Marianne Evans

Bella Natale! by Marianne Evans is a sweet novella that transports the reader to Florence, Italy for a lovely romance. Ashley has taken advantage of her Nonna's generosity and is in Florence for three weeks. It is to be a time of figuring out the road ahead. Can she tune out the world and just enjoy using her talent? What does God have in store for her--a safe and secure teaching job back in the States or a chance to follow one's dream here in Italy? A dream of creating art that touches the soul. Art that depicts and transforms life. Art that was a piece of her soul...a piece of the gift God had given her. Widower Luca, owner of a premiere art gallery, notices Ashley and her work and the emotional whirlwind begins. He knows she is sure to be a hit as an artist but can he trust his heart to love her as well? The author does a great job of adding emotional tension to the story as she brings in the obstacles that stand in the way of the beginning romance. Family with discouraging words, well-intentioned but perhaps a bit green-eyed gallery manager, lives that are an ocean apart--can this budding love surmount these impediments? Did Ashley really stumble into all she ever hoped for or was it really just an unreachable dream? Bella Natale! is a heartwarming story, not to be missed!… (més)

Marianne Evans pens a poignant love story that will challenge every Christian's commitment to forgiveness. Pyper Brock,against her every intuition, falls hard for Chase Bradington, a recovering alcoholic who is attempting a comeback in the music world.

When she finally decides that perhaps Chase and God can heal her broken past, that selfsame past slams against her like an unexpected tsunami. Will Pyper live up to her words she professes, or is there a limit to "Forgiveness"?

The tension Ms. Evans creates in this book between Pyper and Chase is indeed, palpable. The reader is drawn into both lives, taking first one side then the other as Ms . Evans skillfully draws her complex characters. Secondary characters add even more tension and anxiety for the reader, and I for one, wasn't sure what choices several characters might make. (Which led me to turn pages faster to find out.) What a convicting read about words vs. deeds!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and have voluntarily provided my own opinions of this book.… (més)