Then Came Heaven: Amazon.ca: Lavyrle Spencer: Books

Product Description

From Library Journal

This just in: the story of a young widower with two little girls and the nun whose urge to help them makes her question her vows.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From AudioFile

Here the lives of two special people, Eddie Olczak and Sister Regina, become intertwined after Eddie's wife dies. This romance reveals the depth of their commitment to Catholicism, their budding love for one another and their struggles to create new lives for themselves. Amy Irving's performance is so subtle that she disappears as narrator, captivating the listener with the difficult emotional lives of the characters. Irving has mastered the Polish accent and flawlessly recounts the many Catholic services, offices and practices. Spencer's narrative is matter of fact while Irving's performance of the dialogue brings out the full personalities of the characters. M.B.K. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Customer Reviews

70 Reviews

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

Average Customer Review

4.2 out of 5 stars (70 customer reviews)

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Most helpful customer reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Didn't really cut it, May 4 2004

By	"antithesis90" (Hamel, MN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Then Came Heaven (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the only LaVyrle Spencer book that I was ever unable to finish! I tried several times to become engaged in the story (a nun falling in love with a father, etc., seems like it would be engaging enough!!), but always found myself putting the book down and forgetting about it. I think a Spencer fan should attempt this book, as others seem to like it, but should probably already enjoy the author before they try it. The only reason I did not give it 1 Star is because I respect the author and her attempt too much for that.

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3.0 out of 5 stars Just didn't hit the right note!, Mar 1 2004

By	Theresa W (mi, usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Then Came Heaven (Mass Market Paperback)

While I've enjoyed every Lavryle Spencer book that I've read, I did not enjoy Then Came Heaven nearly as much!

The book is about Eddie who has lost his wife and is trying to get on with his life and raise his two girls who are 8 & 9 years old. Eddie is the local Catholic school's janitor and he becomes quick friends with the girls teacher, Sister Jean. While Sister Jean adores Eddies girls, Anne and Lucy, she is not allowed even to touch them to comfort them in their mothers death. Slowly, we start to see Sister Jean become unhappy with her life as a nun and question her decision to ever become one.

While the description for this book had me very excited to read it, it just didn't live up to my expectations or Spencer's other books I've read (such as Seperate Beds, Small Town Girl and Twice Loved). I think it was an interesting premise, but it just fell short. I had a very hard time liking the characters. They just didn't seem "real" to me. And I had an even harder time getting into the relationship between Eddie and Sister Jean. I just didn't feel the chemistry. There were even parts in the book I was feeling a bit bored with the story.

Overall, this was not Spencer's best book, nor was it worthy for her very last writing effort. I'd recommend another of her books before this one, That Camden Summer, Seperate Beds, Small Town Girl or Twice Loved- those were all excellent!

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3.0 out of 5 stars Overall good read, Sep 15 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Then Came Heaven (Mass Market Paperback)

Quite a well written book. I did find it a bit slow at times but the plot was still very interesting and it did keep me up til two this morning finishing it.
I did enjoy getting a peek into the lives of nuns, I never knew how restricted it was before reading this book. For instance, the rules of limited personal conversation and no physical contact even with children. Reading the book, I felt the anguish and frustration of Regina.
A few things were disturbing. For instance, I was quite impressed when Regina applied to complete her masters degree in child psychology after she left the convent, but was disappointed that she just dropped the idea totally when marriage was proposed. There was no mention of doing it in the future or anything. Also, I didnt't like when she got married and wanted to do some of the same things Eddie's deceased wife used to do, such as making chokecherry jam, etc.
I did think the courtship was rushed. I would have preferred if they dated a while rather than him proposing on the third date. It grabbed me as needy and desperate. He often focussed on how he needed a mother for his children, in my mind it looked like he wanted a housekeeper. But then again thats small town culture i suppose. I would have freaked out at a proposal at such an early stage in the game. I was also quite surprised that the hometown accepted the idea of the ex-nun and janitor so easily. i would have expected them to be more gossipy and scandalous.
All in all I did enjoy it.

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Most recent customer reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Not My Kind of Book
When I was a teenager, I read a lot of romance novels. Now that I'm an adult, I've put away the things of a child. Read more

Published on Jul 23 2003 by Judith C. Kinney

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful finish to a spectacular writing career!!
I have read and LOVED all of Lavyrle Spencer's books and this was my last one, as well as her last one. Read more

Published on Jun 25 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars A New Approach Involving Spiritual Faith
Eddie Olczak and Sister Regina, develop a relationship after Eddie's wife dies. This relationship becomes love and is forbidden by their faith. Read more

Published on Jun 9 2003 by Evelyn Horan

1.0 out of 5 stars Another Dud!
I didn't think anything could be as bad as HOME SONG, but I was wrong. This one is just as bad, is just as boring, and simply doesn't ring true. Read more

Published on Feb 12 2003