Book MYView: Winter Turns to Spring by Catherine Palmer and Gary Chapman

For Brad and Ashley Hanes, the honeymoon is over.

They knew it wouldn’t last forever, but they never expected their marriage to over almost before it began. When Brad finds an adorable puppy abandoned by the local pub, he thinks the stray might be just what he and Ashley need to grow closer.

While the neighbors of Deepwater Cove are concerned about the newlyweds, they’ve got bigger worries on their mind. Conditions are icy and Cody Goss is terrorizing the streets in an effort to earn his driver’s license. Through Derek Finley has volunteered to teach Cody to drive, it still leaves everyone running for their lives and desperately trying to protect heir mailboxes.

Just when it’s least expected, a late-winter storm descends upon the bustling town and everything comes to a screeching halt. When the wail of emergency sirens pierces the still air, the neighbors wonder who could possibly be in trouble now.

The promise of spring seems just around the corner if only everyone can survive this last winter blast! (Tyndale, 2008)

MYView: Gary Chapman’s experience as a marriage counselor is evident in this story. The real portrayal of the pressure of married life and how easily the glow of marital bliss can dim is an eye opener.

At first glance, the book’s blurb and cover art may make the story seem a bit light-hearted, but Brad and Ashley’s story is anything but sweet and fluffy. If you like edgier fiction, this one won't disappoint.

What worked so well for me in this story was seeing how differently the couple reacted to the same argument. As the reader, I could see how the character’s emotional state, their perspective, their word choice, and their body language made a simple statement turn into something ugly. I wanted to jump in and say, "That’s not what she meant. That’s not what he meant!"

But it’s a book , so all I could do is shake it and cringe.

I recommend Winter Turns to Spring and premarital counseling to anyone thinking about getting married. Just being "equally yoked" or from the same faith is not enough.