Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #369189 in Books
• Published on: 2006-10-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 256 pages

Customer Reviews

A Christmas visit to Sweetwater
The characters of Margaret Daley's "Tidings of Joy" immediately absorbed me into their lives. Chance--recently released from prison for a crime he didn't commit--comes to Sweetwater to pay back the debt he feels he owes to his cellmate Tom who saved his life. Tanya, Tom's wife, is struggling to make ends meet as a single mom while battling her own fears and guilt over the past. Crystal, Tanya's teenage daughter--paralyzed in a riding accident and now wheel chair bound--battles not only the normal insecurities of growing up, but bullying and prejudice at school.

Chance's struggle to understand how God could allow him to go through what he did, and his difficulty believing he can be a welcome part of a community once again, is understandable and written with both sensitivity and realism.

This is the final installment of "The Ladies of Sweetwater Lake" series, but you don't have to read the earlier books to enjoy this one. I hadn't, but the secondary characters in "Tidings of Joy" were such a special part of Chance and Tanya's story that I want to go back and read each of their stories as well.

A Ladies of Sweetwater Lake romance
Life has been hard for Chance Taylor. He was sent to prison for a crime he didn't commit. He has been released, but now he has to start over. However, he can't escape his past. Tanya Bolten has had her own problems to overcome. Her husband, Tom, died in prison, leaving her with a daughter to raise. Tanya needs the money, so she agrees to rent her garage apartment to Chance. She never wanted him to become part of her life, but in spite of her better judgment, she begins to depend on him.
Crystal, Tanya's daughter, is confined to a wheelchair. Crystal is a talented, lovely young girl, but a few of the kids from her schol have been harassing her. In addition, some of the townspeople don't want Chance in their town. Tanya tries to defend him, but Chance has a secret that may destroy their blossoming relationship.
This is a tender love story about two people struggling to overcome their past and live a normal life. Bullies come in all sizes. Whether it's kids in school picking on a girl in a wheelchair, or adults determined to drive someone out of town because he's different. Margaret Daley has done a good job of making us aware of the problem. You'll see the hurt, feel the pain, and be warmed by the love as Chance, Tanya, and Crystal learn to rely on God and on each other.

Tidings of Joy
I wish, wish, wish this book would be recommended reading for all junior high and high school students. The manner in which Margaret handled the bullying issues in the story were excellent. Very touching story by a master in the craft of fiction. Heartwarming characters that stayed with me long after I finished the book. BRAVO, MARGARET!!!