An Open Door

Romance Across the Globe #1

by Gail Gaymer Martin

Steffi Rosetti is assigned to cover the spring fashion collection in Milan, Italy, but her trip is complicated by a strange, unexpected letter from someone she has never met—her paternal grandmother. Curious and apprehensive, Steffi heads for Italy where she meets the new photographer for Mode, and as they explore the streets of Milan and the waterways of Venice, she makes her decision whether nor not to visit this woman she’d never known, unaware of how her life would change with these two new encounters.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance, Contemporary

84 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Multi-award-winning novelist, Gail Gaymer Martin writes Christian fiction for Winged Publications with many books published by Love Inspired and Barbour Publishing, where she was honored by Heartsong readers as their Favorite Author of 2008. Gail has 77 published novels or novellas with over four million books in print. She is the author of Writers Digest’s Writing the Christian Romance and a founder of American Christian Fiction Writers, a keynote speaker at churches, libraries and civic organizations and presents workshops at conference across the US. She was named one of the four best novelists in the Detroit area by CBS local news. Gail loves to hear from readers through her website contact and adds the reader's name to her bi-monthly drawing for a free book or two.

Reviews

[Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Romance

This is a great little romance with sweet characters and fun adventure in before places and heartwarming moments and sweet love.

[Leslie McKee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steffi Rosetti is headed to Italy to cover a fashion show. Before she leaves, she receives a letter from her grandmother. They have never met, and her grandmother wants to change that before it’s too late. Steffi is curious as to why her father abandoned her and her mother years ago. She hopes that her grandmother can shed some light on the situation. When Steffi arrives in Italy, she meets a photographer named Paul, who is also covering the fashion show. He wants to get to know her better and offers to accompany her to Venice, where her grandmother lives. He believes that God is leading them and giving them a chance to develop their own relationship. What will she learn from her grandmother? Will Steffi find answers, healing, and possibly even forgiveness? Does God have a plan for Steffi and Paul? The descriptions of Italy are beautiful and easy to visualize. The hero is caring and compassionate, and it is refreshing to have him remind the heroine that true beauty and worth are on the inside. This is well researched, and it contains touching scenes in addition to a bit of mystery and romance.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Diana Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Review
An Open Door
By Gail Gaymer Martin

A love story where I would love to visit someday. Italy!! Steffi leaves on a job to Italy to cover a fashion show. Mean time she gets a letter from a grandmother she doesn't know. Not sure this is something she wants to follow up on but maybe she can help shed some light on why her own father abandoned her and her mother years ago. Will it be the answers she wants or will it be something she better off not known? Mean time she meets Paul who is there to cover the fashion show also. Can something become of this? Did God bring her all this way so that she may be healed from the scars of her past? Can she learn to forgive? Awesome story I loved the characters.

[Dianne Sidebottom · Rating 4 out of 5]

this short book is in the Forget Me Not Romance volume 1. I've never read anything of Gail's before but this was a quick read n had an interesting spin. All about timing in God's time. A letter from a grandma to tell her father had died n giving her an open invitation to contact her grandma if she so choses. Two people working the same magazine met at the airport in Milan where they have been given there assignment. A stone throw away from Venice where the grandma lives. Many questions she had but she needed to make a decision. Paul n prayers help her take that step of faith. I could see the movie that had Greggory Peck n Sophie Loren on a motor bike walk through this story. Also my visit to that area years ago.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

--I was given a copy of this audiobook for an honest review.

This was a sweet, short romance. Nice to listen to during the holidays. Steffi goes to Italy on assignment for the magazine she works for.She also has had contact from her paternal grandmother, whom she does not know, but lives in Italy. She struggles with whether to go and see her. While in Italy, she meets Paul, the photographer for the magazine she works for. Over the time they work together, they develop a loving relationship and he helps her work through her family issue.

Giselle Lumas gives an entertaining performance.

[Janice Sisemore · Rating 5 out of 5]

An open door

Steffi received a letter from her grandmother that she never met and her grandmother wants to met her. She lives in Venice when most of the story takes place. I throughly enjoyed reading Steffi story and love the way her and Paul meets and how he encourages her. The book did end before I was ready to and hope could be more of the characters in another book. Loved reading about Venice also. This book was given to me for a honest review.

[Sheila McIntyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not usually one for novellas but this was a sweet romance set in Italy. As only can be the case, when the Lord sets things in motion, things and hearts will never be the same. Embark on a journey across the sea and join Steffi and Paul as they get to know each other and discover the secrets of Steffi's past.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me to review this book--the opinions and thoughts are my own.

[Joyful · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Christian romance novella with the sitting in Venice. It has a little bit of suspense. Why did Steffi's dad leave her mom and her? Why is her grandmother wanting to meet her after all these years? Will Steffi's meet with her? Who is Paul? How does he affect Steffi? A must read. I was given a copy for an honest review.

[Susie Q · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story full of Christian values. The characters are well rounded with distinct personalities and flaws. Together they understand themselves better and grow in wisdom and faith. Narration was a little slow at times, but the story line kept me listening.
I was given a copy of this audio book from Audiobook Blast in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

[Linda Rainey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding love and healing

I loved this novella about Steffi, a fashion writer on assignment to Milan and Peter, a fashion photographer.
Steffen finds love, healing and forgiveness amid the backdrop of Milan and Venice.

[Ellen Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and the way Steffi learns to trust and love. I didn't feel like I got to know the characters well, especially Paul. Overall, it was a nice story but wish it would have gone deeper.

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."

Once you get past the travelogue, there is the makings of a good plot.

[Virginia]

Loved it . I will be reading the rest in the series

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!