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Finding Tracey
Finding Tracey - a love story... complete with comedy and heartache... characters so real you may see them in your mirror.
Jewel and Collin live in different countries, and hold different jobs, but have the same powerful convictions. Though they haven't met in person, e-mails go back and forth every day, drawing them closer as one month rolls into the next. Finally, they put a plan in motion to meet face-to-face.
Enter Tracey, one of Jewel's students, who has been abused and neglected - a girl who graces Jewel's doorstep before Collin makes it out of his country to see her - a girl who develops an agenda of her own.
Will plans be put on hold? Will Collin and Jewel be willing to share their time and attention with a troubled ten-year-old, or will they realize they don't have what it takes - that the connection they shared wasn't as strong as they supposed?
Jewel and Collin live in different countries, and hold different jobs, but have the same powerful convictions. Though they haven't met in person, e-mails go back and forth every day, drawing them closer as one month rolls into the next. Finally, they put a plan in motion to meet face-to-face.
Enter Tracey, one of Jewel's students, who has been abused and neglected - a girl who graces Jewel's doorstep before Collin makes it out of his country to see her - a girl who develops an agenda of her own.
Will plans be put on hold? Will Collin and Jewel be willing to share their time and attention with a troubled ten-year-old, or will they realize they don't have what it takes - that the connection they shared wasn't as strong as they supposed?
248 pages, Paperback
First published May 15, 2008
10 people want to read
About the author
Norma Budden
20 books57 followersNorma Budden is a Canadian author and photographer who also publishes book reviews and author interviews. She has a passion for all things travel and enjoys hiking, swimming, kayaking and snowshoeing.
Norma is the proud author of the Freedom in Love Series which, currently, has five titles published: An Affair to Remember, When Love Abides, Soul Confessions, Divided Loyalties and The Promise. She is also the author of The Prayer, The Journey (both titles being part of The Wish Trilogy) and Coming Unglued: A Mother's Journey into Hell, a story inspired by true events.
Norma has also published a novella and short story, Written on The Stars and Hershey Falls, respectively, and is co-author of Angels Among Us, written with the late Michael. T. Ingram.
If Only is a stand-alone title as is her autobiography, Arctic Child.
Norma is the proud author of the Freedom in Love Series which, currently, has five titles published: An Affair to Remember, When Love Abides, Soul Confessions, Divided Loyalties and The Promise. She is also the author of The Prayer, The Journey (both titles being part of The Wish Trilogy) and Coming Unglued: A Mother's Journey into Hell, a story inspired by true events.
Norma has also published a novella and short story, Written on The Stars and Hershey Falls, respectively, and is co-author of Angels Among Us, written with the late Michael. T. Ingram.
If Only is a stand-alone title as is her autobiography, Arctic Child.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 23, 2014
Such a refreshing change to read a contemporary Christian love story. Most want to take you back to a previous century. This is a modern day tale of two devout Christians who are introduced, slowly get to know one another, finally meet under circumstances they did not expect and still show respect for the Lord and fall in love. A precious little girl from an abusive home enters their world and all plans are changed. It is precious how these three form a bond inspite of trials and tribulations.
Finally a book I can share with my kids and grandkids and not be embarrassed about. I love the sense of humor that the angels bring to the story while watching over them all. This book is a must read. Great for any book club and certainly one to tell your Christian friends about. We need to support the morals shown in today's world so teens today can see this is the way to act.
Finally a book I can share with my kids and grandkids and not be embarrassed about. I love the sense of humor that the angels bring to the story while watching over them all. This book is a must read. Great for any book club and certainly one to tell your Christian friends about. We need to support the morals shown in today's world so teens today can see this is the way to act.
August 17, 2013
What an incredibly beautiful and thought-provoking novel! Truly makes you think about not only your relationship with God, but about your relationship with people in your life, the things you face each day, and if those things are worth your time and effort. Sometimes you work so hard to love people that are not worthy of you... and then you find people that deserve all of you. Those people are the ones you grasp on to and never let go. Those that make you think and push you to WANT and NEED to be better.
Love that this book went a different way than I was expecting. Its not easy to surprise me anymore. Well done!!
I was pleasantly surprised about this sweet and endearing love story. It was a truly gorgeous read. Thank you, Norma for being one of God's mouthpieces. He truly knew what He was doing when He gave you the gift to write. Great job!
Love that this book went a different way than I was expecting. Its not easy to surprise me anymore. Well done!!
I was pleasantly surprised about this sweet and endearing love story. It was a truly gorgeous read. Thank you, Norma for being one of God's mouthpieces. He truly knew what He was doing when He gave you the gift to write. Great job!
October 12, 2013
Author Norma Budden beautifully highlights the importance of being real with our emotions and how at times we handle them well and at other times they seem to handle us.
Read full review in the October 2013 issue of InD’tale Magazine.
Read full review in the October 2013 issue of InD’tale Magazine.
October 23, 2013
As Angels Watch is a Christian Fiction romance. Jewel and Collin meet via the internet and carry on an on-line, long distance relationship. Tragedy strikes and Collin decides to take a break from his job and travel to meet Jewel for the first time. At the same time, Jewel takes in Tracey, a neglected 10 year old girl. All of this happens as angels watch over all of the characters and pray for the best.
I like that this book doesn’t have an over abundance of sex. In fact there is none, and no foul language. I feel that too many books and TV shows these days are over-sexed and use too much profanity. It is an easy read and appropriate for all ages.
I really enjoyed the scenes where the foul spirit made an appearance and wished the foul spirit would have been presented more throughout the book to build tension and suspense. I hope he (or was the spirit a she?) makes more appearances in the sequel.
I did not see the twist at the end coming! This is the second time this author got me with an unexpected twist & that event might just be enough to get me to read the sequel.
The reason for the 3 star rating is two-fold: dialogue and rushed events.
Regarding the dialogue between characters, I couldn’t connect with most of it. It felt forced and unnatural and I couldn’t see the characters saying those things during those scenes. There was also too much that was shared with Tracey. For example, Collin tells Tracy (a 10 year old) that he has no intention of sleeping with Jewel until he and Jewel are married. To me, it’s not a believable that someone would say that to a 10 year old, especially one they only recently met.
As previously mentioned, this book is categorized as Christian Fiction which I hadn’t realized when I purchased it. This is not a genre I typically read and this book is probably the first in the genre that I have read. With that said, there was an over abundance of internal dialogue between the characters and God and it was too much for my personal preference.
I understand that when reading fiction, a reader needs to suspend some level of reality, however there were too many unbelievable and rushed events in this book that kept me from connecting with the story. For example, Jewel & Collin falling in love and wanting to marry after conversing only on-line and maybe through one phone call. Or Jewel being granted custody of Tracey without so much as a background check. Or how quickly Tracey, who may have been sexually abused by her mother’s boyfriends, bonds with Collin who is a complete stranger. Or the fact that social services allows Tracey to travel out of the country with Collin, an adult that doesn’t have custody over her. Or the sudden mention of the investigative work that Collin has done on Tracey’s mother. There was no prior mention or inference of him doing anything of the sort.
I also felt that the angels in the story were an oversight and not integral to the story. They made observations and prayed to God, but had no direct impact on the characters or the story. You could have taken the angels out and still have been left with this story.
As Angels Watch is a good story, but I personally could not connect with the dialogue and the quickness with which many of the major plot elements unfolded. If you enjoy reading Christian Fiction, this may be a book for you.
I like that this book doesn’t have an over abundance of sex. In fact there is none, and no foul language. I feel that too many books and TV shows these days are over-sexed and use too much profanity. It is an easy read and appropriate for all ages.
I really enjoyed the scenes where the foul spirit made an appearance and wished the foul spirit would have been presented more throughout the book to build tension and suspense. I hope he (or was the spirit a she?) makes more appearances in the sequel.
I did not see the twist at the end coming! This is the second time this author got me with an unexpected twist & that event might just be enough to get me to read the sequel.
The reason for the 3 star rating is two-fold: dialogue and rushed events.
Regarding the dialogue between characters, I couldn’t connect with most of it. It felt forced and unnatural and I couldn’t see the characters saying those things during those scenes. There was also too much that was shared with Tracey. For example, Collin tells Tracy (a 10 year old) that he has no intention of sleeping with Jewel until he and Jewel are married. To me, it’s not a believable that someone would say that to a 10 year old, especially one they only recently met.
As previously mentioned, this book is categorized as Christian Fiction which I hadn’t realized when I purchased it. This is not a genre I typically read and this book is probably the first in the genre that I have read. With that said, there was an over abundance of internal dialogue between the characters and God and it was too much for my personal preference.
I understand that when reading fiction, a reader needs to suspend some level of reality, however there were too many unbelievable and rushed events in this book that kept me from connecting with the story. For example, Jewel & Collin falling in love and wanting to marry after conversing only on-line and maybe through one phone call. Or Jewel being granted custody of Tracey without so much as a background check. Or how quickly Tracey, who may have been sexually abused by her mother’s boyfriends, bonds with Collin who is a complete stranger. Or the fact that social services allows Tracey to travel out of the country with Collin, an adult that doesn’t have custody over her. Or the sudden mention of the investigative work that Collin has done on Tracey’s mother. There was no prior mention or inference of him doing anything of the sort.
I also felt that the angels in the story were an oversight and not integral to the story. They made observations and prayed to God, but had no direct impact on the characters or the story. You could have taken the angels out and still have been left with this story.
As Angels Watch is a good story, but I personally could not connect with the dialogue and the quickness with which many of the major plot elements unfolded. If you enjoy reading Christian Fiction, this may be a book for you.
July 29, 2013
Jewel and Collin have never met in person but already feel a connection. They met online and have emailed back and forth, finding that they have much in common, especially their Christian faith. Finally, after a heartbreaking event, Collin decides it is time to meet Jewel to see if their connection is as strong in person as it is in their correspondence. Meanwhile, Jewel, who is a teacher, has taken in one of her students who was living in an abusive situation. Jewel hopes that Collin will be able to accept the situation when he comes to visit, and that it won't ruin their chances of finding happiness together.
As Angels Watch is a refreshing romance novel where two people meet and fall in love in a beautiful and innocent way. It follows the two main characters as they live their everyday lives and ask the Lord for assistance when they are struggling. In the background, angels are watching these two people and helping them through their struggles. The young child, Tracey, ads humor and depth to an already delightful story as she tries to play matchmaker with the young couple. As Angels Watch is well-written, vividly descriptive, and incorporates wonderfully fleshed-out characters. A lovely Christian romance novel for readers to enjoy.
As Angels Watch is a refreshing romance novel where two people meet and fall in love in a beautiful and innocent way. It follows the two main characters as they live their everyday lives and ask the Lord for assistance when they are struggling. In the background, angels are watching these two people and helping them through their struggles. The young child, Tracey, ads humor and depth to an already delightful story as she tries to play matchmaker with the young couple. As Angels Watch is well-written, vividly descriptive, and incorporates wonderfully fleshed-out characters. A lovely Christian romance novel for readers to enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews