Emilie Richards

Contemporary

Lovely and warm, this truly American love story just does a heart good. Read Michelle's review…

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I confess.

I have had in my day decidedly impure thoughts about a young, handsome preacher man or two.

Now don't bother e-mailing me -- I know full well where I and my amorous inclinations may end up come Judgment Day.

Yet, maybe I judge myself too harshly.

Maybe other women, possibly you, have been attracted to a bright, engaging man who happened to be a minister, or rabbi, or Anglican priest. Perhaps you even married a man who possesses the rare ability to help others seek faith.

In "Endless Chain," Emilie Richards introduces us to just such a man. Rev. Sam Kinkade is an intelligent, flawed, handsome-as-heck guy who happens also to be the minister of Shenandoah Community Church in rural Tom's Brook, Va .

The congregation is tickled pink with their hard-working, idealistic young pastor. Sure, some of the SCC Quilting Bee matrons are mildly perturbed by the ensembles Sam's voluptuous fiancée wears to church gatherings. And a few members of the church are downright hostile about Sam's opening an after-school program for children of the Shenandoah Valley's increasing Hispanic population.

But, by and large, Sam preaches the kind of Gospel most members of his congregation try to live, one in which they make the good they do as important as the good they believe in.

Elisa Martinez is looking for a job, not goodness, when she shows up on Sam's doorstep. She's got secrets she'd like kept that way, though she reluctantly begins to relax into the warmth and welcome of the SCC community.

As Sam and Elisa settle into a natural friendship and begin tentatively to explore a mutual attraction neither invites, events unfold around them that affect Sam's plan to help the local Hispanic community. In supporting Sam, Elisa faces dilemmas and opportunities that could reveal the secrets she's finding burdensome.

Richards is a fine writer with a knack for relating in prose speech patterns, especially among bilingual characters. Cadence and syntax within her dialogue propel the story as only good dialogue can and enrich interaction between characters.

"Endless Chain" is a novel with depth and style, as refreshing and sweet as Sam Kinkade's idealism. And like Sam, Emilie Richards refuses to preach when a little inspiration will do just fine.

It's her simple gift to us, especially those with faith in humanity and respect for the way folks use all kinds of spirituality to move through crisis and toward grace and happiness.

I was happy to read "Endless Chain" on a lazy afternoon and think you'll be happy if you ...

Buy the book.

Visit Richard's charming website, www.emilierichards.com, for info on her books including the delightful "Endless Chain" companion quilting guide.

Next Week's Review and AuthorView Interview: "One Night with a Prince," by Sabrina Jeffries.