Family Blessings: Amazon.ca: LaVyrle Spencer: Books

Product Description

From Publishers Weekly

Ordinary people coming to grips with real problems are handled with a sure, restrained touch that makes this latest novel from the bestselling author of Bygones a moving tale. When Greg Reston, a young policeman in the small Minnesota town of Anoka, is killed in an automobile accident, it is up to his best friend and fellow officer Chris Lallek to break the news to Greg's widowed mother Lee. In the months following the tragedy, Chris proves invaluable to the Reston family, as a surrogate brother to Greg's siblings Janice, 23, and Joey, 14, and a source of unwavering emotional strength for all of them. But underlying his devotion is a clandestine and highly charged affair with the 45-year-old Lee, 15 years his senior. Is their need for each other really love, or is it simply comfort for two grieving people? When Chris proposes marriage, Lee must consider not only her judgmental mother and prudish sister, but also Janice, who has developed a crush on Chris. Spencer depicts the Reston clan with empathy, presenting fully dimensional characters with carefully limned vulnerabilities and hostilities. While residing safely within the parameters of romance fiction, this novel has an appealing candor that transcends the genre. Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club main selections.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile

An unlikely romance between a grieving mother and her dead son's best friend is skillfully narrated by Rush, whose voice falters at just the right moments to convey the characters' complex emotions. Subtle vocal inflections help the listener distinguish between speakers. With no special vocal effects and a slowly twisting plot line, this presentation is strictly for fans of Romance novels or soap operas. Spencer fans will savor the gradually unfolding love story, but other listeners will lose patience when it takes five cassettes to reach the inevitable assignation. B.L.W. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Customer Reviews

24 Reviews

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
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Average Customer Review

4.6 out of 5 stars (24 customer reviews)

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4.0 out of 5 stars A fast, romantic read....(4 1/2 stars), Mar 20 2004

By	M. I. "krushedvelvet" (Old Bridge, NJ United States) - See all my reviews

"Family Blessings" was definitely different. The book was lent to me without a dust jacket, so I had no idea what to expect of the story line. I was pleasantly surprised. I felt that the characters were well fleshed out and easy to relate to. I did however have a few quibbles. First of all, I thought that some of the writing was a little syrupy sweet.There was also a bit of an ick factor at work here...for me anyways. I didn't have a problem with Chris and Lee's age difference, but the fact that he had been best friends with her 25 year old son was just a little offputting. I did eventually get over it, but I also was a little bothered by Lee getting involved with a man that her daughter openly had a crush on. All in all, this was a heartwarming read, but I had a few mixed feelings about it.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Nearly Perfect...., Feb 4 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Family Blessings (Mass Market Paperback)

Although this story was overlong, it was still great. Ms. Spencer is a master at bringing characters to life, making each one completely realistic, and has a way of infiltrating the reader into the imaginary lives of these people in such a way as to make it seem very real. Uncanny talent.
I was glad that Lee 'looked' her age, rather than have people say but-you-look-thirty-five. I found it completely believable that Chris could love her. What I didn't find believable was the fact that Chris hadn't dated a girl in 2 years prior to dating Lee! It just wasn't plausible that a single, handsome young man never dated. (In this, Ms. Spencer has trouble sometimes; correctly interpreting what someone would really do in a particular situation.) Chris also seemed to have an endless supply of money. How?
One more thing - Lee's father-in-law, Lloyd was simply magnificant!

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5.0 out of 5 stars Everything a Romance Should Be, Sep 13 2003

By	Teresa B. (Washington, D.C.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Family Blessings (Mass Market Paperback)

The cover of my copy is in tatters I've read it so often - and then passed it around to everyone I know!

Noone is better than LaVyrle Spencer at creating genuine, warm characters that you feel like you know and whose fates you come to care deeply about. In FAMILY BLESSING she's outdone herself. Chris Lallek is the perfect hero: Warm, kind, funny, and the type of guy you can lean on - or cry with. Not a stereotypical romance-novel "knight on a white horse" - just an real man. And, I've never liked a heroine more than Lee Reston. She's what I've come to think of as the archetype LaVyrle-Spencer-woman: She's a grown-up - her body isn't perfect anymore, there are lines on her face, and she isn't coming into love this time innocent, or unscarred. She's strong and experienced, and she knows her own mind - but, she's not Superwoman. Like all of us, she has insecurities and fears and doubts, but she's determined to take life head-on and to grab every bit of joy she can. She's the type of person you'd want to be friends with - and you'll find yourself cheering for her.

It's a joy watching these two people find one another - and you do feel like you're "watching" it happen. LaVyrle has managed to capture beautifully that magic process through which friendship and respect is transformed into something deeper. When love finally blossoms for Lee and Chris you'll find yourself cheering - and maybe shedding a tear or two.

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Summer Read
Simply captivating! I sat down with this novel and finished it in a day because I absolutely couldn't put it down. Read more

Published on Jul 13 2003 by Owen's Mama

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly a Blessing
I had ready several LaVyrle Spencer books before reading "Family Blessings" but none touched my heart as much as it did. Read more

Published on April 10 2001 by Sue

5.0 out of 5 stars INCREDIBLE BOOK!
L LIVE IN MEXICO AND LOVE TO READ IN ENGLISH. THIS WAS THE FIRST BOOK I READ FROM MRS. SPENCER AND TOUCHED MY HEART. I LOVE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LEE AND CHRIS. Read more

Published on Mar 11 2001 by jfm@ver.megared.net.mx

3.0 out of 5 stars Wish I loved it, but I didn't
This book was ok, but it didn't really do much for me. The begining was very emotional but it couldn't keep my attention after getting half way through the book. Read more

Published on Mar 9 2001 by Richard C. Harb