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The Downing Sisters #1
Spring Blossom
For every flowering blossom of spring, a heart discovers true love...
MAGGIE: As a spirited girl of fourteen, she fell head over heels in love with a handsome stranger -- a love she was too young to understand.
HUNTER: Part Indian, and all gentleman, he was touched by young Maggie's charms and secretly vowed to ask for her hand when she was of marrying age. He did return to her years later -- only to find the shattering truth that had scarred her heart...
For Maggie had turned her back on love -- not even the caring embrace of her sisters and father could ease the dark secret that tarnished her spirit. Until Hunter's gentle touch turned the future into a promise of love fulfilled, turned her sorrow into the sunshine warmth of home and hearth -- and a love that would flourish with the passing of the seasons...
MAGGIE: As a spirited girl of fourteen, she fell head over heels in love with a handsome stranger -- a love she was too young to understand.
HUNTER: Part Indian, and all gentleman, he was touched by young Maggie's charms and secretly vowed to ask for her hand when she was of marrying age. He did return to her years later -- only to find the shattering truth that had scarred her heart...
For Maggie had turned her back on love -- not even the caring embrace of her sisters and father could ease the dark secret that tarnished her spirit. Until Hunter's gentle touch turned the future into a promise of love fulfilled, turned her sorrow into the sunshine warmth of home and hearth -- and a love that would flourish with the passing of the seasons...
323 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1992
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 9, 2010
I read this many years ago, but it was the one of the few books I re-read. It's a wonderful historical romance. :)
December 17, 2019
I really liked the book but there were so many mistakes it was distracting. Here is an example: "It was not easy to unto the row of buttons that rand down the length of her spine."
August 27, 2012
he Downing Sisters (Spring Blossom and Family Reunion)
Spring Blossom: Maggie is the eldest of four sisters. At 15 she is sure that she has met the man she wants to be with forever but he tells her she is too young but he will return in a few years to see if they might suit. But when Hunter returns 3 yrs later, the girl who was full of life, with a pleasant and appealing nature was no longer. In her place was an ice princess and war-monger who never wanted to leave her home. Her father explained that there was an "accident" and she had a physical scar but the emotional scars seem to be a lot worse. Can Hunter bring the girl he cares so much for? He sure is going to try.
Family Reunion: Jennifer is Maggie's youngest sister and has a bit of a wild-side. When a friend from their childhood returns to his home after an accident in the city, she and Maggie pay him a visit. Only to be turned away. Chad has no intentions of reuniting with old friends. Jennifer is determined to get through to him that just because he is in a wheelchair, due to the accident, he is still the same man. But Chad doesn't feel like a man at all and tries to ignore the attraction between them. When Chad is made the temporary guardian of a boy from the city, he enlists Jennifer's help in keeping him in line. Jennifer is sure that if she could just teach both these males that they do indeed deserve love, then they could be a happy family.
These books were a great, easy read. There was drama and mystery that link the books together without losing their individually stories. The author kept me interested in all the aspects of the story and built a great connection between the reader and characters. The books had me feel many different emotions throughout, but the overall feeling shows that love can help heal the heart and hidden hurts that happen so often in life.
complimentary books for a free review. come see this review and more at juliesbookreview.blogspot.com
Spring Blossom: Maggie is the eldest of four sisters. At 15 she is sure that she has met the man she wants to be with forever but he tells her she is too young but he will return in a few years to see if they might suit. But when Hunter returns 3 yrs later, the girl who was full of life, with a pleasant and appealing nature was no longer. In her place was an ice princess and war-monger who never wanted to leave her home. Her father explained that there was an "accident" and she had a physical scar but the emotional scars seem to be a lot worse. Can Hunter bring the girl he cares so much for? He sure is going to try.
Family Reunion: Jennifer is Maggie's youngest sister and has a bit of a wild-side. When a friend from their childhood returns to his home after an accident in the city, she and Maggie pay him a visit. Only to be turned away. Chad has no intentions of reuniting with old friends. Jennifer is determined to get through to him that just because he is in a wheelchair, due to the accident, he is still the same man. But Chad doesn't feel like a man at all and tries to ignore the attraction between them. When Chad is made the temporary guardian of a boy from the city, he enlists Jennifer's help in keeping him in line. Jennifer is sure that if she could just teach both these males that they do indeed deserve love, then they could be a happy family.
These books were a great, easy read. There was drama and mystery that link the books together without losing their individually stories. The author kept me interested in all the aspects of the story and built a great connection between the reader and characters. The books had me feel many different emotions throughout, but the overall feeling shows that love can help heal the heart and hidden hurts that happen so often in life.
complimentary books for a free review. come see this review and more at juliesbookreview.blogspot.com
September 15, 2013
1.5 stars
I read FAMILY REUNION, the sequel, over a year ago and was impressed with Ms. Metcalf's writing. There were many references to characters in SPRING BLOSSOM so I added this title to my list of books that I wanted to find. And, sadly to say, after reading this romance I was disappointed.
We first meet Maggie when she is 15 and Hunter is 27. He is impressed with Maggie's beauty and refreshing take on life. He returns 3 years later only to find that she is both caustic and embittered. He marries her against her wishes believing he can 'heal' her over time.
It takes place in the nineteenth century when age between husband and wife made little difference. I guess I just couldn't get over why Hunter loved her. There was so little chemistry between the two for most of the story. There was very little mention of what actually happened to Maggie and Hunter was too forgiving at times. I understood Maggie's reason for hurting but I still didn't like her. I am now happy I didn't find this book first or I would have never read anything else by this author.
I read FAMILY REUNION, the sequel, over a year ago and was impressed with Ms. Metcalf's writing. There were many references to characters in SPRING BLOSSOM so I added this title to my list of books that I wanted to find. And, sadly to say, after reading this romance I was disappointed.
We first meet Maggie when she is 15 and Hunter is 27. He is impressed with Maggie's beauty and refreshing take on life. He returns 3 years later only to find that she is both caustic and embittered. He marries her against her wishes believing he can 'heal' her over time.
It takes place in the nineteenth century when age between husband and wife made little difference. I guess I just couldn't get over why Hunter loved her. There was so little chemistry between the two for most of the story. There was very little mention of what actually happened to Maggie and Hunter was too forgiving at times. I understood Maggie's reason for hurting but I still didn't like her. I am now happy I didn't find this book first or I would have never read anything else by this author.
April 17, 2013
A sweet old fashioned romance with a not so pleasant subject at the center of the novel.
Years later Hunter returns for the beautiful fun loving girl he hasn’t been able to forget only to find a sombre and bitter stranger in her place.
May 4, 2012
This was the first romance novel I read many years ago. I loved it!! Still have the original copy that is very dearly loved! Have re-read many time, and will continue to re-read for ever
August 6, 2013
A very sweet story. You can't help but love Hunter. I wish it had not ended quite so soon. I was a little frustrated on being cheated out of the birth of the baby.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2014
an ok read
June 10, 2016
Too fluffy for my tastes
August 12, 2016
I'm pretty sure I read this.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews