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Item Size: 25 Entries
Created: 1:32pm on 07-31-2006
Modified: 4:27pm on 11-19-2007 | |
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Entry #449195, added on 08-20-06 @ 3:01 pm EDT.
[Entry Access Restriction] None.
Title:
When Dreams Cross
View the previous novel in this series, "Never Again Good-Bye" 
In the second book in the Second Chance series, When Dreams Cross, Terri Blackstock creates another romantic world for her readers to enjoy. Responsible for building the theme park mentioned in "Never Again Good-Bye" , Andi Sherman must select a cartoon to give her park some character. Unknowlingly, she picks Khaki Kangaroo, brainchild of her ex-boyfriend Justin Pierce.
Justin and Andi’s parting was anything but amicable in the past, and their business relationship doesn’t appear much stronger. They reluctantly agree to the partnership, in the interest of both companies, but find themselves butting heads every step of the way. Each maintains a controlling, domineering attitude, and neither is apt to forgive readily – for current mistakes or transgressions made long ago.
As if Andi’s plate weren’t full enough, she must struggle with public opinion against her park. Every step of the way, she has to fight to make things work. The final blows come as the park descends into catastrophe; fires, wreckage, and crashes all conspire against Promised Land’s grand opening. And through it all Andi must nurse both her dying father and her struggling faith.
When I reviewed "Never Again Good-Bye" , I noted that the style was profoundly different from Blackstock’s other Christian novels. An introductory note at the beginning of When Dreams Cross explains the differences. Apparently Blackstock originally wrote the Second Chance novels as secular romances. When the rights reverted to her, she rewrote them as Christian romances.
The stories are good, but Blackstock’s strength comes out more in her detective stories – or perhaps I just enjoyed those more. She is certainly a descriptive writer, and her characters struggle realistically with emotions and trials. She writes clearly and well, and again, if I hadn’t started off on her murder mysteries, I might find myself enjoying these romances more. That said, the plot can’t hide the fact that she is a talented writer with a clear voice, and the fact that she can jump from one style to the other is further evidence of her abilities as a writer.
The struggles between Andi and Justin, central to the novel, are carried off well. Blackstock gives clear reason for their misunderstandings and miscommunications, and creates realistic actions and reactions. Personally, I had my suspicions about the park’s problems with the fire, and I thought a bit more could have been done with that angle; but again, this is more of a romance than a criminal novel.
The spiritual growth of her characters came slowly and subtly, with the most obvious signs of their faith being the amusement park and cartoon characters, both religious in nature. Personal growth comes more subtly, with a lighter touch, although the scriptures woven into the story fit the context and the need.
Blackstock has proven her strengths as a writer with these clear stories, and I can easily see how she grew as a writer when I compare the two. Although When Dreams Cross does not rank high on my list of favorites – it didn’t keep me up all night, and I probably won’t read it again, unlike her other novels – it was certainly well written, and made for an excellent romantic novel.
See the next novel in this series, "Blind Trust"
| ASIN: 0310207096 | When Dreams Cross (Second Chances Series #2)
Product Type: Book
| List Price: $ 12.99
Amazon's Price: $ 9.35
You Save: $ 3.64 | [Buy Now!] | | |
© Copyright 2006 Scottiegazelle (UN: scottiegaz at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
Scottiegazelle has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and its syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.
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