WHITE ROSES -- Shannon Taylor Vannatter

ISBN 978-1-60260-755-2
© 2010 Shannon Taylor Vannatter
Heartsong Presents, an imprint of Barbour Publishing

Pastor Grayson Sterling is still grieving the loss of his wife, killed by a drunk hit-and-run driver two years ago. When his church takes on a new Associate Pastor to relieve him of some of his load, Grayson is attracted to the new Associate’s sister, Adrea Welch. Adrea, an area florist, has been providing Grayson with white roses for his wife for years, even after she died. Grayson now carries the roses to the cemetery. So how can Adrea be attracted to a man who is still mourning for his wife?

When pieces of the past begin to fall into place, the resulting revelation threatens to tear apart the budding attraction between Grayson and Adrea, and destroy lives in the process. Between Grayson’s fears and Adrea’s guilt, it appears the deck is stacked against this couple.

As I read this story, I couldn’t help but call to mind issues and hurts from my own past. Readers will find an invitation to take a second look at their own circumstances from a point of view they might have overlooked. Everyone makes mistakes. Anyone who has lived for any length of time has a certain number of regrets or misplaced guilt. This story portrays the path many people travel in dealing with hurtful issues. Your issues may not be the same as Grayson’s and Adrea’s, but as you read this story you will find yourself filling in the blanks with your own circumstances, and hopefully discovering a portal of forgiveness, releasing the burden of guilt that isn’t yours to carry.