All the Blue of Heaven by Virginia Carmichael - Review of the first book in the Colors of Faith series

BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB

Eight years ago, Allie Hathaway scandalized the wealthy elite of Chicago when she ran away to San Francisco. Now a world-renowned portrait painter, her life is filled with laughter and friendship, including being a mother to her orphaned niece. Life is perfect, so why can't she forget her first love? Thomas Bradford has come a long way from being the Hathaway family's carriage boy. A veterinary degree, ambition and hard work have made him one of Chicago's most sought-after bachelors. If only he could forget those stolen moments with Allie, Thomas might be able to enjoy his success.

The Great Quake of 1906 stuns the nation and Allie's art studio burns to the ground, destroying years of valuable work. She's forced to return to Chicago with little Janey, the only spark of hope in a life reduced to ashes. Her faith is crushed by her tragic reversal of fortune.

Thomas knows better than to fall for the beautiful young painter again, but he's never been very wise around Allie Hathaway. The carriage man's son is all grown up and Allie doesn't expect a second chance at a love that was refused eight years ago. Her life is in shambles and she has a child to support, so why won't her heart accept the truth? Once their love was torn apart by circumstance, but Thomas and Allie must decide whether to forge a future of hope together.

MY  REVIEW

I found this book to be a slow starter but it did gain my interest. The characters have some emotional baggage to deal with from their past,so with that and over indulging mothers pushing them in opposite directions, they have to try to forge ahead with their future, be it separate or together. If you like to see faith return to a person once they seem to have lost it this would be a good book for you.