquel is a widow-emotionally fragile from years of abuse-and she needs a friend she can trust.

Scott never got over Raquel. He worries he will fall in love with her again. Her past rejection causes Scott to guard his heart as he helps her navigate the unwanted changes in her life. Over time he begins to trust her again as she fights discouragement over her diagnosis. Now Raquel has the unconditional love she has always longed for, but will it be enough?

178 pages, Paperback

First published December 15, 2011

About the author

Michelle has written over two dozen edgy, inspirational novels. She is a book reviewer and a retired supervisor for the State of Arizona. She currently lives in North Carolina. but will soon be moving to Florida.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story I wrote many years ago and it's dear to my heart. I hope you enjoy it.

[B.J. Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Love Collides is Michelle Sutton's newest novel and a worthy one with a beautiful cover. It's twenty-eight chapters, a full-length novel, published by Desert Breeze December 15., 2011, contemporary, inspirational, warm. Raquel collides with Scott in the doctor's office of all places. She's having issues and has to have tests run, and she's taking care of an aunt who needs a bone marrow transplant for a chance to live when he reenters her life. This is the story about a woman who settled for another man because she didn't feel worthy of the one she loved, and she didn't know he loved her. Her ex who was an abuser dies in a bike accident, and she relocates to help her aunt and start a new life. Just as she begins to feel hope, her own medical issues increase, and she discovers she has a disease. Her sister Melanie also enters the picture with an abuser of her own and threatens to dash Raquel's hope and love. Can their love survive? If so, at what stakes? This is a novel with a theme of forgiveness. Sutton has woven a worthy story that will touch hearts and souls, evoke reader emotions, and even make a reader ask, "What if?" She weaves issues of abuse, illness, thief, hope, and forgiveness and even includes a cocker spaniel in this one.

[Tracy Krauss · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Love Collides by Michelle Sutton is another in a long line up of romance novels from this prolific author. Raquel and Scott were best buddies during college, but went their separate ways when Raquel up and married someone else. Ten years later, Scott is a physician’s assistant and when Raquel shows up at the clinic due to some alarming and unexplainable symptoms, their paths cross again. Unknown to Raquel, Scott has been in love with her for all these years, and now that she is single again, they have a chance for a renewed relationship. Unfortunately, other circumstances beyond their control might ruin their budding romance. In some ways, this book reminded me of Nicholas Sparks. It’s a touching story with a realistic ending – you fill in the blanks. What I appreciate about this book, and others by this author, is her ability to write passionate, even sensual, love stories without the smut and that still have a very strong Christian theme. It is definitely ‘edgy’ in terms of typical Christian fiction, but still tasteful.

[Shawna Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raquel and Scott have a past together. Once close friends, Raquel broke Scott’s heart when she chose to marry someone else. Over the years their lives drifted in vastly different directions bringing both pain and disappointment. As faith healed their hearts, circumstance merged their paths once again. Will the trial that brought them back together also be the one thing their love can’t conquer?

When Love Collides is a precious story about choices: choosing to let go of the past and move forward; and choosing to love even in the certainty of hardship. Through good times and bad, sickness and health, Raquel and Scott must love against the odds and find hope in their faith and with each other.

The story's tone is a realistic one of sweet sadness, as sometimes we must accept circumstances beyond our control. The message, however, is uplifting and the ending will leave you with a smile.

[Andi Tubbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raquel isn't feeling well, at the urging of her Aunt Martha she goes into the clinic to be seen. She is shocked to run into Scott, a man from her past, who she broke up with when she was in college, for Carl who was abusive. Neither is sure they can trust each other again from what happened in the past, yet they both are Christians decide to allow God to direct this relationship.

Michelle has once again written a book that shows real broken people, who go through a healing process, having to lean on God because they are not perfect. She shows who our God is and what He is all about.
This is an absolutely beautiful book about forgiveness, and healing. I highly recommend it!

[Linnette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading When Love Collides! It's one of those books that's hard to put down once you start. :D The characters are real, the situation is real, and it touches on topics that many, unfortunately, face in life. A really enjoyable read! My only critique is that the ending felt a little rushed and not fleshed out... was told rather than shown. Other than that, I loved it! Great job, Michelle!