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Slocum Family #2
Waiting Out the Storm
When family tragedy strikes, Sarah Slocum steps in as guardian to her two nieces and nephew. But raising children isn't like raising sheep, and the beautiful shepherd soon finds herself in over her head. Who'd have guessed that new neighbor Craig Macklin would jump in to lend a hand? Craig's always held a grudge against Slocums--Sarah included. Now the handsome local vet is helping with her livestock, giving her young nephew a job and smiling at her every chance he gets. Sarah must decide whether she can trust Craig--and God's plan--and allow him into her family.
- GenresLove InspiredRomance
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
83 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Ruth Logan Herne
131 books506 followersMulti-published, award-winning, bestselling author Ruth Logan Herne is living her dream of being a published author and having the time of her life doing it. Born to a poor family in Rochester, NY, Ruthy draws on her early years and her many years of dealing with today's young families and businesses to create beautiful, heartfelt small-town stories of faith, hope and love... while adopting her favorite non-Scripture quotes "Plenty of time for rest in the grave" (Ben Franklin) and "No one can make you feel inferior without your permission." (Eleanor Roosevelt) and one can always depend on Yoda "There is no try. There is do or do not." Succinct... and true. :) She loves chatting with readers on facebook at Ruth Logan Herne or follow Ruthy on Twitter, visit her website or stop by Seekerville (www.seekerville.blogspot.com) or pop by the Yankee Belle Cafe where Ruthy and several lovely authors share recipes, facts, photos and just plain old life! (www.yankeebellecafe.blogspot.com
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 19, 2020
As usual, Ruth Logan Herne grabbed my heart once again and filled it all the way up. She has taken a story with characters full of hurt and many kinds of heartache and shown us their very soul. I never tire of reading her words, for she brings me such joy when I read. highly recommended.
July 19, 2022
Good book, great characters.
March 11, 2023
Thankful to meet some no-nonsense characters, extra grateful for a contemporary novel with a female lead with Native American background.
Sarah Slocum did not have an easy childhood. She was often scorned by her stepfamily and peers for being half Abenaki. Life in Sarah's small community becomes truly intolerable for the entire Slocum clan after her stepbrother Tom swindles large amounts of money form a number of townspeople. He commits suicide leaving behind a wife, Rita, and three kids. Because Rita's depression and drinking, Sarah finds herself as the guardian to her nieces and nephew. Trying to run a sheep farm, an accounting business, and now parenting three children, is a lot to ask from a young woman.
Maybe this is why a local vet, Craig Macklin, steps in to help out where and when he can. He has always despised the Slocums as his grandparents lost everything in Tom's ill-fated investments. But being Sarah's new neighbor, Craig begins to see how wrong he had been about many people in the Slocum family. Instead of bringing out the worst in Craig, being around Sarah, starts bringing out the best in him.
I liked that the story did not sugarcoat problems like alcoholism or racism. The characters, especially Sarah, were grounded, down-to-earth, practical, and (most of them) God-fearing. I liked that Sarah did not encourage false hope when consoling but stated facts plainly and simply even to a young child. Sarah did turn a little "mushy" and overly concerned about her appearances towards the end of the book, but for the most part, she was a kind, respectful, faithful, hard-working woman -- a most admirable character.
Sarah Slocum did not have an easy childhood. She was often scorned by her stepfamily and peers for being half Abenaki. Life in Sarah's small community becomes truly intolerable for the entire Slocum clan after her stepbrother Tom swindles large amounts of money form a number of townspeople. He commits suicide leaving behind a wife, Rita, and three kids. Because Rita's depression and drinking, Sarah finds herself as the guardian to her nieces and nephew. Trying to run a sheep farm, an accounting business, and now parenting three children, is a lot to ask from a young woman.
Maybe this is why a local vet, Craig Macklin, steps in to help out where and when he can. He has always despised the Slocums as his grandparents lost everything in Tom's ill-fated investments. But being Sarah's new neighbor, Craig begins to see how wrong he had been about many people in the Slocum family. Instead of bringing out the worst in Craig, being around Sarah, starts bringing out the best in him.
I liked that the story did not sugarcoat problems like alcoholism or racism. The characters, especially Sarah, were grounded, down-to-earth, practical, and (most of them) God-fearing. I liked that Sarah did not encourage false hope when consoling but stated facts plainly and simply even to a young child. Sarah did turn a little "mushy" and overly concerned about her appearances towards the end of the book, but for the most part, she was a kind, respectful, faithful, hard-working woman -- a most admirable character.
June 20, 2020
Opposites Attract!
The Slocums. The Macklins. Two families from the opposite side of the tracks. Sarah Slocum. Craig Macklin. Opposites attract. Even when there’s bad feelings between the two. But Sarah and Craig’s story is about second chances. It’s about forgiveness. About what happens when two people allow God to lead them. it’s about family, friends and community. Loving one another. Helping each other in times of need. This is a wonderful book that you need to put on top of your “to-be-read” stack of summer reading!
The Slocums. The Macklins. Two families from the opposite side of the tracks. Sarah Slocum. Craig Macklin. Opposites attract. Even when there’s bad feelings between the two. But Sarah and Craig’s story is about second chances. It’s about forgiveness. About what happens when two people allow God to lead them. it’s about family, friends and community. Loving one another. Helping each other in times of need. This is a wonderful book that you need to put on top of your “to-be-read” stack of summer reading!
October 23, 2010
When I'm looking for a quick read I pick up a Love Inspired book. This book, the second by author Ruth Logan Herne is one of the best I've read in a while. Admittedly I usually only read from the LI historical line but this interested me and I just happened to win a copy from Seekerville. I really enjoyed the characters especially "plain Jane" Sarah Slocum and hunky veterinarian, Craig Macklin and even the four-legged critters too. The author's sense of humor shines through in this book even though it's quite serious at times there's a laugh or to thrown in the mix. I really enjoyed this story and I'm glad that I have a copy of Rita's story, Made to Order Family so I can get started right away and see what happens next up in the North Country.
*I received my copy from the author through a giveaway but was not obligated to provide a review.*
*I received my copy from the author through a giveaway but was not obligated to provide a review.*
June 16, 2010
I can’t believe this is only the second book by Ruth Logan Herne. I was captivated by her debut novel, Winter’s End, but Waiting Out The Storm had me laughing and crying and turning pages until the end. A deep and thoughtful look into the life of young girl neglected and scorned, who grows into a woman with hesitant self-esteem, yet made all the more stronger for the hardships of life. Big fuzzy dogs and innocent wooly sheep are a hit, too. Ms. Herne has an uncanny ability to draw emotions from the reader mirroring the sentiments of her characters. I love this book, heartily recommend it, and can’t wait for the next.
June 8, 2010
I have always loved the shepherd imagery of the Bible so this book caught my eye. A shepherdess raising ship in rural New York (yes, there is more to the state than NYC), a veterinarian who doesn't like sheep, a Hatfield and McCoy situation, great detailing and message. The ingredients made for a great read. This book is the second in a series and I am looking forward to the third.
April 8, 2018
I'm giving it 3 stars even though I didn't really care for how the book was wrapped up. I've read a large number of these love inspired books and I am very picky with endings. I thought the ending was overkill. I really liked Sarah and Craig and the majority of the book though.
July 15, 2010
Great story. It lulled in snippets here and there, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews