The story opens when Christian wife and mom Erika Welby receives a letter from a child that she had given up for adoption many years before. The author uses the technique she did in her "Ribbon of Years" novel - she intersperses the present-day story line and flashback segments which took place in the late 1970's. This is an interesting technique and does help keep the reader's interest up.

However, when it comes to fiction, I'm looking for something more than an interesting story that keeps you reading. I really felt that the characters could have been much more developed. I also found it quite predictable.

I love to read, and I read mostly non-fiction - I'm careful how I "spend" my reading minutes. In Christian fiction, I'm looking for something a bit deeper than just a nice story. I'm not saying that this book is shallow, but maybe I'm pickier than the typical Christian fiction reader.

Fans of this author will enjoy the short preview of Robin Lee Hatchers' upcoming book "New Wine: A Love Story" which will be coming out in the fall of 2003.

You might be interested in my reviews of other Christian books and music!

The author uses the technique of interspersing present-time segments (very brief - usually only a page or so) with longer sections that were being told to Julianna by Miriam's old boyfriend from her early years. The sections each come out of an object taken out of a box of memories.

I would've liked to have seen more development of the present-day character, Julianna. The story would've been much more compelling if we knew more about her life, and how it was being influenced by what she was hearing about Miriam's life. And I thought that the end was just a bit too predictable and a bit too tidy.

At the end of the book, there is the Prologue and the first chapter of the book that Mrs. Hatcher is writing which will be published during Summer 2002.

I love to read, and I read mostly non-fiction - I'm careful how I "spend" my reading minutes. In Christian fiction, I'm looking for something a bit deeper than just a nice story. I'm not saying that this book is shallow, but maybe I'm pickier than the typical Christian fiction reader.

You might be interested in my reviews of other Christian books and music!

Here's the series in sequence:

1st: WHERE THE HEART IS ------> 2nd: FOREVER,ROSE --------> 3rd: REMEMBER WHEN ------------> 4th: Kiss me, Katie.

I have read many sequel books and normally, the second/third books of any sequel novels aren't as good as the first one anymore. Even though I haven't read the whole series yet (one more to go), I think it is now fair to say that I find all three books satisfying. Each book gets better, story get more exciting.

The Americana series is about a town called Homestead, Idaho. The creation of the town beginning with just few families in small farm houses, one main street and only few stores to it's booming times with railroads and big hotels. I have only read three of the series but so far, it makes me feel like I am in the town itself. There are many characters aside from the two primary couples. It contains love stories as well as family and neighborly love scenes. Many heart warming scenes of people helping one another. Like every small town, everyone knows everybody's business and gossips cannot be avoided. Though I find that flaw amusing in many ways. My favorite aside from the romance story is that each book contains many updates of the characters from the previous book. I also enjoy reading books about children and their growing up years especially if they become the couple in the next book. It is like keeping track of a mini series in T.V.. This is what makes the series so interesting from the beginning to the end.

REMEMBER WHEN is a love story of Tom/Fanny and Sara/Jeremiah. The way R.L.H wrote their romance is simply inspiring. Started out as friends developing into something special. I specially like the way R.L.H wrote Jeremiah. The more you read, the more you understand his fears of loving again. Meanwhile, here's Sara reaching out to him. Tom's unconditional friendship then love for Fanny, who was first judged by most town people for working in the Pony Saloon. Then later, the acceptance. The unusual circumstances & the twist of story makes this book more exciting. Tom & Sara's brother-sister realtionship gave an additional warmth to this book. I had to finish it in one sitting. Otherwise, it'll leave me thinking about it the whole day. GET IT & READ IT!